Sunny Dua
At a time when the ardent world is reconnecting with their friends, gone off beam, through social networking websites; the students of 1953 matriculation batch of SRML Higher Secondary School, now in their seventies, did wonders by reconnecting with each other not through e-mails, Facebook, Twitter, BBM or Whatsapp but by merely using a simple telephone and little personal yet warm relations that they had been nurturing in their hearts so far.
An odd fifty friends drawn from different parts of the world, mostly India managed to get along with all their old pals and celebrated what they named ‘Grand Golden Jubilee’ event here in the City of Temples recalling their old days spent together. Everyone present there was carried back to the Pre-53 era and became nostalgic about their days spent in what they used to call Shri Rambir Multi-Purpose High School.
Music of 60’s played for the audience added ambience to the event where attendants were carried away in emotions. Founder of prestigious institution was memorized, teachers’ selfless services were brought to minds, Principals remembered and little yet treasure like anecdotes spelled out to recreate that era. “Radiant” would be less a word to describe the event – a first of its kind in Jammu.
Friends who had played their successful innings in various professions and even reached pinnacle did another great job by inviting the families of those lost friends with whom they had spent their most memorable moments. The emotions ran high when citations were being read about the achievements of those lost dear colleagues. More difficult moments were for those individuals who were made to step into the shoes of their lost parent to make the reunion ‘complete’.
Despite that it indeed was a great grand reunion – the first of its kind, thought of which was conceived by Mr S S Wazir and implemented ably by Mr Virinder Sethi who tirelessly worked for weeks together to ensure that all old friends are made to converge in Jammu after a span of 60 years. The adage “Where there is will there is a way” was best put to use by the 53-group alumni who did wonders by displaying their warmth, affection, emotions and even cracked jokes on each other to scintillate the moment.
The friends in arms proved that one measure of friendship consists not in the number of things friends can discuss, but in the number of things they need no longer mention. The strong contingent virtually reversed the clock to Pre-53 era and stopped the world there itself when chosen ones spoke off the cuff and recounted old days.
For me personally, who was made to rub shoulders with Dad’s friends, I don’t know how long I stood there listening to them. Like I said, the world around me was gone. Time had stopped. I was awash in the feel of my father (Dr S S Dua’s) innumerable anecdotes spelled there. That was all that mattered right at that moment. It was a tribute, a memorial event, a friends’ reunion and a moment to listen to all that what he, if alive, would have cherished.
Although I was apprehensive about former enemies, I was not nearly as scared as a few of my colleagues. Their feelings ranged from worrying about their physical safety to the desire to show off their improved wealth, appearance, or fame. For them, the evening was safer than they expected. Most of the bullies and bitches didn’t attend, and the few that did, were strangely docile.
Almost all of the people the alumni had wished to see were there. They must have reproached themselves for not keeping in touch with those people, but they were very happy to have found each other again. All I can say is that minus a few they all can now start anew. Odd feeling were also visible on many who had seen faces, through forgotten, of dear friends after being separated for more than sixty years. It was a combination of regret and joy which cannot be put in words.
Though they can best be described in the words of Charles Caleb Colton, “True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.” Or in the words of Cindy Lew who says – “Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.” Friends who congregated after 60 years had all praise for their principal N D Suri and also remembered physical education teacher Moulvi Ghulab-ud-Din.
Without the mention of ceiling fans with wooden blades, bicycles and tonga rides besides school uniform with shoulder flaps the reunion would have been of no use which the ‘old boys’ did mention. The spouses of deceased friends were honoured by presenting mementos to them as well. The best part was when old pals were seen snatching an old group photograph, brought by Mr R S Gupta, and trying to locate them or their friends. That made everyone’s day!
Late Mr Savarkar Verma who retired as chief engineer and Late Dr S S Dua who did specialisation in wool technology from Sydney University, Australia were remembered for their meritorious services and sense of humour. The house also remembered Mr Shrikant, Professor Vir Pal Sharma, Mr Sat Pal Sawhney, Mr B L Gupta, Mr Romesh Gupta, Mr Kuldeep Bhatia, Mr Radha Krishan and Mr Krishan Kumar and paid their tributes to the departed souls.
The entire programme was ably conducted by Ms Arti Choudhary, Director of K C Public School who divulged many unknown facts about the reunion and also about the institution in which ‘old boys’ had had a great time. The school, Arti disclosed used to support multiple streams because of which it was known as Shri Ranbir Multi-purpose High School which was founded by Dogra ruler Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1872.
The pioneer institution was built by Maharaja Partap Singh in 1880 and also once called Jammu Collegiate School. Music and Sanskrit were also taught in this premier institute. She also made it known that the school was upgraded to higher secondary in 1959 and made the alumni recall their good days spent there.
Ms Arti with her eloquent comparing made the audiences remember that there is nothing to be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell was necessary before one can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, was certain for those who are friends. This supported the fact that false friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports.
Prominent amongst friends including Mr Y P Rohmetra, Mr R S Gupta, O P Sharma, Mr P B Khajuria, Mr Inder Parkash Sharma and Mr Gurbaksh Singh Arora were amongst those who tirelessly worked to collect the treasure (Friends) and make them see each other face to face and not on Facebook – like youngsters usually do. I would like to conclude with a beautiful quote about friendship which my late father used to tell – “I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all the things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship.”
(The writer is a freelance journalist).
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