Dearest Valleyites,
I hope you are all doing well and are safe in these trying times.
Last year was the first time since I joined school that I wasn’t able to touch trees or kick a ball at the Valley on the 17th of July. Every single year, I come back to recharge and reset my life. It’s my oxygen. My place of clarity. The familiar sounds, smell, smiles, faces and feelings unclog my thoughts and set me free like magic.
My first year out of school was a big struggle. I was from the last batch of the 13th standard. It was like I was trying to stretch every moment that I could to savour the warmth and the safety of the womb before being pushed out into unfamiliar territory. When I had to go to Chennai and study in a college far removed from the teachings of our school and from home, I was in for a culture shock. However, coming back to school the following birthday, sorted me out and my turmoil eased immediately and I could breathe again. Since then every passing year a dose of the Valley keeps me going strong, not that I need the physical space to set me free, but it does help immensely.
So many faces have changed over the years. The Valley looks more beautiful and lush every time I visit. New friendships. Little fresh streams that have branched away from the familiar ones. Stories of panther sightings. The Kaleidoscope of colors that light up the school on the 17th. The invariable smell of the rain and one of favourite rituals of the Valley; the football match.
The Bengali songs that filter through the trees as we plant new seeds. The warm hugs from old friends and new. The little feet running around with abandon, oblivious to thoughts of the past or the future. Just giggles of pure joy of living in the moment. I remember when I ran around the same sandpit and swung on the jungle gym. I remember what I felt then.
School taught me a lot, but what I also appreciated is what they didn’t teach. They didn’t teach me to mug for exams and compare my marks to others. They didn’t teach me toxic masculinity. They didn’t teach me that our staff was not part of our Valley family. They didn’t teach me to stop being a child. They didn’t tell me that sports and arts are not viable career options.
They helped me find my own space in the world. We learnt gender equality without realizing that we were. I never once heard the word ‘caste’ in all my years there. I learnt the freedom of making my own choices (one of the most important lessons in my life). The word 'failure' never had any effect on me and hence I never failed at anything in my life. It was always a continuous process of learning. The lake, the streams, the dragonflies and the leaves taught me as much as anyone else in school did and continue to do so.
I see my friends’ kids go to school now and enjoy all that we did and more. It’s such a great joy that we have what we have and I hope many more adopt the gist of the education that the Valley has explored over the years. I never ever thought the Valley was perfect but that’s what made it so beautiful, that nothing needs to be perfect as defined by anybody. School taught me to explore without results and I wish more schools would try that out.
I’m still in touch with around 20 batches students, alumni, ex-teachers and present.
I’ll always be grateful for how we have been welcomed every year with open arms. Always made me feel like a part of the family. That this is my home. I miss all of you more than you’ll ever know but we will hopefully meet again soon. While I can’t come there physically this year, I will always carry a part of the Valley with me wherever I go.
Happy b’day to the place that gave birth to all that I am.
With lots of love and a great big hug,
Sunder (batch of 89)
P.S. To the current students: don’t get complacent. The ex-students will be there in full force next year so you better use the time to sharpen your football skills. Must be no fun getting beaten by the oldies every year :P