A series of posts and messages on 5^th September gently reminded me to say a silent thank you to the people who taught me in life. Apart from academics, I have had wonderful teachers who have taught me music as well as dance. Although life still surprises me with its undecided lessons and tells me to toughen up.

But one person who really turned things for me was Ms. Margaret. She was a just retired nun(back then) from Convent Girls High school, Prabhadevi. A skinny, slender woman dressed usually in floral midi dresses, she was an absolute no-nonsense. 

No, I did not attend Convent girls. (Cheers to my Dad!) I was at aapli Modern English across the Portuguese church. Very little to be proud of but nothing disastrous about it either.(most of us have turned fine) So as most of my classmates conversed in Marathi in this very English medium school of ours, I was packed off to attend Ms.Margaret’s tutions in 8^th Standard. (except this one English Kombdi @Vinda)

Nor, that I needed it, I reasoned with my Mum. Afterall, thanks to another wonderful teacher in 4^th grade who worked on us for government Scholarship lessons, my language skills were tendered at any early age. However as 8^th std was the foundation for 10^th grade we had to start our tryst with additional ‘coaching classes’ said the education pundits. As usual I agreed as I thought the 8^th Std Balbharthi level had rather risen and I did not want to fall back. Much to my disappointment I had later realised that the quality of coursework was rather sloppy as I progressed to higher classes.

As I climbed the steps of this corner side smelly building (buthcher’s shop on ground floor), I was greeted by the teacher’s cousin’s furious dog who was husked away as I sat down in the modest home with butterflies in my stomach. A group of students was just leaving with polite greetings and all to the teacher. (An alien concept in aapli Modern English)

We started with our lessons. There were only 5-6 students with me. Instructions were told clearly. ‘To read aloud’ and ‘To underline any new word’ in the text. Very simple, very easy but therein began my struggle.

I wasn’t bad at pronunciation,( I thought) but I was horrible. ( as she pointed out). She exclaimed how could I destroy the beauty of a word ! Questions were first raised as to how did my parents teach me? I stated that they were good parents who encouraged reading but we hardly conversed in English at home. Both of them were infact from Marathi medium. (That would be the case of majority of the students)

Do the teachers in your school speak like this? I nodded. Then Ms.Margaret took it upon herself to correct every word I pronounced incorrectly. So, Economics wasn’t EcO Nomics but ‘Eekanomics’, be a bit more musical she jested. I also had to write down the synonym and antonym of every new word and had to turn its usage into every part of speech.  Post that exercise, I had to make a meaningful sentence with that very word or at times with a combination of those two words.

This was the basic homework alongwith regular exercise questions. Then began the grammar challenge with Wren and Martin and the likes of it. (Again aapli Modern English never made a reference to this book) 

So I struggled with objectifying the verb ‘anger’ as my Subject (My school) never bothered with these grammar rules. My mind was complex with tons of English language homework and I begged for mercy to this simple, strict woman. ‘No way’ she exclaimed handed me this chart and explained me the grammar rules. I stopped making compound mistakes thereupon and showed improvisation and interest.

Now, I have come across teachers who explained the context of the coursework beautifully giving additional background, examples and reference readings. Ms.Margaret did that too. But what endeared me the most were her writing task assignments. I was good at it due to my govt. scholarship lessons but she encouraged me. We had to decide a topic not necessarily close to the textbook but something with a twist and then we could do a letter, a prose or a report. She not only corrected it painstakingly but gave us more ideas or options over it.

Slowly, I started looking forward for her classes even though it meant getting ready in half hour for that 2 pm hot afternoon class.(My school ended at 12.30 pm and she could yell if you were even two minutes late.)

In the next year, I clearly understood Ms.Margaret’s expectations from me. We bonded very well and I continued to score well in my school in English language atleast.(lol) I also took tips about History and Geography from her. (She also taught French and continued with her own lessons at that age)However, the education pundits stated that in 10^th std. that I had to take ‘Exam point of view’ classes and so I said adieu to Ms. Margaret very reluctantly.

She on the other hand took it well and wished me luck. (seriously, I have seen professors not happy with such a move.) The other teacher was proficient as well but I still missed Ms.Margaret.

The 10^th grade results were announced and I was shocked not because I had scored a mere 85% but I had scored a 68 in English language. I was a topper throughout the year in school in the subject. Anyways, after having 3 and a half graduation degrees, Examination results still amuse me. Ms.Margaret was in a little disbelief when I informed her about my score later. Keep trying she said and I stuck to it. 

As I entered college, deciding my firm career path as a Company Secretary and a lawyer came into question. I plunged into it happily. One important aspect of my profession is strong written and oral communication!!

 After around 8 years since I passed my 8-9^th std, I insisted that my younger sister take lessons from Ms.Margaret. I used to stop to say hello to her if I saw her on the way to Portuguse church. Sana needed to mould herself in to the languages as she was not a natural at it. (Much as I am not a natural at numbers due to a fear of it) I went to see Mrs.Margaret who readily took in my sister under her wings. Inspite of warning my sister of the slightly eccentric teacher’s ways, my strong headed sister was on a rebel mode. I urged with Sana to bear with her least she throws her away out of her class.

Then one fine day, I asked my sister as to why she was not attending the class. She said the teacher wasn’t around. I was puzzled as she stayed alone and asked Sana to check with her cousins next door. The telephone was available only with her cousins.

A few days later we received a call stating that she was ill and we would be informed when Sana could join her again. A couple of months passed by and we had another call to come and meet her at a particular time. We were told she was staying at Kurla for a while. As usual my dear sister could not make it at that time and she only returned home with an envelope.

It had Rs.500 in it. The advance fee of 5 months. The fee which had never changed in 8 years time. A fee which was too modest even when I was in 8^th grade. An amount which would not have hurt us if it was not returned. An amount which could have worked towards her treatment for tuberculosis. 

(Now as I struggle with the very English pronunciations and accents, I wish to find another  Ms.Margaret here who could tell me that Quay is pronounced as ‘Ki’.)

(I thought I saw her again on the Church pathway sometime….or did I?)