" Quiet!" "Mohan whistled." " The gardener is coming !" "Run !" "Idiot, get down soon, or the Gardener's stick will be on your head." "Wait, Ajay." "Don't leave me alone and run away." "You steal everyday and run away." "I caught you today." "Get down !" "I'll teach you a lesson for stealing mangoes!" " I didn't take any mangoes." " But I will break your leg !" " Get down !" " Gardener, please!" "Why did you climb the tree?" "To look into the distance?" " Gardener!" " I was waiting to nab you !" "I won't spare you today." "God !" "So you are hiding there?" "You cannot escape me!" "I'll break your bones!" "Bhola, get down quickly and run away!" "Channa, Ramanna, come quickly!" "Oh my God !" "Hey look!" "A boat." " The goods are ready." " And so are we!" "Idea !" "The boat has come." "Boatman, hurry!" "Ajay, come back, that boat is too crowded." "He has become a bandit!" "If he continues like this, someone will lose his life." "Look what he's done to him." "See how much I have bled from the nose, sir." "I won't survive now." "He roams around as their chief." "You are being unwise, Mr. Ramapati." "Everyone loves their kids ..." "... Butyouhavepamperedhim." " Sir!" " Who is it?" "I have been ruined, sir!" "What happened?" "I was taking bananas to sell in the market." "Your son flicked them." "I have lost my day's earnings, sir." "That's another complaint!" " How much were your bananas worth?" " Atleast Rs. 5, sir." "How much and for how long will you compensate people?" "Why don't you do something about it?" "Give him a few tight slaps, he'll come to his senses." "Yes, even devils are afraid of beatings." "Henceforth, you won't have cause for complain." "I'll teach him a lesson he'll remember all his life!" "Alright..." "let'sgo ." "If uncle sees, all my day's happiness will fizzle out." "I'm going." "Where were you for so long?" "Tell me!" "Tell me!" "Why are you quiet now?" "You naughty fellow!" "You act a timid cat at home, and are up to pranks outside all day!" "Where were you?" "You are such a pain !" "Naughty prankster!" "You don't study at all, just play all day." "You won a cup?" "Come here!" "Sit to study!" "And don't get up till 10 o'clock." "The whole village comes to complain about you." "Those who are not worthy of talking to, ..." "... I haveto quietly listen to their sermons." "But you don't feel ashamed." "Brazen fellow!" "Sister-in-law!" "Ajay won't be given dinner today." "He should be punished." "They created an issue of such a small matter." "They say my pampering has spoilt the child." "I thrash him like he is my enemy." "Mom, it's 10 o'clock." "Mom, it's 10 o'clock." "Give me dinner." "I'm very hungry." "I have run a lot today." "Do you know mom, I won the swimming competition." "I won a big cup." "I'll show it to you after dinner." " What happened?" "Give me dinner." " You won't get dinner today." " Why?" " Ask your uncle." "Oh, so this order is from the master." "He will beat me a lot now." "Great!" "Just because I said something, uncle got angry." "When he beats my back black and blue, you never complain." "Everyone is my enemy!" "Damn !" " Has Ajay eaten?" " No." " Is he sleeping?" " No." " Then?" " You forbade it." " You didn't eat anything." " No." "I'm not hungry." "Sister-in-law, listen." "Ajay is not concentrating on his studies." "He is only up to mischief all day." "So I am thinking of admitting him to some hostel in the city." "He will study there, and all the rules will reform him." "What do you think?" "Whatever you deem fit." "What can I say?" "No, it's not that." "What I meant was, ..." "... willsendinghim awayhurt you?" "I will bear any pain for his good." "You only will have to convince him." "He won't listen to me." "Convince him somehow." "Oh yes!" "Ajay won a cup today." "Take, keep it carefully." "Ajay, sleep properly." "Mom." "No, no!" "I said no!" "I won't go." "Never!" "If you don't go, your uncle will be hurt." "So let him, Who cares for him!" "You don't know how much he loves you." "Love?" "Is this his love?" "He always beats me." "I'll thrash him one day!" " Atleast listen to me, son." " I won't listen to anyone." " Not even me?" " No!" "When the son doesn't listen to his mother ..." "... whocanthe mother share her sorrow with?" "Do what you like." "I will never tell you anything." "They will send me to the city." "They have even bought a suitcase." "Mom... . . mom." "Ajay will go." "Bless you, son." "Study well." "Don't fight with anyone there." "Be friends with everyone." "Hurry up son, Or the train will leave." "Raju, keep the luggage in the cart." "Come, son." "Don't forget your mother." "Do write to me." "Come soon, Ajay." "Don't forget your old friends just because you make new friends." "How can I forget you?" "Ensure our team never loses." " When will you return, Ajay?" " Whenever you think of me." "Don't cry Baiju, I'll return soon." "Ajay, hurry up, we are getting late." "What is the matter, Ganesh?" " Is that Ravi?" " Yes." "A new bird has come to the zoo." "How is he?" "Will we be able to have some fun?" "He looks a dud." "I thought we must welcome him." " Which room will he be given?" " I think the room upstairs." "He'll be given the seat that got vacated." "We are prepared, let him come." " What happened, Ravi?" " It will happen now." "The welcome of a new bird !" "Ramu, take his luggage to room 3." "Ajay, you also go with him." "Sir, look after this boy." "Mischievous boys ..." "Don't worry, our boys are not mischievous." "He's come!" "What is all the noise about?" " It's nothing, sir." " Then how come you are bleeding?" " Who beat you?" " No one did, sir." "Then what happened?" "As soon as I came out of the door with a pot of water, ..." "... I bangedintothisboy." "And you created such a ruckus!" "You'll can't think of anything else except creating a ruckus." "Go back to your room!" "Are you hurt?" "That room in the corner is Ajay's." "Go." "Nice room." "That's your bed." "Remove your wet clothes." " You all live here?" " Yes." "Take care of my Ajay." "He has stepped out of the house alone for the first time." "Don't worry, we'll manage everything." "Ajay, it's time for my train, I'll be going." "Be friends with everyone." "Study well." "Okay?" "What else do I say?" "You are a sensible boy." "Here's Rs. 10 for your expenses." "Bye." "Sleep under a mosquito net at night." "I'll be going now." "The