Pranav Pai
Joining Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Public School, Vidyashram in 2015 was one of the best things to have happened in my life. Even though nearly five years have passed since my first day in the school, I remember life at Bhavan’s as if it was just yesterday.
I joined Bhavan’s in grade 6 when we moved from Bangalore to Hyderabad. I had by then missed nearly a month of school and even though I used to visit my grandparents in Hyderabad during summer, my family felt that it would take me some time to adapt to the new surroundings – especially the new school and the people I would meet there.
Like anyone else embarking on a completely new phase of their life, I was quite nervous at first. I had bid adieu to my old school, friends and teachers in Bangalore and here I was, starting afresh.
I remember nearly every detail of my first step and day in Bhavan’s Vidyashram. It was a normal working day and one of the first things I noticed was the greenery in the campus – pots, plants and trees of all kinds, a water body with tiny fish and motivational posters and quotes on the walls. Not to forget, the many trophies and laurels won by the school. Assembly had started and I remember standing at the entrance to the quadrangle, observing what was going on. I distinctly remember the principal, Rama Devi ma’am, speaking too. I also heard the school prayer for the first time, and once it ended, watched as all the students made their way to their classrooms.
The first teacher I met and spoke to was vice-principal Shashikala ma’am, my mother and grandmother alongside me. After we spoke for a while, the decision was taken to join the Sanskrit section in grade 6 (VI C). Shortly after the snacks break we made our way to my classroom, which would become the start of a completely new path in my life. Class was in session and I suddenly found 40 pairs of eyes staring at me (perhaps because I had worn a coloured dress), wondering who this new person was. Vice-principal ma’am introduced me to the class, and when she asked who wanted to be my friend, I recollect almost everyone raising their hands enthusiastically. At the time, I don’t know what exactly I was thinking but I felt comfortable and happy. I recall smiling in front of all these new people even on my first day, perhaps because deep down I knew I was going to enjoy school. Truly, there was never a time when I did not enjoy my day to the fullest at Bhavan’s. As I made my way through the rows of benches, I could hear curious and enthusiastic voices but I finally sat down with a classmate. Once the class ended, I recall being surrounded by all my classmates, everyone introducing themselves and chatting with me until the next class began. My teachers also made sure that I felt comfortable on my first day and after.
I spent my lunch break exploring various parts of the school, including the large ground and canteen. My mother and grandmother had specifically told me about the animals that the school had in the farm, so I made sure I paid a visit to that area as well. I was thrilled to see rabbits, a turkey, ducks and not one, but several cows in a far corner! Once school ended, two of my classmates showed me to my bus, and I boarded bus no 7, which I would then be boarding regularly for the next five years.
My first day at Bhavan’s was an interesting, happy and tiring day, and I will cherish that day and memory all my life. However, just as all good things must come to an end, my five years in school passed by really fast. Throughout the years, I made new friends, tried new things and made amazing memories.
My last day in school was farewell day in February 2020, and the new faces I had seen when I first joined school were now my closest friends. All of us were upset that we would soon have to leave the school, and it struck me that I would no longer be with all my classmates and seniors who I had spent a wonderful five year journey with. But deep down, I felt happy and thankful when I recollected all my experiences and memories in this school. Each and every person and experience helped me grow as a student, and more importantly, as a human being. While my first few days in school were full of excitement and catching up, the last few days were quite stressful, what with the class 10 board exams approaching, and the dark clouds of COVID-19. The tension and flurry of exams made time go by in a flash.
The last time I wore my school uniform was on March 18, 2020 – the day of my last board exam – when sadly due to COVID, none of us could go out and celebrate the months of hard work. However, our spirits were high and everyone was talking about what they would do in their holidays. Unknown to me then, I would not see many of my classmates or teachers in a long time due to the pandemic. My long and pleasant journey had approached its final leg; however, the memories will remain with me forever.
Bhavan’s Vidyashram was more than just a school. It was practically a second home for me, and till date, I long to go back and take a walk around the campus, sit on the steps in the shade of the trees near the canteen, run (even though we were supposed to walk!) down the breezy corridors, and sit in my classroom with my friends and teachers. Even though the building and campus itself are so dear to me, the people there made it truly special and added that extra aura that made not just my first or last, but each and every single day of school memorable.
Once a Bhavanite, always a Bhavanite, and I am proud of all the values, experiences and education – not just bookish knowledge – but also life lessons that I learnt in my time at Bhavan’s Vidyashram.
The author is a grade 12 student of commerce at AMS P. Obul Reddy Public School, Hyderabad. A literary buff who likes to debate and write, he is also passionate about football, music and art. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies with a bowl of ice cream! He can be reached at pranavpai0817@gmail.com.