In the monsoon of 2002,I had been given the chance to be a part of one of the most reputed schools of ahmedabad..a whole new world awaited me and a brain of 10-year old is just too small to predict what the next seven years would mean to him.

The last school had two main goals..academics and discipline..nothing besides this would be expected..a cricket bat would be confiscated and any act of violence or indiscipline would be strictly dealt with..the new school was a sharp contrast.. discipline was looked down upon and extra curricular activities was the road to become the hero of the class..academics was not appreciated if not hated...if there was one thing similar between the two schools it was the name..that was about it!!

I had never thought that schools could have aquariums, bird cages, multimedia hall, a pavilion, a separate ground for each sport: football, hockey, cricket, lawn tennis, basketball in fact had two grounds, an auditorium, an assembly hall, a swimming pool, a skating ground, a book store and so much more..the school could well host the Olympics one day i thought!!

Coming to the students it would not take a rocket scientist to tell that most of them came or pretended to come from rich..very rich well to do families..expensive bags, branded shoes, fashionable watches and the surest sign was the attitude..we are xaverites and thats why we are better than you..though after seven years I dont think the slogan was completely wrong.

There would be a fight (a babaal) every day during the recess..the singers would be hooted and booed if they went out of tune..there would be "we are bored" clapping even in the middle of the chief guest's speech..foul language was fashionable..getting a pink card for indiscipline was a medal of honour..not knowing the place to get out of school and bunk was a matter of shame!!

The year with the most drastic change was undoubtedly..the 11th..the year when all the girl deprived boys had a shot at the 15-odd girls per class..u could hardly believe that the person u knew for last few years was this very guy..girls can make boys do funny things and they did..the drama was at times a treat to watch!!

Despite all this I still regard it as one of the best schools..because it had many positive sides to it...
We played virtually every sport that the world has known..I learnt how to enjoy life.
The competition was extremely stiff because of the reputation..and that propelled you to perform better..academics improved as a result..
Even the occasional indisciplinary act reminded you that childhood is meant to be enjoyed..u get it only once!!
I was trained to be a good orator through 100's of debating elocution declamation comp's..and i won d boy of the camp award in senior leadership camp..my parents were made the chief guests in junior leadership camp..the proudest moment for me till date!!

And the best part is the friends i made there...

In the order I shared my life with them..

The one whom I knew since my old school..who was very good at academics..and the one thing that i learnt from him is to accept criticism and shine out in spite of what others say..

The close one who gave me computer games, stayed with me for most of the time and started cracking pj's from 11th..the one who taught me to do some stuff other than studies..

The wierd one who never took life seriously, who deserved and rightfully got a grey card..he taught me never to be seriously serious in life..there is always a second option..

The funny one who made me enjoy my 11th 12th and post 12th vacs...the extremely practical guy..the one who enriched my sense of humour..

The sincere one who was also in the old school..very nice fellow...taught me to have lots and lots of fun during class..shared great memories making fun of teachers..

The academic one who got and still gets great marks..the one who inspired me to be extremely focussed and dedicated towards your work..

The bunker who did not bring a bag to school!!

The drunk one who was always in a good mood..

The old friend who was extremely energetic..

The thin one who was a great drummer..

The rickshaw mate who started the trend of giving treats..

The silent one who rarely spoke something..

miss you all!!

An epic awesome school it was!!

Thanks for wasting your time reading this..