Marathe Sir, Idli and Me: Reminder of an interesting tale

Every time I eat Idli I am reminded of my school teacher. Weird it sounds but it’s true and associated with an important turning point in my academic life.

So it was June. The SSC result was out.
It was a fair performance with a decent 86% score. But I had missed the merit rank by 7 marks. It felt bad, but honestly not so bad to cause any visible worry. I was happy that was a topper in Sanskrit and could muster 60+ in Marathi (in prelim I had 41)

I was called to school by my teacher
Mr A. L. Marathe. He was the superintendent of the technical wing of Vidya Mandir Prashala, our school. He used to teach algebra. He chose a batch of 10 probable merit candidates and gave free special coaching to them. But I was among those 5 out of 10 who did not make to the merit list.

“Congratulations! Come sit.”
He told me as I entered his chamber.
“Thanks!” said I drew the chair and sat.
“Boy, you missed the rank! How does it feel?”
“Feels a little bad but sir it’s OK!” The answer was as spontaneous as it was honest.

The sudden change in his expressive eyes gave a hint of what was coming and I was taken aback.

“Felt bad that you’re not as hurt as you should be. A boy who got 147 in prelims in Maths and 149 in Science has ended up with 125 and 134. Missed the boards by 7 and still says audaciously ok…”
The anger was now being vented and it had hit me hard now like a thunderbolt.
“… I know as a teacher you’re a good student but that won’t help you get the Medical seat you’re dreaming of. There is one mark less and you’re out. Our for life!”
“तिथं तुला समजून घ्यायला मराठे सर थोडीच असणार आहेत! (Can’t translate this line)”

“Sorry sir” I was now getting the stock of the situation.

There was suddenly a change of tone and he asked, ” What delicacy do you love the most to have?” I was perplexed and was wondering what was next.
“Idli,” said I.
“Promise me one thing,” He said; “You’re not going to have it till you get Medical admission. You’re going to work hard and achieve that. The failure to score hasn’t made you realise the real pain of losing at least not having your favourite food will.”

I left his chamber with resolve in mind and met him after two years with pedhas after securing admission to Medical. Had he not scolded me that day I wouldn’t have been woken out of slumber and wouldn’t have been seriously competitive.

I wrote this story in Marathi that’s published in a book commemorating him. Was surprised to find out that this was his standard trick to make students study hard by letting go of things they love to have.

It hammered into my mind being competitive is an option AFTER achieving what we want and not before that. It also made me realise my favourite motto “Study for concepts not for marks” is 100% true only AFTER one qualifies to study that syllabus.

Vidyamandir Prashala Miraj earned a reputation with many teachers like him as much through the many successful students it made. It’s not just the 4 walls and roofs it’s the human factor both teachers and students make the school as it is.

Initially, I wrote this as a Twitter thread. It drew a good response

Everytime I eat Idli I am reminded of one of my school teachers. Weird it sounds but it’s true and associated with an important turning point in my academic life.#Sunday #Leisure #LongThread
Image from: Wikimedia commons pic.twitter.com/DGR0co71MS

— Sudhanwa Pathak MBBS (@pathaksudh) May 15, 2022