What is the meaning of Alma Mater?
‘The school or college that one attended,’ says the dictionary.
Is that all? Is it just a simple, cold, and uncaring relationship with the school?
No, I realised, when I read this news, and a flood of memories burst out.
I joined NDA in 1978, and met a lot of course-mates from fancy schools, telling the names of their schools, Saint This and Saint That, with a lot of pride and fake English accents!
When they asked me about my school, with equal pride and an exceedingly fancy imitating accent, I said, “Oh, Saint Sainik’s Suttttarrrrrrraaaaaaaah!”
I made sure I rolled the ‘R’ and made humble Satara sound like the French Riviera or Australian Canberra.
Our English, while in school, was rather limited. Teachers always asked us to speak in English to improve our command over the language, but among ourselves, if someone tried to use too much English, we laughed at him, calling him, ‘Ingraj’ (इंग्रज) the Marathi word for English people.
Once, during the Assembly, in view of the upcoming exams, the Principal said, “Pull up your socks.”
Most of us looked down at our feet to check if the socks were sagging!
“Don’t look at your socks, you fools. It is an idiom which means to study harder.”
Did we know the meaning of the word ‘idiom’? Of course not.
I asked a friend, and he said, “It must be related to idiot.”
In December 1971, when the Bangladesh Liberation War was in its last stages, our teacher told us that the Pakistan army in the east was likely to surrender.
Such was my English then that I heard it as ‘Sir Ender’, reasoning that since the Indian forces could ‘end’ them, the Pakis were respectfully calling them ‘sir’!
In the past, understanding unfamiliar words required remembering them, going to the library, imagining the spelling, and using a dictionary.
It all seemed so laborious that we didn’t bother to.
Apart from the two Generals in the news, my school has produced many illustrious names. Unfortunately, the boards in the school’s main lobby only record the names of those who joined defence academies, because that is the primary aim of the school.
Some of them have made the supreme sacrifice in wars, and some tackling terror, while some passed away peacefully, if a bit early.
Apart from the great numbers in the armed forces, I know a lot of ex-SSS boys who went on to become renowned academicians, businessmen, professionals, engineers, and doctors.
During a class get-together, some 30 years after passing out, each of us spoke about ourselves, detailing what we had been up to since leaving school. We spoke mostly in Marathi.
One Doctor, talking about his life’s journey, stuck stubbornly to speaking in English.
“Hey, do you always talk in English?” someone yelled.
He nodded and continued his monologue.
“Arrey, he speaks to his patients also in English,” another said, “and he’s a veterinary surgeon!”
Except for a few, most of us came from small places and Marathi schools, so we were not fluent in English. I guess we’re still learning.
Without what I learnt in school, I could not have joined NDA, and could never have become a pilot in the Indian Air Force.
Our school not only taught us English, it taught us life, and made us worthy citizens.
In classes, we learnt academics, but it was in the playing fields that we bruised ourselves, learnt teamwork, and made great friends.
We learnt to use a spoon and fork in the dining hall, and we learnt public speaking in the auditorium.
We learnt to play cricket with hockey sticks and we learnt to swim in the pool.
In short, each of us became a complete, well-rounded man.
Whatever I am today, is only because of the school.
So, what is the definition of Alma Mater?
It’s a Latin phrase, which, literally translated, means a ‘generous mother’.
So true! Isn’t it?
My school has been no less than a mother to me.
How about you?
©Avinash Chikte
SSS 1977, Tilak House
Could not stop laughing when I remembered our school days and experiences. Being an “Ajinkyan”, meaning an alumnus of Sainik School, Satara, Maharashtra I can recollect every incident that Wg Cdr Avinash has shared. As you say, our school did influence us considerably and has played a major role in making us what we are today. At a personal level, what my school gave me was my attitude. Avinash you mention your NDA course-mates from the “Saint” schools. I would have laughed at them, had I been an NDA cadet! School also taught us resilience. We adapt to difficult situations fast. No wonder we have had chiefs of staffs of the air force and the army, not to mentions Rear Admirals and many, many senior ranking officers in the armed forces and the BSF or Coast Guard. The current visit by two Generals must have made our school cadets proud. Why the current cadets, our school puts pride in the minds of every alumnus. Having said so much, perhaps I should mention that our school did not prepare us for deceit and treachery and many more undesirable things in life. THANK YOU, DEAR SCHOOL, and thank you dear Avinash for rekindling the memories of a bygone era!
Thank you.
Hi Avinash
You took me to my memory lane. Indeed Sainik School Balachadi was also mother to us. Who taught us eat, dress, discipline and truly made us what we are today. After 46 yrs of leaving the school I still want to go back there.
Thanks
Yes, thank you.
Dear Avinash,
Beautifully put across your thoughts for the Alma Mater. We all are what today is the gift of the School, for which we will ever remain indebted. The environment, our beloved teachers and all those in the school, who guided us through that wonderful journey.
Great to get connected.
Thanks
Regards
Thank you.
Sir, as always well written!!
Thank you.
Nicely said Avinash Chikte Sir
Thank you.
Nice one, Avinash, as always. Keep it up
That you.
Sir 🙏mazaa aa gaya 👌 how nostalgic to remember all this, u made my day 👨🎨💐💐💐
Thank you.
Rula diya, you made me cry – with your words, Avi! Your meaning of the words Alma Mater are true to the meaning and your sentences, equally meaningful.
That article is incomplete, if it does’t end at – “3 cheers for Sainik School Satara, Hip Hip…”
Thank you.
Very nice and I am proud of my school Subhash shinde 79 batch
Thank you.
Dear Avinash ,
Nicely written 👌
Thank you.
Avi, you have aptly penned the thoughts of most of us Ajinkyans!
And there aren’t many of us who have named their sons as Ajinkya, right! 😃
Thank you. Yes!
Dear Avi
Very true 👍
Thank you.
Excellently worded Avinash.
Thank you.
So wonderfully put across! Thank you for rekindling memories of our school days.
I feel like going back.
God Bless you!!
Keep writing !!!
Thank you, sir.
I remember standing at the door of your office years later, and asking, “Can I come in, sir?”
And you replying, “You can and you may!” 😅