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DSW: Can you tell us something about your life as a
student in Doon?
JHH: I was initially a day scholar and the biggest advantage of this
was that I could eat home food whenever I wanted. Even at that time,
this was a big advantage over the boarders as there was a lot of
rationing. The disadvantage as a day scholar was that I could go back home
only after ten and had to arrive in school before the first bell for PT.
People today have a grave misconception that teachers, in those times,
were great, as opposed to the present-day teaching community. But it was
never like that. There were a few amazing teachers and some who were not
all that great after all, and this is the same even now. Sports were a lot
of fun and no one was tortured for losing a game. There was a lot of
camaraderie for inter-school matches then. The school hardly came together
for anything except for school matches and when they did come together,
everyone cheered their hearts out.
DSW: Share some of your memories as a master here, with
us.
JHH: My finest moments were as a Housemaster of Jaipur House where I
came close to a lot of students and I believed that I could make a
difference in their lives. As a Deputy Headmaster of the school, my jobs
were mostly administrative, and had a lot of stress and work. I had better
relationships with students as a Housemaster, and I believe that it has
been the success story of my life as a teacher in Doon.
DSW: What was your most embarrassing moment in Doon?
JHH: When I forgot to bring the prayer book and said only one line
of the prayer at Assembly!
DSW: What was your most memorable moment in Doon?
JHH: My team’s first Afzal Khan victory when I was a coach. We were
losing by fifteen points but by the half-time my team gained momentum and
won by three points in the end.
DSW: What is your favourite place in Doon?
JHH: The old basketball courts.
DSW: What is the one thing that you will take from
Doon?
JHH: Materialistic: My farewell present from Doon.
Sentimental:
The times in Doon were definitely the best years of my life. I spent ten
years here as a master; more years than as a corporate master.
DSW: What has been the favourite time for you during
the term?
JHH: Founder’s was the best time. A time of pleasure combined with
work.
DSW: Is there anything you would like to see change in
Doon?
JHH: I certainly feel the parents should not question things as much
as they do. I mean, we are the school authorities: let us run the school.
DSW: Is this going to be the end of your association
with us as JHH?
JHH: Not at all. I will always remain an Old Boy of the school and I
hope to get invited for all the school events. Let everyone know, I’ll be
there!
DSW: How has your tenure as Deputy Headmaster been?
JHH: It was a tremendous learning experience. I can do things that I
didn’t know I could. It is like running a township because there are so
many issues in school. Excellence gets you to the top, but it takes
character to keep you there.
DSW: What are the things you wouldn’t like to see
changed in Doon?
JHH: I wouldn’t want the school’s transparency changed for anything in
the world. If you get a Games’ Blazer or Colours you know why you got it.
For admissions, we even show answer scripts of entrance exams if
necessary.
DSW: Is Doon losing its charm?
JHH: In a sense, yes, but this is just due to the natural progression
of other schools. Gone are the days when people came to get a holistic
experience of school. Now we get students who want to do well in one area
only. But we are still number one.
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