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The number of marks obtained in the mark sheet may not be remembered with time, but the school bell, recess, pranks played with friends, scoldings by teachers and stories from the classroom remain with us throughout our life. Prime Video’s new series ‘Adarsh Bal Vidyalaya’ also raises questions on today’s education system with the help of these memories.
In a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, KK Menon, Naveen Kasturia, Archana Puran Singh, Sameer Saxena and Himank Gaur refreshed the memories of their school days. During the conversation, sometimes everyone was seen laughing, and sometimes serious issues regarding good teachers and the education system also came up.
‘There was a wait for recess, the biggest tension was the unit test’ When all the artists were asked what was their first memory of school, the answer was similar to that of almost every person who has lived the school life. Naveen Kasturia smilingly said that the first thing he misses is the recess. I used to wait for that the whole day because that was the time to have fun openly with friends.
At that age, the biggest tension was of unit test. It seemed that somehow the test would end, then life would become easier for a few days. Whereas KK Menon told that he liked history the most during his school days. Even today, he enjoys reading history and knowing things related to it.
Someone’s dream was to become an air hostess, while someone wanted to become a train driver. When the talk reached childhood dreams, everyone’s answer was different. Archana Puran Singh laughingly told that in her childhood she wanted to become an air hostess. The reason was also interesting. She used to think that air hostesses get to travel the world and have lots of chocolates. Later he started feeling like becoming a teacher.
KK Menon told that in his childhood he wanted to become a train driver. He was always surprised to see locomotives and big vehicles and how they were driven. Naveen Kasturia said that till class six his dream was to become an actor. Later, preparations for IIT started, but the attraction of films never ended.
Some teacher had a stick, someone used to tell the story of Dracula As soon as the school teachers were mentioned, the entire star cast started telling their stories. Sameer Saxena told that in his school, as soon as a teacher came to class, he used to make the noisy children stand in a line and slap them one by one. Today I laugh remembering that incident. KK Menon said that in his time there were different methods of giving punishment. Someone used to throw chalk, someone used to throw duster, and someone used to make one stand by holding the ear. Archana Puran Singh remembered her English teacher, who used to tell Dracula stories while studying. The whole class waited to hear his story.
Whereas Sameer Saxena told that his PT teacher used to narrate stories of horror films instead of making him play games.
There was an open discussion on cheating also. During the conversation, stories of board exams and cheating also came up. Naveen Kasturia laughingly admitted that he had somehow passed the 12th Physics exam. Meanwhile, KK Menon narrated a funny story that once the student sitting behind him had copied out the entire answer after looking at his answer sheet and in the end both of them were caught. However, Archana Puran Singh said that even thinking about cheating was considered wrong in her school.
‘The best people will become teachers, only then the country will change’ Amidst the fun and memories, the conversation also reached serious issues of the education system. Naveen Kasturia said that if the country has to move forward then the job of a teacher should be the most respected. The most capable people will come into this profession only with good salary and respect. KK Menon also took the same point forward and said that there has been a tradition of Guru in India, but gradually we have reduced the respect given to teachers.
He believes that both the respect and economic condition of teachers in the society should be better. Archana Puran Singh said that children should not only be prepared to get good marks, but there should be equal emphasis on making them good humans.
‘People will not only laugh, they will also remember their childhood.’ The starcast believes that ‘Adarsh Bal Vidyalaya’ is not just a light comedy. Through this, many important questions have been raised on the education system, teachers, relationships between children and parents. Himank Gaur said that everyone will definitely see some character from their school in the show. Whereas Sameer Saxena believes that the situations shown in it may seem funny, but the truths of life are hidden behind them. Concluding the conversation, KK Menon said that good stories not only entertain but also leave questions in the minds of the audience. The same effort is also being made by ‘Adarsh Bal Vidyalaya’.
