When the Alwynian met after 41 years in Sikkim - i

 Mr. Pakianathan, Dhaba, Mr. Firth, 

Mrs. Pakianathan and Dhama at Hotel Tibet corridor

When I first heard that my Dhaba (my father’s elder brother) was having a small reunion with a few of his teachers from Wynberg-Allen School, Mussoorie, out at Gangtok after 41 long years, I could not stop myself from asking him to take me along to be part of that precious moment. I was happy he did not deny me, but many thoughts were going on in my mind while we were driving to Gangtok from Singtam. Believe me when I say that Dhaba came all the way from Parakha, his residence, to pick me up along with Dharma ( his wife) and Pranay (his son).

Dhaba was in high spirits and looking forward to meeting his teachers from all over London. I was excited and curious to know how the duo of student-teachers (I mean Dhaba and his teachers) would react to their first interaction after more than four decades and what their talks would be. These thoughts made me busier until we reached Hotel Tibet at the heart of Gangtok, where those people had been staying. We even bought pickles as a reminder from the guests from the Pick-Up Shop of Singtam Juice Factory.

My Dhaba, Ghanashyam Pradhan, lovingly called ‘GS Sir’, by one and all is a retired former Headmaster of Phadamchen SSS. An educationist with vibrant thoughts that were shown in his teaching days had been the trademark of his more than two-decade-long illustrious professions. He enjoys his retirement life out at Parakha, a few hour's drive from Pakyong with his grandchildren, and contributing to certain social gatherings. But at any time, if one mentions him about his stay at Wynberg-Allen School, he does not make a gimmick in sharing the best years of his life. I had always admired his English accent and fluency; without doubt, all thank Wynberg-Allen School, those teachers, friends, and to that atmosphere for it.

Coming back to Hotel Tibet, it was already mid-noon when we reached there, and we were told that the guests from England were on the way from Changu Lake accompanied by Mingma Bhutia, another former student from Sikkim and was about to arrive at the hotel within a few minutes. All the way I had been listening up the name of one of the teachers more often, his name was Pakianathan. I was fumbling off with the pronunciation of the name and giving up a thought that he might be some old guy from Southeast Asia, somewhere between Malaysia, Indonesia, and nearby countries.

 Dhaba kneeling in front of Mr. Pakianathan (1968)

The moment finally arrived when an Indian-looking 60-plus gentleman entered from the entrance door of the Hotel Tibet, and Dhaba went to greet him. He gave his introduction, and in between their talks, I could make up my mistake that the very Indian-looking person was Mr. Pakianathan himself, not to do anything with my geographical speculation! Watching both of them hug was something you don’t often come across. Watching Dhaba having a stick to walk, Mr. Pakianathan was surprised and teased Dhaba grabbing his stick?

A few minutes later, he followed an Indian lady; she was Mrs. Pakianathan, who was also Dhaba’s teacher at Wynberg-Allen School, and then, finally, a few foreign faces. Among them were Mr. Firth, Dhaba’s English Teacher, his wife, and his friends. They made us sit on the sofa and left for some fresh air. I was watching Dhaba being restless because he was preparing within himself about what to speak of all the years. It might be about the excitement of meeting his old teachers that could not be hidden from his face.