Capturing the spirit of Sainik School Goalpara

Capturing the spirit of Sainik School Goalpara…..an imagination of an ex-ssgian !

50 years to Golden Jubilee

Ratneswar Saikia was lucky to have found  a seat in the red ASTC bus on a pleasant November morning. He had taken the route from Gaurisagar to his in- laws home at   Dergaon on many occasion but never had the luxury to travel seating. Perhaps destiny was changing, thought Saikia. 

Previous two years were toughest for Saikia. A bad monsoon and his aging father’s health condition forced him to sell off his 2 bigha beetle orchard. But, on that particular morning, from the comfort of his window seat he looked towards the boundless paddy fields and felt optimistic. He had a bumper harvest and was expecting the birth of his third child in two months.  Amidst his changing mood he picked up a newspaper left behind by a co-passenger in Jorhat.  Turning the pages Saikia came across a news on inauguration of a Sainik School in Goalpara. A premier boarding school to encourage and nurture young boys to join the armed forces. For a while, he thought, probable Government had taken this new initiative to produce more sainiks , just in case the Chinese invade India  again !!!  He felt a sense of pride thinking of sending a child of his to this school. By the time the bus reached Dergaon, a small time farmer conceived a dream. The year was 1964. 

Eleven years later, Ratneswar Saikia’s son successfully qualified to join  Sainik School Goalpara. He was allotted a permanent roll no. XYZ. In the next seven years, a quite soft spoken village boy turned into one of the brightest student of the school. He qualified for NDA in 198X and fulfilled his father’s dream. Later, as a young army Captain he visited the school during the silver Jubilee celebration in 1989. That was the last time his friends met him.

 500 days to Golden Jubilee

One a damp rainy evening, five ex-student from 198X-XX batch met at a highway dhaba  in the outskirt of Guwahati. The topic of discussion was Golden Jubilee Celebration. They uploaded a selfie in their batch whatsapp group. Within seconds hundreds of message popped up from across the world envying their meeting.  The discussion started from recalling school nick names to Mr B K  Sownal sir’s mathematics class turning  to Monica Seles vs Steffi Graf match. Slowly from laughter riot the conversation took to serious note. It was regarding the financial crunch and the timeline for construction of the Rhino Gate and Bronze statue of our first Principal.

At the same time around 12,000 km away in South California, roll nos. 2XX4, a software wizard was returning home after finishing his night shift. As he switched on his mobile phone, he was surprised to see 562 whatsapp msg waiting his attention. Reading the messages in reverse order he understood the crisis OBA was going through. Without getting into much details he enquired about the actual status. 24 hours later OBA treasurer cell phone beeped twice. It was a confirmation massage from SBI, “Rs X0,000/- deposited,  account xxxxxxxxxxx”.  As the news spread more funds came pouring in from hundreds of other old boys. An ex-student much senior to Roll nos 2XX4 also transferred a huge amount. The Bronze statue of our first principal and the Rhino Gate were inaugurated as per scheduled on 12^th Nov 2013.  The yearlong Golden jubilee extravaganza kicked off.

The magnificent and the elegant Golden Jubilee logo at the top of the Rhino gate was designed by one of the classy designer of our country and an alumnus of our school. He is roll nos. 19XX.

Less than a year to Golden Jubilee Celebration

Omio and Phoni woke up early on a bright Monday morning and put on their best pair of dress. They had managed to fix an appointment with school Registrar through their “contacts”. The agenda was to get permission to run a wet canteen during the golden jubilee celebration. Outside the Registrar office the school catering vendor was waiting to discuss the magnitude of the Golden Jubilee catering demand. The vendor was informed that the food demand for two days would be 10 times the current demand in terms of quantity, 30 times in terms of revenue and 100 times in terms of quality. The vendor returned back tensed and worried while Omio returned back happy and content.

On the OBA facebook page a discussion started on the golden jubilee events at school. According to initial report it was perceived it would be a day long event and that night stay at school won’t be possible.  Old boys from across the country and abroad planning to visit school after decades became dishearten. A single day at school won’t be enough to recreate those magic moments. But, then again it was a question of desire vs logistic vs budget. Arranging food and accommodation for 5000 plus participants was not an easy task. It was estimated that the ceremonial lunch on 12^th Nov 2014 alone could cost more than Rs 15.0 lakhs.

