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"Small Steps of Today Will Ensure A Great Leap Tomorrow"

-Unknown

1.       The world truly has shrunk into a global village today. As and when I sit on the Facebook, I glance through the photographs of my teachers and class mates with whom I had spent a wonderful student time in Model School, Rohtak. It makes me think, as to what is it that makes my life tick today? As I ponder over this thought, I always get more convinced that it is the basics which I had learnt at the school which gets me going to where I am today.

2.       As my memory zips back to early 1970s, I remember Rohtak as a sleepy but peaceful town. The weather God was kind and we used to experience the extremes of each type of weather. The trains chugging out towards Delhi used to take my father to work and I used to set towards the Model School on my Red Hero bicycle. The 15 minutes bicycle ride to the school was fun and the atmosphere inside the school was electric. The teachers were at their best and I can proudly say that they taught us well.  

3.       The school premises were quite different than what we see today. Now, whenever I visit Rohtak, I try to peep inside but the walls have risen up and the building has expanded inside the play ground that we had during my time. Each day was well spent within the premises and under some very watchful eyes. I still retain a report card wherein my then class teacher, Late Mr Ishwar Singh Verma, had candidly commented that intelligence is only 1% and 99% is preparation. That remark had struck where it was supposed to and I can vouch 26 years down the lane that it became my management mantra. As one grows up in life and meets the challenges that the World throws up, the preparation becomes the bedrock of any success. A meticulous and timely approach towards any challenge makes the achievements brighter and sparkling. No amount of sweat or grunts can get what a thorough preparation can. It is a human fact that the mastering the Art of Perfection brews success and perfection is an integral part of preparation. If you carefully analyze the lives of successful leaders in any field, you will see one thing in common- they could achieve perfection because they were prepared to deal with the situation. In military parlance, a famous Chinese military scholar Sun Tzu had said that before the battle, the General goes inside his sacred temple and meditates hard to craft out the best strategy. The best always comes out with best preparation and devotion. 

4.       The teachers always tried to inculcate the best habits in us. I vividly remember that it was 1986 when the House system came into being in Model School. These Houses were named after the mighty Himalayan Ranges and I was in the Dhaulagiri House. Eventually I passed out of the school as the Captain of the House. The first lessons of leadership and initiative were taught in these houses as students from various classes come together to form a cohesive team. To be honest, the first of the appointments were made on the basis of impressions that the House teachers had of the students and these appointments had to bring the best results for the Houses. The inter-House competitions set the tempo for the school calendar. We took part with gusto in sports and cultural competitions. New ideas sprang up and each House set new standards of excellence. The cherubic youth develops into an all-rounder when participation is done not only in academics but in sports and cultural activities as well. These activities stand in good stead as one progress through life. The mundane life sparkles up if you can play, sing and dance and make other people happy. In 2008, I had the honor of flying in an Indian Air Force plane over the mammoth Himalayan Ranges. As the plane swooped down over the Saltoro Ridge in the Siachen Glacier which is also the highest battleground in the world, I thanked all those including teachers and students who had contributed to make the concept of our Houses a success. The nascent steps in leadership were taken in these Houses and believe you me- small positive steps always multiply into a giant distance. 

5.       The associations that I generated in school have not left me till date. I proudly introduce my friends of last 38 years or so and it is a great feeling. Today’s FBs and Hi5s have made associations easier to maintain. There are no distances. The Blackberry croons the moment your friend has changed the status or uploaded a new picture. The friendships of the yesteryears have become life long bonds in today’s times. The lunch times in school were the most sought after as we used to sit around in the parks and share lunches. The mere thought of the ever favorite Churma and Teent Ka Achaar still excites the taste buds. How I wish that someday we could take a day out of our busy schedules and eat the same delicacies all over again. On 15 May 2010, we organized a get-together of 1986 (Xth Class) Batch of Model School and broke bread together. It is nostalgia all over again when you meet your old friends. These friends are the lifelong investments and never fade away. They have seen you from the best angles possible and will never mislead or misguide you. The mere call or an email even after years takes you back into times. The steadiness offered by the school to long term students can never be compared by any other gain. We must try to develop best of the relations with our class mates and teachers and these will always stand by you where ever you are. Actually, for long term students, the school is like a Military Regiment where best bonds are made and maintained. 

              

6.       Time and tide never remain the same. The students of yesterday and today will be eclipsed by the future students. The values and morale that we need to pick up at school must be picked. It is not only the onus of the teachers to teach and part with their best knowledge but also equally of the students to inculcate the best habits, attitude and gain best knowledge. Achievement of sound education and skills is a pre-requisite for the human beings of tomorrow. It is up to the students to make the best use of the wonderful opportunities that the school offers and develop their all round skills. It is true that every one cannot come first but it is also true that regular hard work will fetch the desired results. The world is a huge entity and one can follow many passions and professions today. Sky is the limit for those who have the will to succeed. Take the road that you feel is the best for you but never look back and rue that you had your chances. Take the new road from where you feel the dead end has arrived and keep the fire burning in your soul. Remember, the basics that you learn at school come handy every time and everywhere.