Two Teachers

There are many teachers who has contributed in shaping my life, but there were two people who made a big difference. Mr. V. Prasad, PGT in English & Mr. V. Nagarajan, PGT in Maths. I was in 9th when these two people joined our school. Nagarajan sir was given IX, XI, XII & not X because it was middle of year & he was not knowing a single word of hindi, forget marathi. We had to wait for few months to interact with Prasad sir as he was teaching X, XI, XII.


When Nagarajan sir started taking our classes, it was all fun. He was learning marathi & hindi, started with 'basa' for sit down, 'mulha'(mulga) for boy, mulhi(muli) for girls & 'darwaza band karo" for close the door. He was learning fast & as such communication doesn't matter for a good teacher, that too in maths. He used to call me 'high way', his simpler version of 'hingwe'. He had given these kind of names to almost everyone. In IX finals i scored 97/100 in maths & that was the day i came to know i was so good in it.


We entered class X, excitement & tension came together with it. Though most of our teachers were same, we had a new addition as Prasad sir. We were looking forward to interact with him because, we have heard a lot about him from our seniors. But at the same time, we had unknown fear as he was very strict. One evening he came to class for introduction, talked to us, before leaving he asked, "who is rajesh?". The reason being my maths score, he used to share the quarter with Nagarajan sir. His classes started, he was very particular about notes. Used to give grades for every topic & made us wait for A or A+ till quite late. He was so good at teaching that many times he finished teaching a poem without seeing book. I was quite impressed as were my many batch mates. He taught us the grammar & refined our English. He was a good cricket player, who had broken his leg just before a major tournament's selection trials in his younger days. Participating in inter house debate competition, preparing maths model at his quarters made me interact with him more. He became my favourite teacher though he has asked me to leave the class a couple of times for my drowsiness. There was a inter school debate competition in our school & he was the in charge for English debate. He chose one of my friend over me for hosting the debate, i was not happy. But still offered every help because making it a success was a question of his pride. One evening i was going across his quarters, he called me to fill the water from tap. I could see, he was not well, might be in fever. That day i realised, i couldn't see him in pain. As the year progressed, we were more into studies than anything. Just a month or so before exam, when slam books came out; i realised how popular he was among girls. Many girls have written their 'most memorable moment in life' as "when Prasad sir talked with me!"


Nagarajan sir continued his various strategies for the weak students. Stroking us with stick while distributing our test results. I have surely became good in maths. Final exams & time to deliver. I did well in maths but still missed the perfect 100. I was awarded with merit certificate for my 99 by CBSE. The first ever in the school. It wont have been possible without you, sir.

With some happiness of result, i had a shocker to face. Prasad sir was transferred to Pondicherry & had already left. I took his address & tried to be in touch. We exchanged a few mails & one odd call. But never felt that he is not there with me.

Nagarajan sir taught me maths till XII, but i couldn't do justice with it. Failed to score big. I met him only once or twice after i left the school. Caught him on facebook a few days back.