30th April

Suddenly remembered it is 30th April today and something clicks in my mind...seems so familiar.

And it did not took so long why it seemed so.

During our school days, the MP board of education used to ensure that every school declare the annual results of all non board examinations classes (ie excluding class 5, 8 and 10) promptly on 30th April. Then 2 months summer vacations starts from May 1st before classes used to resume on 1st July!. I don't think it is followed now a days though.

So yes..it used to be that thrilling suspenseful day.I still remember it vividly. We would get up early, and then dressed in uniform, after making couple of "pranams" to seniors and seeking blessings from many photos hanging in the wall, head toward school. If there is some temple in between some of our "religious" friends will make sure that also gets visited.

Once in school premises, there will be all sort of rumours going in..who is going to top the class, who is unfortunate this time...who will have to study during summer vacation preparing for supplementary exams. Teachers will pass by with a busy and mysterious looks on their faces....after all they know it all by then right!

Then around 11 or so, the results would be declared one by one for each class..and mark sheets delivered. Some "raees" kid might fire some crackers if he wants to express his joy of being passed by grace marks..after all he was probably not expecting that. Some rowdy types from senior classes will plan for a matinee movie (it does not matter if they passed or failed). And for some certain good students will be receiving queries like when they are going to bring meethai dabba and what not. And who knows certain eager and happy dads might have already started distributing that to staff.

For us, we would be eager to go home and share the good news as soon as we can to eagerly awaiting parents. Generally it used to happen that in my case my mother used to know it even before I would have reached home..from some of my friends or their parents form the same colony who would have reached earlier. Father generally would not show his happiness..rather go through the mark sheet and see why I could not score a little bit higher on the maths. Mom will be happy and will ask about other friends and how they did. In the evenings local nearby guardian type uncles/aunties will visit and congratulate us asking "ganguly sahab meethai kahan hai".

So that's how a typical 30th April would pass in those days....and for sure it will be a good night's sleep with no more curiosity rather sheer fun and excitement for the next 2 months vacation!