Two days of Sunny winter at Doon School

To tell you the truth, I don't really remember much about what happened in class 5th and 6th. The events preceding my admissions in DIS were something that has run through my mind a number of times, so its a pretty vivid memory but after that its all a blur. So I, from now on will write about random thoughts and memories (just as my URL says) in the chronological order.

So why in the world would I go to Doon School for two day!!! The reason was:

District athletics meet at The Doon School :)

Every year in the month of December, District Athletics meet ( a 2 day event) used to be held where all the schools of Dehradun including IMA (Indian Military Academy) used to come and the hosts was always Doon School, thanks to its huge grounds and amazing infrastucture. The school is a city in itself. On the day of the Meet, Doon used to wear a complete festive look. It had tents selling all sorts of eateries, campus filled with students in different uniforms, sports men and women practicing their events, teachers shouting at students for varied reasons or sometimes no reason at all and of course the sight of Doon boys trying to get a date was pretty common.

From school's perspective this used to be one of the most important sports meet as it was the biggest event of the year and every win was an added trophy of pride in the School's reception area. So the moment dates used to get declared, our school's full focus used to shift from its all time favorite sport i.e. basketball, to athletics and march past. I have never been into athletics so march past was the only way to get into the team for the Meet :). My reasons for getting into the team was because those 2 days were of absolute fun, festivities and we (boarders) used to get Rs 50 coupons to eat (oh yes! it was a big motivation, since going out was a rarity and that too with money was a dream :D). But for some of my seniors, besides these things there was another motivation, Doon boys :). Doon boys had a completely different aura about them probably because they knew they belonged to the best. So, those seniors would try harder than anything else to get their techniques of march past right. Finally on the D-day, our matron Ganga didi used to check our complete uniform to see if everything was spic and span and while getting onto the school bus, another check was made by Thapa Sir (PT sir).

The atmosphere in the bus used to be amazing with we singing in our pathetic voices all throughout the ride and then fighting for the best pair of gloves ( have been in school for 6 years but for some reason it never once managed to get all equally clean white gloves in the exact number as required). While getting down at The Doon, we behaved like perfect students for the fear of being sent back.

The main ground of the Doon was a beautiful site with green grasses sparkling with early morning dew drops all over and surrounded by Doon's hostel buildings. So, the boys who probably would never get their chairs out and sit in the balcony used to be only in the balcony as if the rooms didn't exist. On ground below, girls from various schools used to pass glances or secret looks, trying to gather attention etc. Every school got their separate place allocated and we as far as I can recall, always got the one which was 3rd towards left from announcement center and near one particular building of hostel ( a great delight for a few :) ).

The event started with all the school's march past team marching one complete round on the tracks and saluting the chief guest for the day. And then started various athletic events in their respective places.

Now for the my seniors, once march past was over, what exactly do you think they would be doing :). To tell you the truth, I really don't know, but by the time we got to the eateries area with our coupons, we would see them sitting with some Doon boy, chatting with a smile of triumph :) (I can just imagine the state of mind of our school boys on seeing this :D). And we being the little kids would just wink at them to congratulate :D. Later in the day I would get to hear all their stories about what the boys name, what he said, what plans of meeting they have for the next day etc etc. All this privilege for me was because I was particularly close to those seniors for two reasons, 1) we were all in the basketball team and 2) we all were boarders. I can't name anyone, reason being simple, they will either kill me for it or sue me, but my school mates would for sure get to know who all I am talking about :).

And for my seniors: You guys absolutely rocked!!!!