Dad visits his school in Belgaum after 44 years!

12.07.08
Dad visits his school in Belgaum after 44 years!
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It is a Sunday and we're off to see dad's old school. He came to boarding school here when he was 10 and completed his schooling when he was 16, at which point he was off to the National Defence Academy, continuing on to a career in the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Since it was a Sunday, the main gate was closed. The side gate was open, so he told us to wait for him while he went in to find out where we could enter. I sensed his excitement and anticipation at being there though he was trying to contain it. Mum and I waited in the car for some time, then we figured we might as well go take a walk since the campus looked inviting. It is very green with very old Banyan trees - over time the branches of these ancient giants drop down and form new roots - they look amazing. As we wandered around the main campus road, we saw dad returning - he'd met a young student of class XI, whom he'd asked to be his guide. First thing dad suggested we do is go visit the Principle so he knows who we are instead of randomly walking around. The young student, Vijayendra accompanied us to Principle Alagraj's home. His wife and him were in this morning, and invited us in for coffee. I think he was surprised and just as happy to see a former student return. Dad was reminiscing about his good old school days with Col. Alagraj, asking him how things had changed, whether some old traditions were still there and who else might still be around. All the contained anticipation of coming here, not knowing if we'd make it, was slowly pouring out. Col. and Mrs. Alagraj were very hospitable and nice. After spending some time with them, we took our guide, Vijayendra and headed off to campus.

As we walked through the campus, we saw the different houses and the one to which dad belonged. In India, all the students of a school are organised into what we call houses. There are generally 4 houses and the idea is that during competitions you represent your house. In the case of a boarding school, your quarters, which are the same for all students, is located according to your house. The campus and buildings are old - from British times, I think. Though dad didn't remember his exact room, he showed us the general area. As we wandered, the students who were playing cricket or just chilling on a Sunday came by to say hello. They were a confident bunch, standing around with mum and dad asking all kinds of curious questions. A recurring question was how many of dad's graduating class went to the National Defence Academy (NDA). The school used to be called King George's Belgaum, but is now called the Rashtriya Military School. As such, many of the young kids aspire to go to the armed services. During dad's time, only the best of the best went to the services, and if you were really good and worked very hard, you'd try for the Air Force as a fighter pilot - as dad did :-). I imagine it is still the same, but competition might be more fierce and the students have to undergo extra coaching to compete in addition to the normal class load. Almost any young person that saw us, made it a point to come wish us good afternoon - I was impressed by how polite and courteous they all were.

Dad showed us the mess where all students sit and eat together, grouped according to the house to which they belong. The mess folk were preparing the evening dinner, and they showed us the enormous task of organising food for all the students. I believe the school has a total of about 350 students. The boxing ring, which also served as a makeshift temple during major festivals of the many faiths in India was still there though it now had a wall around it. As dad often told us: during a Hindu festival, the boxing ring would become a Hindu temple and a Hindu priest would come and explain the significance of the day to all students; during a Sikh festival, it would be a gurudwara and a Sikh priest would come and explain to all students and so on for Christian and Muslim festivals. Dad showed us the swimming pool, where he learnt to swim and play water polo, which he continued through his NDA days. I've seen black and white photos of the pool. Another memory he had was of playing football. During his time in school, one of the Principle's was ex-NDA from the Fox squadron and had set up an exchange whereby the Fox squadron football team would come play against the King George's football team. Dad had incidentally played against Fox squadron as a student in Belgaum and later when he was in NDA, he'd ended up in Fox squadron and had yet again come back to Belgaum to play football against his old school representing NDA's Fox squadron.

Mum and I also enjoyed wandering around the grounds admiring the beautiful murals, the old trees, lots of greenery and the nice environment. The main road was also lined with little cement structures with motivational sayings like: `Knowledge speaks, wisdom listens', by Jimi Hendrix. It was a very positive experience. The weather was pleasant, perhaps because Belgaum is somewhat close to the west coast and also because it is very green so the cool breeze keeps the temperatures pleasant.

I feel that there are times in life, when we are truly in a state of bliss. There is a contagious, positive energy about us that draws out a general feeling of well-being and contentment in us and those around us - it's almost as if everyone is sharing the same emotions. I think mum and I were sharing these with dad on this day, he was reliving his old memories and we too were infected with abundance of emotion and happiness dad felt - it was a good day!