SN writes ... My Thoughts

I register here some of my thoughts, both partial and complete, when I think about Sengottai ...

• Name cannot be erased from my memory till my last breath.
• Place from where I started seeing the world as a child.
• Lived near the railway station (Viswanathapuram or Thachchan kudiyiruppu - a small quiet village) while growing up.
• Started my schooling step at the famous A G English School with ever-caring, humble and respectful teachers. Excellent coaching. My English today is due to this school. Gave me a bunch of true friends and I am continuing the friendship even today.
• Vanchinathan Bus stand and the beautiful park I passed through daily on my way to school. Big siren inside the park used to remind us every hour of passing time.
• Every day journey to school from my house was very pleasant.
• One day (1973), I got Rs. 50 as a treasure near a water pipe at Toll gate junction.
• I cannot forget a day before Deepavali. I gambled my savings Rs. 5 thinking that I could win and buy more crackers. Lost all in "Vettu Cheetu" near Chatram rice mill... Sad, is it not?
• Finished my primary schooling and joined SMSS Govt. High school. There opened a new horizon in my life. Got into new environment, new friends, new teachers - Totally new. I felt grown as a boy.
• Cannot forget that day, as a sixth standard boy, when I got the first prize in singing competition defeating all my seniors.
• Only here, at SMSS, I entered into the world of fascinating game of Cricket. Thanks to my friend, Ravi Ganesh, who explained to me what's that all about. Got selected to school team with a sixer shot which landed in the adjacent Chatram building. PT master Sri. Jaganathan Sir told me, "you are selected." I was on cloud nine.
• From that day I breathe, eat and live cricket, even today at the age of 45+. In one class match, I scored 204 runs not out with my partner Laxmanan scoring 65 runs.
• Occasional cane beatings from Balu sir for coming late, scolding from other teachers for not doing assignment and not answering their questions. Class rooms changed every year - enjoyed the days as a school boy thoroughly ...
• Then came the year 1983 and we moved to X 'C' class near the entrance of our school. My final year in the school! Came March - Wrote exam and became SSLC PASSED WITH 86%!!
• Time came when I had to leave this wonderful place to make a new journey to take the next level of my education.
• These are just a few wonderful moments from Sengottai, which I will cherish for the rest of my life ...
• I will keep registering my thoughts.

-SN

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