In a heartwarming blast from the past, the hallways and classrooms of South Point High School in Kolkata echoed with familiar voices and laughter once again. Over a thousand former students traded their daily routines for a nostalgic journey back to their school benches on a special Saturday.
A Classroom Reunion Decades in the Making
The event, aptly named 'Back to School' day, was meticulously organized by the South Point Ex-Students' Association. The unique twist was that the lessons were delivered not by current faculty, but by the very teachers who had shaped these students' lives years ago. More than a dozen retired educators, most of whom had left the profession over twenty years back, returned to the podium.
For alumni like Ananda Sengupta from the 1974 Higher Secondary batch, the experience was profoundly moving. He expressed his joy at sitting on the familiar benches, noting they were now painted blue instead of the black he remembered. Sengupta appreciated the blend of tradition and technology, remarking on the "welcome addition" of video projectors alongside the "super-solid teaching" methods that define South Point.
Lessons in Life and Heartfelt Moments
The mock classes were filled with emotion and humor. 78-year-old Anuradha Goswami, a former life science teacher who retired as the school's vice-principal, conducted a session. In a light-hearted moment, she requested her former students, many now practicing doctors, to drop their professional cards at her table for any future medical emergencies. Demonstrating her undiminished skills, she drew a detailed heart diagram on the whiteboard, only to be swarmed afterwards by eager alumni for duofies and groupfies.
The day was a powerful testament to the enduring bond between teachers and students. It highlighted how the foundational values and knowledge imparted within those walls remained relevant, even as the world outside transformed.
A Melodious Evening to Conclude the Day
As the afternoon of learning and reminiscence wound down, the gathering moved to the school ground for a cultural conclusion. The alumni were treated to a musical performance by Suranjana Banerji from the 1996 Madhyamik batch, who sang the soulful song 'Kaisi paheli zindagani'. The melody provided a perfect, reflective end to a day charged with memories and rekindled connections.
This extraordinary reunion did more than just revisit the past; it celebrated the timeless legacy of South Point High School and the unbreakable thread that connects generations of learners to their mentors and their shared history.
