page 2 ( 46 ) The Annual examination in Std VII

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          The days for Annual Examination  in Std  VII had almost arrived.  At the same time, the students who had won all the subjects in the previous examinations had been selected for USS  scholarship examination, which was an initiative taken by the Government to find the talented students and  help them financially.  The nearest centre for USS scholarship was St. Peter's English Medium School, Kadayiruppu.  I think the  Annual examination and the scholarship examination were being conducted simultaneously.  When the Annual examination was in the morning, the scholarship examination would take place in the afternoon.  From the Upper Primary School, my classmates walked through the road, located my house ( they knew it earlier ) and reached St. Peter's English Medium School.

     When I entered St. Peter's English Medium School, I could easily find out the difference between a Government School and a private School.  In the classroom, all the desks, benches and windows were well built and the blackboard was clean.  What made me surprised that there was a fan inside the classroom.  Then I remembered my school.  In VIIth Std,  there were windows in the classroom.  But, in Vth & VIth Stds, there were no windows.  Sometimes a bird would come and sit on the wall of the classroom.  We could hear the songs of birds and sound of vehicles goikng through the road.  I realise that we got plenty of air in Vth & VIth Stds.  

     In those days the newspaper was  full of reports with "Halley's Comet".  The scientists were ready to observe it and find out some answers to the questions related to the mysterious areas from where they  come. adtch it.  How could I  go out to an open place at night ?  At last, the day came when it appeared in the sky and the newspaper had reported the direction in which it would be visible to the people of Kerala. On that day , I watched my father reading the news about "Halley's Comet", but there was no reaction in his face.  Suddenly, a thought  came to my mind.  My father was coming to the front verandah, from the middle room, asking a question,,"did the Skylab fall to the earth  ?"  There were three or four people in the courtyard.  I was also behind him.  It was in 1979 and I was in Ist Std.  "Earlier he had an interest in Science, but now it has lost," I thought sadly.  My brother was in Std III.  How could I say all this to him ?  It was evening time.  There were prayer, supper, and I didn't learn anything.  I  went to sleep.  If my memory is correct,,"Halley's Comet" was visible over Kerala  after that time.  Several times I tried to call my father, request him to  go and stand stand in an open open place watch it.   I don't know how many times I opened my mouth to call him.  d I couldn't sleep that night.  When the time predicted by scientists was over, I started to cry without making any sound.  Next time, "Halley's Comet",would appear after seventyfive years.  I calculated - then I would be eighty seven years old !  It made me tired. Would I live upto that age  ?  Then  would I be  a healthy woman ?  I was greatly tired by these new happenings.  When I got the newspaper, seeing the  photographs, I was almost satisfied.  But that night  remains in my mind - an unforgettable and horrible night .However  the blow that created in mind  was a big one.  It took many months to recover from that blow.  

     When the Annual examination was going on, a group of women labourers came climbing up the steps and went to the 'uncultivated area'   on the left side of our land.  They began to deforest the land.  Puthiyaveettil Johny's  family had decided to make it a rubber plantation.  Before that, all the three cashew trees were cut and the pieces were removed.  But should I cry?  Everyone would expect the reaction of a  girl - cry, anger, jealousy etc.  But I felt nothing.  All my feelings were in a  sound sleep.   There are many reasons for this.  Firstly, the atmosphere in my house.  Secondly, I was a Sunday School student.  I was taught to keep all emotions suppressed in my mind.  Thirdly, I am an Indian citizen. I was  interested in the great sages who had control over their mind.  They would attain victory over their five senses and  I also tried to do that.  This nature had produced many enemies to me.  But I had to move in my own way.  When victory is near, How can I violate my track ?