CMS Tyndale Biscoe ^School

Cross Country Run - Ravish Mehra

The annual cross country run was another one of those events that made Tyndale Biscoe School different that any other
I can think of.. Running through the streets of Srinagar, Crossing the Bund on the banks of Jehlum, passing right outside the doors of our biggest rivals (BURN HALL SCHOOL)...climbing the Shankracharya hill (cursing everybody from Eric Biscoe to J M Ray to our parents for putting us through this misery)... the amazement at the first guy who is already on his way back while you have just started at the base of the hill, the ecstacy of reaching the top to get the stamp on the hand, the way back with very few people around ( ashord ride on the back of a bicycle somewhere in between) and finally the horror of reaching bck in the Janta Batch....
I feel one of my biggest achievements in school was reaching in the 4th batch when I was in class 9th.. I still cannot forget that day..
For all the other years it was always JANTA

Comments (3) 2007.09.09. 22:51

Dal Cross - Bhawani Kaul

Dal Cross

This is another one of my fond memories. My affinity with water started because of my elder brother Sumir. He was a good swimmer and I was also expected to come up to that mark. So I remember in 4th class I did my Tank-Pass (with great difficulty).

The next year in 5th I went for round the boats. I remember the line up of the boats we were supposed to go around three times or so. It was frustrating to be swimming so near to the boats and at the same time not touch them. Then the next step was one mile. It was a glorious sunny day and the good thing was that I could see the destination from Gagri-Bal (Nehru park). So while swimming, I kept on viewing the destination to give me confidence to finish one mile.

My first attempt at Dal cross was a failure. I guess, I swam little bit further from Kotar Khana (Centaur hotel did not exist then) and that was it. I was too exhausted and cold and couldnt think of going any further. I climbed the boat escorting me and the boat master Amin Mangloo started consoling me that is was okay and I could do it the next year.

In 6th and I was determined to do the Dal Cross. In the morning we assembled at Gagri-Bal (Nehru park) and we were given some meat and Kandir Wan choche. After that it was applying oam teel (mustard oil) liberally on our bodies to give us some amount of insulation from the water and to keep the skin from peeling off because of extended exposure to water.

As luck would have it, it was a cold windy day. Anyway, I entered the water with one thing in mind.. I had to get the Dal Cross certificate. I started swimming with Master Nazir Ahmed's boat. I guess we were both in the same house and he was determined to make it happen for the house. Initially around Kotar Khana he started throwing Kulchas in the water for me to eat. By the time I would reach the Kulchas, they would be soaked in water. So after a few tasteless bites, I decided not to have any more of the stuff. Master Nazir asked me why I was not eating and I told him frankly that the Kulchas tasted awful after getting soaked. He asked me Teli Kya Khyak what will you eat the. I replied Maaz Bhat. So he started feeding me rice and meat from his own trami (tiffin) with his hand since I was not supposed to touch the boat. I can never forget that kind act. Around Char Chinari I started feeling tired and resorted to back stroke.the only stroke that was natural to me. There were problems with the back stroke; it was difficult for me to keep going in a straight line since I couldn't see the direction to my destination. So I was zig-zagging which was frustrating the rowers of the boat escorting me.

Because of my first unsuccessful attempt at Dal-Cross, my brother had showed me how to relax in water. Basically you just stretch out, take a slow deep breath and roll inside water. This helped me to relax my muscles and in due time I was at Wunt Kadal and my dream to complete Dal Cross was accomplished.

Comments (3) 2007.09.09. 22:46

Annual Camp at Pahalgam - Bhawani Kaul

To think of it now, every day, every activity, in Biscoe school has become a fond memory.

Let me share my memories about the annual camp in Pahalgam. I guess I was in 7th class. To start with we had to deposit dry rations with Ghulam Nabi, the tuck shop sahab. Then the day came when we had to depart for Pahalgam. The busses were to leave from the school grounds. We reached Pahalgam sometime in the afternoon and started downloading our bedding, clothing, etc.

