The Turning Point

The onset of February indicates the commencing of Board S.S.C. and H.S.C. exams in Maharashtra which continue almost till the end of March. Learning fraternity becomes busy in various preparations while teachers in assessing the answer sheets. Everybody is under tremendous pressure. While reading stories of successful iconic people, it's been often noticed a certain exam played a vital role in shaping their career. Here is a rural teacher who desperately wants to share his story. Surprisingly the exam which changed the course of my life was a first-term school exam.

Down the memory lane, the year 1983, I was a student of Shri A. K. National high school and Jr. College, Khamgaon learning in Grade XI Commerce. The turning point appeared in the form of an English paper of the first term exam in October. Our English teacher was also in charge of junior college and was often busy with some administrative work. He used to teach every lesson minutely. Consequently, some chapters remained untaught. Some students raised voice. As the exam approached the grumble turned into a protest and the idea of a boycott of English paper surfaced. Boys upheld it with a majority and soon girls also joined hands. Almost everybody was eager to participate in the boycott. I talked with friends and expressed my wish to give it a try. As we were preparing hard, there was no question of joining the boycott. But as the exam neared, pressure mounted, melting some of our friends. Only three remained firm holding the grounds, but not for too long.

On the day of the English paper, when I reached the exam center, I received a shock. My two friends had already joined the protester's camp. They greeted with a smile and tried to dissuade. I remained firm and walked towards the exam hall. Suddenly on the doorsteps, a group of leader boys approached. Angrily they pointed towards the ground, where the crowd was looking at me in disbelief. That was a decisive moment. I remained adamant, turned down the last-minute appeal and entered the exam hall.

It was all mine. The invigilator doubted whether there was a scheduled paper. I told him about the protest. He peeped through the window and saw students chanting slogans. I expressed my wish to write the paper which he accepted looking with great surprise. The paper wasn't tough at all. Like a lone warrior, I started my innings. It wasn't easy. The whole class was hooting for a long time, passing sarcastic comments, vulgar remarks and whistling. But I was confident and proud of my stance and lent a deaf ear. To quote the words of Dalai Lama, "A wrong is a wrong, even if everybody follows and a right is a right even if nobody follows it." It was my testing time, forgetting the initial drama I concentrated on writing answers and came out only after three hours, satisfied. I felt like a batsman coming out after finishing a match, victorious but no spectators to applaud.

Later on, I came to know that a girl also appeared for the paper. It was a huge relief. At last, somebody understood my stance. But we were only two against seventy-two. They unanimously decided to cast us aside, not even to speak. Someone christened me with a new name, 'IDIOT' while bullies planned to beat. But nature had some other plans. The next day the whole class was reprimanded by the Head Mistress and also by our English teacher. Boys blamed girls for the whole drama and vice versa. The plan to beat me was eventually dropped. On the contrary, some justified my stance but the title remained. And who's to say they were wrong? I thank the friend who called me 'idiot', for idiots have the courage to face adverse situations regardless of dire consequences. They hold the grounds and perform in pressure cooker situations. They can't be carried away like black sheep and goats nor do they give up or run away from their assigned duties and challenges.

An examination is not all about marks and competition. This battle you have to fight alone. No friends. It's an opportunity in disguise to test your honesty, principles, mental toughness, attitude and never to die spirit. Remember, every exam has its own importance. The seeds of success were sown in those three hours. Deserted even by friends, I never anticipated or longed for any appreciation. The gains were many. I got good marks and stood first in two divisions. It was a psychological victory. Also, I won the heart of my English teacher who later on proved instrumental in shaping my career as an English teacher. My spirits raised high. The fear of English gone completely and I always faced English paper with confidence.

In my presentations at George Mason University (US) in March 2012, after narrating I mentioned this incident as the turning point of my life. There was a huge round of applause. It's a cherished and loving memory that I keep near to heart.

So dear friends, the exams are near. It's your turn now. Give your best shot. Enjoy the festival of education. Who knows this may be your turning point exam. Go and seize the opportunity and emerge like a champion full of confidence. It will help you to face challenges in life. Don't feel sad when your sincere efforts are neglected. Life always has a secret plan to appreciate your courage. Believe me, someday you too will pen down your unique success story.