Letter To The Editor
Muzukuthurai Revisited

I would like to compliment Ashish Mitter on his interesting article in The Doon School Weekly that summarized our social service trip to Chennai. However, I would like to add a little more about how the dark clouds of trauma hung heavily above the tsunami-affected village of Muzukuthurai. One could easily sense the fragile emotional state of the village, even though the children laughed and life went on undisturbed. Over 80% of the surviving population of the village had been working far away in order to earn a better income. Little did they know that they would never see their families again when they returned home with their pockets full of money. No amount of compensation can fill their homes with the presence of those whom they have lost.

Those who survived the giant wave continue to look down upon ‘the lucky ones’, those who entirely missed the tsunami as they were either in Singapore or Malaysia. One can literally feel the missing portion of a victim’s soul while talking to him. The situation remains sad and forgotten, as those who were lost continue to occupy one’s daily thoughts and what one does for the future betterment of the society, only a few will remember.

Another thing I would like to share with the school is an experience – a trip through mangrove forests by boat to a town called Pichavaram. Ever wondered what travelling through the Amazon is like? This boat trip through dense forests and and beautiful stalk-like mangroves was like a small-scale version of the gigantic South American forest one sees in movies. We spent a good 45 minutes admiring nature’s grandeur.

Another unusual experience was visiting a floating fish market: out on the open seas, us in one boat, and the fishermen-sellers in another. The best way of ensuring fresh fish on one’s plate!

In the end I would like to thank AKC, ASH and AKS for organizing and escorting us on this memorable trip.

(Ayyappa Vemulkar)

Roving Eye

Thunder, lightning....enter Pathare. “Where art thou Jamwal? We have a score to settle.”

The nightmares of most D formers came sooner than expected as they were shifted to the Main Houses at the beginning of this term. The nesting of the Eagles in their original House was cut short, and, with clipped wings and sullen faces, they were all back to square one (we mean the holding Houses). We suspect that KLA’s ultrasonic sound waves caused the Jaipur House wreckage. Let’s rewind and go back to the holz…

Back in Bombay, our very own Zidzain (with a silent ‘z’ and broken leg) was shown a red card by the manager of a computer store because of his PDA (he specialises in loops). They were seen scurrying to the loo after that. The computer programmer in question, has suddenly lost all his zeal in loops after contracting a certain rash in the city of floods. We wish him all the best.

While you read this, the prefects have gone on a special bonding camp with the HM and Dy. HM. We’re not sure if they’ll come back with a ‘special’ bond with the Doc and the Deputy or with the ‘Hopies.’ Bofaroy, in particular, left with his antennae at full height. Our very own Chief Ed was looking for HIS very own Chief Ed. I wish him all the best but also remind him that his loyalties lie in another school. (I’m really sorry Ch Ed but I am sure you won’t do anything to me because you must maintain a clean record till Special Assembly!)

In Delhi, a Dosco decided to BREAK ties with his faith, and was aptly renamed Brother Ro (do we need to elaborate?). Brother Ro is now directing a remake of

Brokeback Mountain: ‘The Broken Heart’ starring Abhijeet ‘Boss’ Sawant and Zain ‘Many Colours’ Rehman. The pick-up line for Brother Ro’s stag entry in the movie is, “The name’s Ro, Bro Ro.”

Now for an update on Independence Day, I’m sorry, Social Day. One thing’s for sure, pleasure will come before duty, which is pardonable in a teenager. Swapi will be looking for his Krrishni after being inspired by the movie Krrish. Neelu does not want to be left in the wilderness, so once again, he sends out a warning that he attended Charm School this summer. (We are dying to see him in action!)

The poison in the pen is fast depleting and we have decided to save a few drops for the next instalment featuring the Socials Hungama!!!

Unquotable Quotes

Check out the rain, its raining.
Pranay Budhraja broadcasts the overcast.
Hold your ships.
RSF launches a new idiom.
I want concrete work submitted at the end of the classroom.
RSF hammers home his point.
There will be no schools after classes tomorrow.
Shaurya Kuthiala sets the timetable.
What is the price of the cost?
SDA inquires.
First you cut one chest and then you cut the other chest.
Saurav Sethia fantasises a double murder.
I was doing misbehaving.
Shubham Gupta the naughty boy.