The following weekend few senior ex-students of the 198X batch took serious note of the concern raised in the FB. Few of them met at a posh roof top restaurant in Guwahati to give a serious thought to help thousands of ex-students spend a night at their Alma Mater. Long discussions were held as the budget was huge to be arranged by a single batch. But, when SSGians come together everything is possible. After two more such meeting and discussion with their batch mates they decided to sponsor the mega ceremonial lunch. As a result of which one night stay at school seemed to be possible, as desired by hundreds of ex-students.  

The OBA executive members met in their Guwahati office to draw out the final program for the Golden Jubilee Celebration. They had a huge burden to fulfil the expectation of hundreds of ex-students. There were around 30 odd ex-students working actively to give the ultimate pleasure to 3000 plus ex-students expected to attend the Golden Jubilee celebration. The ratio was 100:1 (Slightly lower than the ratio of Income tax payee and Income Tax collectors)

Roll no. 32XX and 33XX were assigned to obtain permission for the Golden Jubilee Run from Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup. In spite of OBA President having a word with DC, the two ex-students managed to get an appointment on the third day. Roll no. 33XX could not avail leave on the scheduled day and Roll no. 32XX was supposed to take his daughter for vaccination. But, then again responsibility had to be honoured. Finally Roll. No. 32XX cancelled his child appointment with the Doctor and went to meet the DC. Skipping family responsibility to work for Golden Jubilee activities had become a regular affair for the active members. At home his wife was upset, but by then she understood very well SSGians emotional attachment for his school.

It was 11pm, the team working on publicity was busy giving the finishing touch to the creative. 3000 km away members of Bangalore/ Delhi Chapter too were busy packing the snacks for the next day Blood donation camp. After numerous phone calls to all the likely donors they packed off for the day feeling satisfied. Next day at the blood donation camps people turned up in huge number making the blood donation camp a huge success.

Roll No. 21XX a Doctor by profession, completed three surgeries till late in the evening. After dinner, he logged on to facebook. He was trying to contact his class mates from Bihar for the last couple of weeks. Most of his Bihari friends were out of touch since they left school. Finally, he found his class VI bed partner, Roll. Nos. 20XX in FB.  Roll no. 20XX who runs a Dry Cleaning Business in Delhi was surprised to receive a msg from his old friend.  November being peak season of his business it was out of question for him to leave the station. But, his old friend was in no mood to give up and booked a flight ticket for his class VI bed partner. Sitting in his Delhi office he felt the affection of his childhood friend and started rehearsing his Assamese.

The souvenir committee was supposed to meet at 8am in the morning. They were behind schedule. The final draft was yet to be ready as new inclusions are pouring in and need editing. But, the meeting has to be cancelled at the last minute as the president of the committee has to accompany the OBA secretary to meet MD of a media group. Most of the organizing committee members were multi–tasking. Leave aside their family responsibility. Remember the ratio is 100.1.

School registrar, had called up. It was regarding the accommodation and setting up the cultural program stage. The budget was running high, which was a serious matter of concern. An emergency meeting of the OBA was called. The contributions from more than 50 % of the Old Boys were yet to come. But, the committee took the risk and assured School to go ahead with the arrangement. OBA will support in all possible way. The young Registrar for the first time in last two week went to sleep feeling relived.  

Roll no. 24XX an engineer by profession and a marathon runner by passion was with heart throb Milind Sumon to attend a Pinkathon event at Pune. All of a sudden an idea came to his mind of running to school from Guwahati (125km) during the Golden Jubilee Celebration. Initially it seemed to be a mad idea, but the Runner already had his heart on it. When a SSGian have his heart on something he will get it done, come what may. That night he had a discussion with his wife and the next morning he posted an update in the OBA facebook page.  Supports came in from all quarters. His confidence grew tenth fold and started practicing for the historic run.

