You were my first idols.

I don't have a good memory friends.   But today I got some of my memories refreshed.  Then I was in Class VIII.  It was a new school I was admitted to.    A big school having many buildings adjacent to each other,  several boys and girls, big class rooms, play ground, many teachers, king size Principal's chamber, fleet of buses, mustache bearing tall and dark security guards to whom we feared a lot and girls and boys hostels.  So we were having two groups in the classes, hostel boys and girls and day boarders.  As usual, day boarders were more disciplined than the hostel boys and girls.   Well after the first semester exams, when the result came to my hands, I was in the top ten, probably seventh if I remember it correctly.  Then the First and second positions were grabbed by Ravi Chandran and Raj Kumar Bhagat.  I was the youngest boy in that lot, by height, by age and by looks. I want to share some strange facts of my school time.  I have been promoted from Class IV to Class VI and again from Class VI to Class VIII, thanks to my father who thought me a genius and schools also agreed to such proposals.  So I did not study Class V and Class VII.  And I feel I lacked something that I did not read in those classes.  After all the syllabus, the books teach you what you require step by step in all these classes.  Anyways naturally most of the guys were at least two years older to me at that time. Bigger guys mostly used to make fun of the younger guys.  On the other hand, teachers liked me more because of my age factor.  Well coming to the two names I mentioned earlier.  They were genius.  They were fierce competitors.  But Ravi Chandran came first again and again in Class VIII.  I wanted to take his position but I could not for lack of my skills at that level.  I feel he deserved to get better than me.  While Ravi had a good personality, an outspoken, cheering fellow, adorable among girls, Raj Kumar Bhagat was more studious kind of, docile and very frugal in speaking.  I was more close to Bhagat since he was of my kind.  He helped me solving the questions, he was very supportive.  I learnt not only how intelligent he was, but also the humility with which he handled his success.  I admire him for all this even now.  Bhagat came first in the final exam of Class VIII and from then, he never looked back.  Ravi Chandan used to came second since then.  I improved a bit and was usually fourth or fifth most of the time.  That was a Section of around hundred students.

Ravi and Raj I have learnt several things from you.  I could never reciprocate you since I was very young then.   But we never met again since we left the school.  But if you can read this message anyhow, do contact me.  I know you would be better placed than me and you should be as both of you deserved this.  If I could meet you anytime, I know my eyes will be full of tears.. you both were my first idols.

======================================================================== मित्रों यदि मेरा यह पोस्ट आपके दिल को जरा भी छू कर गुजरा हो तो मुझे विश्वास है कि आप मेरे इस प्रयास को लाइक दे कर मुझे और भी अच्छा लिखने की प्रेरणा, स्नेह और आशीर्वाद देंगे। आप अगर मुझे मेरे फेसबुक प्रोफाइल पर फॉलो करते हैं तो आपको मेरे शेयर किये सारे पोस्ट्स आपके नोटिफिकेशन्स में मिलते रहेंगे।