Note of Thanks to a Long-Lost Friend

Thank you so much sir, for your favour. I will be highly obliged if you could read this rather long and tedious note of thanks from a long lost friend.

Once when you were director education, Delhi, I attended a meeting, you had with school principals. I was representing my school as incharge. What a pleasant surprise it was to see you again after about 20 years! Got overwhelmed with strong emotions. Everything came back. I was in the army when we met for the first time at DDU hospital when our sisters were undergoing medicals for their teaching job. I instantly got hooked to your extremely calm, decent and polite demeanor. I met you at your residence in Pitampura each time I visited home during my leaves. Through these meetings I was not only informed of a lot of things, possibilities and alternative ways of earning and living, but also, and more importantly, got my perspective widened in so many ways. You obliged me by attending my marriage ceremony. I felt proud to have you as a friend on that day. You were nothing less than a VIP for me. Due to my mother's terminal illness, and newly formed ambitions courtesy your influence, I took discharge from army and thought of joining teaching. How could it be, for someone who left education five years back after failing the 12th standard exam twice. But you helped me in finding my feet again. You guided me to seek some job, consulting directory to suggest some placement agencies etc. You didn't allow me to lose hope, and that I think proved critical in the end. Got highly inspired by your extremely austere and disciplined life and routine. You were a true stoic. Fortified and enlightened by your association, I started dreaming of a better life, and worked diligently towards realising it. Ever since then, I continued improving my credentials through education. Did 12th,  DIET, Graduation, B Ed, Post graduation in 3 subjects, UGC NET with JRF, PhD in English Literature. In terms of jobs - got directly selected as PGT, and now Principal through UPSC. And a lot of credit goes to you dear sir.

Now let me briefly come back to the day when I saw you in that meeting after so long. I felt butterflies in my stomach, got so excited and nervous at the same time. Eagerly awaited for a full glimpse of your face and your recognition of me. For a brief moment I thought of interrupting the meeting to claim our friendship, But the very next moment felt the allied embarrassment of that possibility and desisted myself from doing that. After the meeting, when you were about to enter your car, then also I thought of approaching you with my claim to your friendship. I could not be courageous enough. Ever since the happy revelation of your success to me, I have one-sidedly celebrated my aquantance to you. Particularly, I inspire my students through your example as to how they can materialise their potential. Today, thank God, I found that courage to call you and seek help. And you saved me from an utter sense of hopelessness and frustration for the system. You redeemed my honour as a friend. I am indebted to you forever for the favour today and everything you did for me earlier. I would be mighty pleased if you give your address/office address, and allow me to thank you in person sometime in future/ present when you are/will be in Delhi. May you always be the centre, around which people like me build on their happy memories.

Regards!

Your long lost friend 

Dr Ranveer

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Three Approaches to Effective English Teaching

In this short article, I will reflect on three specific approaches to teaching English language, which I have used successfully over the years (15+ years) with my students, majority of whom belong to senior secondary classes. These three approaches are - being articulate, judicious use of mother tongue and establishing a connect with the students. These approaches have worked for me as a language teacher, but they can equally serve as effective tools for any teacher teaching any other subject for that matter. First things first, to make an impact in our class, We need to be articulate while speaking English. Being articulate does not mean being highly proficient in spoken English, though that can always be an added advantage, it is just being clear and distinct while speaking the English words, phrase and sentences. A simple sentence, spoken with clear stress, intonation and rhythm can itself work as an effective stimulus variant in an otherwise Hindi dominated classroom environment. T...
Read more

A Clarification Concerning a Professional Relationship

Dear sir, I know you are not happy with my response but one week back, because of full storage issues, to free up some space I deleted my data, which unfortunately included some what's app data as well. By making a phone call, I wanted to explain my situation and also if you asked I might have contacted someone from the group to ask for the earlier posts for your benefit. But it looks like you are not ready to listen anything from my side. Anyway that's your decision. But not picking up my call in spite of myself doing everything that I could (giving you my own interview experience, telling you all the details that I remember, getting you added to the group, sending you some of the posts today) is to my mind a little unreasonable. It just shows you will speak to someone only till your favours are returned. Anyway, after joining the group, it won't be difficult for you to get those earlier posts. Okay dear, thanks for some of the beautiful memories. And accept my apology if ...
Read more

Shifting Distance

                                                           A and B, two friends and their families were on their way to Nainital for a fun tour. They stopped at a wayside restaurant for snacks and tea. They were long time friends. From their childhood onwards, they remained in touch with each other barring a few gaps when they remained busy in their life pursuits. Despite such gaps, they assisted each other in their unique ways. B being comparatively rich, helped A (often hard-pressed) on several occasions in kind or cash. A being humble and compromising always played second fiddle to B.  A, despite having a ready wit and intellect at his command, never persisted on carrying on a debate with B. A struggled a great deal in his life. In his own way he developed a technique of pampering B. He just could not afford to lose his friend. Som...
Read more