THE UPPERS at BISHOPS .....

This post  is only for Bishopites !
The word UPPERS would mean nothing to others - so other dear friends you have to excuse me .
Was relaxing and having a sundowner when it struck me that I had not BLOGGED for a long time . So here goes.........................

Do you remember the UPPERS ??-
I hope you do dear BISHOPITES. Both boarders and day scholars would have a number of memories connected to  this word hence this short post .
Here are things I associate with the UPPERS .

As usual I will share this on FB so do feel free to add your thoughts and memories .

1. Boxing - Who will not remember the boxing ring on the uppers. Tough bouts, bleeding fighters, Aspi Irani the referee and Chief Guest at the finals , The Belt , Winners and losers , The masters judging in the sun ( Me once too often ) The trophies , The knock outs , The killer boarders, small boarders carrying chairs, Late study or missing study altogether and the fun thereafter  . It sure produced toughies . I personally enjoyed the bouts  every evening .

2. Movies- Movies on the  uppers were something boys , staff and school support staff looked forward to . And I do hope some of  those who arrived later remember  Mr Jagos was the one who showed the movies in Bishops for years . He started with the SPOOL movies . 3 or 4 spools . The movies were often grainy , the spools got mixed up and the hero was shot and then reappeared later ! Adult scenes were blacked out as well, much to the dismay of the senior boys ! But the whole atmosphere was one of fun, popcorn , Adeshir drinks , peanuts and Class 10 boarders looking at the SMC TTC trainee teachers .
The bringing and putting back the foldable metal  chairs was an exercise in itself and done with military precision . Chairs carried in Fives - counted and laid out in straight  lines - then kicked over by the Prefects after the fins ilm was over- often at 10 pm . Sleepy boarders then had to carry the chairs back . I guess someone had to do it . I saw some good movies here as well.
3. Investiture - The Prefects Investiture Ceremony was held here as well . It was a day everyone waited for and was filled with pomp and show . Smart boys - Maroon blazers , badges, speeches , oaths , proud parents . What a special day and the grooming of leaders who today have taken their place on the world stage as leaders in their own right . There  were a number of disappointed boys as well - those who never made the grade but such is life .
4. Assemblies - The uppers saw a number of assemblies as well where Mr Roberts held all in the palm of his hand with his prayers and powerful speeches . He did not care if boys fainted or were tired - he said what he had to and spoke for as long as he wanted to and no one dared complain. ( I guess he knew that the clinic was next door )
5 The clinic- The school clinic was adjoining the UPPERS . Mr Nair and Mrs  D 'monte would be familiar names I am sure . Broken bones , cuts, bruises , appendicitis, Chicken pox, measles , pneumonia - you name it and boarders ( and staff and their kids ) had it . Both Mr Nair and Mrs D'monte in their time dealt with  all cases to the best of their ability and all was well ! A few boarders and day scholars too went to the clinic pretending to be ill to dodge class and examinations . Day scholars would visit boarders in the school hospital and vice versa and some boarders would hug boys with contagious diseases in order to get the disease themselves. This is true !
6. Games - The uppers was also the place which was thronged during the 2 breaks - boys played , they strolled , they ate . It was always crowded. The ice cream man stood at the corner - and his is another story- India Ice Cream cannot be forgotten .
7 Staff - Residential staff could often be seen relaxing on the boxing ring in the evenings - kids playing near by.
8. The Bio Lab- this was also on the Uppers . Who can forget one of the old stalwarts Mrs Jadhav . If you thought of Biology you thought of only this one teacher . Boys made sure they were on time and that their homework was done - she brooked no nonsense and boys were often put out in the sun- Yes on the uppers !
9 The boarders - They could be seen moving in lines - from Nook &  Lunn
to the dining hall for Morning tea , and dinner ! Day scholars could be seen going to and from the Library .
10 The uppers first had gravel , was then tarred and now has trees as well.
11 Last but not the least - Mr Derek Beaman - was often seen crossing the Uppers while going around the school setting the clocks every morning - God bless the man- truly a legend

Well It does bring back a number of memories - Cheers and God bless and let us  have your thoughts as well .
Sincerely hope this brings back memories of Bishops . \
A school like no other . !!

 

THE UPPERS at BISHOPS .....

This post  is only for Bishopites !
The word UPPERS would mean nothing to others - so other dear friends you have to excuse me .
Was relaxing and having a sundowner when it struck me that I had not BLOGGED for a long time . So here goes.........................

Do you remember the UPPERS ??-
I hope you do dear BISHOPITES. Both boarders and day scholars would have a number of memories connected to  this word hence this short post .
Here are things I associate with the UPPERS .

