Oops... I know it's terribly early to write a new post after what I wrote as a postscript only yesterday, but (and I did say I shall write whenever the urge grips me strongly!) this is 17th October, and though it is just another birthday, it would be churlish of me not to acknowledge publicly the fact that I have been literally inundated with birthday wishes via telephone, sms, cards and even impromptu celebrations arranged at home here by my current pupils. I was struck forcefully once more by the thought that it is probably because so many people make such an unabashed song and dance about me - a kind of recognition that so many hanker for and so few get - that those who have never got to know me or like me well find it too galling to swallow, and that in turn explains why they boil over with invective and abuse when they talk about me elsewhere, and naturally cannot think of anything nice and decent to say to my face.
Anyway, on such a cheery day, it is a waste of time to even recollect that scum exists. Once more, a most hearty and grateful thanks to so many people, young and not so young, near and far away, who kindly took the time out to say 'Happy birthday' and warm the cockles of my heart. God bless you all.
P.S.: Moments after putting up this post I discovered that Arani Banerjee has written about me on his blog. Not too many people either can or will do that. Thanks, Arani. You have made my day.
P.S.: Moments after putting up this post I discovered that Arani Banerjee has written about me on his blog. Not too many people either can or will do that. Thanks, Arani. You have made my day.
14 comments:
Dear Sir,
A very Happy Birthday once again...I sincerely hope and pray that you enjoy more peace and happiness in the years to come by. Please keep writing in the blog and continue to enlighten us, although it is very hard considering the lukewarm response you receive in comparison to your efforts to maintain this blog. Take care, Sir.
With regards,
Saikat.
Thank you, Saikat.
I hereby declare a prize for the most heart-warming comment here. Nothing material - that's too cheap and common these days! - but just an acknowledgment from me that this was the best comment of the lot.
Dear Sir,
Wish you a very happy birthday and pray for a long life.
Birthday is a strange reminder for the growing age, experience and all other time bound constrains. I would rather love celebrate 'un-birthdays' (like the one in 'Alice in Wonder Land'). At least that will give a larger number of days to 'celebrate my own way'. Though, in that case, I doubt the very existence of the word ‘celebrate’.
However, birthday is meant for celebration by others who feel lucky to have a share of your knowledge (either in class or blog or any other means). So, please keep writing and enlightening us.
Take care.
With regards,
Arghya Kamal Chatterjee
Yay, for this absolutely unexpected post, and for the cheeriness you've shared, and I’m glad that you had a fun birthday.
It was still a minute till the clock was about to strike the midnight hour on this side of the planet some very long minutes ago – so I did wish you a ‘Happy Birthday’ one more time, and I certainly made all the wishes I could edge in.
I took the previous post with a both alien and familiar stoicism and had been mentally gearing myself into not expecting posts on either of your blogs in spite of other feelings, so I can admit that this post made me smile and more for more than a couple of reasons.
I remember that one of the things you’d said about writing and communicating and drawing like-minded individuals towards you had made see why you were writing away at the keyboard...
You’ve got a competition going on here. I know I don’t have a snowflake’s chance in hell (as you would say) of winning the prize, so may some other commentator win. Heck – I can’t even write a blogpost about you or sketch a card or find one off the net or the racks…but I’ll leave with a link for this song which has been playing in my mind for the day today - it speaks of what you do.
And needless to say, scum do not (with nothing to call minds or brains or sense and sensibilities or the ability to feel) count as ‘living things’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZqjJAb-tdQ
And P.oh.S: I do apologise for the 'candlelights' bit seeing how candles give you the nightmares.
And on the 'eight' day of the Week, after He was refreshed from His rest, God said "Let there be Enlightenment", and my Sir was born. :-)
Many happy returns and God bless!
Regards
Dear Sir,
I am sorry that I had entirely forgotten that yesterday was your birthday. I hope you will excuse me for that. Belated Happy Birthday to you Sir.
I read Aranida's post. It is wonderful. I wish I could write like that. I was just engrossed while reading the post. I also became a bit emotional while reading the post.
