Revisiting School Days

In October, 2007, I explored the concept of “speed” with my 9 year old daughter’s class. Surprisingly, that little activity, took me decades back to my own school.
***
When I was 9 years old, I saw the most interesting display, showing generation of electricity from water in my first science fair.

On that fateful day, when I was drifting (along with other students of my class), slowly in a long line, my eyes got hooked on to that captivating display.

On the left hand side, the display showed how people irrigated their fields using water from the well. On the right hand side, it exhibited how, when the same water when made to fall on a rotating turbine generated electricity. That simple layout of plastic 2 inches tall “toy-farmer”, hand colored “brown brick well”, “blue colored water” on the base, is still fresh in my memory. I clearly remember, that it also depicted an example of consuming electricity by showing 4 inches tall “street lights” standing on either side of the gray colored “streets” (marked on its base). The entire display which was contained on a 12” x 24” cardboard base spoke volumes to me that day.

The students who had set it up were 2 middle school girls, and one of them turned out to be my friend’s elder sister. Since I was very comfortable with her, therefore, while looking at the 3-D display, I kept on asking her questions, one after another; without any hesitation.

While I was bombarding questions, I noticed that all the students behind me had walked way ahead admiring the colors, working demonstrations and the projects of other exhibitors. I knew I was getting late, but I just could not stop myself from asking more and more questions; with my eyes continuously glued on that display. I think finally, she got tired of answering my endless questions and therefore reminded me to catch up with my classmates. But before I had my last glance, she plucked a little toy from the display and offered it to me with an affectionate bye.

That day I did not get to see any other project, but I did not really miss anything. Perhaps, because a seed of inquiry and love for Physics had been sown within me.
***
In the next five years, I realized that, whether the teacher who taught Physics was good, OK, or very bad, it did not alter my strong attraction towards Physics. In fact, it was of the same intensity as was my repulsion away from Biology.
***
It was a big struggle for me to remember those long classifications in Biology. And the struggle kept on increasing and until it finally became un-surmountable (with each passing day) in grade 9 and 10. That green-colored Biology text book turned out to be my sleeping pill, “anytime” of the day.

My best friend (in class), who was very comfortable with Biology understood my plight. Like a God sent blessing, she would make notes out of several books and share them with me generously; so that I could somehow pass the exam. During those two struggle-full years, I repeatedly told her that I owed her a lot. She would feel happy on hearing that most of the time. But she did express her anger on knowing that I had scored one point more than her in the annual (Biology) exam.

However, when we were all leaving for new school after grade 10; she took a promise from me that I would never ever choose Biology as one of the subjects in higher studies.

During that time, for grade 11 and 12, the students had to take three core subjects for science stream and one optional subject (just to pass). I knew I will choose Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry as core subjects. For the rest of world, I had a “choice” between Biology and Engineering Drawing, as the optional subject; but for me there wasn’t any.
***
On the day of my interview at the new school, my father was “the guardian” with me.

While driving to the new school, walking up to the Principals office and waiting outside, my father kept on saying, “Take Biology” and I kept on replying “No”. Since I had managed to get a decent score in Biology, he could not see any reason for me not to choose it. I tried my best, to explain it to him, but he just did not get it.

Once inside the interview room, the principal asked me about the optional subject. Without any second thoughts or having a clue what the subject was about I said, “Engineering Drawing”.

The principal stopped writing, and suggested with a command,

“Why don’t you take up Biology?”

Before, I could say anything he informed me, “I would like you to know that, there are always very few girls in this section. And the few girls who go there, eventually come back to the Biology section, after experiencing a few weeks of loneliness.”

I still remember clearly the sight of a big smile that appeared on my father’s face (on hearing those words), as if his lost boat had been located by the search party.

My father said, “SEE”, looking at me. Then he got up from his seat and started walking closer towards the principal.

Now I had two adults against me, next to each other, like a stronger team.

After that both of them took turns and sometimes spoke together, to somehow influence me to change my mind.

The principal argued, “Why should you take up hammer in your hands”.

I refuted, “Dropping Biology is not equal to taking up hammers.”

My father complained, “I have been trying to explain the same to her, so that she can become a doctor; but look at her...”

“You should listen to your father and take up Biology”, said the Principal, supporting my father.

“I can’t study biology”, I reiterated.

“No problem, you need not, you just need to pass”, this time principal was smiling.

I stamped my feet and raised my voice, “Yes, that is what I am trying to say, I CANNOT EVEN PASS BIOLOGY.”

After a brief silence, the principal first looked at his watch, then towards me. With much reluctance, he yielded.

That day, I came out of that long-exhausting-and-confrontational interview feeling victorious.
***
Now, I pray, that I can be as courageous and determined (as I was at age 15) to pursue my heartfelt wishes.