Across the Arabian Sea, at Tel Aviv airport Roll no. 26XX,  director of a multi-national software company was waiting to board a flight to India, when he saw the facebook update of his one batch senior. On his flight back to home he made up his mind to join his senior in the run. Immediately he shoot a mail to his HR Head based in Israel applying for leave from 9^th to 16^th Nov 2014. Back in Assam a young ex-student who passed out only recently too contacted roll no. 24XX to join him in his run.

One month to Golden Jubilee

As the D-day approached nearer the OBA FB page received more hits. New fun games were initiated. One such unique game was initiated by a ultra-creative Radio Jockey roll.no. 27XX . He  also the composed  the Golden Jubilee theme song. As per the rules of the game whosoever comment last on that particular post would be the winner. There was a never ending flow of comments.

Roll nos. X6, from 2^nd batch, a retired public relation officer was a novice in FB. His granddaughter opened an account for him just to help him get a pulse of the Golden Jubilee Celebration. Roll no. X6 is known for his witty remark and superb sense of humour. He came across the post of 27XX , which by then crossed 500 plus comment. With one comment from roll no. X6, the game came to an end. He posted “I am roll nos. X6, from 2^nd batch and as of now I am the senior most in FB, I call upon all my juniors not to post any more comment. No question to be asked and no apology”. Roll. No. X6 posted the msg casually, but his instruction was obeyed with respect.  Seniors wish are like supreme court order’s, never to be questioned only to be followed. It’s a silent rule being followed in SSG  since  1964.   

OBA governing body, decided to give the honour to Flag Off the golden Jubilee run to a very junior member of the OBA. The junior happened to represent the country in a particular sport. This honour was something very special and close to the junior’s heart. When he shared the good news with his mother, she took out an old letter from her cupboard to show it to him. It was a letter written by the junior to his mother during his first month in school. The junior was initially finding it tough and not willing to continue in hostel. As she read out the letter once again after 25 years, her voice started cracking. He recalled how his mother pursued him to continue in the hostel. Had he left the school at that point of time, he would have not become what he is today, the junior became emotional, thinking of those days .

The letter……. A thing of the past, which we SSGians can relate to...!

There was a buzz in the office of one particular ex-students that he had abandoned his wife to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his school. As the Day came nearer his wife too started believing in the office buzz. Getting engrossed in the euphoria of golden jubilee celebration he started painting the GJ logo on a rare drawing room designer pottery. His wife was left with no other option but to adore his art. Actually he was the one who created the maximum impact in the social media. Such was his influence on his team that by the time the production of “Guts and Glory” was completed, his unit started addressing ex-students of the school by roll. nos and batch. The young man does not require any introduction, he re-introduced Sainik School Goalpara to lakhs of viewers across the country. His roll. Nos. is 4XX.

Three days before the Golden Jubilee Alumni walk, Roll nos. 24XX was rushing to the Frankfort airport after working non-stop for 48 hours. For the last one week he worked double shift just to ensure a tension free holiday at SSG.  At the same time Roll no. 1XXX send all his restaurant employees in Dhakuakhana on leave for the next 7 days. He closed down his business just to ensure that he don’t get unnecessary disturbance during the golden Jubilee celebration. At Delhi Roll Nos. 20XX, boss did not sanctioned his leave in spite of his repeated request. The non-stop messages in his batch Whatsapps group made his life in Delhi miserable. Finally on 8^th Nov night after the office hours he went straight to his boss and gave him two option either to accept his resignation or grant him leave. The boss preferred the later. Next morning he boarded an Indigo airline flight paying Rs 21,000 for a one way ticket. On the flight he recalled his late father who spend half the amount of his flight fare for his entire Sainik School education.

All the members of the (100:1 ratio) organizing committee slept only 2 to 3 hours during the final week preceding the D day. More than 4000 bags were named and numbered. Banners and flex were displayed on all strategic locations.  All the venues were decorated. Roll Nos. 4XXX, sent his open jeep for servicing. His jeep would be the navigator during the Golden Jubilee Run. The night before the Alumni Walk, all 43 batches that passed out from school till 2013 planned their batch reunion party across different location of Guwahati. Some adventurous batch went up the hill of Meghalaya, some choose the comfort of restaurant, and few other adjusted in their friend apartment.

