tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post970622359252277964..comments2024-03-28T08:52:52.429-07:00Comments on Colombo Medgrads 1962: My life as a boarder at Wesley College Lucky Abeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14193645922522446176noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-27788573721312583332016-04-18T06:10:13.905-07:002016-04-18T06:10:13.905-07:00Dear ND,
I enjoyed this beautiful narrative as mu...Dear ND,<br /><br />I enjoyed this beautiful narrative as much as all your other writings.You really should write your memoirs and I will definitely be one of the first customers.<br /><br />Schooldays for me was" the best of times" I missed out being a boarder as my mother insisted on keeping us at home even when our father was posted" up country".In hindsight she was right particularly for me as I may not have quite adapted to the rough and tumble of the boarding.<br /><br />The STC hostel was quite big and was divided into four houses.Chapman(our Founder),Miller, Copleston and Claughton all previous Wardens.Boarders considered themselves special if not superior to day scholars.There was an element of truth in this as most of them did excel in sports.Unfortunately the same cannot be said of their academic prowess.<br /><br />We got to know much about the boarders and the boarding from our classmates including Bora who was our medical school colleague.I remember their whinges about food which was probably more to do with monotony than quality or quantity.Day after day it was beef curry,parippu,and polsambol.I too have tasted these as the cricketers were given the same fare on match days.<br /><br />The only times I slept in a school boarding was at Trinity and Richmond when I played as a member of the junior cricket team.These trips were memorable for the fun and camaraderie,even more than the cricket.The night before the Trinity encounter we hardly slept but still managed to win.Such was the strength and exuberance of youth.<br /><br />The STC boarding gets a mention in Michael Ondaatje's book the Cat's Table.He describes how he nearly drowned in the flood waters of a huge concrete drain in the school and was saved by an older student.These drains would become mini rivers during <br />monsoons.<br /><br /> I believe the boarding has now downsized.It's a pity as this was a noble institution within an even nobler institution.<br /><br />Kumar Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-35947544420372441482016-04-12T22:04:32.482-07:002016-04-12T22:04:32.482-07:00This is about the third time I read about ND's...This is about the third time I read about ND's hostel life at Wesley. I must however add that I always read ND's articles more than once. My special affinity for this particular article is because it takes me back to a two year period in 1975 - 1977 when my young family lived in a rented apartment at Karlshrue Gardens, just behind Wesley College.<br /><br />I have already written about how I missed being a Wesleyite by a whisker. But I reproduce here an extract from a chapter in my "Memoirs".<br /><br />"My father was very keen to admit me to Royal College, but in addition to Royal, he also sent in an application to Wesley College and on my request, to Ananda College as well. Royal College turned down my application on the grounds that I had to be 10 years and 6 months of age on January 1st 1952. I was underage by about three months. I faced the admission tests at Wesley and Ananda and was successful in both. I probably would have had my own religion in mind when I opted for Ananda – the premier Buddhist educational institution".<br />Lucky Abeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14193645922522446176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-42164741599470414092016-04-11T23:10:04.131-07:002016-04-11T23:10:04.131-07:00Nihal,
A feature of all your articles I've rea...Nihal,<br />A feature of all your articles I've read so far- has been a consistent, glaring honesty.<br />The beauty of it is that your remarkable writing ability makes even 'warts' fade into insignificance.<br />(the lice and the toe-jam did give me a chuckle)!!<br />Nothing in life is perfect -but honesty is a great attribute to be admired.<br />Thanks for your comment ND. <br /><br /> Rohini Anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14415723772964781031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-74857420140550100632016-04-11T10:19:25.537-07:002016-04-11T10:19:25.537-07:00Mahen
As always you give encouragement to the many...Mahen<br />As always you give encouragement to the many who contribute to our Blog. Thank you for the kind comments and glad you like my story from way back. <br />Do write about the Rag. At the time I didnt mind it but on looking back it was a blank cheque for masochists and sadists. Should never be allowed. So much better to have a welcoming party for the new entrants and give them a hand to integrate. It appals me that Rags still go on in SL despite deaths and serious injury.Dr Nihal D Amerasekerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583970465135902534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-79975164181963525262016-04-11T09:23:48.729-07:002016-04-11T09:23:48.729-07:00Thanks ND yet again! I said it once, I said it twi...Thanks ND yet again! I said it once, I said it twice and I said it again..... and again..... you should write a book! It would become a best seller without any doubt. Your literary talent, the ability to "draw on canvas" with words is amazing. When I read your account, images of my own childhood reappeared before me as there were so many things I could relate to although I have never been boarded as a school boy. I often wondered about how hard it must be for a child in his tender formative years to be boarded, away from his loved ones, to become a sort of pseudo orphan. Like with so many things in life, there are good aspects, bad aspects and ugly aspects I suppose. In my case I try not to reminisce too much as I firmly believe that we must move on....but may be I am missing something! One of these days, I shall post something about the terror and fear I experienced during the Rag. I thought then and my view remains unchanged that the Rag, which is an excuse to justify inexcusable cruelty should have been banned and the ban strictly enforced. It was the playground for sadists, chaps with chips (on their shoulders) and deviants to run riot. Mahendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11940825368030959494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-28674267356271003882016-04-11T03:32:16.611-07:002016-04-11T03:32:16.611-07:00Zita