I also wish I had gone on a tour/outing with you while you were younger. I also eagerly want to go with you on some long tour some time in the near future, at least as long as you are fit. A few ex students of yours including me can form a small group and we can go together with you somewhere.
Regards,
Subhadip.
Dear Sir,
Wish you a happy birthday. Sorry, that I am late by a day. Actually, I knew that your birthday was sometime in October, but never knew the exact date. Now, I won't forget. Please continue to inspire us for many more years.
Thanks and with regards,
Sayantika
Dear Sir,
Wish you the very best on your birthday. I hope that more of us continue to get a chance to interact with you and therefore hope that you continue to enjoy your good health and serenity.
with regards,
Navin
Wish you a very happy birthday, Sir.
Regards,
Arnab
Dear Suvroda
It has been nearly 20 years since I first met you. When my father was transferred to Durgapur and I got admitted to SXS in class seven, I hated that place. Most teachers didn’t help me settle down as either they were sarcastic or they didn’t bother. After winning a major quiz competition when in class 8, I was introduced to you by a class mate. I started loving school and indeed you helped me see the world from a different perspective.
I can just say – thank you.
I hope I can always remember your birthday without setting any reminders in my gadgets and continue to wish you smiles, good health and everything you love.
Regards
Tanmoy
Dear Suvro Sir,
I suppose it's very late in the day to wish you a Happy Birthday. But let me just say that this blog means a lot to me personally and the longer it stays alive so does hope in my heart.
Sir, I have two things to share. One - I have had the very weird thought of beaming all the contents of your blog into space, you know! That way (to me, probably the only way) some intelligent life out there will know that there is a real thinker and philosopher here still! Too bad I won't be able to do that anymore. Not because you will shut it down someday, but because I couldn't become an astrophysicist, nor do I want to become one anymore.
The second one is about a very proud moment I had when in school (they were talking of that in Aranida's blog) - I am very poor with dates, so I can't exactly remember whether it was in class 9 or 10, but I had once scored a perfect ten on ten in a grammar test once when you were teaching us. Actually you had given me nine and a half, but when I rechecked I couldn't understand where I had lost half a mark, so I went to you with my answer sheet. You thought for a moment, but didn't count the marks I had scored on the individual questions (probably took my word for it), then said "Well, all right" and changed the marks from nine and a half to ten and then addressing the class said "So one boy has got a ten on ten". That praise (only because it came from you) remains my proudest moment in all my years of formal education.
I too feel grateful to have known a person like you in my lifetime. That’s karma I suppose. I wish you good health and hope I get many more years of interaction with you.
Never too late to send a good wish, Sayan! Especially from someone like you or Rashmi, it is always warmly welcome.
As for beaming my blog into space, well, perhaps that might still be possible without being an astrophysicist. I do not fancy that I am the only sensible thinking man on the planet - but a member of a small and vanishing tribe, yes...
And as for the happy memory, thanks for the recollection. It is this kind of reminiscence that warms an ageing teacher's heart, and frankly, I cannot have enough of it!
Dear Sir,
Shubho Bijoya to you and your family.
I am glad that you have had such a happy birthday and may God bless you with many more. You have been like an unchanging strong pillar in my life from the time I have come under your tutelage. It is impossible for me to put into words the impact of you and your ideas in my life and work. Your wisdom seems inexhaustible to me and yet you are able to connect all your thoughts so marvelously and put them forward so clearly. You are so full of love, warmth, kindness and concern when you talk to us yet never fail to point out our mistakes and faults in a fatherly manner. The more I come to know about you, the greater my respect for you grows. I am grateful to Providence for having known and interacted with a person like you although I sometimes envy your students who have had the chance of sitting in your classes. It would be a dream-come-true to meet you in person.
Your blogs mean a great deal to me and so please do keep writing.
I hope that the good wishes of those who love you will compensate for the scum who, out of pure envy, try in vain to make your life difficult.
Warm regards
Rashmi
Dear Sir,
I wish you a very happy birthday. May you life happily and continue your good work.
Yours faithfully,
Abhishek Anand
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