separation scene was touching." "But the Rs. 10 wiped the tears." "My family never gives me more than Rs. 2..." "... evenif Icry todeath." "I think he loves Ajay very much." "You think he loves me?" "You may not believe it, but there was so much love in his voice." "He has even asked him to sleep under a mosquito net." "It may sound ordinary." "But if you think about it, it's a major feeling." "Only parents can be so concerned." "Why have you become so sad, Ajay?" "He must be missing his mother." "In the beginning,everyone feels hurt on being separated from his mother." " Were even you hurt?" " Why should he be?" "His mother steals and treats him to sweets everyday." "Oh, so your house is close by." "He doesn't have a home." "His mother lives in other people's homes." "The poor woman does people's dishes." "No, she cooks food." "There!" "We mentioned food, And the cook rang the bell." "Let's go." "Bring him along." " You have many caps." " You want them?" " No." " I have many, you can use them." " No, what will I do with them?" " Why?" "Don't you play football?" "Take." "Come Jay, let's have dinner." "Who is it?" "It's us." "Open the door." "Come." "Sit, Ajay." "How come you have come at such a late hour?" "What to do?" "We can slip out only after Kingkong falls asleep." "You don't know Kingkong yet?" "He's our municipality engine." "The superintendent." "You have got very good room mates." "The bell went and they went off to sleep." "Who says I was sleeping?" "It is these 2 who sleep, Shakti  Nirmal." "Who says I was sleeping?" "You talk such crap." "You should get your eyes checked." "Was I sleeping?" "Look!" "Was I sleeping?" "So you all were Pretending to be asleep?" "Hostel rules are such." "We have to close our eyes ..." "... assoonasthebellgoes." "And what if one is not sleepy?" "Then you should secretly entertain yourself with playing cards." "Ravi, shall I deal?" "No, we'll chat with Ajay today." "He's new, We'll get to know each other." "Didn't you get to know him when he came in the morning?" " That was his welcome." " What do you mean?" "You are still angry?" "Explain to him." " We are all your friends." " One for all, all for one." "Friends!" "Looks like someone is coming." "Wait, I'll check." " You haven't gone to bed yet?" " What do you see?" " I see something fishy." " You have sharp eyes." "Not only eyes, I have sharp ears too." " Who was talking in the room?" " I was." " With whom?" " He was listening to me." " Who?" " One who cannot be seen." "Oh, so you were praying?" "I am pleased to know I've found a good guy among brats." "Alright, switch off the lights and go to sleep." " You are a new student?" " Yes." "Come here." "He is hard of hearing, speak loudly." " Why did you lie to him?" " Watch." "This will be fun." "Which school are you from?" " From Usha Gram school." " Why are you shouting?" "Because you are hard of hearing." "You are making fun of me?" "You think I am deaf?" "Go and stand on the bench." "I am hard of hearing indeed !" "Not down, up on the bench." "Monitor, make him stand in the next period too." "The rascal !" "I am hard of heading?" " Why are you standing on the bench?" " He was making noise, sir." "Up to naughty pranks on the first day itself?" "He played the prank sir, not me." "The teacher punished me wrongly." "Punished wrongly?" "Have you come here to pick your teachers mistakes or to study?" "Not only naughty, you also seem to be brazen." "Stand straight!" "Boys, remove your note books." "Won't you go out during break?" "Won't you eat anything?" "No." "Don't you like school?" "Oh, I understand." "I was wrongly reprimanded in everyone's presence." "So why are you feeling embarrassed about it?" " You were innocent." " That is what hurts me." "I will ban beating in schools when I grow up." "You will do a very good thing." "But will you be on a hunger strike until you grow up?" "Here, have a mint?" "Take. .don't feel shy." "Take." "Take... eat." "Wow, this is a nice place." " You like it?" " Yes." "That's my swing." "Whenever everyone plays football, I come here alone and swing." "Is it?" "Even I will swing with you today." " Won't you go to play?" " No." "Don't you like playing?" "I do, but more than that, I like you." " Then we are friends from today." " Yes." "Come, let's swing." "Here!" "He's here." "You are here, and we have been looking for you." " Come and play." " I'm not coming." " Why?" " I will swing today." "You will swing instead of playing football?" "The swing is for this lame fellow." " Don't call Shakti lame." " What else do you call a lame boy?" " Nothing !" " Alright!" "What happened?" "The lame guy's magic worked on him?" "Beware!" "Don't call Shakti lame, or Ajay will get angry." "Look, none of you call Shakti lame anymore." "Or Ajay will make us lame." "No one call him lame, okay?" " Forget it, Ajay." " I will teach them a lesson !" "I am not offended by their words." "Forget it." "Ajay look, my mom is coming." "We'll do one thing." "Let's hide." "Mom will look for us." "It will be fun." "Where are you?" "Son !" "Where are you hiding?" " Where are you?" " I am here, mom." "Where?" "... where?" " Over here, mom." " Where?" " Over here." " You were hiding here?" "Sit down." "Look what I have brought for you today." "Mom, don't bring me all this." " Why?" " The boys tease me." " They say..." " What?" "They say you steal things and bring them for me." "Steal?" "Do you also believe so?" " No, mom." " Then why don't you give them back?" "We are poor, but we're not thieves." "But they don't listen to me." "Yes, you're right." "Those days are gone when someone would listen to us." "But know this, son." "I work for rich people." "They have a lot of leftovers." "I don't like such food, mom." "Even I don't like to bring things secretly like this." "But what do I do?" "I cannot hold myself back." "Who knew I will have to cook for others to make a living." "Don't be sad, mom." "These days will not last long." "I am living on that hope." "You will eliminate all my sorrow." "I will grow up and make money." "Then I won't let you work anywhere, mom." "We will have our own home, in which, you and me will always live together." "Then no one will be able to separate us." "No one." ""Let's go, mom"" ""Let's go mom, into the world of dreams"" ""Away from the thorns, in the shade of flowers"" ""The colourful weather