Sumant Sir

A person with a normal built wearing an old styled striped knee high under pant and a half cut vest just touching the thighs, appeared near the basin for a wash, as we settled in our seats in his house. He had no inhibitions and no airs too. In normal circumstances he would have walked to the drawing room in the same attire, but today he had unexpected guests in us. So he walked to the bed room, got himself dressed in a pyjama and a bush shirt and came out with a sheepish smile. He greeted us both. We touched his feet and got back to our chairs. He was Sumant Sir !!

His house was like what I had guessed, Just befitting his profession. He was not a teacher in today’s mould, earning handsomely on tuitions besides the hefty salaries that the today’s teachers get. A metal folding cot adorned the drawing room, which had two old chairs for visitors. An old TV on an old table was the other furnishing of the drawing room.

The attached kitchen had a serving hatch, opening to the drawing room. I could see the kitchen through the hatch. It was also styled and fashioned old styled.

The whole house had serenity and a silence of a classroom. It was pious and pure and simple like its owners.

Sir had taught all Apte girls ( my wife and all her three sisters ) in their school life. He taught Maths and Science in English. In fact he was a schoolmate of our Tara Aaji in Subedarwada School at Kalyan, from English 4th to 8th class, that is from class 7th to 11th in today’s terminology. This school was one of the three Akshikar Sir’s Creations like Chabildas at Dadar. So ! The family had long standing relations of sorts with him.

I was told that he spoke very little but was very articulate. He had not changed over time. Once a while, he raised his forefinger to drive his point home, in a teacher like habit. Other than an occasional comment here and there, he was more a good listener. What struck me most was his simplicity. It was written all over the house and had also rubbed on his wife.

He has a photogenic memory and it showed when he churned out surnames of all the sisters, spoke about where our kids were placed and where we lived till very recently. This is at the age of 80 Plus. He spoke about all with passion and love and yes, with out any malice. He could have hardly had malice for any one leave alone the Apte sisters.

I walked out after inviting him for my nephew’s marriage with a lasting impression. I have no hesitation to say that there are only a very few left of this breed. These are the people who have laid the foundation of strong India of Today.

I bow my head to salute such people. I salute you Sumant Sir !!