Magic friends…My lovely teachers.

Last time I met him, was over four years ago.
Then guided-inspired by words from some of my blog
friends, I decided to contact him again..after a long time

I always loved my English classes and was a favorite
of my English teachers, standing first in all four
divisions in English and History, despite being a
science student.

I still remember my History teacher a Sikh named
Varyaam Singh of Pune, who used to teach about Tipu Sultan
with great vigor, enthusing the whole class with the glories
of what I later learnt/realized was just a Feudal Lord.

But in those times, (way back in the seventies) he did
enthuse a sense of national pride in us.

(which again I realize now, only divides the working people..
like race and religion)

Then there was an English teacher, a very graceful gentle
Bengali lady, Mrs.Majumdar in Delhi, who charmed me into a
love for Ruskin Bond.

The Shamli stories of India's Wordsworth in prose.

I still keep some of those notes..and go through them over
a golden sunset, watching the blue-green Mediterranean.

Though Mr.Francis has never taught me in a class, I adore him
as he reminds me of those great teachers who shaped me in their
own significant ways.

The Mathematics teacher who taught me about study method.

The Hindi teacher who instilled a love of poetry in me.

This Friday, I sat down for a few hours with dear
Mr.Francis, who first came to Tripoli in 1979.

If I had studied in Tripoli, he would have been my teacher at some time.

And he yet teaches me a thing or two..about nouns, verbs, life and diction.

Thank you Sir