The 1973 Batch

The air was thick with emotion as the members of the 1973 batch gathered for their long-awaited reunion after 50 years. They hugged and laughed, tears streaming down their faces as they reminisced about their time together in school. As they caught up with one another, they couldn't help but notice the changes that time had brought.

Babu, who had once been a mischievous boy, was now a church's father, with a serene expression that spoke of the wisdom he had gained over the years. Abdu, who had once been a fiery youth, now had a humble look in his eyes.

It had been a time of great unrest and political upheaval in 1973, and the students had taken to the streets to protest against the government's policies. The strike had lasted for 59 days, and only 13 students from their batch had managed to clear the exams.

On the other side of the reunion, Ismayil had attended a conference where he learned that the strike that he had participated in had been the biggest in the history of Kerala. Curious to know who had caused the school to shut down, he had come to the reunion to find out.. And it was Abdu. But ismayil kept quite and did not react.

As they sat down to share a meal, they couldn't help but notice Khatija, who had been the most beautiful girl in their batch. She had been known for her melodious voice and her exemplary academic achievements. But now, she could no longer sing or speak or even eat, due to her battle with cancer.

As they began to sing the prayer song that Khatija had once led so beautifully, they saw the desire in her eyes and the thirst in her throat to sing along with them. They were moved to tears by the bravery she showed in her fight against cancer, and they all joined in, singing with all their hearts.

They all had the wisdom to see that it was the memories that they would take with them when they left this earth. And as they shared their stories and caught up with one another, they realized that they had all been shaped by their experiences, both good and bad.

Sashi, who had loved wearing makeup and had been a misunderstood figure in their time, may never have known that it was normal to be different, but now, they all understood that it was important to embrace their differences and support one another in their journey through life.

Thomas sir was the principal of their school. He was a visionary who believed that sports played a crucial role in the holistic development of students. However, the school lacked a proper sports ground for the children to play and practice.

Determined to provide his students with the best facilities, Thomas sir began looking for a suitable piece of land that could be converted into a sports ground. He faced numerous challenges, including resistance from the local authorities and lack of funds, but he refused to give up.

Finally, after months of struggle, Thomas sir was able to secure a piece of land on the outskirts of the town. It was a vast, barren piece of land that required a lot of work before it could be converted into a sports ground. Thomas sir immediately called upon his students to help him in this endeavor.

Sulochana, (my amma ), along with a few other students, volunteered to help Thomas sir convert the land into a sports ground. They worked tirelessly, removing all the grass, filling the pits and leveling the ground. It was hard work, but they were determined to see it through.

Finally, after months of hard work, the sports ground was ready. It was a beautiful sight to see, with lush green grass covering every inch of the ground. The students were thrilled and could not wait to start playing and practicing on the new ground.

Over the years, the sports ground became the heart of the school. It was a place where students could come together, compete, and grow. Many talented sportsmen and women were born from that ground, including several national champions and Olympians.

As the years went by, the school grew, and more facilities were added to the sports ground. But the spirit of Thomas sir and my amma, who worked tirelessly to create this beautiful ground, remained. It was a testament of power, and the impact that one person can have on the lives of many.

In 2022, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the sports ground stood tall and proud, a symbol of the legacy of Thomas sir and my amma. The students of today, just like those of 1973, play and practice on that same ground, grateful for the vision and hard work of those who came before them.

As they said their goodbyes, they hugged each other tightly, promising to keep in touch and to never forget the memories they had shared. They knew that they had been through a lot together, and that they would always be bonded by the experiences they had shared as members of the 1973 batch.

The best i loved it is when the men were about to serve food they said let's give space to the girls and that moment i realised they have gone 40 years back.