With age one acquires the ability to skip effortlessly over any number of years and recall incidents with such vividness that the exclamation leaps to one's lips: "It seems only yesterday!"

It seems only yesterday that I stood in shorts and half-sleeved shirt and Bata "Naughty Boy" shoes, waiting for the admission formalities to be completed. Again, it seems only yesterday that I walked out of the school compound in trousers and shirt and sandals after our last day of classes before the SSC exams.

Eight years separate the two events. Of these I spent two at Faujdarhat Cadet College, so my life at Greg's (as we Gregorians affectionately refer to our Alma Mater) falls into two discrete phases: one spent in shorts, the other in trousers.

Mr. P. D'Costa dominates my early classroom memories. He was Class Teacher in my section of Class 3. A squat, taciturn man of indeterminate age, he had a style all his own. He would hold his red-and-blue pencil like a dagger, stab our class-work copies and in one flowing movement inscribe his initials over the entire page.

Slackers and mischief-makers would be punished in a unique manner. "Chootar up!" he would command, and taking the hapless scamp by the neck, thrust his head under the desk before applying the wooden side of the blackboard duster with resounding force on his bottom.

Mr. Nicholas Rosario, the Scoutmaster, enlivened my time in Class 4 by teaching us the school anthem which begins "St. Gregory's boys are brothers..." I joined the Wolf Cubs and later the Boy Scouts. Though I never rose above Tenderfoot, I still cherish those memories.

Meanwhile, there were rumblings of political unrest. Students from Quaid-e-Azam College marched past our school demanding educational reforms. Brother Thomas wisely declared a holiday, but my friend Kazi Ashfaq and I joined the procession all the way to Dhaka University.

During my years in Classes 9 and 10 the political atmosphere became even more intense. Socialism became a frequent topic of discussion among us. One day we secretly placed a cyclostyled leaflet on the school notice board which caused great excitement among students and teachers alike.

Brother Hobart, who taught English Literature, had perhaps the deepest influence on my life. Through his teaching I developed an appreciation for poetry and eventually began writing poetry myself.

Looking back today, I realize how deeply St. Gregory's shaped my values, imagination and intellectual life. Those years remain among the happiest and most formative years of my life.

I passed SSC from St. Gregory's High School in November, 1972. The examination was held a few months later because of our War of Independence. I am a proud Gregorian.

I loved studying and was a successful student. I was shy, modest by nature, and my teachers showered me with affection. Though I may not have achieved extraordinary fame, I have never regretted my journey because the education I received at St. Gregory's shaped my life.

The school library became my favorite place. Week after week, year after year, I immersed myself in literature and knowledge. Shakespeare, Homer, Charles Dickens, Jules Verne, Mark Twain, Rabindranath Tagore, Bankimchandra, Michael Madhusudan, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Saratchandra became my lifelong companions.

Literature fascinated me, but Mathematics and Physics also remained close to my heart. I admired many of my teachers who inspired me both academically and personally.

Brother Hobart, our legendary English teacher, encouraged my love for literature. Brother Nicholas Tielman, our English teacher and basketball coach, often joked with me because I enjoyed watching sports more than playing them.

Our school produced many remarkable personalities including Tajuddin Ahmad, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Dr. A.Q.M. Badruddoza Chowdhury, Dr. Kamal Hossain, Kaiser Haq, Bhanu Bandopadhyay and many other distinguished Gregorians.

For many years I believed that since I did not become famous, my school had forgotten me. Fortunately, I was proven wrong when I was invited as a Special Guest to the Annual Prize Distribution ceremony.

Sharing the stage with distinguished personalities such as Professor Anisuzzaman and Dr. Shawkat Hussain was an emotional moment that reminded me how deeply connected I remained to my beloved school.

Throughout my life I have loved St. Gregory's High School and cherished the memories of Old Dhaka that remain forever linked to my days as a Gregorian. The values, friendships and education I received continue to inspire me every day.

In my days of childhood, some of the most vibrant spaces included our classrooms. The most enjoyable moments came when the school bell rang and students rushed joyfully out through the gates. Those were truly unforgettable days.

Every classroom had its own stories. The short breaks between classes were often filled with laughter, friendly quarrels, paper notes flying from bench to bench, and playful mischief that only school friends could understand.

One memorable incident happened when I secretly brought a toy pistol with cracker bullets into class. A loud explosion echoed through the room, filling it with smoke. Teachers rushed in, followed by the discipline squad, and I found myself escorted to the Headmaster's office.

Despite these moments of mischief, we deeply respected our teachers. Some had the remarkable ability to make learning enjoyable and inspiring. Their lessons were never boring, and many of them left lifelong impressions on us.

Our friendships were equally unforgettable. There was an unwritten code among classmates—no matter what happened, no one betrayed another friend. That bond of trust was one of the greatest lessons we learned outside the classroom.

Today everything has changed. Digital classrooms and online learning have replaced the lively school corridors and noisy playgrounds. Mobile phones, once discouraged inside school, have become an essential learning tool.

Looking back after so many years, the memories of St. Gregory's remain vivid. The classrooms, teachers, friends, and countless little adventures continue to occupy a special place in our hearts.

Being a member of the Gregorian'68 batch is not merely about belonging to a graduating class—it is about carrying forward a legacy of friendship, discipline, respect, and lifelong pride in our Alma Mater.