is making gestures"" ""Let's go mom... "" ""Let's go together"" ""Where there is no sorrow, no pain"" ""The whispering winds are inviting us"" ""Let's go mom ... "" ""Be with me forever, mom"" ""May it never happen that we get separated"" ""We have to go very far"" ""Let's go mom ... "" "Come... .sitdown." "Mom, he is my friend, Ajay." "He is my room mate." "Is it?" "He's a nice boy." "Both of you share this." "I'll be going, I'm getting late." "Bye, son." "Take Ajay, have." "Your mom is very nice, Shakti." "She's just like my mom." "Lady, where do you disappear?" "Madam is fuming." " Why, what happened?" " She's in pain again." "She is screaming orders at us." "She wants medicine, and hot water." " I'll heat the water." " I already have." "Just take it to her and cool her down." "Did you hear that?" "Work and hear her abuses too!" "I cannot work here." "I will shout dying but these lazy servants won't show their faces." "Lata, go and see where they are." "There she comes." "So you have come, queen !" "Where were you until now?" "Why don't you speak?" "Got worms in your mouth?" "Look at her pose." "Why don't you dismiss her?" "I surely will." "You jinxed woman !" "You caused the death of your dear ones." "Now will kill me too?" "Why don't you speak?" "Why are you acting dumb?" "Where had you gone?" "I had gone to see my son." "How many times have I told you not to leave the chores and go anywhere." "But you never listen." "Next time you go to see your son, you'll see his dead face!" "God, you burnt me!" "You illiterate woman !" "You bitch !" "Beat me as much as you like, but please don't speak ill about my son." "Please don't!" "I won't go again." "Never." "Take her out of my sight!" "Come." " Why don't you eat?" " What do I eat?" "Is this food or horse shit?" "Wonder how you eat it." "What can we do?" "Hunger and habit makes us helpless." "Why don't you'll complain?" "We have complained to the Superintendent several times." "But who listens?" " Cook, give me one more fish." " There is no more fish." "No fish?" "Where did it go?" "There was so much fish." " It's finished." " He is a thief." "Go and look in the dish, You'll find many." "When there is none, How will you find it?" "Why are you fighting with him?" "Complain to the superintendent." "I surely will !" "Let's go, Shailesh." "Why bring me into the picture?" "I'll have to throw up whatever I've eaten." "I know you all." "None of you have the guts to speak the truth." "Shame on you all !" "Come, I'll come along." " Now go." " I will !" "I'm not scared." "Come." "Who is it?" "... .whatdo youwant?" " The cook doesn't give us fish." " What do you mean?" "A lot of fish had arrived." "But the cook says it is all over." "I didn't get even one." "Will you die if you don't get fish?" "You are so concerned about food, but not about your studies." "Go away!" "The cook doesn't give us good food." "Good food?" "What do you expect?" "Delicacies?" "You've only come yesterday and are already complaining." "Go away!" "The idiots!" "They don't even let me eat in peace." "They didn't get fish, so they came to eat my brains." "Get me sweets." "These boys spoilt my mood." " Who is it?" " It's me, Ganesh." "What is it?" "Sir, Ajay has collected everyone in the dinning room." "He is instigating them against you." " Who?" " Sir, Ajay." " Ajay?" " Yes." "You go, I'll look into it." "If we do this, they'll learn a lesson." "It's a nice idea, but who will bell the cat?" "That's the problem." "Whoever confronts him has had it!" "Why are you so scared?" "Will he eat you up?" "From the size of his stomach, it seems so." "You all are cowards." "If you are so brave, step forward." "I am ready, but it shouldn't happen that you ditch me the last minute." "We won't." "Think again." "What's going on here?" "Why haven't you all gone to bed?" " Why are you here?" " Ajay called us, sir." " What were you telling them?" " Nothing, sir." "Nothing?" "You're lying?" "You instigate the boys and say you did nothing?" "You brazen fellow!" " Don't beat me, sir." " I'll fizzle you out!" "Scram!" "It's all his mischief." "He was laughing." "How much he's beaten the poor guy." "Won't you speak even to us?" "Alright." " I will, but on one condition." "Will you heed me?" " Yes." " Then promise me." " I promise." "I will take revenge!" "This time, he will cry, and we will laugh." " Yes, sir?" " What is this you have cooked?" "There is salt in everything." "The food won't taste good without salt." "But so much, that everything tastes salty?" " Which idiot made you a cook?" " You did..." "Shut-up!" "Give me the sweet dish." "There is salt even in this." "Take!" " It was such fun... ." " Tell us the whole incident." "What do I say?" "Kingkong had to go hungry, and the cook got good !" " But our own man may betray us." " You mean, Ganesh?" " Yes." "Alright, we'll deal with him first." "Govind will help us." "Right, Govind?" "Sure." "And as soon I heard the whistle, I barged in." "They were all strong muscled men." "I didn't think, I just leapt forward." "I brought them all to ground." "I tied them all up ..." "... Andbroughtthemonthis very shoulder to the police station." "Look there... seemstobe someman ." " Man?" " Let's go and check." " Why is he lying in the street?" "Seems to be a corpse." " Corpse!" " You are not afraid, are you?" " No, why should I be?" "Stay here, I'll call someone from the hostel." " Come soon." " Yes." "Don't leave me alone!" " Sir... sir!" " Who is it?" " The police is here." " Police?" "There is a corpse lying outside your gate." " Corpse?" " Yes, a corpse." "A corpse at this hour?" "Call the boys." "What nuisance is this!" "You'll go." "All of you come!" "A corpse. . is. ." "lying... outside... Go and check." "Ramu, you also come." "Where is the corpse?" "This is not a corpse sir, he's Ganesh." "Get up!" "How did you come here?" "How did you reach here?" "I don't know, sir." "I was sleeping in my room, sir." "Ramu, take his bedding." "Come on inside all of you." " Who is it?" " Open the door." "Had you closed the door while sleeping?" "Yes, I myself closed it." "Ashok and Govind slept before me." "This seems to be the act of a ghost." "That is why they say, one must never answer calls at night." " It is ghosts who call you." " Shut-up!" "Don't talk rubbish !" "There are no ghosts." "Just let me catch hold of him!" "I'll give