Though we grew old, some of the childhood
days remain in our memories and lives forever. The childhood days of mine are
spent in convent hostels away from my home. Raised in boarding school, I always
look forward for the vacations to spend time with my parents, grandparents,
sisters, cousin brothers and cousin sisters. All my sisters, cousin brothers
and cousin sisters were raised in my home, where as I was raised in boarding
schools. The reasons were my grand dad, he had a special affection on me and
want to give me the best of education. The second reason, I was notorious,
naughty and crazy kid troubling all the members in the house. I hope this may
be the real reason to put me in catholic boarding schools. Summer vacations are
till etched in my grey cells, sleeping on my granddad chest, playing with my
pet dog Rajini, tasting the mangoes from our farm orchards, grazing the cattle’s,
milking goats, trekking the mountains, camping in the hills overnight,
bartering old metals for colourful ice sticks and cotton candy. Among all these
I treasure two important things – my granddad wisdom and I learnt most of good
habits from him. Some of them are reading books, attraction towards carnatic
classical music, humble, patience and many more. I remember him at least once in
a day. My granddad nurtured me in all ways till he breathed last.
The next person who made my
summer vacation more meaningful was our farm land servant Shri. Mandiri and his
wife Smt. Sitthai. The couples stayed adjacent to my home with their eight
children. Mandiri was much devoted and loyal to his work and duties. He used to
carry me on his shoulders and take around our agricultural land. The most important thing, I look forward from
him is the bed-time stories. Though, he was an illiterate but possessed excellent
narrative skill. When he starts to narrate the stories, all his eyes, face and hands
speaks. I visualize those story scenes in my mind and I become a great fan of
his stories. Most of my vacation nights, passed with bed time stories from him.
He was responsible for grooming me to become a good listener, right from my childhood
days. I grasped all the stories, most of them conveyed morale values and I used
to tell these stories back to my friends in the hostel. My hostel friends also
look forward for those stories and indirectly influenced me in mastering the
delivery skills. I really attribute both the skills today in my professional
life – Listening to patients / clients / students and delivering lectures
(Without boring and ensure the core message reaches the audience). The couples moved
to a nearby village after my granddad demise.
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| Mandiri - My master stroy teller |
Recently, I had been to my native
and dropped in to their house to pay a courtesy visit. The couples are living independently
even in their senile ages. Mandiri was very much weak, confined to bed and could
not see because of the cataracts. Sitthai was indeed very much happy to receive
me and took me to her husband’s bed. She woke him up and said that Raja Kutty
(My pet name) has come to see us. Mandiri woke up to the sound of Rajakutty and
touched my face, hands and hairs. He slowly came close to me to have a look at
my face, but he could not able to see me clearly. He became emotional and tears
rolled in his eyes. My eyes too welled in tears. He spoke after few minutes of
silence, enquiring about my health, professional life and family life. Meanwhile
Sitthai brought me a cup of black tea. The tea and the conversations will not
match to any of the finest café conversations in the world. The warmth of the
couple even after years moved me. I was blessed in my life to have Mandiri in
my childhood days.
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| Sitthai and her residence in a remote hamlet |
No matter, the present generation
kids have access to advanced features but I’m sure they miss the important
value lessons and learning experiences. I was blessed and fortunate enough to
have my teacher’s right in my home.
