Mr. Bhatnagar mails in....

Sometimes life goes on faster than what we estimate. We tend to leave a lot of things, or maybe people too, behind as we pace ourselves to life. But there are some moments where we sit back and think of all those people who were or are a part of our life. I am a person who has such moments pretty often (I guess I have a lot of time to do all that sentimental thinking)

It was at one such instant that I thought of my Principal in school ( Indian School Al Ghubrah )days, Mr B S Bhatnagar. A strict person on the surface but there was a soft side to him that most of us didn’t understand then. Today I realize that a lot of my good and disciplined habits are a bit due to his influence. I decided to write to him.

Getting his mail id was pretty easy thanks to out beloved orkut and Karthik, a junior of mine who send it to me. He was doubtful if sir still used this mail id. I decided to give it a shot. After all what did I have to lose?? And a range of emotions to gain!!! Can you imagine my surprise when I got a mail back in just 2 hours.

These are some excerpts from the mail he sent me…..

What a pleasure it was to hear from you after a very long time!! Thank you for your thoughtful gesture of writing to me.

How are your parents, Sarada and Mr Vijaya Kumar? Where are they working presently? Where are you working? What news on the matrimonial front? (He remembers my parents name too)

Where is Vandana? Did she granduate from Feroke College, Kozhikode, or from another college? Is she a CA or/and an MBA? (Ok if parents name was a fluke…my sister’s college name???)

I have been a teacher for more than four decades and I remember all my former students and many things about them. So when I wrote to you it was the same about Vandana and you. How would I ever forget such nice children (they are now elegant, impressive and professionally successful ladies) as you two? (Oh were we that good…can’t believe he’s talking about us!!!)

We were invited to Ulrika's wedding in Delhi but we could not go. Is Vanitha, mentioned by you in your email, Varadarajan, who went from here to the Illinois Institute of Technology? Where is her sister? Unless you know it already, I must tell you that Shehjar Kaul married her college classmate last year and Deepshikha Ganjoo also married her college classmate in January this year (both weddings, inter-caste and inter-state, were classic examples of national integration). Dr Dinesh Jacob John (Class of 1998) is going to marry his classmate, Dr Tanya Mariam George, on 23rd April in Kottayam. (He remembers all the names and details.)

Although I am still a novice in IT I was able to visit your website and was delighted to get the all the news and to see your family photographs. Why has Mr Vijaya Kumar's hair grown as white as mine? (Sigh!! That personal touch too!!)

Regards to your parents and blessings and best wishes to you and Vanadana from both of us.

I can’t express my feelings in words. Sometimes life just leaves us speechless. Love you sir so much. Maybe I never told you or even realise it then. But I do today!!!!