him a thrashing of his life!" "Tell me the truth, who played this prank?" " Do you know?" " No, sir." " Nirmal?" " No, sir." "You?" " And you?" " I think it was a ghost." "Shut-up!" "Don't talk nonsense." "There are no ghosts." "Go back to sleep." "Naughty fellows all !" "What did he say?" "Make a man out of the ghost?" "Ganesh has purchased a big lock." "He will lock himself at night." "That makes our task easier." "Water?" "Where did the water come from?" "What happened, sir?" "Why are you looking there, sir?" "Such a tall man, sir." "In white clothes." "It had big eyes and long teeth." "He was in the garden." "I saw him." "I've got goose bumps." "Look, sir." "I won't sleep in the room outside, sir." "Got scared?" "Why are you scared?" "It's okay." "If you are so scared ..." "... sleepin my room." "You all sleep." "Why are you scared?" "Don't be." " So, what do you think?" " I can't stop laughing." "Just wait, I'll show you another trick." "What's that?" " Have you ever seen this?" " What will you do with this?" "I'll hang this and ..." " Get some snuff too." " What for?" "We'll put it in his nose." "Ghost... .ghost!" "What happened?" " How is he feeling?" " Please send me home." "I cannot stay here a minute." "Alright, I'll make arrangements for your departure." "Where is Ramu?" "I think he left for his village out of fear." "What a nuisance!" "I'll do something." "Children, can you tell me where Brijnath high school is?" " Brijnath high school?" " Yes." " Go straight, and turn right." " Right?" "Yes, right there, is a gate, a big building." "That's the school." "But someone told me the school is close by." "That's why I didn't take a cab." "Alright." "Why did you misguide him?" "Why did he call me a child?" "I am not a child." "Give my banana !" "... headmaster!" "The headmaster has come." "This is the hostel, and these are the children's rooms." " Do you know who he is?" " No, sir." "He is your new superintendent, Mr. Shekhar." "Greetings, sir." "I have already met two of them." "Didn't I meet you in the street?" "Yet it was trouble reaching here?" "Yes, I mistook a direction." "But I am not making any mistake in knowing them." " What is your name?" " Shakti Chaudhary." " And yours?" " Ajay Mukherjee." "Alright Ajay, I'll talk some other time with you." "Come, I'll show you your room." "What happened, Ajay?" "Come Ajay, sit down." " Got caught the first day itself." " Yes!" "He was acting smart." "He'll learn his lesson now." "Why did you misguide me yesterday?" "... tellme." "I didn't sir, you must have made a mistake in the direction." "How?" "By right, I meant my right." "You took your right." "You played mischief, now you are also lying." "Have you got into the habit of lying?" " No sir." " Then?" "I was afraid of you." "You are a coward." "Your mischief made me think you were very brave." "But ..." "Why are you afraid of me?" "Look at me." "Do I look so fearsome?" "No, sir." "I am not afraid of you, I am afraid of your thrashing." "But why will I thrash you for no reason?" "Look, it is so simple now." "The reason of your fear is thrashing." "And the reason for thrashing is injustice." "That means, injustice makes you a coward." "I want to see my boys brave and fearless." "Not as cowards." "You understand... .good!" "So henceforth, never do something for which you have to lie ..." "... haveto be afraid." "Now go." "Is everything alright?" "What were you doing inside for so long?" " The same sermons." " Didn't he beat you?" "No, he said he doesn't want to beat anyone, scold anyone." "That makes boys cowards." "That he want his boys to be brave and fearless." "But first we want to see what he himself is, brave, or a coward." "Sure!" "Who is it?" "Who is it?" "So your name is Ravi?" " Yes." "Sit down." "You left your bed sheet out last night." "So you were posing as a ghost?" "But why?" "You want to scare me and enjoy the fun?" "Alright, assume I would really get scared." "What if I was more feeble hearted that the earlier superintendent?" "I could have died of fear." "Did you want to kill me?" "No sir." "Then before playing any prank, ..." "... givethoughttowhetheryour prank will harm the other person." "I don't mind pranks that are played to have a laugh." "But I don't like anything that harms someone." "Alright, think of some prank that is really funny." "But that doesn't harm anyone." "Tell me... why,can'tthinkofany?" " Shall I tell you?" " Yes." "Madan hasn't bathed since four days." "Shall we give him a bath?" " Is he sick?" " No, he hates cold water." "Is it?" "Then we must give him a bath." " Shall we?" " Yes." "For a healthy body, we must bathe." "All of you give him a forced bath." " Listen !" " What is it, sir?" " Your bed sheet." " Cook, hurry." " I'm serving, don't chew my brains." "You are abusing me?" "Quiet!" "Sir is coming !" " Sir, Nirmal is abusing me." " What did he say?" " Nirmal?" " I didn't abuse him, sir." "I just said Honolulu Philippine." "Alright, don't say that again." "Say ..." "Enough." "You have thought of a good idea to remember difficult words." "Now give me one such name." "We won't keep any names for you, sir." "We like you." "That means, I have not been defamed." "That's nice... cook, get even my meal here." " You will eat with us, sir?" " Why, any problem?" "It's not that." "The previous Superintendent never ate with us." "That makes me the first one." "Then I must get a reward from you all." "What will you all give me?" "Tell me?" "Why are you quiet?" "Can't you think of something?" "Surrender yourself to me." "I need you all." "' With you, I will make a new world'" "' Where a new man is born, who has energy in his very being'" "' New hopes, new life, new youth'" "Is this a poem, sir?" "Yes, it is a poem." "Don't you'll do recitations?" " Don't you'll do plays?" " No, sir." "This time, during holidays, we'll rehearse for a play." "Oh yes!" "It's Mahatma Gandhi's birthday after two weeks." "Do one thing." "Start writing a poem on him." "One whose poem is the best, will get an autobiography of the Mahatma." "What do you think?" "Wonderful idea, sir." "So many dishes for me?" "And what about the boys?" "Special food is made for you, sir." "Take it away... takeit." "Listen... fromtomorrow, make special food for everyone." "Sir, the cook makes tasteless food." "Cook, if you don't make good food, ..." "... I 'llhaveto