Sarat - after half a century

Sarat - after half a century

P K Routray

 

 

Those days

we had a craze,

somev do respect,

some do adulate,

some do spite,

some do backbite

the student, the best

topping over the rest.

The topper of the class

singling out of the mass

pat our revered teachers

the Alma-mater remembers,

so also his juniors, peers, and seniors.

Expect the society from them wonders.

Recent golden jubilee proved so

With joy and pride, at you, your classmates bow.

Me, this backbencher

still brood and ponder

as to the toppers’ motivation

Is it fair sex’s anticipated recognition,

or a god gifted gene within

or a mortal man’s zeal to win?

As the toppers like you

no girl around we could view

till you left for higher ambition

beyond that us nothing is known.

what was your propeller of motivation?

I need your reevaluation

at this departing age

out of all sinners were you a sage?

Proved I perhaps right

as many hymns you are adept to cite

for all religious functions

Starling the American citizens

upholding our religion

besides your academic contribution.

Some like me will meet you after half a century

with plethora of treasure dazzling in memory.

Some of us have changed since those days

some have kept the bondage its glittering glaze despite age.

when they meet with their spouses they become a teenager.

Backed by your exposure today be our advisor.

Listen we must your story of the journey of life

hope unlike many if us in a prosperous country it will be free of strife.

Though you stay miles and miles away

in our heart of hearts you always stay

In the university our Alma- mater

in four of you it could find a topper

two have prematurely parted all on a sudden

one at USA after our congregation the other after a celebration.

Only you two left out are dear to our heart

Our prayers enmass will never allow you to part.

 

 

(N.B-We have graduated in engineering in1970 from REC Rourkela. Mr Sarat Mohapatra topped in metallurgical branch in our batch Today 15^th Feb we are meeting him over an evening coffee after 49 years. This is written as my token of love for him.)