XI XII (my steps in New Delhi)

My days in Bhiwani were over and luck forced me to Delhi, my family shifting to Gurgaon. I was keen for joining any government school (where attendance is not a problem), as I wanted time for JEE preparation, but parents care too much ("What if you don't get through JEE, you can make it to DCE easily if you are in delhi school"). It was already late for admissions, A search started for school and I found many stupid people in the way.. One principal told, "We appreciate your interest towards science stream, but we don't have seats available, so, opt for commerce, you can do well there also..." (I wonder who made her principal of a reputed school in Delhi..).... Ultimately, search ended on September 6, 2000 at TAFS (The Air Force School), Subroto Park, New Delhi, where destiny had placed me for coming two years.....

If one has in mind that metropolitans have better level of education (as I had), he/she is pretty wrong. The only problem of mine was english there (not that much... I am exagerrating it a bit..) Communication with some of the teachers would have to be in english and I was hesitant to this language.... Slowly, this faded away and I realised I was living in a world of fake fear (fear of spoken english is a mere illusion... this is a pretty simple language...) The day I came over my fear, English became like any other subject.... Similar was the story of computer science.. More than half of syllabus was already covered when I joined. I met with an accident just after joining and was at home for around next one month. In the month of October, I went to computer lab there.... people were writing codes... Vinay Bhardwaj burst into laughter when I said, "What's this KAAOUT(cout) and SIN(cin)?" Realising I was lying low in terms of coursework, I swallowed the contents of book.... and my enhanced focus towards these two subjects Comp. Science & English honoured me by announcing me individual topper of these subjects with overall III in XI.

XII class was a mockery of education. There was nothing to be done in class, I mean, even though the syllabus got covered but teachers knew everybody was studying for entrance exams and would have covered almost everything, the attitude got reflected in teaching.... I used to be a regular student earlier taking only 2 days vacation in 3 years (VI-VIII), that too for one external exam.. But in XI-XII, I bunked a lot.. Classes attended were also for sake of attendance.

After straining my memory strings also, I can only recall two of my teachers: Dr. Mukesh Chand (Chemistry), Mrs. Vandana Parashar (Physics).... Though academically, this school didn't help me too much, but there were other benefits: I got hold over English, made many new friends Varun Bhatia, Varun Dua, Satvik Upadhaya, Srijan Agarwal, Arjun Sondhi, Shatakshi Bhupal, Divashri Sinha and a lot more....

There are some lovely memories of these two years too... Someone wrote "Kiss me" on my back and (I wish it was a girl :D ), Having a NTSE form always in pocket and making the same excuse after being caught bunking, "I had gone for getting this form attested" (That form never got attested in two years)..... Meeting Physical education teacher first time at board exam practicals and he asking me, "Are you sure you are a student of this class?".... Some teacher sending me to call some bunking students and I too am gone :DD.... going back home early after bunking lectures...

Udham Singh says, "God gives many a things when he snatches one..." Seems true I lost contact with my earlier friends but gained many things (new friends, experience) and again very importantly Delhiite Babes (They simply rock!!!) and the biggest gift, passed JEE as a student of this school :-)