make special arrangements for you." "But let me say this." "For good food, one needs good vegetables." "And that's possible only when you yourself will go to the bazaar." "We'll go to the bazaar!" "I'll go tomorrow, sir." " No sir, he'll steal." " Nonsense!" "Listen, by marketing yourself, you'll buy good vegetables." "And also save money." "With that money, we'll have a grand party every month." "Wonderful, sir!" "Sir, why didn't you come here before?" ""You gave us freedom without any bloodshed"" ""O saint of Sabarmati, you did a miracle"" ""Even in a storm, your torch kept burning"" ""O saint of Sabarmati ... . "" ""You fought a strange battle on earth"" ""Not a single shot was fired"" ""You didn't even attack the enemy's fort"" ""O saint, you did wonders"" ""You threw out the enemies from the country so easily"" ""O saint of Sabarmati ... "" ""The enemy was playing a smart game"" ""Throwing out the foreigners seemed a difficult task"" ""We were pitted against a strong and cunning enemy"" ""But Bapu, even you were an old hand"" ""You played a game that turned the tables"" ""O saint of Sabarmati ... "" ""Whenever you made a call, the soldiers came marching"" ""Laborers and farmers came marching"" ""Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Pathans, came marching"" ""Millions of lives walked along with you"" ""Leaving his comforts, even Jawaharlal came marching"" ""O saint of Sabarmati ... "" ""You believed in non-violence, and wore a loin cloth"" ""You moved among millions with your baton of truth"" ""You looked a feeble man"" ""But even mountains bowed before you"" ""You were a man par excellence"" ""O saint of Sabarmati ... "" ""If there is any guiding flame in this world, it is you, Bapu"" ""You gave up everything for the country"" ""You didn't ask for any rewards"" ""You bore pain and distributed happiness"" ""The day you were cremated, the whole world cried"" ""O saint of Sabarmati ... "" "Who is it?" " Ajay." " Tell me what I have brought." " Peanuts." " No." "Some new book?" "Then what have you brought?" "The picture we got clicked that day." " It's come so bad." " Why?" "It's a good picture." "Hadn't I said, that when I am not good, how can my picture be good?" " I'll tear it." " Why are you tearing it?" "Give it to me instead." "Then you give me your picture." "Take." "I don't know when I may be thrown out of the hostel." "This picture will remind you of me." "If you yourself want to get out, who can stop you?" "Our new sir is so good." "All the boys listen to him." " Except you." " Don't sermon me." "At first, everyone seems nice." "You get to see their true colours only later." "New sir indeed !" "Ajay, draw a pigtail." "Sit down." "Who is this?" "Me?" "Am I so ugly to look at?" " No sir, it's your cartoon." " But it hasn't come right." "Where are my glasses?" "Look, it should have been like this." "Sir can draw very well." "Isn't it proper now?" "Tell me, who drew this?" " Tell me." " Shall I, sir?" "No, the one drew it will himself tell." "I am confident my boys have the courage to speak the truth." " Tell me who drew it?" " I did, sir." "You did?" "Very good !" "I like honest boys." "Sit down." "Where do we have to begin from today?" "The results are so miserable!" "Is this how you teach the boys?" " We try our best." " And this is the result." "What reply will I give the secretary and the school committee?" "What can we do, sir?" "Today's students are such." "They just don't study." "In the class, they all speak a different language." " Can't you beat them?" " Beat them?" "Those days are gone." "Students don't respect their teachers anymore." "While going home, what if they have us stoned?" "Then send me the names of those mischief mongers." "I will rusticate them." "Then we'll have to give the names of all the students." "Because mischief is second nature to students." "I want to change their nature." "You cannot do that by rusticating, but by reforming them." "Reforming the bad is what education is all about." "Children's nature is like water that takes the easy course." "Our job is to give it the right direction, not let it go." "I think, it is not the boys, but we teachers who are responsible ..." "... fortheseresults." "How?" "Have you ever given a thought why the boys shy away from studies?" "The simple reason is that they don't find it interesting." "On the other hand, they enjoy sports and playing mischief." "If we make education interesting and easy like sports ..." "... theboyswilltake  an interest in studies." "Not only a suggestion, I have a whole scheme for it." "But to make it work, the boys will have to be given some freedom." "We will have to give them the right to criticize their teachers." "And also change many outdated methods of teaching." "Will you permit that?" "Sure." "I am ready to do anything in the interests of students." "Look!" "That poem on Punditji." "' A b c d e f g'" "' Punditji while in class'" "' Scares the students with his snoring'" "Is this reform?" "It's ruin !" "All will be punished !" "Wants reform indeed !" "I won't spare anyone!" "Let me see who comes to save them!" "I will ruin them all !" " What happened, Punditji?" " What happened?" "Like as if you know nothing." "have you seen the boy's board?" "They have all become poets." "They write critical poems on us." "They make fun of their teachers." "This is just the beginning." "Watch what happens further." "They write poems today, tomorrow, they will be rude to us." "Next, they will blow smoke into our face." "What a scheme!" "Would they have dared this earlier?" "I'd thrash them all !" "But as per the new scheme, we cannot beat the students." "We cannot punish them." "Great!" "Watch the consequences." "they will all turn into spoilt brats." "You are right." "I fell asleep teaching them the other day." "And these monkeys, as soon as they got a chance, set out to cremate me." "Anything can happen now." "I am a teacher since 30 years." "I have seen so many of my students become ..." "... judges,magistrates and collectors." "I am told today that I don't know to teach." "Take." "Teach?" "We can teach only if we have food in our stomach." "For the boys there is free food, sports, picnics." "But what have we got?" "The other day, I raised the issue of increments." "I was told there are no funds." "No funds?" "... doyouknowwho is responsible for