College..

My College is a hundred year institute. It has a large expanse of land & buildings encircling a football ground. The old building made of stone walls & the banyan trees a witness to all the changes around.

After 2 months I entered the premises & found a lump in my throat. Eyes started welling with tears . I knew , I am fast loosing it. The memories of 33 & half years as a teacher, five years as a student.. all of my life I have been in the campus.

If I count today, everything runs in double figures. Right from my age to my friends. My marriage, daughters.. just about everything.

Number of movies or TV shows .. they will be in double zeros. That is the kind of life I have had. Couldn’t ask for more! A fine experience at the bank made my day! The two deities I go to frequently have blessed me with everything & some more than I could ask for!

The time was right & I had the Gods for myself. Just a bow or offering flowers is a task when it is crowded. Being Thursday, I had no expectations. But I got more. Some one had cancelled an order & I got three lovely garlands with a bunch of roses to worship at home.

My new routine allows me to have time to chant, read & make a garland or two. It gives me all the peace of the world. The first half of the day is bliss. Later comes TV .. & my favourite chingus are waiting for me. The day is incomplete without them.

Aha, I was talking about the college which filled me with nostalgia. But I had decided to not meet anybody. I could see Principal sir talking to a guest. But never lingering, I walked away swiftly. Though it would be courteous to say hello but decided against it!

Name. fame .. is all due to the college. Or else anybody has a PG degree today! But I was totally blessed to have the opportunity to teach in the same college that I studied. Had very good colleagues & clever students, those I can be very proud of.

Retiring after such a long tenure, the gate, a tree near the gate or the new building, a hall, auditorium (that has a huge seating capacity) a glimpse is enough. Making way to the changes, being with the times.. the old people needed to take their leave.

The right time is the best time. We say timing is everything! It is.