Little did I realize on that March afternoon 42 years back as I left my school for the last time, that this morning will happen to me someday. While most teachers have had an undeniable effect on me, the three that left the most indelible mark were my English teacher Ms. Biswas, my Math teacher Mr. Roy and my Geography teacher Ms. Bhowmic.

It probably starts to explain then why I still dash off a handwritten letter every weekend or why when bored, instead of watching reels, I look for geometry problems on the internet or why I can spend hours poring over a map of the world trying to learn which country borders which – all with absolutely no gnawing sense of misplaced priorities.

Quirky as they might seem to the world, they almost define my identity.

It was with incredible luck that I found myself with my English teacher this morning in Asheville, NC. She was visiting her son. I simply could not pass up that opportunity to spend a few more moments with her (and her husband Arup Sir!). If not for anything else, but to at least express my gratitude for instilling a sense of intellectual curiosity in me during my formative years.

That, plus there are not too many folks with who I can remember weird names like “Hermia” and “Hippolyta” with some pangs of nostalgia, sitting out on a brisk morning over some breakfast and coffee!