1. 06 / My School Days
I secured admission directly in 2nd standard in June 1957. My Municipal school was located
near my home (Angre Wadi, Girgaon). Soon the school was temporarily shifted to Banamahal
Lane school due to repairs / renovation. That new school building was located little far. I had
to walk for about 10-15 minutes alone with school bag and the umbrella. Nowadays we find
that either a servant or parent, accompany the kid up to the school bus. I can still remember
that walk to my school on a crowded road.
I still remember my first class teacher, Mr. Chavan Sir. (2nd to 4th standard Municipal School).
His method of teaching was so simple that even below average student was comfortable in
his class. Incidentally, his dress code resembled to my father’s dress code.
Our class teacher used to take our mathematics test every Saturday. It was a mental sum test.
All students would stand up and then teacher would narrate the problem. After you arrive at
the answer, the student was supposed to sit. One day I was standing till end. Everyone
thought that I am unable to solve the sum. Teacher then asked the answers one by one to all
students. That Saturday, I was the only one to give the correct answer.
Up to 4th standard, I studied in Municipal school and then took admission in Wilson High
School in June 1960. Same year my elder brother was admitted in 7th standard in Union High
School. My eldest brother was also studying in 9th standard in Wilson High School.
On the first day of the school, students assembled in the class room. Incidentally one fair
looking boy was seating next to me. He had red birth mark on his right cheek. I smiled at him.
His name was Jayant. His father was a teacher in our high school. Our wave length matched.
We became best friends. We studied together in school / college, became CA, did practice
together, and shared our pains and happy moments. It was unfortunate that Jayant expired
untimely on 23-05-2006. (Born on 26-01-1951) He was my only best friend, closer to me more
than my brothers. His sudden death really shocked me. With a great difficulty I survived that
shock. I hosted my website on 23-05-2008 to coincide with his death anniversary.
Wilson high School had a high reputation. The School was established 100 years back. Though
the school was run by Christian Trust, the teaching Staff was mostly Hindus. I still remember
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Paranjape Sir (Sr. & Jr.), Godbole Sir, Sathe Sir, Samant Sir, Chitale Sir, Borde Sir, Barve
Madam, Pawar Sir (Sr. & Jr.), etc. Mr. Waghchoure was the Principal. Sathe Sir was
vice-principal. He was very soft spoken and had a respectable personality.
Paranjape Sir & Barve madam taught Marathi & Sanskrit. Pawar Sir taught History,
Geography, and Civics. Borde Sir & Samant Sir taught Science. Sathe Sir, Chitale Sir,
Waghchoure Sir taught English. Torkhade Sir was in charge of PT. Bansode Sir was
specializing in Handlooms & Charkha etc. He was also in charge of School Garden.
I had volunteered for Gardening work while in school.
All these teachers not only imparted formal education but also informed us the current
developments in the country, told moral stories with an emphasis on developing us as good
citizens of the country. This really laid a strong foundation of my personality. I would say
that this was the ‘booster dose of hard work, sincerity’ learned from my father. Thank you
Sir. Your debt can never be repaid.
English was introduced for the first time in 5th standard. Now days, students of 3 years are
able to write ABC. (A for America, B for bye, bye and C for Computer.) We had to cover the
syllabus ranging from ABC, reading English text books, reciting the poems, and answer text
book questions. It was an up hill task to comply in one year considering that most of the
students had not even learned ABC prior to admission in 5th Standard. English was taught
by Mr. Bhalerao. He had cleared BA exam in the same year and joined our school as English
teacher. His English was good but was of no use to us as he did not know how to teach
English to students who are facing the subject for the first time.
In 6th standard, Mr. Chitale Sir taught English. He taught the subject ‘copy book’ style. English
became my favourite subject. My fear for the subject disappeared. In 1967, I took admission
in Sydenham college. Head of the department conducted special English class for one year for
students studied in vernacular medium till SSC. This special English class was of great help
to me.