this state of ours?" "He." "Mr. Shekhar, you made schemes for the boys." "Think of a scheme for us too." "You have clout here." "This is not only your problem, but mine too." "Even I am a teacher like you." "There is no point in holding me responsible." "We will have to rise to change our conditions." "We will have to present our demands to the authorities." "But that doesn't mean we can shun our duty." "Punditji, you cannot earn respect with terror, but with love." "You will have to know, understand, and love the boys." "We should share a bond of love, not fear, with the boys." "You hate the boys criticizing you." "But criticism has a dual advantage." "It sharpens the students minds, and you get to know your weaknesses." "The education system will gain from it." "Take the example of other countries." "What they have done for their students, ..." "... incomparison, we have done nothing." "Though it is true that getting this sudden freedom ..." "... hasmadethe boys go a little overboard." "But that behavior is akin to that of a hungry man ..." "... Whogets sweets after many days." "You forgive their small mistakes." "Then watch how soon they change themselves." "If you don't support it, no scheme will work." "The bell's gone, let's go." "Punditji, if you have found any of my words offensive, pardon me." " He's crazy." " Absolutely!" "That's what the world calls great men." "You also join him." "What are you waiting for?" "That's what I'm planning to do." "There is no point in complaining to the headmaster or secretary." "But I won't stop at that." "My complaint will go to the higher ups." "Watch it!" " Sir, you !" "Without informing us?" " I just came." " Take a seat." " No, let me see the classes first." "Let me see how the school is running." "Sure, come along." "Sir, what does ' cut' mean?" "First rote the spelling, I'll tell you the meaning later." "Study!" "Great!" "The teacher seems more interested in studying than the kids." "Despite the noise, he can study." "Come here!" "Hold your ears, pull out your tongue." " Now repeat, ' god... '" " God..." " I have committed a grave sin." " I have committed a grave sin." " Pardon me." " Pardon me." "Pull your tongue out!" "Punditji is helping sinners wash off their sins." " Where are the students?" " They may be outside." " They are having their drill?" " No, they must be studying outside." "Studying?" "... okay." "I saw what they are studying in the classroom." "Let's see what they're doing outside." "The Aryans were uncivilized and illiterate." "The truth is that the Dravidians were more civilized than them." "Aryans didn't have a home." "Not only that, in their quest to survive ..." "... theywanderedfromplacetoplace  on the strength of their weapons." "Their uncivilized nature died a natural death only on reaching India." "The shats came from the west, and the Mongols from the east." "But they lost their identity in no time." "It even became difficult to differentiate between them." "They all became Indians." "That is the speciality of Indian culture." "That we accept everything and merge together." "India's benevolence has continued even today." "Even today, India is the foremost country, ..." "... intakingthe  initiative for peace." "It is sending the message of peace to the world." "It teaches the world to shun violence  hatred, to adopt love ..." "... toaccepteveryone." "That is the only way to peace." "We'll end here for today." "I will tell you about the special traits of Indian culture another time." "Now go back to your class." " Greetings." " Greetings." "Seeing your method of imparting education, ..." "... I feellikegetting admitted to your school again." "I forgot to introduce you." "He is the inspector of schools." "I have received many complaints about your method of teaching." "That is what I had come to inspect." "But now I realise what the truth is." "I'll be going now." "I'll discuss your scheme with you some other time." " Good day." " Good day." " What is it, Ganesh?" " Ajay is still in bed." "He comes and sleeps after the prayers everyday." "He doesn't study at all." " You may leave." " Don't tell him I told you." "It is not right of you to carry tales about him." "To see what he does or doesn't do, is my job." "Now leave." " Won't you get up even now?" "Get up!" " I don't feel like." "The new sir comes to the room suddenly." "Get up." " He won't come to this room." " Why?" "He knows you all are good boys." "You all study diligently." " He can come to check on you." " He won't come for me either." "He will come to know from far that I am studying." " Ajay, sir is coming." " So let him." "He's gone?" "... .whydon'tyou tellme?" "Now I understand why you study geometry so loudly." "I am weak in this subject, sir." "Sow what are you good at?" "Mischief?" "I have come to know that you don't study at all." "You sleep during study hour." "Why don't you study?" "... tellme." "I don't feel like studying, sir." "You don't feel like?" "What if I make it interesting for you?" " Will you study then?" " Yes, sir." "Alright." "We'll tour India during this vacation." "Seeing new places, new things, you'd like to know more about them." "Then see how interesting studying becomes." "Like the programme?" ""Come children, let me show you a glimpse of India"" ""Revere this land, it is a land of sacrifice"" ""Hail India ! "" ""It's north is protected by huge mountains"" ""It's southern feet are washed by the ocean"" ""See the bank of the rivers Ganga and Jamuna"" ""Every place is unique"" ""See these pictures of your pride"" ""Revere this land ... "" ""This is Rajputana, which takes pride in its swords"" ""It's entire history is written on the battle field"" ""This district of Pratap survives on the slogan of freedom"" ""It was here women had jumped into the fray"" ""Every grain of sand of Rajasthan speaks of sacrifice"" ""Revere this land ... "" ""See this district of the Marathas, Shivaji ruled here"" ""One who bravely fought the Mughals"" ""Every mountain was on fire, every stone a burning coal"" ""Every kid had shouted the cry of the battle"" ""This Indian had saved our country's honour"" ""Revere this land ... "" ""See Jallianwala Bagh, bullets had been fired here"" ""Don't ask how many people died here! "" ""On one hand were guns being fired, and on the other, bodies were falling"" ""The dying were calling