What are some of your most cherished memories? Is it the
first time you entered school? Or is it the first time you made friends? No
matter how much you hated your school when you were in it, you will always feel
something missing in your life after you graduate and leave from there.
Admit it, there is no way someone can forget his or her
college days. The teachers’ lectures, bunking class and parties in the canteen
are pretty much a routine if you are a college-going student. So let me walk
you through my memory lane from my first year at St. Joseph’s.
I graduated from my high school in another state, in Gujarat.
My dad was transferred to Karnataka. I came here in the month of May, two weeks
before the commencement of the academic year 2016-17 at the college. Two days
before the first day of college, I was accepted. However, I was so nervous that
I did not attend college the first day! I was literally hesitant to go.
Nevertheless, the second day, after realizing that I had to go anyways, and after
having my dad push me out of the house, I eventually went in. And then, my
journey started.
With a meagre smile on my face, I entered into the college,
and then, I did not know which class to enter. I literally took my dad upstairs
because I was too shy to ask others. When I finally got into my class, I did
not know where to sit! I thought to myself, “Oh God! What is happening to me?” and
then stealthily went and took a place on the last bench.
My first conversation was with my classmate- and I cannot say
if it was good or bad- because it was in Kannada. When I came to Karnataka, I
practiced the Kannada alphabet and felt so confident as if I had mastered the
language. However, I did not even understand the first word of the
conversation. It did feel awkward when someone tried to talk to me, and I would
have to tell them that I could not understand. After some time, I eventually
adapted into the environment (although some people still cannot understand me).
This was my first experience in college.
The first time I saw Br. Hector (Pinto) was when I went for
admission. The second time, however, he came to our class to take our
attendance and confirm our subject combinations. He has a rich, baritone voice,
easily identifiable and this combined with his warm personality makes him an
excellent principal and ‘exceptional’ as an individual (whom I will never
forget all my life).
The first event, the investiture ceremony for the college
council, was where I came to know about Rev. Br. Lenn (Noronha). I was the
emcee for the program and I had to invite him. The next time, I heard him
singing during the Singing competition. I saw him many times but did not get a
chance to meet him or talk to him. When I did finally get a chance, what
initially struck me was his voice and a kindness in everything he said. Being
an excellent orator, he has this soft, subtle, yet strong and baritone way of
speaking that impresses everyone. Not only his voice, but also his humility is
his another quality that wins everyone’s hearts.
I did not come from St. Joseph’s high
school. Therefore, I did not know anything about the college. My terrible shy
nature further facilitated in me being unaware of Br. John (Pereira) and Br.
Shawn until almost half of my college year ended. When I eventually came to
know them, I knew they too were like Br. Hector and Br. Lenn – ever smiling
with a kind and helpful nature. Br. John, especially, has a gorgeous smile on
his face, all the time. He really is a hard-working person, as I have always
seen him busy in one job or the other.
Br. Shawn is as young and energetic
as he can be. Again, with an ever-smiling face, he tends to keep his smile
steady throughout the day. He too is a very kind, affectionate and hard-working
person.
The Christian Brothers as a group are
the foundation for this institution. Each and every one of them, be it Br.
Hector, Br. Lenn, Br. John or Br. Shawn, has given their best since joining
here. I admire their dedication from the bottom of my heart. Each of them is
like a different flower- spreading their own perfume. Just like real flowers,
their importance too increases exponentially when they are together- in the
form of a bouquet.
And how can I forget the teachers?
Everyone in the staff- teaching or non-teaching, has always been very kind and
helpful. They have always tried to maintain discipline in the college along
with teaching the students moral values. Without them, this institution might
not even exist. If the Christian Brothers are the foundation stones of this
institution, then the staff too is no less than the pillars that have kept this
institution standing.
Your future depends on how you are
brought up during the most sensitive years of a person’s life- the teenage
years. That is why a good college plays a very crucial role in your personality
development. And I am glad to say that my college is no exception. Our college
is like a place of worship, with us students being the pilgrims. It has induced
in us a sense of maturity no one else can, all thanks to the wonderful people
behind its existence.
Aman
II Science
Aman
II Science
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