A sad tale- am sure there would be many more...............

Four deaths that moved me………………..

20 years in Bishops and three deaths of my pupils moved me deeply. Death may be inevitable but we humans always ask why.

The fourth was after I left and just a few months ago

All 4 have a story which I must try and relate.

Siddharth Gandikota- A brilliant student- and if I remember rightly he was in class 7 A- ie Lunn Block close to the Headmasters office at the back of the building. Siddharth had a brother as well and I had met his parents on a few occasions. On that fateful day I remember very clearly- it was about 3 .00 pm and I had a notice to send round to classes 5 – 8 . Himmat my peon was missing and so I rushed into 7 A and asked aloud- “Who can take this notice around quickly”?

A few boys put up their hands and as Siddharth looked the most eager and I was sure he would do the job  I gave him the notice and told him to get it signed by the teachers in all the classes.

He ran off eagerly……….

At 3 .40 he was back in my office and he informed me that he had shown it to most of the classes . I was a trifle disappointed and I told him so – something to the effect –“ Oh  Gosh Siddharth why didn’t you show it to all the teachers” ?

“ The bell rang sir “ was his reply.

I took the notice back, placed it on the table and left the office.

Inter House Basketball was on so I went to the basketball court and sat down with a few  boys and staff just outside Harding Hall.

At about 5.30 pm we received the news that a Bishop’s boy had been riding a cycle on the bridge near Koregaon park and had been knocked over by a car / tempo ( not too sure ).

We were told that he had been taken to hospital.

Getting into the Principal’s car we rushed to the hospital . Rushing into the ward I looked at the boy with a heavily bandaged head- It was Siddharth . I could not believe that an hour earlier he had willingly done an errand for me . Siddhath went into a coma and passed on thereafter. As a said – he was  a brilliant boy who lost his life due to some moron speeding on the road.

Rest in peace Siddharth .

Kurush Aga- Kurush was another of my outstanding  pupils . A frail boy  – pale to look at – rimless spectacles- very very well behaved. He spoke politely and was a gentleman to the core  . An ace debater he scored heavily in all debates .His dry wit appealed to all so also his lucid arguments. The judges were obviously taken in by his gentle yet crystal clear voice and his look- simple yet determined. When he spoke Bishops won !

He did exceedingly well in English- Language and Literature.

 I met his parents on quite a few occasions too – they were the  owners of Thermax  in Pune.Kurush was a simple boy- loved by all . He blushed when I told him to speak well as there would be girls watching

Was so sad to hear that he died in a car crash on the road from Bangalore to Pune many years after passing out from Bishops

. No idea why he decided to drive in the first place – he could have easily taken a flight and been home in a few hours.

Rest in peace Kurush.

Promod Sangawar  Another pupil who was very close to me . Promod and his two sisters took pvt tuition from me from the time they were in junior school – Promod was in class 5.

Not a very good pupil he was one of the most loving boys I knew. His writing was considered the worst in the school and he was beaten by all the teachers for being so untidy ( no one had even heard the word dyslectic in those day ).

He was sent out of class, sent home, caned by almost all the staff including Mr Roberts on innumerable occasions. He was always called out as a failure during mark reading but he had a heart of gold and forgave easily.

While in class 10 he was not studying so his father asked me what to do – so we got him into the boarding for a few months to make sure he studied.

I was incharge of Simba dorm so we got him there and he sat outside my house till late at night studying on the benches outside the dormitory. Yes he passed !

How the examiners read his answer scripts beats me but he managed to get through. His father owns a tailoring shop at Babajan chowk and his was a simple God fearing family.

Promod continued to keep in touch ( he recently joined Facebook ) . Whenever I went down to Pune Promod would come to meet me at the airport – I would be embarrassed as he would go down to touch my feet to seek blessings- he woud then carry my suitcases into the car and drive us to Kondhwa. Once there he would refuse to let me carry the luggage. Once  or twice we took him out to lunch  while in Pune and we chatted while he brought me up to date with news about Pun and other old boys .

When Mr Roberts met with an accident he was one of the first to give blood and help with collecting donations etc.

Mrs Roberts often stopped at their shop while out shopping in camp.

Promod was a trained pilot having done his training in Australia. However something or the other ( two accidents ) prevented him from taking up a job. He would speak deeply of his frustrations at not being able to join an airlines. I remember telling him it was the will of God and may be there were betterthings in store for him.

After much persuasion he joined his father’s tailoring shop and decided to expand it. He learnt to cut and in fact he measure me up for  suits the last two years. Year before last the suit was not ready so he brought it home the morning we were departing from Pune .

Need I add that he reached us back to the airport every year as well. On one occasion we had far too much luggage to fit in his car so I requested another of my ex pupils Khushru Minocherhomji to bring his car as well. Promod was upset and said ‘ No need sir I will take two trips “.

Year before last while reaching me back to Kondhwa a motorcyclist accidently banged the car. Promod sped after him in the car- cornered him on the Kondhwa road – took away his license and told him to come to Babajan chowk and meet him the next day- yes he was quick tempered and he drove too fast.

Death came to him on the road – he met with an accident while on his motorcycle – coming out of his society on the Kondhwa road. He was not wearing a helmet and was knocked down by a military jeep. He was in a coma for about a month and a half with serious head injuries. The doctors were unable to save him …..

Rest  in peace Promod.

3 deaths of boys in their prime ……………………. I remember them vividly ……….

Judah James                   Judah James was a young boy when I left Bishops . I was a close friend of his parents and saw Judah when he was a baby. Smokie his dad and Patricia his mum were extremely talented musicians and artists and I was sure all the children would be talented as well.

I often went fishing with Smokie and his friends – he was an avid angler . The kids were small then and did not accompany us. A religious family , they are well respected in Pune.

Smokie came to Dubai for a youth camp and I was so happy to meet him along with Gavin .

I made sure Smokie came home and he spoke fondly of his children- he spoke highly of the family band and of Judah’s drumming. I remember telling him that I would love to play with all of them someday. He also told us about the fishing and swimming in the river

On FB early one morning I saw the sad news- Judah had drowned and the boy could not be found. He was a terrific swimmer I am told and he loved diving and swimming. I hoped and prayed all would be well but God had other plans. Another young life was snuffed out – probably the currents in the river were too strong that day.

Rest in peace dear Judah.

 

Drive safe and wear helmets boys – it could make all the difference when it matters most. Also  be careful while swimming – underwater currents can be dangerous………………..……….God Bless you all.