out for revolt"" ""Even women sacrificed their lives here"" ""Revere this land ... "" ""See, this is Bengal, every patch is green here"" ""Every child here is ready to sacrifice his life for his country"" ""They suffer natural calamities everyday"" ""They have courage in their hands, and spirit in their hearts." ""This is the birthplace of our great Subhash"" ""Revere this land ... "" "I regret not going home for my holidays." "But if I'd gone home, I wouldn't have been able to go ..." "... onthisinterestingtour ." "We truly have a lot to learn in this world." "You don't study, what will you learn?" "Forget adding to your knowledge, ..." "... Inafew days,youwilleven forget what you have seen and learnt." "Ravi, you didn't go for the rehearsal?" "I did, but I didn't get a part." "They say I don't have a clear diction." "That I speak very fast." "They didn't give you a part, nor me." "And Ganesh is playing Shivaji !" "Let's see how they have the play." "I'll ruin their play!" " Please don't do anything untoward." " Why are you showing them sympathy?" "Even you didn't get any part." "Even Shakti has got into the habit of lecturing." "Really Shakti, even I don't like your lecturing us." " Are you our teacher?" " I am your friend." "I spoke for your good." "We know what is good or bad for us." "Let's go." " Offended?" " Why should I feel offended?" "Let's go!" "Children, get ready quickly, we are running out of time." "Hello Punditji." "1,2,3,4,5." "You are all here." "Go sit with your mother." " Have you kept it at the right place?" " Yes." "The curtain is about to be raised." "Don't worry, I'll manage." "Be careful." "Hey!" "What were you doing under the stage?" "Nothing..." "Idroppedacoin...coin." "Hold this." " I'll just be back." " But the play is about to begin." " How is the battle going?" " I don't know, I cannot move." "I returned as soon as the battle began." "King Shivaji is coming." "What is the news on the battle, Bhosale?" "The news... isgood,king." "Bad news, king !" "The enemy is trying to surround us. .from all sides." "Tell us a way. .to get... out of this situation." "Way?" "There is only one way." "We must... .escape." "Will we escape like cowards?" "Not like cowards, but like intelligent men." "Look there, it is getting dark." "We'll have to cross the Narmada under the cover of darkness ..." "... andreachthe fort." "We will have to gather our weapons ... andprepareto facethe enemy." "Messenger... go!" "Lot's of people are sitting there." "I'm scared, sir." "Don't be." "Go and say, ' king, the enemy king has sent a letter'" " What is the dialogue sir?" " The enemy king has sent a letter." "Has sent." "See what is written in the letter, Bajirao." "Who put itching powder on the chairs?" "Who mixed a laxative in the tea?" "Who kept crackers under the stage?" "You?" "... answerme!" "Answer!" "... whydon'tyouanswer?" "Don't beat him, sir." "It's not his fault." " I did everything." " Oh, so you are the real culprit." "The school is earning a bad reputation because of such pranks." "I will not tolerate this." "This time, it was the limit!" "It was no ordinary prank." "He should be given the severest of punishment for doing this." "I want to rusticate him from school." "What is your opinion?" "That will be the right decision." "One dirty fish soils the entire pond." "There is no other option but to rusticate him." "But he is very good at sports." "He has won many matches ..." "... andhonouredthe school." "This is a school, not a sports ground." "No doubt." "Infact, I wonder why we need sports in school." "I agree." " Shall I say something?" " Yes, sure." "In my opinion, segregating study and play is a folly." "Both are important for the progress of the students." "You see only Ajay's drawbacks." "Don't you see any good points in him?" "Forget sports ..." "... butin admittinghis mistake after doing the mischief ..." "... gettingbeatenhimself to save his friend ..." "... Thehonesty and courage he has shown ..." "... doyouconsiderthat trivial?" "If you look carefully, you will realise ..." "... howcreativethischildis." "I think, if we can guide his mischievous brain ..." "... ontherighttrack..." "... thisboycouldbe the pride of our school." "Forget it, coal can never turn white, however much you wash it." "You are right." "Coal cannot turn white by washing." "But it does turn red after it is burnt." "What are you trying to say, Mr. Shekhar?" "That rusticating boys like Ajay will be injustice." "Children's mischief is not incurable." "Good guidance can reform even the worst of boys." "But what if he still doesn't change?" "Then I will consider he has a mental problem ..." "... andarrangefor his cure." "Alright, at your behest, I will give him one more chance." "But this will be his last chance." "Saved !" "You were saved only because of Mr. Shekhar today." "Yes, that's true." "Ajay, will you like it if we get separated?" "No." "But why will we separate?" "Because I will clear my school grades and you will be left behind." "Be a good boy, Ajay." "You have such sharp brains." "If you give up mischief and concentrate on your studies ..." "... youwillstandfirstinclass." "That will really please me." " I want to study, but ..." " But what?" "I think Ganesh only must have carried tales." "He only had seen me come out from under the stage." "Oh." "I'll teach him a lesson to remember on the sports ground." "No Ajay, don't get into any fights now." "Promise me that you will not be up to mischief anymore." "Alright, as you wish." " Why did you kick him?" " He should learn a lesson." "Who are you to teach anyone a lesson?" "Nobody will talk to him." "No, sir has forbidden us from talking to you." "Have you boycotted me?" "Be a good boy, Ajay." "I ask, have you boycotted me?" "If you had been a good boy, who could have boycotted you?" "Good good good !" "Always the same lecture!" "Even you see fault only in me." "I thought, even if everyone boycotts me, you never will." "But I was mistaken." "Hear this!" "Our friendship is over!" "We are no more friends!" "Ajay!" "... ." "listenAjay!" "Come back Ajay... .don'tgo ." "Come back!" "Why did you come to call me back, Shakti?" "Doctor, has he regained consciousness?" "He may regain consciousness, but his condition is very serious." " He is your... . ?" " He's my student." "Have you sent a message to his people?" "Yes, his