Surendran escaped the Headmaster’s cane and fine as well, since he was seasoned in the art of lying flat on the loft! 😊

‘The three of us were fined Rs. 100/- each!’

#MCCSchoolDays #hostelyears

#memoriesfromdiaries

This day, 29 years ago!

Thursday, 23 February 1995

Diaries are meant to keep incidents of the past come alive and kicking in our memories, years later, ain’t they, dear reader? 😊

It’s almost 30 years now, since this particular incident had happened, and even today, when I read it, a gentle giggle still flits me by! Don’t ask me why! 😊

Well, back then, during our hostel days in MCC School, Harrington Road, Chetpet, we were fined for every minor violation or aberration on our part!

So by the end of the month, chances were - any hosteler’s fine bill had a very high probability of exceeding their monthly mess bill even!

When our teachers were on leave, we were absolutely left to fend for ourselves. So we usually came back to the hostel - our home sweet home - albeit discreetly, 😊for our own private relaxation time!

However, staying back in the hostel anytime during class hours was considered a ‘flagrant violation’ of the rules - back then!

Still, three of us, Sai Ram, Chakma and myself, we came to the hostel, and we were busy in our respective cubicles, reading most probably a Tinkle or a Tintin!

This particular day, proved our undoing, or still, our nemesis!

But not without its quota of fun! 😊

You see, on this fateful day, our Headmaster Mr. Jefferson walked into the hostel, to inspect some electric wiring that was happening in the hostel.

Much to his consternation, he spotted almost ten boys happily lounging in their respective cubicles, and what’s more, some were listening to Hindi numbers in such high decibels!

While the others quickly ran helter skelter to escape the fury of the headmaster, we three were caught the very next instant! 😊

Interestingly, Surendran escaped the Headmaster’s cane and fine as well, since he was seasoned in the skilled art of lying flat on the loft! 😊

The three of us were fined Rs. 100/- each!

Rs.100/- was quite a huge amount, three decades ago, you see!

Math master asked me, ‘Why I didn’t study?’

Well, to us hostelers back then, it was a very concerned question, from our teachers, who almost always doubled up as our parents - in our blessed home away from home!