At the Latasil playground the energy was electrifying on the morning of 9^th Nov. There was a sea of SSGians getting ready to take part in the Alumni walk. At 5.20am the first pic was posted on FB by a young ex-student of 2008 batch. Roll no.  17XX   who could not managed time to attend the function due to his business commitment saw the update at around 6.0 am. He was getting ready to drive his son for the Sunday morning karate classes. By the time he was in the karate club of Navi Mumbai, there were already hundreds of pics uploaded in FB of Old boys in white t-shirt . He could not control his emotion any more. Exactly 14 hours later he was in the queue to get his first drink at Rihno Club, Narengi.  

One batch, took on the responsibility to produce the Golden Jubilee theme song. The song was recorded by none other than the great Jubeen Garg and Jubilee. To hire the two best singer of Assam was itself a big achievement. The CD was finally released during the OBA general body meeting and more than 4000 copies distributed free of cost.

Next day at the family dinner, the school song was been played on  every car stereo, parked outside the GMC auditorium. Inside it was the Hurricanes Girls and outside in the parking area the old boys were humming to the Golden Jubilee theme song. The ex-students were in no mood to have an early dinner, until one of the most popular senior came in to use his veto power. The boys were left with no other option but to have the dinner on time. Nevertheless He made sure that everyone had their dinner before closing the dining hall late at mid night. That night the old boys and their family enjoyed one of the finest dinner, without knowing the man behind the show. Only later through a facebook update that many of the students came to know that the dinner was sponsored alone by Roll nos. 20XX.

In the next two days every train and every flight to Guwahati carried passenger bound for Sainik School Goalpara. For every subsequent event the attendance increased. OBA general body meeting elected a new team. No matter how big a problem may be, there will always be someone to run the show smoothly. At the end of the day it is the passion, enthusiasm and mutual respect for each other which helps SSGians in achieving the impossible.   

The runners were first among the many heroes to enter the school campus on the morning of 12^th Nov. They successfully completed the historic run of 125 km in 2 days accompanied by a strong supporting team. There was one engineer, who came all the way from Pune, to give company to the runners. Running through  the villages from Machkhowa to Mornoi, he fall in love with the simplicity of Assam. The team was given a grand welcome at the Rhino gate. One member of the supporting team raised a slogan “Years ago we left the school with tears & sorrows and now, decades later we are entering the school with sweat and happiness”. Three cheers to Sainik School Goalpara…hip hip hurry… hip hip hurry…. hip hip hurry.   From school gate to the main building, students, ex-students and guardians lined up to welcome the runners. Minutes later, when the helicopter of Lt General, Roll nos. 4XX, landed at school campus every SSGians chest pumped with pride.

There were many honorary SSGians, who are basically not students of the school but can narrate more stories and incident of the school than any other regular student. They are the one who either shared hostel or mess room with SSGians and are never tired of listening to the same repeated stories. There were quite a few of them who attended the Golden Jubilee with equal zeal.

Among all, there was also an ex-students who initially had some apprehension on constructing a huge school gate for the Golden Jubilee. But, on that day, when his engineer wife was all praise for the magnificent school gate and took quite loads of  pics in front of the Rhino gate, he felt proud of being part of the Old Boys Association. His wife went a step forward and compared the entrance gate with  the premier institutes of our country.

The next 24 hours at school is history now. It has energizes all the ex-students from roll. nos. 1 to roll nos. 5XXX to continue for another 25 years. None of the ex-students had ever experienced such electrifying atmosphere since the time they left the school. The joy, the happiness was just incomparable. Entering the hostels, cadet mess, M I room, school building, climbing the ropes after years, gave a nostalgic feeling. The joy of meeting the retired teachers who moulded the ex-students in becoming wonderful human being was just  uncomparable. If someone happens to write down all the experiences shared in the two days at school it could add up to thousands of pages. In those two days every second seemed to be precious.

