Gratitude

Gratitude

P K Routray

 

 

(1)

Preamble

 

 

On infinity

with humility

dare I to verse

the gratitude I nurse

for my Alma-mater,

every being within her

that nurtured, nourished

a teenager till he flourished

to outgrow his parental shelter

the earthly burden, to shoulder.

Apologize, I the naive author

for the patience of the reader

to listen to beats of my heart

from the earth before I depart.

At this twilight age of seventy

my gratitude I pay with all sincerity

to all my esteemed Alma-matters

those taught me from primary to masters

with all the teachers there imparting lessons

though some did not hold the teaching positions.

Here intend I to say on an Alma-mater

that finally pushed me out to earn my bread and butter.

 

 

(2)

Entry

 

 

After schooling and one year in College

equivalent to the twelfth standard of this age

REC Rourkela called me for admission

to pursue engineering as a profession

narrowing down my childhood ambition

varying from teaching to preaching as a mission.

Bidding adieu to my village and its school,

friends, juniors, teachers of the school at Angul

I caught hold of my father’s finger

to escort me to Rourkela for my next Alma-mater

with apprehensive thoughts many

changing bus and train at Rourkela I ended my journey

at a part of the night beyond midnight

dazzled was I by the steel township light.

Born and brought up in a rural village

to read under kerosene lamp I had the privilege.

At Angul dim electric bulb with low illumination

“ RSP had changed the tribal area complexion.”

Arrived by a cycle rickshaw in uncle’s quarter

traveling for hours to today’s youth it is a torture.

The next day morning accompanied by uncle and father

proceded this novice at teen for his new Alma-matter.

Buses were seen carrying employees to the factory

with boot helmet uniforms people were in a hurry.

“ The dresses are for the man’s safety protection”

Hurrying to catch the bus or face salary deduction”

At the campus gate, a thrill passed over my frame

as if greeted me my alma-matter with worldwide fame.

The architectural grandeur, the scenic splendor around

in the campus and the college made me spellbound.

With buildings and infrastructure under construction

the upkeep of the campus drew my inner applause and appreciation.

At the admission, venue saw I students from all over India

with languages many, ascents funny with teenagers’ phobia

losing parental protection being the boss of own

with new environ and new mates the days ahead were uncertain.

Lo behold I Saw I my old schoolmate with him his friends.

Soon multiplied my acquaintances, their cast, cred could not offend.

 

 

(3)_

A molecule from the spoon

 

 

Crazed I to see the hostel where I would stay

to reach it we have to pass three hostels on the way

with dad and uncle, while moving to the destination

at a beckon of a senior, I reached him without hesitation.

“ From which jungle you have come?” was a harsh query

by ten seniors together enjoying the sun asked me with furry.

I was taken aback as I presumed the caller was known to me

and I expected hospitality and welcome atmosphere to see.

Reflected I “yes the previous Alma-mater Angul is in a forest.”

I answered their query considering them intelligently blessed

Many such questions at a time in a chorus frightened me

Strange laws and postulates in their questions put me at sea

“ Perhaps I have not completed the courses and will fail here.

Suddenly they turned friendly when my uncle came near.

it as ragging, the funny way, to a fresher the seniors greet

for fifteen days fresher used to get from seniors’ such a treat,

With my experience in ragging volumes, I can write in its favor

It conditions teenagers braving bad weathers they can prosper.

Life is not bed of roses and parents cannot forever come to his rescue

with training, practices he can condition his emotion to fight and pass through.

 

 

x x x x x x x x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(4 )

Epilogue

 

 

For five years

two hundred fifty teenagers

boarding and lodging together

under one roof and in one shelter

changing it en masse every session

with new roommates and new equation

last two years even being single seated

fun with neighboring friends never faded.

In the process parental care was forgotten

teenagers knew how to manage their own.

Sprouted in them the close friendship tie,

war for caste, creed, cushions had to die.

enter they with varied phonetics and varied creed

exit they from my Alma-manager as one Rengcolian breed

an identity and bondage that last forever

till the end of the breathe even after.

Abort here I, my further foolish deliberations

the attempt to measure, by spoon the water of all the oceans.

To express my experiences with each being

that taught me at the behest of my Alma0mater to make my living.

 

 

 

 

(5)

From Abyss

 

 

To Proff Behera my principal, the architect,

him I bow, knelt with gratitude and respect.

To my revered teachers and the staff in the hostel and college

I salute with humility and my indebtedness to them I acknowledge.

My thanks are due to the vendors at the back post and check post,

the old Bharat Badam seller whom I fondly remember most.

The crematory grove, the field in hostel front and the Naga lake

the ghosts, the games and the swim before exam me now ache.

Cherish I the functions and celebrations in my Alma-mater

nourishing food drinks and the fish fry with rice water.

Express I my gratitude to my Alma-mater kissing its every pebble and dust

Hey Lord! Send me there again and again if at all I appear again on the earth crust.

 

 

 

(N.B  REC Regional engineering College at Rourkela Orissa India now known as NITRA is my Alma-mater. I passed from this great institution in 1970. Here I pay my gratitude. it has come out from my abyss but much I have to erase as it is already too long..)