An eleven-year old me stood at the gate as my uncle and aunty wheeled out, leaving me on the brink of another chapter of my life! A chapter that was to be a turning point in my life! A challenge that seemed huge! An experience that seemed frightening!
Hostel life was about to begin. I came back to my bed in the room they called dormitory (a new name for me then!).
I remembered the things that my friends had told me about hostels. The ragging, the strict matrons, the villainous teachers, the PT teacher's cane! As I thought of the goodies in store, I couldn't help crying.....
That was the first time I cried in the hostel. I did not want to stay there.
The Initial years
A few years ago, I did not know what a hostel was! And now, here I was, a boarding school student of Sanjeevan Vidyalaya, Panchgani. As I tried to get acquainted with my new surroundings, the very first person I met was our matron, Miss Mary. I was surprised to see how gentle and loving she was! Not at all like what I had expected! She was like a loving granny! I also made a few friends who were freshers like me! Gradually, I started getting settled in this new mould life had put forward for me!
The Routine
As the school started, I slowly started adjusting with the new lifestyle. The routine was set. Our day began at 6 am, with a quick brush and then to the daily exercise session. The exercise generally consisted of jogging in the picturesque hills of Panchgani, with our P.T sir Mr.Nair with a cane in his hand. He used it sparingly...and that too just to gently tap the boy lagging behind. I had it twice. Little did I realize then that the cane was helping me to learn not to lag behind....in life!
After the P.T, it was time for a quick bath, and off we went to the prep., which was a short form of preparatory classes, otherwise known as self-study! Next we had our breakfast, and then it was the daily assembly for us. After saying our prayers there, we made our way to the classes. In the afternoon, we had a break for lunch and a half-hour rest, and then it was back to school. At around 4 pm, the school got over, and we came back to our dormitories to change to our sports singlet. Then it was the evening tea followed by games-time. Generally, games meant football in rainy season, hockey in winter, and cricket in summer. After a thoroughly enjoyable session, we came back to our dorms, had a wash, and then it was back to prep. Then it was dinner and then off we went to bed!
Changing Hostels
In Ninth Standard, I changed schools, and found myself in a military school in Puna. The routine here was almost the same, with NCC training twice a week.
So.....what makes the hostel life different?
Self-reliance
Firstly, you have no parents to protect you. You do a mistake, you face the principal! No chits asking your parents to come and meet. It's you and the princi! You have to look after everything....arrange your cupboard, take out clothes for washing(we had a dhobi), do your studies, look after yourself! No Mama and Papa here! It's you and you alone!
Alone...did I say? Well, not really, if you get in the hostel spirit! You have friends, and teachers, and activities and a hoard of other things!
Discipline
You learn discipline....discipline of a routine. Your day is divided in proper segments. And you follow it! No excuses! Only Sundays were yours! You could do what you want, but even on a Sunday, you could not bunk the evening prep. I do remember that every Sunday it was mandatory for us to write two letters.
Extra Curricular Activities
This is one thing that distinguishes a boarding school and a day school. A day school concentrates only on studies, with maybe a bit of sports and dramatics. A boarding school, on the other hand, is a complete character building institution, and is solely responsible for the total development of the children. In our school, we were taught things like swimming and horse riding. The gymnasium of our school was completely professional. The school often undertook camping trips. I still remember the campfires. The school also encouraged creative talents like sculpture, painting, music, dramatics etc. by having regular workshops conducted and regular events held!
The Involvement
The biggest feature of a hostel is the involvement that a student has with every aspect of school-life. You are tremendously attached to the staff, the other students. I remember that every year the ninth standard students gave a small party to the passing out tenth standard guys. Any boy who received some parcel of cookies from his parents never got to taste them! The others confiscated them. The boy had no regrets, whatsoever, as he was in the others when someone else received the parcel!
I do remember the night of 31st December when we were denied the pleasure of the television by the school commandant. We all wanted to see the multi-entertainment program that was on the TV, and were all sitting silently in our dorms cursing our luck! At 10 pm, the princi came in the dormitory, and said,''Come on boys....follow me!''
That night a group of naughty kids were watching the TV in the principal's house!
Another incident worth mentioning was when all the boys had received a typhoid-cholera vaccination before an NCC camp. As we writhed in pain, the principal's wife was awake the whole night, attending to us!
These are small things that leave a big impression!
The Farewell
When we passed out, our friends from ninth gave us a farewell party, as was the tradition. It was well attended by everyone, including the staff, who always felt we were the worst batch(though we surprised everyone with a 100% result).
I remembered the times I had with my hostel friends. I remembered the quarrels and the fun we all had together! I could never forget the love and care that our staff always showed for us! As I thought of all the memories, I couldn't help crying....
That was the second time I cried in the hostel. I did not want to leave.
