The activity calendar in colleges today is packed with events, much in contrast to the scenario years ago when we used have just three mega events – Prizes Distribution, Convocation and Sports Day. While the first two functions were solemn, academic in nature, the annual sports function in the Chandigarh College where I taught used to be a two-day extravaganza celebrated with much fanfare and zest. The opening day ceremony began with the march past by smartly turned out contingents of different classes to the tune of military band followed by various track and athletic events. The end of the first day of the event was reserved for the much applauded staff race, normally a musical chair race. As a member of the faculty, though I never won the coveted top position, I had the privilege of standing on the victory stand at the third place quite a few times.
The second and the final day of the Annual Sports event used to be a formal affair when guests and dignitaries were invited. Besides other celebrities from various walks of life, eminent sports personalities like legendary Milkha Singh, superstar Kapil Dev, cricketer Dinesh Mongia graced the occasion from time to time.
However, two events, exceptional and special, remain etched in my memory. Having led the Indian team to victory in the World Cup final in 1983, Kapil Dev was already a legend, a sports-star when he was invited to preside over the Sports Day function. He was hesitant to be the chief guest, however, after much persuasion agreed on the condition that he would be able to spare just two hours. Keeping in mind his tight schedule, the event was planned accordingly. Kapil Dev was expected to leave immediately after the function, but to our utter surprise he lingered on. After the kind of attention that he got in an exclusive girls’ college from the adoring students, he seemed to be in no hurry to leave. The way the girls swooned over him, mobbed him, it was a challenge for the college authorities to contain the girls. I can’t forget how we, the staff members, had to act as his security, cordon off the area to give him a safe passage. I remember our principal Mrs. Mahajan heaving a sigh of relief when he left.
Equally memorable is yet another Sports Day when Jaspal Bhatti, cartoonist, humorist and comedian was the guest of honour. True to his television show ‘Ulta Ulta’, all arrangements went topsy-turvy when a night before the final function, it rained heavily leaving the the grounds flooded. However, our energetic and dynamic principal decided to go ahead with the function. It was a unique, unforgettable sports day with the march-past and the guard of honor taking place not at the sports ground, but in the corridors of the college building.
The lesson: ‘Come what may, the show must go on.’ Life doesn’t always go as per our plan. We must adapt to every situation and try to do our best. Coming to the present day scenario, the pandemic has brought upheaval in our lives, however, we need to re-invent, re-learn and re-adjust to the new way of working. We must follow the new norms- maintain social distance, wear masks and ensure hand hygiene, but life must go on.
(published in Hindustan Times.com on 11 July 2020, Sunday Read Guest Column)
Well said Ma’am. We must adapt to the present scenario positively and follow the protocol. Life must go on. We will come out of this pandemic very soon.
Wow!This is brilliant! I am impressed khushnweet. This should be the approach-take all the precautions but life must go on.
Your article imbibes a spirii in every individual to adapt one self according to circumstances, he/ she will be lacking behind otherwise.
Thanks jijaji for reading the article and leaving your comments.
Lovely article Rama bua.
It brings back sweet college memories. Infact I too have a fond memory of bowling to the the legendary Kapil Dev during our annual sports function in Symbiosis Secondary School, Pune.
I remember us, during both graduation and PG, having to cope with many unforeseen hurdles, but never giving up. The experience was intense and the journey itself very satisfying.
Every struggle i can recall is an inspiration and an example that current situation though overwhelming, can still produce a favorable outcome. Thus is life, and as you rightly put, it must go on!
Thanks Saurabh. I am so so happy you read the piece and found it relatable and enjoyable.
i am indeed so happy to learn about you , your undaunting spirits, your perception and understanding…I am really impressed. May you stay blessed always !
Dear Rama you write so well…bringing the memory of days gone by ..
Keep penning your experiences God bless you
Thank you so much. Coming from you it means a lot to me .Loving regards
Rama very well written article It has taken me back to the memory lane .I had the opportunity of winning staff race many and standing on the victory stand We used to look forward to our annual Sports Day Keep writing and sharing your thoughts Yes the show must go on.
Thanks Neena . Going back to the times spent together… sharing and reviving pleasant memories. Yes , the race for the victory stand …ham bhi jawan the… and then almost mandatory to wear a new sari on every function.. now piling up in our wardrobe.
Rama Excellent description of the sports events.The security of the chief guests by the teachers from young beauties , gone crazy, too was amusing. Keep taking us back to such good memories of time spent in the college. The reading lightens the boredom of the pandemic. God bless you.
So sweet of you Mrs Sharma … it is so encouraging.Yes, going back to pleasant memories is relaxing .Thank you so much.
You are right Rama the show must go on Still fresh in mind is the memory of Kapil Dev. How he was stormed by the girls on the Sports day?
March past in heavy downpour in college corridors was again unique in style and suited to the occasion As the chief guest was none other than renowned Jaspal Bhatti of Ulta & Pulta Hilarious TV show MCM had been a learning ground to the hundreds and thousands of students to adjust in all the circumstances.
