Thank you Miss for “Gifting Me Time”

 

My tough days in Navodaya School:

Like any student in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya School, I got admitted into the residential school (only CBSE School in Karaikal at that point of time). The routine was very difficult to practice during the initial months. Being an only child, to my family, though financially poor, they pampered my very much. My mother used to feed me, plait my hair, wash my clothes; I even used to wash my hands in the plate itself after every meal! Life was very difficult for me in my initial days and continued even to some months. To wake up at 5’ O Clock in the morning and stand in line for Roll Call was the most difficult task for me at that point of time. Then, completing each and every activity was hell for me. Plaiting and washing (shampooing) my long and thick hair was a herculean effort. Washing my clothes is another difficult task. Each day passed like an ERA.

Time-Keeper:

            One day, I had a sound sleep. So I did not hear the Roll Call Bell. Except me every one was standing in line. I was awakened by our English Miss, K. C. Prabhavathi (KCP Miss). I used to fear a lot in those years for her strict disciplining of the students. I was shocked to see her waking me, and another shock was that except me everyone else was standing in the Roll Call Line. With sleepy eyes, and guilty heart, I stood in the line. After the routine procedure was over, KCP Miss called me, I thought I am going to get punished heavily. My random guesses were Scolding or Writing “I will be punctual” for 100 times or informing parents about my irregularity etc. Yes, as I thought she punished me, but in a different way. That PUNISHMENT shaped my life. I thank KCP Miss, from my bottom of my heart for that punishment. She made me a Time-Keeper. That day onwards, It became my responsibility to wake everyone up and ensure all inmates of the Girls Dormitory are standing in Line for Roll Call sharply at 5’ O Clock.

            The next day I got up at 5’ O Clock to see all were standing in Roll Call Line, I found one or two inmates sleeping. I woke them up and made them stand in the Line. By that time, the time had exceeded by 5 to 10 minutes. Then I decided that, if I get up at 5’O Clock, I could not be punctual, so I should be half an hour earlier. Early rising of half n hour earlier could enable me comfortably finish the task. I started feeling good as I could complete the task punctually without any tension. I wanted to do the given task perfectly as the responsibility was vested on my shoulders. I continued to get up at 4.30 AM.

Time as Gift:

            Months rolled on; there was no need for me to be a Time-Keeper. But my Biological Clock was programmed in such a way that I get up at 4.30 AM. I used to finish my daily routines ahead of time, as there were no competitors to use the Lavatories or bathrooms at the early hours. I was the early bird to catch the worm. Years rolled on, I was in my 10 Class. I thought why not get up at 4.00 AM, so that I can read or write homework when everyone else is sleeping. It was difficult for few days, but as it was self-imposed and the result was pleasing, so decided to get up at 4.00 AM.

            Now, I have no homework to complete, preparation for board exams, still I get up at 4.00 AM. It gives me one hour of SILENT HOUR (for reading books, Words of God, to Travel Inside). I have made up my mind that I should Start and End my day with God. Then I go for a walk from 5.00 to 6.30 AM. After that I start my regular routine household chores as any other home-maker or a working woman. This ONE HOUR turned to be a GIFT for me from my beloved KCP Miss. Thank you miss for gifting me TIME, the Most Precious Gift one can ever give me.