The 199X pass out batch went to pay homage at the cemetery of their batch mate Roll Nos.   26XX, who died of a tragic road accident while at school in class XII.  Later they donated books  to the school library in name of their beloved friend. They invited the sister of their departed friend to hand over the books to the school authorities.

A best athlete trophy along with cash award was donated  by one of the ex-student in memory of his brother also an ex-student of the school. If one OBA Chapter donated a marble plaque beautifully encrypting the school song “Axom Axom” then a batch gifted a huge obstacle trophy. A best cross country runner trophy was given by another chapter. There were many other awards introduced by many batches including trophies for securing highest marks in assamese language. All the batches helped, supported and gifted the school and the staff members in the best possible way. Some helped with kind some with cash. From the western canteen owner to our mess waiter, ex-students cared for all. 

On the morning of 13^th Nov, both the OBA volleyball and football team lost their matches with the School team. When one of the ex-student was asked how it is feels losing to the school team. He proudly announced “When Sainik School Goalpara team wins,  we all are winners, so even we have lost we are still the winners”.

As the ex-students were getting ready for the closing ceremony parade, an army convoy of three jeeps stopped in front of   the main school building. All eyes were on the black jeep in the middle. A medium height, tough looking army Brigadier jumped down and ran towards the Udaygiri house platoon. The founder secretary of OBA was first to recognize him. He was none other than son of Ratneswar Saikia, Roll no. XYZ. In spite of his best effort he could not reach school on 12^th nov. It was the nature of his assignment which had kept him away even from meeting his aging parents for the last five years. He is posted with RAW, commanding a very sensitive mission. His batch mates were in tears as they handed over the blue flag of Udaygiri house to command the house for the few minutes he is with them. 

With one of Country’s most efficient Brigadier leading a house, the enthusiasm was at an all-time high at the parade ground. The one thing which all the ex-students were still perfect at, irrespective of their size was marching to the tune of the school band. The view of hundreds of old boys participating in the parade was breath-taking. They participated as if they won’t get a second chance in life. 

Finally, it was time to take the last lunch at school. Life would take a different turn once the old boys leave the campus again. They feel like staying there for ever. Why can’t life continue at the same place with the same people around? They wondered. May be because they need to make way for others. It was the seniors who cleared the way for them and now it is their responsibility to create better environment and make way for the upcoming generation. With hope, hope and lots of hope to stay active till the Diamond Jubilee the old boys left their Alma Mater on the shoulders of the young students. The cadets will continue to wake up early and follow the same routine which had made the “ex-students”   a man out of a boy.

In the background there was loud voice of someone calling “uttha uttha, PT time hoi gol”.  All of a sudden I woke up from the beautiful dream. It was not utha utha PT time hoi gol   but   “utho utho, office ka time ho gaya” my wife was waking me up.  Handing over the cup of tea she remarked “Must be one more sainik school dream, hai na?”

With my heart still beating with emotions  I tried to reason with  her  “Pinku you should have given me one more minute, I am yet to  give the  biggest round of applaud to the OBA organizing committee  and the team lead by the  Registrar of SSG” . She smiled and said “ True, but why only the organizing committee , even others like us who have participated with great zeal and enthusiasm and made  the golden Jubilee a grand success, too deserve a standing ovation”.

Smiling she ordered our two little daughters “ Baccha party, papa ka school kay liye clapping karo ”. Without understanding the two little kids started clapping, my wife too starting clapping. I felt good and joined them too. I hope the sound, the vibration, the eco was loud enough to be heard by the entire  Sainik School Goalpara fraternity.

 Abhijit Bhattacharya

2687 /Udaygiri

(I tried to capture the spirit of SSG in good humour, taking liberty of creative writing. There may be many  moments and contribution left out. I keep the article open for all to contribute and I may be pardoned  if I have hurt someone feelings unknowingly)

Unofficial Statics :

i.                     10 Million photos clicked

ii.                   6000  had ceremonial lunch under one roof

iii.                 10,00,000 liters of beverages consumed

iv.                 100 million Whatsapp msg shared

v.                   1000 car  and three helicopter parked, covering space of three football ground.

vi.          Omio & Phoni earned 10 times more than what they  had earned in their entire canteen career at SSG