As usual I will share this on FB so do feel free to add your thoughts and memories .

1. Boxing - Who will not remember the boxing ring on the uppers. Tough bouts, bleeding fighters, Aspi Irani the referee and Chief Guest at the finals , The Belt , Winners and losers , The masters judging in the sun ( Me once too often ) The trophies , The knock outs , The killer boarders, small boarders carrying chairs, Late study or missing study altogether and the fun thereafter  . It sure produced toughies . I personally enjoyed the bouts  every evening .

2. Movies- Movies on the  uppers were something boys , staff and school support staff looked forward to . And I do hope some of  those who arrived later remember  Mr Jagos was the one who showed the movies in Bishops for years . He started with the SPOOL movies . 3 or 4 spools . The movies were often grainy , the spools got mixed up and the hero was shot and then reappeared later ! Adult scenes were blacked out as well, much to the dismay of the senior boys ! But the whole atmosphere was one of fun, popcorn , Adeshir drinks , peanuts and Class 10 boarders looking at the SMC TTC trainee teachers .
The bringing and putting back the foldable metal  chairs was an exercise in itself and done with military precision . Chairs carried in Fives - counted and laid out in straight  lines - then kicked over by the Prefects after the fins ilm was over- often at 10 pm . Sleepy boarders then had to carry the chairs back . I guess someone had to do it . I saw some good movies here as well.
3. Investiture - The Prefects Investiture Ceremony was held here as well . It was a day everyone waited for and was filled with pomp and show . Smart boys - Maroon blazers , badges, speeches , oaths , proud parents . What a special day and the grooming of leaders who today have taken their place on the world stage as leaders in their own right . There  were a number of disappointed boys as well - those who never made the grade but such is life .
4. Assemblies - The uppers saw a number of assemblies as well where Mr Roberts held all in the palm of his hand with his prayers and powerful speeches . He did not care if boys fainted or were tired - he said what he had to and spoke for as long as he wanted to and no one dared complain. ( I guess he knew that the clinic was next door )
5 The clinic- The school clinic was adjoining the UPPERS . Mr Nair and Mrs  D 'monte would be familiar names I am sure . Broken bones , cuts, bruises , appendicitis, Chicken pox, measles , pneumonia - you name it and boarders ( and staff and their kids ) had it . Both Mr Nair and Mrs D'monte in their time dealt with  all cases to the best of their ability and all was well ! A few boarders and day scholars too went to the clinic pretending to be ill to dodge class and examinations . Day scholars would visit boarders in the school hospital and vice versa and some boarders would hug boys with contagious diseases in order to get the disease themselves. This is true !
6. Games - The uppers was also the place which was thronged during the 2 breaks - boys played , they strolled , they ate . It was always crowded. The ice cream man stood at the corner - and his is another story- India Ice Cream cannot be forgotten .
7 Staff - Residential staff could often be seen relaxing on the boxing ring in the evenings - kids playing near by.
8. The Bio Lab- this was also on the Uppers . Who can forget one of the old stalwarts Mrs Jadhav . If you thought of Biology you thought of only this one teacher . Boys made sure they were on time and that their homework was done - she brooked no nonsense and boys were often put out in the sun- Yes on the uppers !
9 The boarders - They could be seen moving in lines - from Nook &  Lunn
to the dining hall for Morning tea , and dinner ! Day scholars could be seen going to and from the Library .
10 The uppers first had gravel , was then tarred and now has trees as well.
11 Last but not the least - Mr Derek Beaman - was often seen crossing the Uppers while going around the school setting the clocks every morning - God bless the man- truly a legend

Well It does bring back a number of memories - Cheers and God bless and let us  have your thoughts as well .
Sincerely hope this brings back memories of Bishops . \
A school like no other . !!

 

House hold helps way back then

There are two household hold helps when I was a kid in Allahabad that  I remember vividly.
The First was  Needle ayah. Yes a strange name indeed and if you can't guess its origin let me tell you - She was as skinny as a needle
 I was probably 5 or so but I knew a skinny person when I saw one . She was  only in her 60's ( I calculated that much later ) but  as  I was only  5 she looked 80 !
She was responsible for the sweeping , swabbing , tidying up , making the beds and washing the clothes as far as I remember . She also spent a lot of time talking to me and others in the house .
She never lived with us - I guess she lived somewhere close by as she arrived at the crack of dawn and was there till late in the evening .
I guess she was also good at pressing feet as that is one of the things I often saw her doing .
Then there was BOY the cook
I was about 12 when he first started working in the house .
Why he was called BOY I could never fathom because he was an old man - probably about 65 at the time - but for a 12 year old 65 is as good as 80 ! ( I was later informed that many male servants were called boy )
He wore a white turban , was clean shaven and very clean.
As we lived in the railway colony - this was way back in the 60's-  he occupied an out house - behind the house . He just had just one tin trunk - guess he was a poor man like most house hold helps in those days .
Boy was an early riser  like Needle Ayah. Often when I entered the kitchen early in the morning , the fire was already lit ( no gas back in those days ) , the tea was ready - often served in bed - and breakfast was on the way to the dining table .
I often sat on my haunches watching him light the fire - it was fascinating the way he placed the coal , struck the match - lit some paper and gently blew till it caught ....... soon it was ablaze .
BOY was one of those old faithful's . He worked for us for about 15 years or more and cooked some fantastic dishes .
Jhal Frezi , Vindaloo, ball curry and yellow rice, Irish stew ,  mulligatawny, cutlets, croquets and many more - he was a good cook .   He was also a chutney and salad expert and for every meal there was a salad or a chutney.
He also went shopping for provisions , was responsible for laying the table , serving the food and washing the dishes thereafter .
BOY was a story teller too and often when I was left at home he kept me busy with stories of animals , thieves and journeys - I guess most of the were made up on the spur of the moment but they sure amused me .
Now thinking back he was  probably actually older because his head shook when he talked and on a few occasions he saw me imitating him and looked annoyed !.
No clue when Needle Ayah and BOY stopped working with us  - When I reminisce - they just stopped coming  one day and I don't even know if I missed them .
Great days in Allahabad indeed.


 

House hold helps way back then

There are two household hold helps when I was a kid in Allahabad that  I remember vividly.
The First was  Needle ayah. Yes a strange name indeed and if you can't guess its origin let me tell you - She was as skinny as a needle
 I was probably 5 or so but I knew a skinny person when I saw one . She was  only in her 60's ( I calculated that much later ) but  as  I was only  5 she looked 80 !
She was responsible for the sweeping , swabbing , tidying up , making the beds and washing the clothes as far as I remember . She also spent a lot of time talking to me and others in the house .
She never lived with us - I guess she lived somewhere close by as she arrived at the crack of dawn and was there till late in the evening .
I guess she was also good at pressing feet as that is one of the things I often saw her doing .
Then there was BOY the cook
I was about 12 when he first started working in the house .
Why he was called BOY I could never fathom because he was an old man - probably about 65 at the time - but for a 12 year old 65 is as good as 80 ! ( I was later informed that many male servants were called boy )
He wore a white turban , was clean shaven and very clean.
As we lived in the railway colony - this was way back in the 60's-  he occupied an out house - behind the house . He just had just one tin trunk - guess he was a poor man like most house hold helps in those days .
Boy was an early riser  like Needle Ayah. Often when I entered the kitchen early in the morning , the fire was already lit ( no gas back in those days ) , the tea was ready - often served in bed - and breakfast was on the way to the dining table .
I often sat on my haunches watching him light the fire - it was fascinating the way he placed the coal , struck the match - lit some paper and gently blew till it caught ....... soon it was ablaze .
BOY was one of those old faithful's . He worked for us for about 15 years or more and cooked some fantastic dishes .
Jhal Frezi , Vindaloo, ball curry and yellow rice, Irish stew ,  mulligatawny, cutlets, croquets and many more - he was a good cook .   He was also a chutney and salad expert and for every meal there was a salad or a chutney.
He also went shopping for provisions , was responsible for laying the table , serving the food and washing the dishes thereafter .
BOY was a story teller too and often when I was left at home he kept me busy with stories of animals , thieves and journeys - I guess most of the were made up on the spur of the moment but they sure amused me .
Now thinking back he was  probably actually older because his head shook when he talked and on a few occasions he saw me imitating him and looked annoyed !.
No clue when Needle Ayah and BOY stopped working with us  - When I reminisce - they just stopped coming  one day and I don't even know if I missed them .
Great days in Allahabad indeed.


 

A strange dream

Some dreams set you thinking - you wish you could understand - to work out the" WHY "did I have that dream that was so very unexplainable .

I am at the entrance to a gate
Its wooden - its low - about 3 feet high
Its just a simple gate - nothing fancy - made of cross beams .
One could climb over or scramble through - so its more of a formality to have it there .
I feel I  am alone - but although I can see no one else - there are a few people close by .
Now to the scene - its surreal - its dead silent - its definitely not earthly .
As I stand the gate gently opens inwards - silently - not a creak - so common with old wooden gates .
I see a road - about 30 feet wide stretching before me .
Its strange as it seems to be hanging in mid air - yet I am not sure
There is nothing on either side of it
When I look towards it-  it seems never ending and straight . It goes on and on ............
No buildings, no ground, no trees, no sky ,nothing - just the road before me .
The road is visible and white - too white
Pure white  smooth pebbles line its surface - not shiny - just white
But there is a brightness - not blinding but there - that makes visibility strange .
I speak aloud- " I need my distance glasses-  I wont be able to drive "
Although there was no car and I was standing .............

