Beginning Of My Education

I still remember the name of my first school. Bal Vikas Public School, Patna. My registered name over there was probably Aparna Vishwabandhvi as I recall my father calling me.

I don't remember crying on the first day. On the contrary, I was rather confident and happy to be in the class with so many other boys & girls. Can't remember my teacher but definitely the maid who took care of us and we fondly called her aaya ma. She was so possessive about me that she kept coming to my house even after my children were born, mainly to ask about my welfare.

I also remember learning a lot many nursery rhymes and presenting them in front of the class. The clapping after the recitation gave me such unexplainable happiness that the next I would be prepared with yet another poem. I think this was my first love for poetry.

I never remember Amma or Papa or anyone else teaching me any subject during those days nor anyone asking me to do any studies. But I would always complete a little bit of homework related to alphabet writing, cursive practices and Hindi word making along with simple numerals and tables with a lot of enthusiasm. Not a single day would I think about missing my school! Such was my love for my first school.