mother has come." "She can stay with him." "It will be nice if you also do." "Sir, the condition of the patient on bed 6 is serious." "Keep the injection ready, I'm coming." "Nurse, take them to him." "Inform me when he regains consciousness." "But don't give him water." " Come." " Sir, I want to be with Shakti." "Alright, go bring his mother." "Mr. Sudhir, stay down with the boys." "I have to stay here." "Come." "Son." "Shakti, you want to say something?" "Water... water." "My son !" "Mom!" "Forgive me, Shakti." "I will never be naughty again." "I will always do what you say." "Forgive me, please forgive me!" "Are you in too much pain?" "Yes." "I will leave you and Ajay." "No Shakti, I won't let you go!" "' We will have our own home'" "' In which you and me will always live together'" "' Then no one will be able to separate us'" "He will never ask for water now." "' How many times have I told you not to leave the chores and go anywhere'" "' Next time you go, you'll see your son's dead face'" "' He will never ask for water now'" "Water..." "I'llgetwater,madam." "I'll never be late now." "I'll never go to visit my son." "Shakti is not among us today." "But my heart refuses to believe it." "It feels like that smiling face is hidden among you all." "I remember when he had come to take admission in the school." "He had said his mother is very poor." "She cannot pay fees." "And will I still allow him to study in the school." "I'd told him that if he excelled in his studies ..." "... I 'llhelpin everyway ." "Shakti had replied with confidence and a smile ..." "' I will surely excel, sir'" "And he kept his promise." "We had hopes that he will stand first in his final year ..." "... anddo us proud." "But today, he has left us crying." "He left his task for you to complete." "We pray his soul may rest in peace." "And his mother have courage." "But we have no words to console her." "He died because of me." "I killed him." " So we are friends from today." " Yes." "Come, let's swing'" "Where are you?" "'" " Shakti." " Mom, I am here'" ""Let's go mom, into the world of dreams"" ""Away from the thorns, in the shade of flowers"" ""Let's go, mom"" ""Be with me forever, mom"" ""May it never happen that we get separated"" ""We have to go very far"" ""Let's go mom ... "" "I am Ajay, mom." "He is not here, mom." "But I am there for you." "No, he is here." "He has seen me and is hiding." "Shakti, my son, Why are you troubling your mother?" "Where are you?" "' Ajay, won't you get up even now?" "'" "I remember my promise, Shakti." "I will surely stand first." "I made a mistake." "A very big mistake." "I could not reform Ajay." "Why did I lose patience?" "Why did I forget that I am a teacher?" "If I cannot be patient and forgiving ..." "... howwillIteachtheboys?" "How will I teach them?" "Do you study so late into the night everyday?" " Why?" " I want to stand first, sir." "But staying awake at night will ruin your health." "Why don't you study during day?" "I feel embarrassed, sir." "Why?" "The boys will laugh at me." "They will say I accepted defeat against you." "You will never face defeat." "Your name is Ajay ( undefeatable )." "This boy has won so many awards." "Yes, and our sons are good for nothing." "I am fortunate to be a part of the students success." "This school has, in the entire district ..." "... notonlystoodfirst in studies, but also sports." "It's a matter of honour for any school to have a student like Ajay." "The person due to whose hard work and effort ..." "... Ajayhasbeensuccessful..." "... I considerit my duty to reveal his name to you." "And he is Mr. Shekhar." "He is a renowned scholar of our country." "He has toured the world, studied the various methods of education ..." "... andpreparedascheme." "I want to mention one more thing on this occasion." "The education board has accepted his scheme." "He has also been promoted to a very high post on the board." "Sir will go away?" "You still have a lot to do, Mr. Shekhar." "You will leave us midway?" "You have the path." "Once you get the path, it is not difficult to reach your destination." "Mr. Shekhar, I stuck to my old fashioned ways and was blinded." "But I am seeing new light today." "Please forgive my injustice." "No, please don't say that and embarrass me." "You are senior to me." "If I have made a mistake, please forgive me." "I will forever be grateful for your help and co-operation." "Look Shakti, I have stood first." "I have done what you told me." "See how many awards I have won." "If you were here today, you would be so happy." "Shakti, I had never been able to tell anyone this, not even you." "I always secretly respected Mr. Shekhar very much." "It is because of you and him that I am a reformed guy." "You have left, even sir is leaving me." "Will you all leave me?" "Don't cry, Ajay." "You must not cry on such occasions." "I am leaving, but my heart will be with you." "I will not let you go." "Say you will not leave me and go!" "Say you will not leave us and go, sir." "Wouldn't you want that your friends in other schools ..." "... studylikeyou do?" "I am going to fulfill that responsibility." "Before leaving, tell us what we should do." "What I have taught you in my daily lectures ..." "... I 'llremindyou of it again today." ""The tables were turned"" ""The enemy failed"" ""India's history was rewritten"" ""The country reached its destination"" ""Fighting and winning every war"" ""After decades, spread once again... "" ""... thecloudsofhappiness"" ""We have brought the boat out of the storm"" ""Now keep this country secure"" ""You are the future of this great country"" ""Now keep this country secure ... "" ""Ensure this garden never withers"" ""Bapu has made it bloom with his blood"" ""And martyrs have nurtured it"" ""Now keep this country secure ... "" ""Don't be a part of the conspiring world"" ""Your destination is far, the path long"" ""Someone may cheat you and make you go astray"" ""Now keep this country secure ... "" ""The world is wielding power on the strength of atom bombs"" ""It is sitting on a mound of explosives"" ""Take your every step carefully"" ""Now keep this country secure ... "" ""Don't fall into the mire of comfort"" ""Don't be lost in a dream world"" ""Now is the time, my dear children"" ""Leap forward and touch the sky! "" ""Touch the sky! "" ""Let the Tricolor fly high""