Born to March

 

“Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Vijay, Happy birthday to you!!!” Everyone clapped, whistled as young Vijay cut the cake having the cake of his favourite ‘Beetel’ car. The cake was tailor-made with a lot of creams, and a yellow colour Beetel of the famous German brand ‘Volkswagon’ standing tall true to its value. It was looking so beautiful that Vijay was not ready to cut it. However, being convinced by his parents, Anuj and Ramya, he cut the cake and then relished it. Very few instances of life, when you cut a cake and have it too.

It was the 3^rd of March 2015. Vijay had turned 3 years old and the neighbours in the colony, the children around, had gathered for this fun-filled evening. After the cake was cut, there was a magic show arranged for the children, where the magician weaved magic and the crowd was laughing their hearts out. On the corner, there was a temporary tattoo maker with oil paints and children got various stuff tattooed on arms and faces. After all the fun n frolic, a mega dinner was arranged in the pandal on the terrace. The arrangements were perfect to celebrate the birthday of the ‘pie’ of their eyes by the young couple.

Just after all guests left the place, Ramya asked, “We have to admit him to nursery school this year, you remember?”

“Yes, darling. I have already made inquiries and told a few of my friends to inform me when the admission process starts,” replied Anuj confidently.

“You know what, Anuj, I’m still confused whether we should take admission in State Board or CBSE or ICSE. All my relatives have their child studying in CBSE/ICSE, only you are insisting on the State Board. I do not want my child to be looked down by his cousins. Please rethink,” Ramya said in a subtle warning tone.

“Listen Ramya, the place we are settled has the best State Board Schools, CBSE/ICSE schools are not in our vicinity. Plus after SSC majority of them join the State Board and graduation is a common channel. Do not let your ego. I’m responsible for his education,” convincingly replied Anuj.

“I know, you will never accept my viewpoint. No use in an argument with you in this regards. Just be careful of the dates of admission else we miss the bus,” shaking her head, Ramya moved to her bedroom to be along Vijay.

Shrugging off negativity, Anuj cleared the room which was in a mess and went to sleep.

****

“Hey Anuj, admission forms for nursery will be distributed on 13^th April 2015 at 9am.” read a WhatsApp message from one of his friends, Ramesh. “Thanx” replied Anuj and informed Ramya about the same. Both were eagerly waiting for the date when the admission forms would be issued. The school was just two lanes across where the couple lived and both dreamt of their son Vijay going to school pretty soon.

It was 11^th April 2015, when Anuj found something unusual gathering near the school gate. He went further and asked one person about the whereabouts. “Hello Anuj, myself Shyam, one of the volunteers of an unofficial parents group who have taken the onus to manage the line for the next 48 hours,” replied the guy. “Sorry, can you come back?” inquisitively asked Anuj.

“Gentleman, since admissions forms are being distributed from 13^th April, we are queuing here. If you have a child, please write your name in this register and stand in the queue. Attendance will be taken every 2 hours, you or your representative must be available else the name would be struck off,” another rule shot towards Anuj by the guy. There were a lot many unsaid rules of this newly formed unofficial committee.

Anuj was confused, he could not understand what was happening. It was more than 48 hours for admission forms to be distributed and there were a bunch of idiots who were ready to stand in a queue. Not only they were standing, but they were also encouraging other young parents to join too. “It’s a matter of only securing a form,” Anuj spoke to himself. His rationalism did not allow him to enter his name nor stand in the queue.

The next day, the queue has crossed limits, it was five times longer than the first day. The power of word of mouth amongst the so-called well-wishers of the society was influential. All educated, well to do parents also became a victim of such cheap tactics. It is true that man does not become knowledgeable by learning a few books and pursuing a degree, he learns more by bringing into practice the things he learns.

“If you call a thief, a thief, it hurts him the most, so is it true with idiots,” thought Anuj to himself and moved back home and shared the information with his beloved wife. At some point in time, Ramya insisted Anuj be a part of the gang but Anuj strongly avoided and promised her to get her the forms the next day.

On 13^th April, the form distribution was started by school authorities sharp at 9:00am and by 9:30am it had sold more than 200 forms, thanks to the audience creating the hype and standing in line for over 48 hours. Each admission form consisted of a single Legal size paper printed on both sides, costing Rs.400 per form. Each form had a unique serial number.

Anuj got form no. 207 at 9:35am, hardly 10 minutes after he went to fetch the same. The hypocrisy was there was a vacancy of 120 students only and the school already made huge profits just by the sale of forms. Many parents complained that education was commercialized and schools were churning money out of their pockets hardly realising that they were promoting such practices due to their ignorance. One of the major presumptions by the members of the “Line Banao Yojana” was admissions were to be granted on a First In First Serve basis. Sadly, this wasn’t true either.

The School had put out clear instructions that admissions would be confirmed in three rounds. First, the parents had to send in the filled-up applications before 20^th April 2015. Second, an interview with parents and child would be conducted by the school authorities, and based on the interview results, the list of selected students for admissions will be put up.

After receiving the form, Anuj and Ramya filled in the form and submitted it well before the last date and were expecting a call for an interview. In between, they ensured Vijay was well-rehearsed with all probable questions to be asked, the small rhymes, and every other aspect of the interview. Poor Vijay, he was already nervous but every day, one hour would be spent on this exercise by his over-enthusiastic nervous parents.

As the letters of the interview were received by many of his friends, Anuj and Ramya were anxiously waiting for their letter but alas! no letter was received by them. The interview date was approaching and this couple was kept waiting.

The next day, Anuj and Ramya, decided to meet the school authorities to find out the reason. When they reached the school gate, there was a huge crowd already standing in front of the gate and the gatekeeper shooed away all the parents there. He came to know, everyone who joined there did not receive a call letter and many of them were of the 48 hours ‘Dharna’ category.

Anuj wanted to crack this mystery. He used his connections and fortunately, he could get an appointment with the Chairman of the School. He felt mentally relieved. At the time of the appointment, he was given 5 minutes to say his problem. Without wasting time, Anuj shot his question, “Sir, we did not receive a letter for the interview for my child Vijay?” The Chairman looked at the file and answered “Underage”. Everyone born up to 29^th Feb 2012 are considered and your child’s birthdate is 3^rd March 2012, hence not eligible. Come to us next year and we will ensure his admission.”

Anuj was stumped. He requested the chairman to consider his application as it was a matter of three days only but the chairman did not relent and Anuj had to come out of the meeting without any positive outcome.

The Education System is undergoing a transformation, wherein proper care for a child’s growth physically and mentally is given its due importance. Some children may be naturally gifted to adapt to better learning but many are not, so this system is an inclusive system and intends to keep a common approach for all.

Anuj and Ramya were initially hurt for not being given a chance but then taking things into their stride, they decided to admit their son to school next year only. One more year of happiness added to Vijay's playful life thankfully.

Jokingly, Anuj remarked, “This March cost one year.”