A memoir from an alumni of batch of 2016

School means different things to different people. Some see it as a temple of knowledge, some think it is a place to hangout with friends with interference of knowledge. Wherever one may lie on this spectrum, school has a definite role in building one’s view of the world, and of themselves.

For me, schooldays are full of fond memories. From the rehearsals for annual function to the excitement of sports week, the wonderful memories from school trips to camps and water parks, the quizzes and Olympiads, Class tests and exams – and their results, Parent teacher meetings, interschool competitions, fetes and festival themed activities, the march past practice for 15th August and 26th January, the unending quest of finding ways to play just a little more with my friends, and even the classes during regular school days. They are all invaluable memories I reminisce about and draw inspiration from every now and then.

Whenever I am trying to introspect, I find that manifestation of most my strengths can be traced back to this place. I also recall words of caution from my teachers which still help me overcome my weaknesses. I believe we don’t just learn the subjects from teachers. ‘We’ are in the syllabus too. And that is, by far, the most difficult part both – to teach and to learn.

I particularly remember the first Summative Assessment of 9th class was a rude awakening for us. You could see the effects of gravitation on everyone’s face. Those who managed to escape gravity were found lost in history. The ones that reached the correct era caught the plague of polynomials. The ‘race’ had begun, and everyone had started taking the question “What do you want to be” a bit more seriously. Our teachers saw our struggles and after a stern scolding for not being serious from the beginning, they relentlessly helped us overcome our challenges.

A lot of my core memories of school lie under the cool shade of the neem tree by the entrance. I remember our Marathi and Hindi teachers taking us there for a class for a change. It would also be under its shade that I would stand on days that I was late to school and could not arrive before the assembly started. Our sports teacher would huddle us under it and dish out sermons about discipline and values and their importance. Our parents would watch us take part in the processions for 15th August and 26th January from there too. It was also where we would go to have lunch sometimes.

I could write endlessly about my days in school. I experienced many things and learned so much from everyone around me, be it the teachers, my friends and even the non-teaching staff. But the bottom line is – I love the time I spent here, and I was fortunate enough to be at the receiving end of everyone’s affection too. The environment we grow up in shapes us into the people we become. I was blessed enough to be under the cool shade of KNMPS in the tutelage of my amazing teachers. I feel endless gratitude for all that I received in my wonderful years here.

Malhar P. Shembekar
Batch of 2016