The first thing I observed was that the campsite was on a plateau and there was a steep climb to reach it. Well there were no options and I started dragging myself....holdall on my right shoulder, attache and Ganj Bhane in my left hand. Finally on the top we were allocated tents and what a relief it was to have hot tea served by Ghulam Nabi in the afternoon. This was our first day so we were not supposed to be trekking etc that day. In the next couple of days we went trekking to Aru, Fraslan, Baisaran etc. After a tiring trek, the reward was the afternoon tea and later on supper and my favorite would be mutton curry with rice cooked by Ghulam Nabi.

Then it would be gossip etc before we would hit the bed (che chaya pata Soda han che anmich beer). In the later days some of us mustered the strength to play cards with some "Phutwoot" under candle light (true to Kashmiri culture). We were caught red handed and the card deck and the Phutwoot was confiscated and we were told to remain standing outside the tent through the night as a punishment. By 1 am I was freezing. I guess around 3am the camp master took pity at us and allowed us to get into our tents with the warning "Kole shikas ladaw beye gindve zaar". True to Ham nahi badlegey or sudregey. we continued next evening with a new set of cards and the same old candle.....

The one difficult thing about camping was personal hygiene. I think I would only take one or two baths in 7 days. Well the reason was that we had to go to Lidder and people who have been to Pahalgam know how cold the water is especially at 7 am! In fact the water would feel no different from extremely hot water and I guess that is where the term Teri Seyt Dazun (burning in cold) comes from. Also Lidder was a dangerous river with strong flow and massive boulders in it. My elder brother on one of the camping trips had slipped and fallen into the water. Luckily he was a good swimmer and was able to reach a boulder till rescue came. I know after that he would not take Lidder for granted.

On one of the mornings Master Rajinder, whom we knew to posses a colorful personality, observed some.... how should I put it...some nice looking Indian tourists taking a stroll. So he framed a new slogan..... "Kale Kale; Dil Wale" (since he had a dark complexion) and asked us to shout at the top of our lungs. Apparently the tourists got our message loud and clear.

On the 5th day we were supposed to go to the high camp which was a small valley on the other side of Chandanwari. Half of this valley was covered by a stream fed from a glacier. This was a grueling 10+ hours trek. On the way Mr.J M Ray identified some of peaks around that area. We reached the high camp at around 6pm and we were told to have our supper and retire because next morning we would be crossing a ridge and head towards Chandanwari and then all the way to Pahalgam. So after supper we took a short stroll looking for crystals under the glacier and finally retired to our tents.

At around 8 pm we started hearing thunder. Within 30 minutes it started raining like crazy ... probably a cloud burst which is very common in higher reaches around Lidderwat. In another 30 minutes our beddings were floating in water. The more observant ones shouted Khodaya.aab ha !! The stream in the valley had swollen and flooded the valley. The teachers came to the tents and asked us to leave everything and form into a group outside. Man oh man....was I miserable...tired..... Totally drenched..... Cold....shivering... It was already dark and with the torrents of rain the visibility was at most 2-3 meters.

Somehow the teachers had found some Gujjars and they guided us into the sheds where they keep their animals in summer. There was hardly any space to sit... forget sleeping, but it was a welcome change from being swept in the flood in the valley below. Next morning true to the Biscoe spirit we acted as if nothing had happened and after morning chai and boiled eggs started towards Chandanwari. It was a beautiful day and as the day warmed, out clothes started drying. While crossing the ridge, we sighted a majestic bird which seemed like a big eagle with massive wing span to us. Mr Ray declared it as a Condor... The Chandanwari side was very beautiful with more veratation.

At around 2pm we stopped by the river to have lunch. After lunch some boys started Kashmiri mousiki. In fact they were able to get a "Not" (big earthen vessel) from a local gujjar and like true fankars started singing and playing the Not. I can never forget that scene. Willows....water gushing by......Kashmiri chakri.... Well all good things come to an end and we started marching towards Fraslan at around 4 pm. On the way, we had some amazing Lassi or Gurus from Gujjars. The best thirst quencher I had.

Back at Pahalgam we straight away hit the bunks till supper. Next night was campfire................

