Girls just want to have fun

This picture was taken in 1982 during my school days. I studied in a well-known Anglo Indian convent school at Frazer Town - St Francis Xavier's Girls High School.

On our transfer from Chennai, my sister and I got admission to this prestigious school, which was on the road adjacent to our home.

My dad used to drop us at school and mom brought lunch for us while we were in the smaller classes. Later, we would run to the house for lunch.

In the evenings it was a hop, skip and jump from school with friends. This was our routine for 10 years.

Our principal at that time was Sister Patrica, who was a French nun from the convent of St Joseph of Tarbes. Our school not only excelled in academics, but also in sports and other extracurricular activities.

We had many excellent teachers. Rema Nambiar and Rukmini ma'am made sure that we became proficient in Hindi. Mascarenes, Bonjo, Bastian and Sister Marian were all outstanding teachers who have helped  mould our characters.

I cannot forget Krishna ma'am, our NCC teacher, who made our contingent with accolades at the Republic Day Parade in Delhi. I stood first among all students of East area schools in ICSE.

Our school annual days and sports days were full of fun. We had lots of food stalls, music, dance and jam sessions. My best friends, Deepa, Shama and myself would vie for  top honours, be it in academics or sports.  

My sister and I were good at classical dance, debates, and dramatics. Our colony had a bunch of active girls and we had great fun playing at the nearby Coles Park, till our mother came to take us home.

In those days, the Cantonment area was safe for girl children.  

The lunchtime visits to  'Thomas Cafe' was another unforgettable experience. Their pastries were mouth- watering and we would share all the goodies there.

In the evening, when all four schools on our road would get over at the same time, boys from the two other schools would ogle at us girls.  

I wish I could go back to those good old school days. We have an old girls' meeting once a year,  though all of us are at various places.

Those days of the 80s at Frazer Town will always be evergreen in my memory.