Eresh-A Fighter

I cannot count the number of times I have felt overwhelmingly grateful to the Almighty for giving me the prospect to be in the field of education as it provides abundant opportunities for constant learning. Since the commencement of my journey as a teacher I have realized time and again that there is a plethora of motivation, which has been an incessant source of inspiration that comes from parents, teachers as well as students. This is one of the many reasons that make this profession more than a professional accomplishment and I firmly stand by this statement in the times when teaching is losing the dignity and respect it claimed years ago.  Working amongst teachers and students and being in constant contact with parents I have understood something very significant- you don’t have to look outside the school to find inspiration. You are perennially inspired by the perseverance of children, dedication of parents and unconditional love and diligence of teachers.

One such inspiration that reverberates in my mind today is a class X student, Eresh Choudhary, who left for the heavenly abode on 21^st October 2019. I write this piece, with my heart at the precipice of an emotional upheaval. All the children are extremely and equally important to me but Eresh’s presence was an encouragement of another level. He was one of the reasons that spark in me, undeterred pride as an educator. He was special, special in more than one way. He personified the statement, “The human spirit is one of ability, perseverance and courage that no disability can steal away.” Eresh was not just a child suffering from a disability. On the contrary, he was a little packet of talents and determination, filled with hope and positivity.

 He joined the school in 2009, a little; class Prep, boy filled with curiosity, his eyes twinkling with awe as he looked at the school building. Unfortunately, he was soon diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. In this, abnormal genes interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscles. Children with disabilities can face multiple forms of exclusion, often limiting their participation in the community but his dreams were not limited by his disability and the school was also determined to help him soar high. I would rather say that the school was privileged to have him chose it.

As time passed his passion for studies, especially science increased but he suffered from continuous progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. By the time he reached class VI, it became difficult for him to climb stairs and walk without support. He had to take the help of wheelchair but quite amazingly his friends came for support. I remember mentioning about this bond of friendship in one of my articles. Whether it was taking him to the class, to the assembly ground, playground and even to the washroom, his friends were always by his side. Here, I must mention the extremely commendable support and dedication of the parents. I cannot even begin to fathom the emotional depth and mental strength of the parents. His father brought him to class in his arms till he reached class VII. A father who was later informed by the doctors that his son might only survive his early teens, didn’t for a moment felt the need to take him away from school. He realized how school made his child happy, how it polished his talents and how he was the ideal every school needs. So, whether it was submission of homework in time or attentively listening and participating in the lecture; Eresh did it all with sheer ardor. Readers would be surprised to know that he gave his half yearly exams right before he was admitted to the hospital for the last time. He wrote his last paper on 30 Sep 2019 and thereafter got admitted in the hospital.  In fact, in the hospital also he often requested his mother to keep him abreast with the ongoing school session that he was missing on.

We lost him on 21^st October. When the school reopened after the Diwali break, the first assembly was conducted by class X A, Eresh’s class. The students paid a heartfelt homage to the departed soul through this special assembly, dedicated to him. The immeasurable and unfathomable love and affection his classmates have for him, poured in gallons filled with emotional anecdotes and memories, on the stage. It was a motivational and emotional roller-coaster that filled the hearts of the gathering with overwhelming nostalgia and emotions. The students shared experiences related to Eresh that portrayed his unflagging vigor and will to survive. One of his classmates wholeheartedly appreciated his innumerable qualities which included beautiful handwriting, punctuality, honesty and sincerity towards his work. To everyone’s surprise, his friend mentioned his ardent love for cricket and his commendable skills in wicket keeping and precision in carom as well as chess. He taught us that if one wants something earnestly, it becomes achievable, come what may. I would observe him almost daily as he was dropped by his father and also in assembly which he never missed or in the auditorium which he always went to be the part of any activity held there. He would not miss his games period and being in the company ogf his friend tough in all these situations in wheelchair. Managing studies with deteriorating health was a challenge for him but never did he ever felt the need to take some extra help during exams. Whatever he prepared, wrote and scored was a result of his honest diligence.

Sharing a poignant incident, one of his classmates narrated how he understood his responsibility towards his parents and showed his concern quietly through his actions. His scientist father, never ever skipped a single opportunity of dropping him off to his class and picking him up after school. Eresh observed the difficulty with which his father carried him to the class as the years passed by. He didn’t want to ask his father to break this routine as he understood the sentiments behind this act. Once, his teacher noticed that he wasn’t taking sufficient food during the recess or at home. When she enquired, Eresh replied with unadulterated honesty that he didn’t want to gain weight as that would make him gain heavier and heavier Eresh would cause discomfort to his father while carrying him from or to the car. Later the teacher subtly conveyed this to his father and requested him to let Eresh use a wheelchair. This exemplary father-son bond is the epitome of purest form of love. His friend mentioned that his scientific temperament and curiosity towards little things was definitely a gift from his father. His parents indeed were the wind beneath his wings.

This emotional assembly reached its peak with the recitation of a self-composed poem by a student. Her words postulated how someone’s life can touch yours in a subtle but impactful manner. One of the lines in the poem reflected the essence of Eresh’s life and I quote, “The Almighty decides the situations in which we are born but it solely depends on us how we make the best of what we have and leave an everlasting impact on the hearts of those we meet in this lifespan.” At last I would just like to say- Eresh your memories are and will always be a perpetual source of inspiration for us all. We will keep you safe in our hearts and remember you as an angel whose halo turns the brightest in the dark.