Comments (0) 2007.09.09. 22:43

My memories of Biscoe - Class 8th - Ashwani Kaul

Class 8^th was a watershed of sorts My jump to teenage and everything else that comes with it adrenaline, disregard for authority, exploration into various areas that till then were out of my purview. 8^th A up on the top floor of the main building next to the "pole", overlooking the volleyball court doors with glass on the top a more open classroom as compared to the "tucked away" 7^th A down the alley next to the "Drawing class" and the headmaster's office.

The openness was evident in more ways than one I broadened my horizons of thought realized the need for individuality not to be another drone controlled, subjugated and manipulated by the teaching establishment.

It was a good year the becoming of "in all things be men". The teachers now were having a tough time dealing with us acts that needed disciplining were not confined to homework issues or being late they had reached a new plane. Insubordination, not accepting the status quo, challenging rules, authority and the people that created and enforced these arcane rules set in the dark ages. It was bitter sweet for us we had fun and paid heavily too.
I would still categorize our behavior that year to be mild considering what was coming along in the next 2 years in our 9^th and 10^th class. [Keep in mind that my batch was the only batch that did not have a farewell in the 100+ year long history of the school].
Things were only going to get hotter!

The year was also significant on a personal front I finally passed the swimming test no more freezing in the cold for me but landed me in the additional trouble of going to the Dal lake every Wednesday well you cannot have everything!

I forget where we went to excursion that year someone remind me maybe it was Gangabal I have some stories from that trip too, but I will catalog them later.

Comments (5) 2007.09.09. 22:39

My memories of Biscoe - Class 7th - Ashwani Kaul

Class 7^th was a blur I moved to the A section now guess the school had high hopes for me now, but I was still struggling to adjust to the new environment. The shielded and protected environment of my former school had suddenly transformed to the "wild west" kind of environment at Biscoe.

The year would go by so quickly starting with the "cross-country run" in March a gradually increasing run from Biscoe to the top of Shakracharya hill and back. The beginning of this race was tough, but the time the month of March wore on, the winter laziness had shed itself from our bodies and we were ready to take on the grueling year of extra-curricular activities. These activities would comprise half of our report card for the year that was the level of importance associated with them.

The "cross-country" was followed by the opening of the pool in May cold it was, but we had to be men and take it on. The lack of facilities meant that we had to freeze off in the open once we came out of the freezing water and dry ourselves in the cold spring air. Well, made us stronger no complaints there. The water sports continued through the year with the pool closing in September or October (forget which) the Wednesday regattas the "Head of the River Race" the various swims "Round the boat" 1 mile 2 mile Dal Cross all would keep you busy whether you participated or not. It was a fun time of sun burns, kulchas and long days in the water. The (un)clean waters of the Dal were a second playground for most.

I was a non-swimmer that year and had to face the brunt of the Headmaster's wrath Mr. T.N. Kaul. I was a point against the Champions trophy for Tatakoti ! Well, I tried hard, but swimming really was not my cup of tea. I had to stay late on our house days (Thursdays, I guess) and swim. The cold evening air especially in the fall (autumn) would freeze me to death. Somehow I survived that year and also learnt most of the life survival techniques that I still use today.

In addition to the water sports, trekking was big our 'class picnics' were long 3 day treks going up to 14,000 feet some picnic indeed. We used to laugh when we would see signs like "Burnhall school was here" on our first rest stop on our picnics apparently that was Burnhall's final destination ! They tried to keep up but never could really compete with us Men !.

The annual camp was a significant yearly event would go on for a week or so food, trekking, exhaustion, messy dirty bodies and sound sleep. High camps were cold, but the morning halwa was the best tasting halwa ever. Kudos Mr. Vakil for organizing most of those high camps. I have a lot of camp stories and picnic stories but I will write them separately.

The year would close with the Zabarwan, Twin Peaks trek for the whole school in the fall nice easy trek, unless you were wearing one of those "Action" shoes that were a rage in the 80's slipping and sliding on the pine needles taking ten steps back for every one forward made for a difficult advance.

And of course the final exams dreaded by some and loved by the others (who ?) and a long 3 month winter vacation Pherans and Kangris. Some would ski in Gulmarg, but I never did regret it now.

Comments (2) 2007.09.09. 22:35

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