Last weekend of November approaching. As in every year for almost a quarter century, I am closing off the outgoing batches of students. Today was the last time I took two successive classes: for the next four months I shall no longer have to do an afternoon class, so I can sleep or sometimes watch movies every day, and go travelling much oftener, because from next week, I shall have two successive days off every week: something deliciously anticipated for a very, very long time, because I have never had a single day off every week for as long as I can remember! This was the last time I did four simultaneous class 10 batches. The number of batches has been halved. I shall now well and truly be at least half-retired. Oh my goodness; now that I am finally high and dry, I cannot imagine how I stuck to this work routine for so long. And I am infinitely thankful to a very high power that gave me the health, the energy, the determination and the opportunity to do it. It has been hard, but I shall be most dishonest if I did not admit that there have been many compensations - being my own master, teaching my own style, fixing my own holidays, working from home since long before WFH became a thing.
Tanmoy in faraway New Zealand, ICSE 1994 batch, one of the very few old boys who have kept continuously in touch, will be happy to know that I have been playing his 'Suvro-da' podcast on YouTube to all the outgoing batches, just to tell them, 'This is how some students still remember me', and wondering aloud how many of them will do the same, if any. Of course, by the time they are Tanmoy's age, I shall have been long gone. I am already telling my currently-juniormost (class 8) batch that theirs might just be the very last batch that I teach. Let us see.
No man can see very far into the future, not his own, not his family's, not his country's, not the world's. At 16, I had wondered in writing what things might look like at the turn of the century, when I would be 37 (year 2000 CE); twenty five years have passed after that landmark, and I am still carrying on. My oldest student is 63; the first one who came to study with me here in Durgapur will be 54 this year. One of the greatest sources of pride for me is that I can vibe so easily and well with teenagers still: one student, now 52, whose daughter never wants to miss one of my classes, recently asked me 'How do you do it?' But yes, for numerous reasons, many of which I have written about before, I am getting a trifle tired and bored and less hopeful for them, so it is indeed high time that I slowed down and reduced the workload with the aim of going entirely post-economic within a few more years, God willing. Then I can sit back and watch the fun of a new generation being 'educated' by AI! And maybe turning most of my attention to raising my own grandchildren in the time that is left to me.
Those who have just left, click this link to find out what I wrote to the students who left in 2009: imagine - they are 31/32 years old now!
It goes without saying that any ex student, however young or old, who happens to read this post and feels nostalgic, is most welcome to write down his or her own thoughts as a comment on this.
9 comments:
Dear Sir,
I was in batch 4, my notebooks from the time bear the same mark. The afternoon batch was so much fun, especially because we walked to your house from school, freshened up and waited for you to come downstairs. I remember the last day at your house (this was my class 12), your hand on my head as I touched your feet. I am sure some of the current students must be suppressing a sob.
Happy semi-retirement to you, Sir. This was long overdue.
Regards,
Sunandini
First off the mark, Sunandini. Delighted :)
Dear sir,
It's really quite shocking that I've already become an ex student of yours. I feel like there's way more i could've learned from you but as time flies it waits for none and so as those warm classes under your supervision came to an end a few days ago and it feels really empty. The way you taught us julius caesar throughout the year now comes back as memories and truly they are to be preserved. As I left your class knowing it was the last day I really felt like crying because it was not the home of just another tutor. Suvro sir's class truly felt like a temple.
Last but not the least. I thank you sir for guidance throughout these 3 years and wish you the very best of your health and the fact that suvro sir is getting tired really sounds like sarcasm.
Thank you sir
Regards,
Krishnendu
As my English tuition finally comes to an end after three unforgettable years, I find myself looking back at this journey with a heart full of gratitude. When I first joined on 9th April 2023, I never imagined how much I would grow—not just in English, but as a person. And for that, I owe you so much.
Sir, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have been more than just a teacher—you guided me, corrected me with patience, supported me through every doubt, and helped me build confidence in myself.
Your lessons were never only about English; they shaped my thinking, my discipline, and my approach towards learning. I feel truly fortunate to have been your student.
Thank you, Sir, for every effort you put into teaching me. These three years will always remain a special part of my journey, and your teachings will stay with me forever. I truly hope to meet you again soon.
With respect and gratitude,
Simran Mandal
Dear Sir,
It is really surprising that I am no longer a student of yours. The way you taught everything starting from Julius Caesar to life lessons , it was amazing.
The way you acted Julius Caesar made me feel so amazed. I really wonder how someone can be so good in so many fields of life and education.
Thank you Sir for your guidance throughout these 3 years.
I hope that you will be in the best of your health for the upcoming years.
Thank you Sir,
Regards,
Tanni
Dear Sir,
When I became your ex-student (which was on 28th November 2025) I was very sad. While on my way back, I was looking at your house slowly getting smaller smaller and the memories kept flashing through my mind.
I remembered how you taught us Julius Caesar and Treasure Chest which you made me visualize every line or speech, made funny jokes on the students, read out stories which I heard with full enthusiasm, shared us with your life experiences, and made us aware of the global affairs and the dangers of the new generation. When I reached home, I started flipping through every copy in which I wrote your notes and saw the corrections you made in my essays.
You, your teachings, the class with all my fellow batchmates would forever linger in my memories. I would remember you as "The Best Teacher". Though you took many efforts to make us do many things like to improve our vocabulary and speaking skill but then many of us did not took it seriously! I am really sorry for that.
But I am very grateful to you Sir for your guidance and efforts for the past two years. I wish that you will be in the best of your health for the upcoming years. I will make sure to keep in touch with you.
Thanking You,
Regards,
Kaustav Das
(from Wednesday-Friday Batch)
My Dear Sir,
This post felt like watching a chapter gently close in a very long, very meaningful book and it is impossible not to feel a wave of nostalgia. So many of us grew up in those very “outgoing batches” year after year, never realizing how much discipline, stamina and quiet sacrifice went on behind the routine you carried so naturally.
It amazes me how you sustained that pace and that intensity for so many years — and still brought the same sharpness, energy, humour, and seriousness into every class. If teenagers still “vibe” with you, it is because your mind has stayed young even when your responsibilities kept growing. That is something very few teachers, or even people, manage to do.
Hearing that you are finally slowing down feels bittersweet. Selfishly, it makes me emotional to think that the batches after us may be among the last. But at the same time, I am glad you are giving yourself the rest you have earned many times over. You have carried generations of students, you deserve to carry only yourself now, at your own pace, on your own terms.
And yes, we remember you. Far more of us than you might imagine. Whether it is a lesson that comes back to mind during a difficult moment, or a phrase of yours, your influence stays with us long after class 10 is over. With time, its value only deepens.
Thank you, Sir, for all these years of work, wisdom, and stubborn dedication to teaching the right way. Whenever you choose to retire fully, just know that hundreds — perhaps thousands — of your old students like me will still be reading, remembering, and silently cheering for you.
PS:I will try to meet you soon sir And when I do, I hope you recognize the same student — just a little older, and carrying a lot of your lessons within him.
Warm regards,
An old student remembering gratefully,
Rudra.
Dear Suvro da - I just want to say thank you. Regards Tanmoy
Many grateful thanks to those who have commented already.
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