St. Mary's Convent Allahabad will miss you

Starting 1974 when most of us were not even planned, a lady started her job as a teacher in one of the most reputed schools of Allahabad, St Mary's Convent. And this was after a good resistance that she put up because she did not want to become a teacher. But she never knew that a journey that she started just because she was pushed hard by her parents and family would last for 39 long years. Yes you read it right 39 longs years. She called it up end of March this year (2013) thus completing one of the longest tenure that I have ever heard about. If you are wondering how do I know so much about this lady and her life, let me tell you that this is the story of my mother Mrs. Chanchal Srivastava.

 

I feel very proud of the fact that I have been given a reason that I am actually writing this salutation note to my mother and arguably the best Biology that Allahabad has ever seen. I have known her students who came to visit her on a Parent's Teachers meeting because the daughter (of my mother's student) was know a student of my mother. I have met girls whom my mother has taught and I can see the glow when they talk to my mom and could only feel how proud would she feel if someone who she taught some 20 - 25 years ago still comes to meet her and gives her the same sort of respect. For me my mother has been one of the biggest inspiration and she still remains someone who I respect not only because she is my mother but also because she has been an exceptional servant to the institution of education. I am reminded of a quote I read somewhere "I only wish to aspire to the things you’ve achieved. Telling you that you’re appreciated does not do your service justice. You’re the best!"

All of you who might have known her would agree with me when I say that she has always been dedicated to her profession and never let her family come into the way of her profession. With two little kids, one of which was me, it was hard to manage things on personal and professional front but I am amazed at how soothingly she handled everything. 

 

I have been taught by teachers who have been students of my mother and the respect they had for me gave me a sense of how much they must have loved and respected my mother. I even remember talking to one of her students, who also happens to be teacher, telling me that "people come and ask me if they should go for biology or not and I tell them if it is Mrs Srivastava then you should not give it a second thought". I know number of her students who are now successful doctors and the experience that they share with me when we talk about my mother makes me feel so blessed that I am born as a son to this legend.

 

I would like to conclude saying that no words of appreciation are good enough and "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is Thank You. It will be still not be enough." I wish you all the best Maa.