A temple and deities...

 

When I came to know that in June 2021 our OVC completes 100 years, my cheers knew no bounds! 

My classes  in OVC were from 1960-'65. Those times, all the 5 days we used to be busy with our works  with just study only! Our each day would start from 9 in the morning, as we came to school from far!

In the morning at school assembly, speech & poems would take place. Uniform was not the norm then (except for Mondays). 

During our time Mr NSR was the HM & his predecessor was Mr Viswanatha Bharathi, who was my maternal uncle (periyappa). I feel proud that I belong to Bharathiyar family. 

In 1965 due to Hindi agitations, our SSLC (11 year)  exams were uncertain & were finally held in May. Those days Sanskrit & Hindi were also subjects. We used well water for drinking, as carrying bottle was not the norm then. Both pupils & teachers would enter classrooms without chappals! They used to leave the footwear outside.

I recall Rajaji's  & orator (Kamban adipodi) Sa.Ganesan's visit to our school. Only 2 lady teachers at that time: Mrs.Jayalakshmi & Mrs. Grace. Games were compulsory. Yearly two days our school would wear a festive look on account of Sports & Anniversary days. Numerous programs would adorn the event.

I'm indebted to the teachers of our times whose teaching brought me to further educational levels & made me too a teacher, which was my passion & career. 

I joined as a teacher in Kolkata at age 18; Passed BA, MA & BEd while working there. After 20 years (of school) I did my degree! 

In this period, I was able to acquire some qualification in Hindi (Kovid exam from Wardha University) & Bengali learning also. From 1967 my Kolkata life started as teacher & after retiring as HM, I'm in Mumbai now.

Every 5 yrs I used to visit MNM, but couldn't make it to school. But, yes in 2018, I visited school after many years. That visit brought me closer to SA, ie OVC's alumni Trust.

I regarded the school as a temple & the teachers as deities. This summarizes the wholesome essence of this write-up.

2021 is the centenary of both OVC HSS & my mother, which I'm doubly happy about! 

My wishes to all the stakeholders of the commemoration of centenary.

Janaki Manian

OVC HSS alumnus (1960-'65). &   SA Member.

Mumbai.