The experience was a bit crazy. What would you say when you meet someone after 30 years? Apart from the fact that I have not met many of them in the years in between and my failing memory,  is it possible to go back and find common threads? Life and its context has changed much over this period both for them (I am presuming) and for me (for sure). I approached the rendezvous with great trepidation as well as expectation.

The setting was a beach resort. The gathering of a few friends who left school some 31 years ago [The year was 2011].  There was a rush of adrenalin when I approached the gathering. First challenge was recognition. Out of the sixteen, how many faces are familiar? And can I put a name to the face even if it seems familiar? I failed miserably. My score was three out of sixteen. Then some of them started to say their name and what they do. Something stirred in the unconscious.

This boy was the class teacher’s son. The son and father were poles apart. The father was devoted to Maths and probably one of the reasons why I fell in love with the subject! The son obviously had other ideas! Funnily enough this used to play out in the class. There was the use of cane on raw flesh, one of the many ways in which anger and frustration was displayed. May be the father in the teacher did not know how to handle the public humiliation?

There was Mr Football! He was destined to be Mr Football. Even in school, his skills were more visible on the field than in the class room. And he spoke with pride when he said that the curvy corner kick (later copied by Beckham) was after all his invention.

And my partner for tuition classes. He looked the same. We had this punishing schedule, of starting our private class for a two hour period from 630 am to 830 am. A long walk to school with a stop at Arul Jyoti Restaurant for breakfast.  I don’t exactly remember how much it costed us, but the fare would be either Poori, Idly or Dosa. With our stomach full we used to walk onward to the school. [The restaurant had another connection with me. It was apparently inaugurated by my grand father!]

Mr Doctor. He said he always wanted to be a doctor. He was also the student leader, some kind of an all round personality. Social service was on top of his agenda. He struggled initially to establish and now seems to have found his niche as a oncologist. Bravo.

Each one of stories are different, some have been focused. Others have drifted. Some have settled abroad, others have been in the same small town. But, in the heart everyone is the same.

Some lessons to conclude.

(1) Some are born with hidden talents. Such as Mr Football. It is our ability to identify and channelize this  internal desire that can make us happy in what we do.

(2) Our battle is always internal against the benchmark that we set. While circumstances do play a significant role, this battle between reality and desire will always determine what we end up doing and more importantly our drive to excel in our chosen field.

(3) Peer pressure can screw up life big time. And this is more so in the current generation when distractions are many. Compare this to the three vices of our time. Smoking, drinking and expressing love.

(4) Be open to experiences. That is always a great teacher compared to the text book.

When I look back, I have come a long way. From a boy amongst the woods and mountains to a life in the city.   One may chose to stay within the boundary and gets closeted with known knowns. But, life begins only when you go out in search of unknown unknowns.

All the best!!