Lasting impressions

I was wondering who is #madeofgreat?

Made of great, is a person who left a lasting impression upon us, out of the hundreds of people we meet everyday, during the course of our life.

There have been many people with whom, I have spent some amazing moments, that have inspired me, encouraged me and made me think he/she is great. While pondering on who would be that #madeofgreat I thought about my 9th standard science teacher Tanu Miss, my own mother, Lavanya, my first mentor at the start of my career and was just scrolling my life over the people and incidents that impacted my life.

For me #madeofgreat is my 3rd standard class teacher Mrs.Mendes. A lady with saggy skin and wrinkles due to her age. Her hair cut short till her shoulders. Her small eyes. The vivid memories I have of her take me to the moment, when I was just a little girl, my small hands, wearing school uniform, sitting on the marble floor in the classroom while other students on the bench, over a huge chart paper, greater than my size and writing with Mrs.Mendes, alongside me.

Our school had recently introduced a policy of writing in print letters rather than cursive. Many students could not pick it up too quickly. I was the one who got acquainted to print writing easily and believe it or not, at that age, my handwriting was the best among my classmates or so Mrs. Mendes thought .
That is why, she chose me to write, a privilege, as the chart used to be displayed in the school lobby, where whole school could have a look at what 3rd A students presented.

Now, coming back to the moment I remember. I was writing very dedicatedly (privileged by the opportunity) where I was given a PEN to write. Writing with a pen was also new to us, because till second standard we used pencil. I was trying hard not to make any spelling mistakes as I knew the white eraser couldn't hide my mistakes. This would mean, I would have to strike a word off, which would have made the chart look dirty. But while writing, I did an error and I was too embarrassed and frightened by the rage, I may have to face now.

I told Mendes Miss I committed a spelling mistake and I will have to strike it out. Instead of shouting at me, she said,' it was alright' and she did something which I couldn't have guessed, ever. She brought a round blue colour thin thing to my notice and carefully started rubbing off my mistake. I could see the ink vanishing, although it left a blue tinge on the paper. It was an ink eraser! Who knew? 

I was damn impressed by this new invention, which I saw. Also, I was thankful to Mrs.Mendes who didn't shout and politely rubbed off my other two mistakes, later again. After we finished, she showed the chart to whole class and put it on the school board with the help of those round pins. She even asked me, to mention my name at bottom. Few other teachers who noticed it, appreciated my job.

Now, I don't know exactly what was great in her. The invention she introduced me to, her kindness or her motivation but she left a lasting impression on me.

She became my favorite teacher and I her favorite student I guess. We also performed to a fairy dance wearing a white frock with layers, silver lining, silver wings, with a fairy wand in our hands on our annual day. She choreographed it and had selected that dress.

 I remember I wrote my first Diwali card for her, with lotuses drawn on it because I could draw only a lotus properly. I wrote some message and gave the card to her and wished her Happy Diwali. We went to 4th standard and got a new teacher, new classroom. I used to watch her and wish her good morning whenever we came across each other whether in the lobby or staircase. But soon, she left school. I don't know where she is and how she is right now. But, she helped me build my confidence to a great extent. I remember I scored my career best 93℅ during my third standard itself. A great lady and my salute to her!

Keep thinking!

You might be thinking where did I come across #madeforgreat. I did when I visited  http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com.

Lionel Messi has associated with Tata Motors. You probably must have already seen the advertisement.
"What do you think of Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi?"