THE TEACHER FOR A LIFETIME.............

PART 1

A few months ago in my eyes you were a rather intimidating teacher and getting into your good books seemed an impossible task. There was something different in the way the bell rang before the start of your period, somehow signaling most of us to rush to the infirmary while the only alternative was to grin and bear it!!!

Now after all those days , the difference in the ring continues to be felt although now there is a genial glow of a flame in the hall of togetherness……….

And, on Jan 7 I got the insight into the real person you are through the few moments shared by 91 souls present in a room during the stressful minutes before the finale by class X. We have made whatever you taught us part of our souls as you continue to display them in your life…….... which makes me go back to the day before yesterday when there arose a SHOW OF EMOTION right before our programme and all of us knew we couldn’t afford a breakdown during that point of time but none knew what to do……… and as usual out of nowhere came a few golden words which perhaps ignited us to give the show of our lives……….you advised us to face reality as it is and some day or the other we ‘ll have to bear what we must bear ( what Shakespeare, Sylvia Plath and Shelley taught us).You told us that once something goes bad you got to keep trying no matter what, made us feel that we are all in this together thus exhibiting your “NEVER GIVE UP” attitude…….. and went on to explain how you kept trying to publish an article in the Hindu newspaper…...........you also made us realize that this could probably be the last programme we may be putting TOGETHER and why we should live each day as if it were our last and give our best shot.

PART 2

Yesterday, just as I woke up from a rather grueling day's sleep, I went through the newspaper and most importantly the weekly open page where I got a chance to witness much more than a 21st century Shakespeare in the making. Not many IN MY EXPERIENCE has delved into the inner workings of a student mind or rather the human psyche like you, ma'am……………

I am no critic to judge your article...........but it was published in one of the world's most widely circulated newspapers,...........need I say more?? As one student of the thousands you have taught and one of the millions of words of praise you have received through the article I can just say it was "simply wonderful" which may not stay in your heart for long..................but I can't in a more exuberant way express my pride than to say that my teacher's article has been published in the Hindu.........

CONCLUSION

Through the inspiration you provided by continuously cajoling us to make ourselves a better person, we were able to put together the show we always wanted to give.....................and you kept telling through everything you have said and done that LIFE THROWS STONES AT US FOR US TO CONVERT THEM INTO MILESTONES...........

THEREFORE what you taught us will stay in our hearts for a long time if not forever and undoubtedly you have taught perhaps a lifetime’s worth of knowledge in a span of a few months...................It is very difficult to depart, (knowing that this could be the last year you could ever teach the whole group TOGETHER) right when you have snuck your way right into our hearts...............

Yours LOVINGLY (we love you more than we respect you)

STD X, 2011- 2012

[SORRY FOR EXCEEDING THE WORD LIMIT BUT THERE IS JUST TOOOOOMUCH TO SAY]

Realisations of 2011

This year, I found out a lot of things, like many others did.

Hate can be a result of love.
Trying to look at moments behind you causes a squint.
My mind is far dirtier than before, but I have to make do with the innocence I have left.
Working hard reaps rewards, however small.
Rewards aren't always material.
People are stupid. Trust yourself.
You still don't know how to forgive.
If you keep working hard, you won't get lazy.
Listening to awesome songs motivates you.
Bathing refreshes you.
The future is just a stranger on the street. It exists, but you shouldn't care too much about it, or you might get hurt.
People are awesome. Listen to them, and learn from them.
Complaining is stupid. Endure.
Angels exist, but they won't speak to you unless you speak to them.

Mullaperiyar- Hope for a better tomorrow

The latest controversy on the 116 year old Mullaperiyar dam has hit us had and harder perhaps ,the T.N government.From historical records we can see that the Mullaperiyar dam treaty was no longer existent after India won her freedom.The T.N government had forced the Kerala government since then to revive the treaty and continue to provide water and electricity to Tamil Nadu at highly subsidized rates.The government of Kerala accepted this demand in 1970's and the former treaty came into being.The dam has outlived its expected lifespan of 50 years and can break and cause a pandemonium at any moment.The presently minor yet frequent earthquakes too have contributed to the anxiety of Keralites.

Looking Back....

Most of the Madras Presidency at the time of Britishers was arid, devoid of moisture during summers. Even the great rivers like Vaiga were drying up and the farmers and the commoners were suffering greatly. Plans for an alternative source of water began from 1850's. But it was only in 1882 that the construction of the dam was approved by State sec

retary of Madras state J.C Hannington. Thus the Mullaperiyar dam was completed by 1895. The government then had taken the right over the Mullaperiyar and surrounding 1500 hectares of land from Vishakam Thirunnal, Maharaja of Travancore.

Why is T.N so stubborn?

The answer for this is simple. Who would want to kill the gold laying duck?

Tamil Nadu uses the water from Periyar to cultivate sunflower gardens,grape farms etc in Theni, Madurai etc. The loss of treaty would mean a huge blow for the Tamilian economy. Tamil Nadu pays Andhra Pradesh Rs. 3 crores per TMC of water and Rs.40000 for 70 TMC of water to the Kerala government. So the renewal of the dam would mean a change in the treaty thereby reducing Tamil Nadu's profits. But placing the life of thousands of Kerala at stake is not the way to solve this problem. Despite all these pleas from Kerala T.N has asked the central government to raise the height of the dam to 142 feet !!

Twin face of our politicians

The latest controversy related to the dam was the remark of P Chidambaram, honorary minister of Home Affairs on the dam. He said that the political parties were inflating the issue and that they were taking up the issue due to the fear of losing in elections. Though such a remark was not appreciable he has a point.Our political parties and leaders all have unitedly stood for this issue.But this is just another form of campaigning for votes.Naturally if one party was to take up the issue and the other neglect it it would result in the defeat of the latter party in the next elections.So this seems as another big drama set up by the government.

Kerala has innumerable ways of pressurizing T.N government.As I mentioned earlier the water from Periyar is crucial for them.Kerala can temporarily freeze the treaty to force T.N government to agree. But T.N has recently announced that it will announce the name of some Keralites who have illegally bought land in Tamil Nadu.Thus the Kerala government seems to be protecting the interest of few and forgetting millions whose lives are at stake.

All we can hope is that the country realizes our pitiful condition and help to save lives of million...

Let's bring the CLUBS back!!

Here's a shout-out to all our Devagirians out here on the blog.

As part of the whole Creative You franchise I'd paraded around during the elections, we've decided to bring the Clubs back. That's right - the social, the science, the theatre, the skating, the basketball, the dance, the social service, the sketching, the compering, the vocal, the Blah Blah - Every single one of those clubs are on the path to making their entrance back into Devagiri. Till about two years ago, we had all these clubs and seems to us that they did a pretty good job at doing SOMETHING to bring the Creative You out into the open.
I know it's really late into the year, we're almost approaching the end of the second term, and I apologize for the delay folks - but I'm confident this can be pulled off even now. There are a lot of events coming up where each club will get to portray itself, and right now is the time for you to respond to the idea. Want them back? Want to be part of a crazy group of people who are fanatics just like you? :D I'll be waiting for you in the Comments Section folks.