Thank you for those lavish compliments which ...Zita<br />Thank you for those lavish compliments which I do not deserve. You are a very kind person helping us to keep in touch.<br />NihalDr Nihal D Amerasekerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583970465135902534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-24700610290752274822016-04-11T01:56:42.597-07:002016-04-11T01:56:42.597-07:00Nihal, reading this account of your childhood and ...Nihal, reading this account of your childhood and teenage years was indeed like reading Jane Eyre. The language is unique and you create vivid pictures in our minds. We share your emotions. The story rolls over smoothly and indeed we become more than just spectators. Thanks for letting us share your experiences of those golden years 60 or so years ago. Zita Zitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14985029776566371971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-69681919960926835672016-04-11T01:01:34.381-07:002016-04-11T01:01:34.381-07:00Razaque
As always it is good to get your feedback....Razaque<br />As always it is good to get your feedback. I know all your family went to Wesley and you were the odd man out. Your father captained the school cricket team. I remember your elder brother who was a fine hurdler and also a boxer. We will forgive you for not being an elite Wesleyite like the rest of your family.<br />But May be next time around!!<br />Regards to you and the family<br />NDDr Nihal D Amerasekerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583970465135902534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-1532755875605779772016-04-11T01:01:08.945-07:002016-04-11T01:01:08.945-07:00Hi 'Anonymous',
I do not know who I am r...Hi 'Anonymous', <br />I do not know who I am replying to? Please identify.<br />Nevertheless, I do not know of any Prefects who was a boarder as well. Non of my family were boarders & as for prefects, only my sister who was House Captain and School Vice Captain ---- I am not sure what 'vices' she was up to if any???<br /><br />RazaqueRazaque aka RAZ.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-825986846588433922016-04-11T00:56:14.345-07:002016-04-11T00:56:14.345-07:00Mr Anonymous must be the one and only Indra Ananda...Mr Anonymous must be the one and only Indra Anandasabapathy. Greetings!! Razzark from the boarding was a prefect. He was the Whizz kid who won the "Do you know contests" held by Radio Ceylon and also the "Spelling Bee". He went into teaching and was a teacher at Zahira College until he retired. He was an active and vociferous member of the Old Boys union. Now he leads a quiet life and taking a well earned rest. I do not have any contact details.<br /> Its good to hear from you, Indra. Dr Nihal D Amerasekerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583970465135902534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-5607643885710153912016-04-10T18:32:36.212-07:002016-04-10T18:32:36.212-07:00Do you remember a boarder who was also a prefect ,...Do you remember a boarder who was also a prefect , Razzack.Wonder where he is, very nice guy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-64948698579978033212016-04-10T10:51:10.882-07:002016-04-10T10:51:10.882-07:00Hi ND,
I read through your days as a school boarde...Hi ND,<br />I read through your days as a school boarder @ WESLEY with great interest. I remember my Dad relating stories of his days as a boarder at Wesley College although his family home was only 200yards away at 22, Norris Avenue. The reason this was so was because my Grand Dad was posted at Badulla during my Dad's schooling days as the Senior Shroff /Accountant with the Health Dept. until he was latterly the Chief Accountant at The General Hospital Colombo -- when my dad left the Hostel and no more boarding!!! Just as you describe he too was 'nicking' mangoes, papaws etc with his mates from the neighbouring premises - that was the order of the day I presume!!. <br />I did not have the 'pleasure' of being a hosteller as I lived all my school and Med School years at home with my parents & siblings. I may have missed that aspect of life but made up after qualifying moving around as a Bedouin -- having moved home 13 times at the last count.<br />......NOW AWAITING THE FINAL RESTING PLACE!!!.....<br /> <br />RazRaz Ahamatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-57057030467344943932016-04-10T00:49:02.831-07:002016-04-10T00:49:02.831-07:00Rohini
Thank you for those kind comments. It is a...Rohini<br />Thank you for those kind comments. It is a handsome compliment from a person who writes with such an impressive style. Rohini, it is a pity you cannot find the time to write a piece for us in the Blog. <br />I have now bared many aspects of my life on this Blog!! Some may call it boastful exhibitionism. I would say it is my way of saying how imperfect and varied life can be, at times. What you see is not what you get!! <br />Take careDr Nihal D Amerasekerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583970465135902534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647561953942883640.post-89887719672540962612016-04-09T15:12:55.595-07:002016-04-09T15:12:55.595-07:00Nihal, the opening of your tale with the unforgett...Nihal, the opening of your tale with the unforgettable opening lines of the 'Tale of Two Cities' is so apt and would resonate with the unsettled adolescent years of many.This is one of my favourite passages from Charles Dickens. <br />I must say the rest of your tale matches its eloquence. Rohini Anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14415723772964781031noreply@blogger.com