Past Episode

Fifty years ago, while I was a twelve-year-old boy I was reading in class VI. Anam, one of my class mates, my bosom friend. We read and play together. We both ply to School together and return home together daily. But during the vacation and two month's before half yearly or annual exam I go to his house for reading.

His father was a mill worker and mother was a mere housewife. I get ample affection from both of the parents of Anam. They were not educated nevertheless they were literate.

During summer vacation I stay in Anam's house to read together under the permission of my parents. Anam was not reading well like me. On the otherhand he was very laborious and often assisted his parents in cornfield works as I have seen. Because Anam's father was a peasant who cultivate in the cornfield of the headman of the village. Besides Mill work, cultivation was a also a source of income of Ram babu, the father of Anam while he was off duty.

Anam was poor in study. So his fathet, Rambaboo, most of the times was scolding and beating him mercilessly in front me pointing towards me as I was a brilliant student who stood as an example. Not only his father was beating him with a cane mercilessly but also her mother was beating him jointly. I was feeling these activities of his parents very seriously and was trying to convince them. But my effort was in vain.

Time passed away. Everyday we were going the coaching class together before exams. That was the annual exam of class VII. We both appeared at the exam. As there was observance of strict discipline in the examination hall, I could not help my friend Anam in providing copy notes. Anam was only sitting and reading the question papers.

The Board examination was over. While result came out, it was found that Anam,my bosom friend could not pass in the exam. It was a matter of great regret for me. I solaced him not to lose heart and to keep up constant trial.

However, I passed successful by securing highest marks in the class . Then I took admission in the High School situated near our village..... Another M.E.School episode is remembered by me. I would like to click about it. The episode is on a mischief that I committed as a subteen which is now recollected by me till today. The episode narrated as follows.

Late Mr. Bishwanath Sahoo was hour Class Teacher when I was a student of class VI. He was very cordial but strict. If any student was defaulting in answering his questions, he was kneel downing him after caning.

One day I also became a defaulter and was punished by him. The reason that I was one of his brilliant students 

So Sahoo Sir caned me as if I was a stray dog before kneeling me down putting two little stones under my knees which was very painful to me. As I was an under-teen with somewhat childish shortcoming I grudged on him for such type of disciplinary actions.

It was afternoon. We had the recess to enjoy our tiffin inside the school premises. It was a golden chance to avenge Sahoo Sir's mal treatment that he carried out on me. So I gather two numbers of small stones. During that time our teachers were plying to school by riding their bicycles as there was rare use motorcycles. However to satisfy myself I dropped the stones into the holes of the hollow frame fitted under Sahoo Sir's bicycle seat. Moreover, I pricked paper fixing pins into his tyres for making them leaked too. Everything I did after taking my tiffin. Then I entered in the class room.

It was 4 pm. Our school hours came to end. All the students and teachers March out of the class rooms homewards started homeward. But I was a silent observer. I was only watching our Sahoo Sir's reaction and worry by standing on the verandah with a smile. Though I was inwardly happy, I concealed that emotion and asked Sahoo Sir, " What happened Sir? You seem quite upset. "Sahoo Sir was standing on the school verandah beside his bicycle. His face was pale and his lips were with an expression of"

Sahoo Sir replied," Nothing happened Panda. Only my cycle is punctured and I am thinking how to patch. Here is no cycle repairing shop nearby. I have to go to Chudakhia market on foot by carrying it. "

After hearing so from the mouth of our Sahoo Sir, my mood was changed and I requested him, " Sir I will accompany you up to the market. Because our Dina uncle has his repairing shop is there. He himself is a very good cycle mechanic and wholesale dealer of bicycle for our area too who can repair your cycle in no time."

He then told , " Let me know who is he? Why you call him Dina uncle " Because his family and our family belong to same village. His house is nearest to our house. My father treats him as eldest brother. So I call him Dina Dada ( uncle )."

After that I accompany Sahoo Sir up to Chudakhia Bazar and introduced him with Dina Dada. Instantly he instructed one of his work men to patch and to make a thorough check as to what was the other defects. The the workman did the needful. After patching and pumping the tubes and removing stones out of the frame hole Dina dada confirmed that it was OK to ride then. Sahoo Sir was happy and he thanked Dina dada. He also blessed me and riding his bicycle he departed. Then I returned home on foot. I repented for my mischief and promise before goddess Chandi never to commit such mischief henceforward.