Amir Sir

The most cheerful, helpful and the funniest character that I’ve ever come across in my life is Late Amir Sir. Since my early school days at the tender age of seven or eight I had this beautiful opportunity to get up close with him, the relation which would last for twenty three long years. He had been an ideal person in my life who taught me to live life without taming any kind of expectations and without complaining about this and that. Life is a roller coaster but with his companionship I think I never went down, it was literally only the ups.

In our early school days Amir sir used to be the most dreaded teachers of all. He was then considered to be the most ruthless teacher however as time passed by and after leaving Fairy Land School, it was then when I would go back through the vista of years gone by and realize that, If it wouldn’t have been for his strictness I would have easily gone to become a spoilt brat. Luckily he was there to pave me a way to a disciplined life ahead and I cannot thank him more, may some medium deliver my token of appreciation to him up there where he’s resting in peace leaving all the chaos and troubles at bay.

As a kid I still remember going for grocery to the market and each time we went he would take me to Tshering Didi’s restaurant to have momo. Back then nothing would be more ecstatic other than to eat momo. This trend continued even when I went to Darjeeling with him. He really knew well to keep children happy and disciplined at the same time. While at school on weekends or after school hours, we were always there with our ears widened to hear Amir Sir call our name and telling us to get dressed to go for the market. Taking all of us would not be possible hence he would call a single name and whoever was called, it was like winning a battle. Going out with him would insure our favourite dish, taxi ride and a lot of fun talking.

But in class, if we were unable to finish the lessons, it would be a day equalling death. We would be spanked with that famous black stick and on top of that, the nervousness created by fear would add more trouble and spoil everything. Getting spanked was then inevitable and no one would be spared and this particular memory is making me grin right now. Alas! He is no more, may his soul rest in peace.

I remember one more important experience with Amir sir. I was in the 10th grade and our S.L.C. was at the door. Amir sir had promised to buy me a tape recorder cassette of my choice if I passed the test. I passed and he took me to newroad as he had promised. I chose Michael learns to rock greatest hits album which at that time cost one hundred and twenty five. It was bought at Tik N’ Tok Newroad which I feel like it was only yesterday.

One Saturday morning I received a call and it was Amrit Dai. He said that Amir sir is no more, I did not believe him at first because he was in the best of his health and I had known that he had been following yoga off lately. I thought Amrit dai misinformed or he too might not have heard the news properly. I felt the surrounding blacken and a chill ran down my spine, could not lift myself up off the bed but somehow managed to get up and leave.

As I stepped out in the early fresh morning, I saw the smiling, bright face of Amir sir in the clear blue sky like they show in movies, The feeling was surreal and thinking of his demise was way out of my belief. Finally I had to accept the untimely death of a good person, the absence which will never be compensated by anyone. I started recalling the last time that I had met him. Only a couple of weeks back I had met him on the street where he was again walking with a small boy who obviously had to be a student like us in the days long gone. After that particular meeting, I had once visited the hostel but sadly he had been out. The following weekend I came to hear about this bad news. I totally regretted for not being able to see him on a recent occasion. I missed him and will always do so.

Back in Darjeeling a lot of people had gathered at his house. The ambulance carrying the dead body arrived late in the evening. After taking the dead body out of the coffin it was placed in a room with candles and incense sticks lit for the whole night. I did not have the guts to look at the body sleeping in peace which would never wake up again. The following morning I had to leave for Kathmandu due to some circumstances and could not avail myself for the final rituals. What good might it be to attend the funeral when he was no more; I thought and consoled myself while returning.

Lastly I have no complain to the almighty for snatching Amir sir away from me because I had my share of life with him though it was too little. Some beautiful moments have been spent with him, which I would reminisce every single moment of my life now onwards. For, he is one of the most important and influential person in my life, missing him is evident. I’ll pray to the Gods to give enough strength to his family to cope up with this terrible disaster and wish his soul a peaceful rest.