This Monday morning turned out to be really special for me. 

I had a planned stopover at Ambala, enroute from Mohali to Gurgaon.

I stepped into my school for the first time in 3 decades! 

My English teacher had invited me to address her fellow teachers. 

I was expecting a small gathering but was surprised to know that I was supposed to speak in the auditorium (which meant a big audience!).

I have addressed very large audiences in the past, but the current setting made me nervous. 

You know why?

My English teacher was seated right in front!! 

I had always admired Miss Jyoti for her oratory skills and she played a major role in shaping me in the formative years.

She introduced me to the audience as her “बच्चा” who had now grown up and mentioned some of my achievements!

The session went off really well – many teachers came up to thank me as I walked out of the hall into the corridor.

Miss Jyoti wanted me to meet the Principal and we both walked into her office.

At that moment Miss Jyoti complimented me on the connect which I could make with the teachers. And, she was all praise for my voice modulation and tonality.

I was elated, to the point of being ecstatic! 

The Principal stepped in and had already heard good feedback as she walked through the corridor.

We chatted for a couple of minutes.

It was time for me to leave and I bid goodbye to the Principal and Miss Jyoti.

Enroute to Gurgaon, I stopped by at Murthal for a break. I sent a message to Miss Jyoti- 

“You made my day. I received one of the biggest compliments of my life – biggest because it came from my teacher :)”

I received a big smiley from her – I am sure she was equally happy to see her बच्चा do well in life!!

Still a student,

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