“If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older”

It was first day of school (Kendriya Vidyala -Central School Khadakvasla NDA Pune)  and I was all set and ready with my school bag.

I remember my school bag used to be like the military bags. In dad’s office there was Mr Naidu who used to stitch the school bags.

It was always the military green and that used to make me feel like  a Cadet life in National Defense Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla Pune.

When I came dressed up in my school-uniform, my dad gave a final touch by tucking my white terry coat shirt in my navy blue skirt and pulled my white nylon socks and buckled my black leather shoes. This is the school uniform for my school in NDA. My long hair was breaded and rolled up with a red ribbon.

I was excited to get the admission in the school as I had to give an entrance test where I scored 100 out of 100. I knew that time one should feel proud for their deeds. But at the same time I was nervous too if the kids in my class be nice and friendly with me or not?

These questions were in mind and I didn’t even realize when we reached the school. Dad took me to the principal’s office and I was introduced to the Principal Mr. Mehta – who’s hair was all in silver color.

Then I knew principal’s used to have a uniform too and that was white uniform. My dad said, ‘enjoy and be brave’. When he waved to say bye, I cried.

I think this was usual to the Principal and hence Mr. Mehta took me to my class and introduced to the children in the class and my teacher Anjali Madam. She took my hand and made me sit on the bench and said, dear this will be your seat. Let me know if you need anything.

“I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.”  ~Lily Tomlin

I felt how sweet my teacher is. For every now and then I used to go to Anjali teacher asking for some or the other thing just to be near my teacher. I think I had found my comfort zone there.

I forgot that I was sitting next to a boy whose name was Madan. He seemed to be a big guy and it was true. This was his 2^nd year in the class. I was a bit nervous the way he looked at me and smiled.

“As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools”

Since it was first day of the school after school prayers and Principal’s speech we all came into our classroom and Anjali teacher started writing on the blackboard. Those days the format of the blackboard used to be date on the left hand side, in the middle will be the subject and title of the song or lesson and on the extreme right hand side it will be number of students present, absent and total sum of kids in that class.

I used to admire Anjali teacher’s handwriting. Sometimes, I think every good thing began from there. After singing some jingles, Anjali teacher said class dismissed. Everyone can go home. Those days’ kids will get out of the school and look for their parents at the main gate. If any kid was left due to any reason then the Peon of the school will take that kid to the Principal’s office and then the Principal will call the parents and do the needful.

I was out and was looking for my dad. I was worried when I didn’t see him at the school gate but then my neighbor Arun who was a year older to me came by and said, I will take you home since we got a half day may be your dad didn’t know of this.

“I was trying to daydream, but my mind kept wandering.” ~ Stephen Wright

I used to play with Arun all the time and I could trust him hence I walked with him towards home.

It’s a long way in those days as kid to walk all the way from the school passing the Gole Market and then get to the ground where all the kids are on the swings and seesaw. I remember the slide was the interesting one where all the kids from school used to slide and go further instead of walking on the road.

All this time I thought I know the way to home but where and how I got lost in the crowd of the cadets who were marching in their Drill Order uniform – it is a khaki color uniform.

“Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”  ~Mark Twain

By the time the cadets were far from my eyes and their noise of their marching shoes in one sound was fading away, I turned around and saw there was no one on the road.

I didn’t see Arun anywhere and this made me scared. I for some reason left the main road and took the muddy road to the play ground. I thought probably this will help me remember the way to home.

I couldn’t find and I was heading towards some quarters which even I had no idea. Suddenly, I saw a lady coming with a file in hand and a black purse hanging on her shoulder. I remember her that she used to come to all the houses and take the names of every member in the family.

The lady smiled at me and said – hello! What is your name?

I looked at her and said I think I have lost my way to home.

The lady said oh! Let me see if I can help you and she took me to one of the quarters and I saw there was this Gentleman who was all dressed up in army uniform.

The lady said ‘Namaste! (Greetings in Hindi).

The Officer said ‘Namaste! Come have a seat and my wife will bring tea for you. And suddenly he saw me and said who’s this cute little girl with you today?

The lady said, actually I came to you for the same reason. It seems the child has lost her way to home. She was coming from school.

I saw that the Officer’s daughter was in my class this morning. I looked at her and she smiled and we started playing though I was feeling very lonely in that crowd.

“Friends are angels sent down to earth to make good days and help us find our way”

When the Officer was ready to leave he asked me to join him. He said, dear, let’s go and we will make sure we call your dad to take you home.

I was very eager to meet my dad.

The Officer took me on his red bicycle – this is a usual bicycle painted in red for all Defense personnel’s the same the cadets used to ride on too.

The Officer took me to NDA Security Office. When we reached the office, the Officer went and spoke to the Head of Security and probably told my story.

The Head of Security called me and started asking questions. He was very friendly. I gave him all the details as my dad’s name, mom’s name and where they work. He asked me who all are there at home and I said, Mom, dad, brother and granny.

Those days my granny was with us to take care as my mom was a working woman too.

By this time the Officer said goodbye and left for his reporting. I was told that my dad will be coming soon and he made me sing some of the jingles to keep me distracted.

“The uniform makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted it covers up all differences of  class and country.” ~ Sir Robert Baden Powell

All this time I was calm and composed but the moment I saw my dad in the Security Office, I ran and hugged him and started crying so badly that the Head of Security was stunned.

He spoke to my dad with a shake hand. Seemed they knew each other. He said to my dad kid is scarred and was worried but I must admit her courage that all this time she didn’t cry or panicked.

You are a brave girl, make sure you go home and make your granny happy.

In a moment I was in my dad’s arm and then to home.

My granny was very worried as she said I saw Arun coming home without you!

My first day of school was quite adventurous for me that it did make everyone worried at home.

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows”