His life was gentle, and the elements mixed so well in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, “This was a man.”
Dear Bishopites and friends.
Am putting a few words together to salute a giant of a man – a leader of leaders, a God fearing individual and a gentleman to the core.
Mr B W Roberts is no more in our midst but his legacy will live on ,as he joins his master and takes his place at the table reserved for the chosen ones .
As I join a lot of old boys in Pune in spirit ,to condone and pray for his beloved soul , I cannot help but reflect on the 20 years I spent in Bishops – 18 working under Mr Roberts- 18 of the best years in my life .
He gave me a job in Bishops without even interviewing me – he knew my mother from his Allahabad days and then trusted the recommendation of two of my good friends who were in Bishops at that time – Alan Seymour and Michael Gomes .
I reached Pune on a wet afternoon and after a quick bath was taken to meet Mr Roberts . He was in the bungalow and he welcomed me warmly. I had never visited a Principal in his house before but his first few words were enough to make me feel happy and secure – “welcome to Bishops my boy and if you need anything come and ask me”. We then had a cup of tea and ‘bhajiyas’ and talked about Allahabad , our common hometown .
I also met Mrs Roberts and Jean that day and it was the beginning of a lifelong friendship with the family . Although I lead a large number of schools with thousands of pupils in the UAE now , everything I know about Leadership was learnt from Mr Roberts – by listening , observing and working closely with him . He was my mentor , guide and a father figure to many .
He was a tough leader, he knew his mind, was very determined, loved to build, & was a strict disciplinarian. The word can’t was not in his dictionary and he loved a challenge.
Who can forget Mr Roberts on his beloved Luna- wearing his Academic gown and zipping around ! There are a million memories….
Mr Roberts at Assembly – an imposing figure at the mike – leading the prayers and hymns – his booming voice setting the tone for the day. When he was in a good mood, assemblies were fun. If something had gone wrong, there was pin drop silence in the hall and everyone (teachers included ) left in silence after assembly .Then there was the dreaded mark reading . If you were among the top 15 in the class , all was well – if anywhere among the failures you felt like sinking into the floor because Mr Roberts made sure he blasted the day lights out of you “ Take 3 steps forward “ were words no boys wanted to hear and which I am sure many will remember even today !
What about meal times – when he walked around the dining hall, and joked with the MOD and some favourite boarders. He made sure he had a word with the bearers and cooks as well.
Founders week- the church service where he gave the sermon and talked about two types of people in the world- those who build and those who destroy. He loved the fete and the counting of the coupons and taking in the accounts to see how much profit had been made. He made sure that all those who were helping him with the job at that time got an India Ice cream !! And yes – put the remaining gifts on the table !
Boxing was something he enjoyed as well and year after year he sat through all the bouts , cheering the boys on and pulling Aspi Irani’s leg !( Boxers would remember Mr Irani )
The Prefect investiture ceremony on the uppers was another of his favourites as he announced the names and pinned on the badges. The speeches on such days were inspiring and so motivational
Although there were many old masters and teachers , all respected and revered , Mr Roberts, Mr D Beaman and Mr R Ringrow – they made a great threesome and ran Bishops for years together .
When I took over as First Assistant Master and later as Headmaster , I worked closely with Mr Roberts and Mr Beaman and go to know them both very well .
Mr Roberts loved to build – anything. A wall, a drain , a room- give him something old to have pulled down and something new to have put up and he was in his elements !
It did not matter if it was early in the morning , in the blazing sun at noon or at 8 pm when everyone was ready to relax- if he had a plan , he made sure it was executed and he loved people to be around him .
We often got into his old ambassador and with his faithful driver Shinde took off for the “Chor bazar” at 5 in the evening where he personally bargained for and purchased furniture for staff quarters .
I often felt that in a previous life Mr Roberts was a building contractor cum engineer. He was an expert where buildings are concerned and knew plenty and more about steel, cement, sand, bricks, weights and measures, dimensions etc. He was responsible in a very large was for the new Simba block and the entire new wing on St Margaret’s ground – both spacious , well designed buildings .
He spent many many days and weeks from 6 am till late at night overseeing the construction of both – it was truly a labour of love . Boys enjoyed working with him- lifting bricks, cleaning grass , removing rubble . It was part of the SUPW in Bishops . He would roll up his sleeves and work himself as well , such was his simplicity.
On the other hand he could have also been a lawyer – he had a cupboard full of law books and quoted the law comfortably. I was often quite amused when hearing him talk to the school lawyers and advising them exactly what he wanted done – he would then sit for hours pouring over first drafts and making changes and he was never wrong. He won all the cases he fought .
Mr Roberts loved his breakfast – Eggs, Toast and butter , Marmite , vegetables and coffee – he relished good food . Also vividly remember an old cook cum bearer called Harry who would bring Mr Roberts scones and juice to the office at around 11 am .If I was there I would be offered a biscuit or a scone and both were yummy . I am sure all would also remember his famous pipe which he smoked with relish .
There was one thing no one can deny – we were all scared of Mr Roberts and that included me the Headmaster , Mr Beaman the boarding Suptd, the Staff ,Parents Servants , boys and even the very gentle Mrs Roberts . He ran a tight ship and as captain he brooked no nonsense. Often I would chat with Mrs Roberts about school and both of us would plan how to bell the cat the next morning! We would then go to Sirs office together – if we saw him smiling we would go in a discuss what had to be discussed – if there was any noise or shouting we would slink away to fight another day! We often asked Das his peon about Sahib’s mood and if the signal was green, we were relieved!
I could go on about Mr Roberts – him going into random classes and teaching Chemistry/ Physics/ Math . His walking into the billiard room and taking a few shots (not realizing he was playing with the MOD who was supposed to be on duty) , him firing parents who dared to question him , him sitting for photographs being taken by Mr Jagos , him and the family attending the Friday movie on the uppers, him welcoming the old boys at the lunch after the Founders cricket match , him attending the dorm feasts
Mr Roberts had no favourites . He treated everyone the same and he was loved for his simplicity and down to earth attitude. There were no airs and no graces.
Sir will go down in History as one of the longest serving Principals of Bishops- the most loved and respected - and under whose guidance the school had a name like no other .
Mr Roberts sir – WE SALUTE YOU