In 6th standard, I tested my so called first failure. In 1st Quarterly examination I failed in
Hindi. I could score 35 out of 100. Friends, are you wondering how I was declared as failed?
Our school had set higher minimum base as 40 marks for passing. Now can you image why
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I failed? I never opened Hindi book at home. I never did revision. I attempted examination
purely on what I learned in the class. I was asked to explain my failure at home. I openly told
the above facts. My father excused me for this failure. I am still wondering as to why I did
that? In fact I should have studied Hindi as the subject was introduced for the first time.
Friends, don’t misunderstand. I have respect for our national language but it is still a puzzle
for me as why I did not study Hindi in 1st Quarter examination. Next quarter, I studied Hindi
so well, that I stood first in the class.
I remember one more major incident when I was studying in 6 th Standard. I first tested
‘Politics and ill effects of Gossip.’ However my Father supported me as he had complete
faith in me. I request readers to read the incident from the Spandane Article ‘Sparrow’s
Parable.’
From 7th standard to 11th standard, I would Top the class in 3rd quarterly examination held in
January. Other examinations I would be in first 5 ranks. This is yet another puzzle. I would
study all through the year but this trend was continued for 5 years.
The school had issued only one progress report book to record the progress from 5th standard
to 11th standard. Of course the book had additional pages for repeaters. The entire academic
progress was available in one progress card unlike present days of issuing separate sheet
every year. Many years I had preserved that progress book. I never realized when I lost it
like my Childhood?
I passed my SSC examination (11th standard) in June 1967. We had seven papers to answer.
Examination would get over in 4 days. Every day we were expected to answer two papers of
3 hours each. Nowadays, SSC examination lasts for minimum 15 days. We had a choice to take
8th extra subject. If you clear in any 7 subjects out of 8, then you would be declared pass.
My family members (my mother and eldest brother) forced me to take 8th subject namely
Special Arithmetic. In other words, they were not ready to show the basic faith on me that
I can clear 7 subjects. In fact there was no basis for such low confidence in my ability or
intelligence. I had passed in all examinations conducted by the School. I was an average
student securing about 65% marks those days.
Due to tremendous pressure, I filled up the form for 8 papers including Special Arithmetic.
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Arithmetic was not my favourite subject. My favourite subject was History & Geography. The
examination of this 8th paper would take place 15 days after regular examination gets over.
I studied Arithmetic in this gap of 15 days. Unfortunately Arithmetic paper was exceptionally
tough. I could solve the answers of only 65 marks and scored 62 marks in Special Arithmetic.
I had scored less mark as compared to other papers.
I am yet to discover the secret of no-confidence in my ability. My elder brother used to score
marks in the range of 65% but no compulsion was done in his case. This had a very bitter
effect on my mind. I refused to believe anyone in my Life. Finally, I became an Auditor whose
main job was to report on discrepancies in the system. However, I took extra pains to confirm
that I won’t lose the human angle in finding discrepancies. Faith is the great donation to
mankind. Friends, you will agree that our Life runs on Basic Faith. We have faith in system,
human beings and even in GOD or Super power as well.
This incident has troubled my mind for many years. Dear readers, at the cost of some
repetition, I have included a separate Article titled My Experience of Faith. I hope that you
will excuse me for this repetition. Readers kindly have basic faith in your kids considering
their abilities.
Mrs. Barve taught Marathi in 11th standard. We were given assignment of writing essay on
‘My childhood’. My essay got the first prize. Teacher enquired whether it was hypothetical or
a reality? I was obviously not the Author at that age to write something hypothetical.
My friendship with Jayant achieved great heights by the time we cleared SSC. Jayant was
transferred to Division A from 8th standard as he decided to study Mathematics & Science in
English.
Mr. Kalgutkar became my friend in 8th standard. We studied together till SSC. We decided to
pursue Medical (Ayurveda) after SSC. Eventually he became an Engineer and I became a
Chartered Accountant.
