*Perpetual Friendship*

If you are alone, I'll be your shadow.If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder.If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow.If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile.But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me

-Anonymous

The above mentioned beautiful quote means a lot to me. It is because I am blessed to have friends like that. In this blog of mine I shall put forth my cheerless last day of school, our fantastic friendship, and the ambivalent Farewell Day. I completed my school life in New India School, Pune. 

Last Day Of School-

Honestly, almost all of us were looking forward to the day when we live the edifice. And, the coveted day had arrived. Some friends had got a shirt on which we wrote about them while some (including me) had got a book. Our school timing was 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.We had arranged the benches in such a way that all of us had spacious space in between the classroom. We played 'Antakshari'( a game in which we make 2 teams and sing songs with respect to the last letter of the song)We talked.We chatted. We gossiped.We memorized.We laughed. We joked.As the time passed, we joyfully said," Now this is the last time we hear the bell of the school." We decorated our class's blackboard.We wrote 'X Mercury' (name of our classroom) and surrounded it by writing our names.

We met all the teachers and talked to them but more than that, we were engrossed in talking to one another. At last, the final bell rung. We merrily hooted. Wait a minute, there was a massive transition...all of us broke down! We could not believe our eyes ! Almost all 39 students (the strength of our class) were shedding tears. I believe it was contagious. As it is said, we can't quantify the value of the thing until it's gone  it happened to us while we were in school.In school days, we waited for the time when the classes would end and we would rush home. But, this last day was completely different. No one wished to leave the school. Our teachers cried too. Some of us may have not been extremely close; but on the last day we were hardly apart from each other. All of us, with a heavy heart  and agony of mind left the school.

Friendship-

Our friendship continues even after the conclusion of the school. Why won't it?To know the answer, lets travel back in time via FLASHBACK. I reckon our class is together since 5 years though some joined later. We used to gather in a restaurant or an ice cream shop and this is trending even today.That's how we fostered our relationship. Our class was known for the unity.

 Teachers thought we did everything unanimously.Though we were known for the versatility we were also known for our mischievousness and pranks. We have been through thick and thin and seen misapprehension 'together'. All of us were different in nature, likes, hobbies, interests, passion but this diversity perhaps got all of us closer. How can this be possible? Well, scientifically, like poles repel and unlike poles attract, our friendship is analogical in this aspect. Our division in school was- Mercury-the First planet.We were 39, 'The 39 Mercurians' and likewise in making Friends we are the First just as the planet.

THE FAREWELL DAY

While we were in school, we were enchanted to have a beautiful farewell from our juniors (std 9th) and a short and sweet farewell from the students of Kindergarten. On 2nd February 2013, we again had a farewell, one in the morning which constituted of an award ceremony, some speeches a dance and laughter while one in the evening. The evening Farewell was different than the other Farewells given to us initially. We had to wear suits while the girls had to wear sarees ( Indian dress form for females).The girls and boys looked gorgeous and handsome respectively.We played..Yes, we played on our Farewell day! Our school wanted us to go down the memory lane, therefore we played games like 'Musical Chair', 'Fire in the Mountain'.Later, some mesmerizing speeches were added. It was followed by a PowerPoint Presentation which composed of our photos when we were in school.Our teachers sang a song melodiously. Everything was for us. So appreciable it was! We then had palatable feast.Simultaneously, we were busy in clicking our photographs.We also lit candles for the school.The program ended with a speed of light rather we could not identify how time flew. We departed out of school with no enthusiasm. All of us talked outside the school. We said 'bye-bye', 'see you'to each other yet no one left. It was a very emotional moment for all of us. Lionel Shriver says, 'Though surely to avoid attachments for fear of loss is to avoid life'.

Now, the school is over. Our examinations (SSC) have also disappeared. We will soon venture into a whole new world. Everything would be new and afresh. But, some relations would be evergreen.. some relations are indeed imperishable..I am calling our FRIENDSHIP eternal. Our friend-'SHIP' shall never sink! 

Real Life Happenings-

THE REAL TERMINATION SALVATION

(PART IV)

There was a hoarding on the terrace on which advertisements were telecast. My grandfather and his colleagues held it tight. Again, it was felt that it was the last page of their chapter of life. No one was in the mood to talk to each other. Everybody just remembered God. That was the time when they saw something. What was it? It was a bank's board addressed to the customers reading as "May I Help You?" 

My grandfather wished if it could save his colleagues and him. But it was just a board floating in the river.

My grandfather and his colleagues held the hoarding for more than 120 minutes. All of them, including the colleague who fainted and later awoke had huge urge to live, not for their own but for their families. Maybe, it was their determination to withstand all types of problems which made the water recede. 

The water started receding at about 4:00 pm.My grandfather could touch his feet on the terrace.He began to see the fall of the water. The consequences of any matter are more than the causes. the aftermath of the flood was horrible! Previously, There sat a cobbler outside a post office. My grandfather saw his body  floating in the water. It was a mournful moment for my grandfather.  