A strange dream

Some dreams set you thinking - you wish you could understand - to work out the" WHY "did I have that dream that was so very unexplainable .

I am at the entrance to a gate
Its wooden - its low - about 3 feet high
Its just a simple gate - nothing fancy - made of cross beams .
One could climb over or scramble through - so its more of a formality to have it there .
I feel I  am alone - but although I can see no one else - there are a few people close by .
Now to the scene - its surreal - its dead silent - its definitely not earthly .
As I stand the gate gently opens inwards - silently - not a creak - so common with old wooden gates .
I see a road - about 30 feet wide stretching before me .
Its strange as it seems to be hanging in mid air - yet I am not sure
There is nothing on either side of it
When I look towards it-  it seems never ending and straight . It goes on and on ............
No buildings, no ground, no trees, no sky ,nothing - just the road before me .
The road is visible and white - too white
Pure white  smooth pebbles line its surface - not shiny - just white
But there is a brightness - not blinding but there - that makes visibility strange .
I speak aloud- " I need my distance glasses-  I wont be able to drive "
Although there was no car and I was standing .............

TRAIN JOURNEYS IN THE 60's

Train journeys in the 60's were fun . Rather than write an essay , here is a brief summary point wise.
Its the summer vacation............................


You planned the journey for a month or more
You packed in tin trunks and you had to carry a HOLDALL ( for the blankets/ sheets/ pillows etc )
For the uninitiated it was made of thick water proof material and had straps- you put all the stuff in - including shoes in the corners and then you rolled it up and tightened the straps .
Taking a SARAI along was a must ( for water ) If you don't know what a SARAI is - find out .
You cycled to the station in the morning to find out if the train was on time - at times you made 2 or 3 trips to make sure . More often than not the information counter attendants were not sure either .
You went to the station in rickshaws . Most trains left in the evening or night
As soon as the rickshaws approached the station , the coolies came running towards you .
Before you could say a word they had your luggage off  and on the ground.
Then began the haggling - they quoted Rs 40  for all the luggage ( 2 trunks / a large holdall and a few bags + a suitcase or two .
They were offered Rs 20 and finally the deal was struck for Rs 25 with a a promise that if they got you intoo the train safely you would give them a baksheesh of Rs 2 or 5 !.
You climbed over the bridge - one person walked with the coolie in front and one with the coolie at the back lest they made off with the luggage .
A place was found to put the luggage down - then the colie vanished with a promise to return .
Then there were the flies , the beggars , the ants , the trickling water , people banging into you , loafers staring at the girls /  snide remarks , men selling all sorts of toys , more beggars etc etc etc .
You pay  attention to the announcements and hope to hear the name of your train being mentioned .
Sometimes the train was cancelled .
At times you had to change platforms at the last minute and then there was  a mad rush over the bridge - somehow the faithful coolie returned and demanded more money for the extra trip - no option but to promise 10 rupees more . More haggling ensued - now you were at his mercy and if you sent him away you were left to carry the luggage yourself as no other coolie would touch it - so strong was their bonding .
Lets cut to the chase
You see people leaning over the platform to look to one side - you go forward to look as well- the train is rolling in. You hear the whistle and see the smoke .........
You breath a sigh of relief- it is over 2 hours late but better late than never .
You rush into the compartment  and the collie gets your luggage in - its a free for all although its a reserved compartment - 2nd class in those days .
There are 60 berths and about 80  or more people - not counting children - you wonder  how and where they will all fit in .
They all do- all over - on berths, on the floor between berths , two on a berth, near the toilet , in the toilet - anywhere and everywhere .
People make friends fast - the bonding is to keep strangers out ! Those in early are friends - those coming in later are the strangers and are shooed away .
No sign of any ticket checker so its survival of the fittest .
The train chugs out of the platform and you wave to those who have come to see you off .
You promise to write a letter when you reach ! Or send a telegram.
You open your Holdall - you make your beds - you chain your trunks and suitcases together and then to the berth - you spread out and get ready to eat .
You lay out news paper and take the tiffins out - puris / potato cutlets/ vegetable/ dry meat / mango pickle - something sweet after dinner . Its sure a hearty meal .
You get onto your berth - spin the fan into action with a comb if it refuses to start .
Your on your way .
The holidays have begun