You have penned it down so beautifully… Yes, the sports event held in college corridors was both unique and a lesson for everyone to adapt to circumstances.
Well written article ….yes u right inspite of all adverse conditions the show must go on…we all have to live wid the pandemic…
Thank you so much Meenu. You are right we have to learn to live with the situation howsoever bad it is . Re-adjust to the new norm but life must go on…
Great picturesque article respected ma’am,I kept on smiling on your loving memories which more or less matched with our times when we joined our prestigious institution in 1988 and down our memory lane respected principal Mahajan ma’am and you all are our respected inspirers till date. We keep on smiling over the mottos and discipline we had learned during our stay. You all are imprinted in our life through your guidance and blessings. Regards.
Thank you so much Sunita. I am happy the article has taken you down MCM memory lane.True , Mrs Mahajan was a strict disciplinarian.. even we, the faculty often recalls her tenure with reverence. There are two more write-ups on MCM and our dynamic Principal , just in case you are interested to
read.https://lifespice.blog/2019/05/10/all-about-an-outrageous-outburst-over-a-dress/
https://lifespice.blog/2018/01/01/a-loving-legend/
Beautiful msg❤️.
My 5 yrs of journey in MCM abruptly came to an end. We have planned our farewell dresses, first time in my life I participated in Modelling🤭, meeting teachers for last time and clicking pictures with them for making long lasting memories …we were very very excited about our farewell but sadly everything vanished due to this stupid pandemic. you are right No matter what, but life goes on..!!🙂
yes Simran , the pandemic has turned all our plans topsy-tury. I can understand your disappointment for not having the farewell party but then… it is with everybody , all across the world . I am sure this phase will not last very long, so long as it does we have to be prepared to adjust to the new norm.god bless you. Love
A pleasant memory down the lane … thank you Rama Mam.
Yes, Gurvinder ..surely it is .
Wonderful experience mam , though I haven’t joined any sports meet of MCM but it reminded me of my school sports meet..thanks aton mam for this wonderful memory lane
Thanks Nandini. Blessings..
What a trip down the memory lane! This brings back so many memories, so many bittersweet moments and that one inportant lesson – no hurdle is huge enough to pause!
Thanks Harleen. Loved your short and sweet comment.Blessing….
A very insightful article Rama Ma’am. As lovely as you🤗
What an amazing thing you said-Life must go on. Let us accept gracefully what life has in store for us. Enjoyed every bit of reading !
So happy to hear from you Manisha… long time no news … Settled . Lots an lots of loving wishes and blessings
In the time of despair, you are spreading positivity and encouragement through blogs. It’s excellent !
Yes ma’am,the show must go on……
So sweet of you Garima for your kind words.
Yes Rama you’re right that the life moves on whatever the circumstances are. With the Pandemic spread of Corona virus all of us had to change our life style. Some of us have re invented our hidden/ dormant talents like painting,singing,dancing or any other craft,while others started helping each other in household work, still other people simply spent with their spouses and children playing indoor games etc.to cope with the monotony during this period.
Coming to the college functions,every college celebrates three functions with much fanfare. I am reminded of one such Convocation function when Mrs. Nargis Dutt was the chief guest. Instead of having the function in the auditorium, it was arranged in a much bigger Pandal,with a big dias erected on the ground of the college. It was a delight to watch Mrs. Dutt entering the Pandal wearing snow white saree, and a broad smile on her face. She looked very elegant and gorgeous. Need less to say that she equally impressed the audience with her speech touching the problems of girls. After the function the girls rushed to her to take her autograph,there being no mobile at that time to take a photograph..
You are right Mrs Rahi. We all trying to re-invent and adapt ourselves to the circumstances created by this unprecedented crisis.
Thanks for sharing your experience of having Nargis Dutt as the chief guest. I really enjoyed your reminiscences of the function.
Thanks Aastha. A delight to connect with you after a very very long time . Stay blessed.
A very good narrative taking one to the memory lane. Sports Day Parade was unthinkable and unpractical but we had it without disappointing anyone. No,w while reading your article I reached the Long Verranda or corridor, we call now. How beautifilly you have brought those memories alive. Hats off to you dear for your writing skills.
Thank you so much Mrs Dhamija. It is indeed a matter of satisfaction that the write-up took all of us down memory lane- reviving our khatti-meethi yaden of the time spent to gather in MCM, our second home for decades.Regards..
Ramaji you have penned down such a beautiful article. I was a fan of Jaspal Bhatti, his passing away was a big loss. But as you say ” The show must go on”. The article brought out the exuberance of youth which lessens as you age. Do keep writing
Thank a lot Preeti. Glad to know that apart from our flirtations with writing , we have so much in common.
Regarding age,enthusiasm does get dampened but we should not leave zest in life,keep the ‘child’ in us alive.
Thanks dear for reading and posting your comments . Wish I could know whom I am responding to.