Yes! My grandfather and his colleagues fought against the nature and acclaimed victory. They survived the disastrous flood. As the water showed retirement my grandfather could see more ugly visuals.

At about 10:00 pm the water subsided. Arrangements were made to take the survivors home.

It was felt as if  the Yamraj (God of death) was smiling at my grandfather and his colleagues and saying "Good Bye-Long Live"

Yamraj -the God of death himself saying "Long Live"

Physically my grandfather was not harmed but mentally the wounds have not left him till date. Even today, he remembers about his,  "TERMINATION SALVATION"

Please share your views. Thank you for reading all parts ! 

Real Life Happenings-

THE REAL TERMINATION SALVATION 

(Part III)

Nobody knew what to do. All of them were just observing the water. At that very moment my grandfather and his colleagues could hear someone's blubber. While they were tracking the cry, they identified that it was coming from a bookshop called 'International Book Service' which was beside their Bank. My grandfather and his companions could envisage that someone is blocked up inside the shop. Fortunately, the hammer and the stone- their rescue kit also helped in the rescue of Mr.Dixit and an unknown person trapped in the book shop.
Diagonal to the bank was an old earthen building.That building actually was a dancing institution whose founder was Respected Rohini Bhate. It was seen that the building was evacuated and it was also seen thatone person  was standing in the balcony of the collapsing building.The building dissolved into the river- which could also be called as a gigantic sea.Yes, The building disappeared.
What happened to the person standing in the balcony?
...he jumped into the water and held a branch of a tree. He was saved by a Peepal tree! 

the boy who survived holding a branch of a tree

Another instance  was about a young boy. He might be about 15.In order to save his life, he was firmly holding an electricity pole. Why was he not harmed? Well, there was no electricity in Pune. It had become dark in the daylight.
It was around 12 noon. The water did not show any fall. The water from the mezzanine floor rose and reached the terrace where my grandfather was. 

to be continued...

Real Life Happenings-

THE REAL TERMINATION SALVATION (PART II)

Everyone had lost the hope of survival. My grandfather was the youngest in the group and recently married. Everyone wanted to get over with it.My grandfather rose to the occasion when he saw a hard stone along with a hammer lying in the corner of the staircase. It was as if God was trying to rescue all of them. As the proverb says, "God Helps those who help themselves" , my grandfather tried to break the door so as to save the life of everyone present there. They successfully opened the lock with the help of the tool and had a sigh of relief. All of them rushed to the terrace as the water was rising. That was a moment when all of them unanimously believed that there is a hope of survival. 

But in vain ! Mutha river looked like a beast from the terrace which  destroyed  everything. The beast was eating almost everything. It attacked the building where my grandfather was. Again, there was a transition of behavior  Everyone felt insecure. They were 8, including my grandfather. All of them held hand in hand. It was a symbol of unity and giving support in that devastating situation.The river as given the title of beast swallowed the building opposite to the bank . It was felt by my grandfather as if the river was very hungry.

After watching it, one of my grandfather's colleague who had undergone a surgery of malignancy fainted.

In that chaotic situation What else could have gone wrong?"

To be continued...

Real Life Happenings-

THE REAL TERMINATION SALVATION (Part-I)

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.    

 Eleaner Rossevelt 

Introduction-

Hi there! Has anyone thought of getting stuck in something which can actually kill you? Not really. I would like to draw your attention on a real story which horrified not only India but almost the entire world. I am talking about ‘THE PANSHET DAM TRAGEDY’ of 1961 in Pune. 

Why am I talking about it? Well, due to the unprecedented loss of human life AND also because my grandfather was trapped in that terrible situation.

12th July 1961.

My grandfather woke up at 6:00 am when the sun was hidden by the mighty clouds. During that period, he used to stay near S.P.College (Tilak Road)He worked with Central Bank of India (Deccan Branch) He left home at 8:30 am for his work on his bicycle when it was drizzling .Back in the 60s Pune was crowded by cycles as it was one of the main modes of transport. His branch office was adjacent to the Mutha River. At about 10 am  the bank started to take roots.Surprisingly, the river water entered into the premises of the bank.The employees who were in shock quickly decided to treasure the money in the strong room where it would remain safe and sound. The water was rising.After which, they decided to leave the bank and be with their families as soon as possible. Sadly a part of their bank was submerged. Upon inquiry it was informed that the Panshet Dam  had collapsed due to the heavy showers in that area. In addition to it, the water from the Panshet Dam had flown and reached the Khadakwasla Dam and then to the Mutha River. 

It was hardly possible for my grandfather and his colleagues  to make a move. They were severely trapped inside.As the water was continuously rising, they had no other alternative but  proceed to the mezzanine floor  and therefrom rush to the terrace. The door of the terrace was locked and led  bewilderment on the employees including my grandfather. Alas ! The keys remained submerged on the ground floor unknowingly. On one hand, the water had reached the mezzanine floor and on the other hand was the jammed door.Under that situation, my grandfather like any other Indian could visualize Yamraj, (The God of death) ready to throw the rope of death at them.

To be continued..