foreward My best student There are so many who profess…loyalty and love… so few who demonstrate it in deed. To me, my favorite … my most favorite disciple, Pushpa is one such rare student of mine who has also taught me a few things. Her house is open to all, her time dedicated to serve anyone who makes a claim for it, her heart has limitless love to give. She has spent almost close to 40 years imparting the light of education to anyone who has had the need for it. She has done so selflessly, patiently and without a thought for return. She has said it to me many times but I would like to take this opportunity to say this to her…” Pushpa, I love you and will always be there for you” God bless
Iffat Baba
Mum as aunty
We secretly envied them. They got to spend more time with her. They seemed to have more fun with her. They never fought with her. They even seemed to love her more than we. Students. Pushpa aunty’s students. Our mum’s students. For years (37 to be precise) they have been and still are our best introduction to our mother…Maa to us, Pushpa Aunty to the world. She is happiest when her students top, saddest when a child falls sick, angriest when they turn up late. Ditto with them! If she falls sick, they cannot concentrate; if she is happy, they score better results; and if she is sad, they fight with God to make her happy. We watch with fascination the bond that the kids (some now parents themselves) share with her and one that has grown only stronger with each passing year. To most observers, including us, her tuition class is a veritable mad house…cramped and chaotic. For its inhabitants, the students and the teacher, there is no other place they would rather be. On Maa’s birthday (she will kill us if we mention which one!), its our pleasure to present this compilation, both…to share with the world this unique microcosm that she have nurtured and also present to Maa a few messages from her students, who thank her for making them part of her world filled with love and laughter. Maa check out the love they have for you. We envy you. Love.
Rani , Sarita, Saijan
Pushpa aunty fact file
Age :: 16 ( for the past 40 years) Weight :: She wants to put on weight. Can you believe ANY woman wanting that. Also revrently called :: paasi, ammama, kushma, chotha bhim or just PUSH Height :: her hindi is the height!!!!!!!! Education :: PHD in SAIology, Post graduate in conversation skills. Still failing her hindi exams. Favorite colour :: Black (?? Does she know of any other colour… hmmm) Favorite food :: Anthing above 1000 calories… cakes.. butter chicken… rasmalia… bring it on! Her favorite day :: April 1st (the only day when nobody takes her calls!!) Her secret weapon :: Hotline to all GODS. Her most favorite student :: the one sitting in her lap Her day starts with :: A smile. A gulab jamoon. Same thing? Her star sign :: FIRE Her favorite holiday destination :: Kadam Auntys house Her secret ambition :: Wanna be homeopath Her favorite song :: is a mystery.. kaise paheli hain ye, kaise… Her trump card :: SAIBABA Her strength :: her students Her weakness : her students Her life :: her students
The class
Timings: What’s that?! Fees: What’s that?! Infrastructure: - - - - - -
free food (customised as per request) NOTE: parents too are beneficiaries of this scheme free accommodation (bed and breakfast scheme) free medical (at ones own risk students can avail of free medical services from Dr.Vij’s compounder, Dr.Pushpa) free prasad from temples/ shrines, churches, mosques, gurudwaras of India free massage… back, front, head, toe….just name it. Desks, benches, board… what’s that?!
The Visiting Faculty Iffat Baba…The gurus ‘guru” A weekly visit, that heavenly smile… The ever welcoming arms. Our guru, our best friend.
Dr.Vij… nos 8, nos 9 The most lovable nos 1 Doc ever. Vij Uncle thank you for everything
Anju Maasi… Head, Laughter Club “kutte, kamine…” never a dull moment around her.
Marathi Aunty…where time stands still. She occupies the same space (same tile??!) and is at the same chapter. If only age could be like her…sigh.
Saijan, Head Dramatics (also has a fan club )… “mein tereko ek ghost story bolunga…. bachaaaoooooooooo”
Maths Teacher ...always in control. You can count on her!!
Jyoti… Head Administration. Telephone line is cut, the gas bill needs to be paid, the aquaguard shuts down… Perfect. Sorted.
Bhagvad Gita Uncle P for Prasad. Who wants food for thought when there is so much (yummm) food.
Michael Jackson… Head Logistics …yup, meet Pushpa…the bai who moonwalks.
The Principal & the Petitions 10
God gets called upon in this class only…ONLY in the most exceptional and discerning situations. To pass in exams, to make right career choices, to ask for forgiveness when one has erred. But there are some pleas to God that stand out for their sheer seriousness. Check out a few prayers put under baba’s feet “Baba , I am not doing toilet. Please help me.” “Baba, Mataji; my mummy and daddy keep fighting. Please… please…please make them friends, at least for timepass. (me thinks he meant “time being”) “I cannot understand anything. Please…its high time… can you make my brain open.” “Ghost has entered my mother. She is a pickpocket. Kill her. Save her. You can do it.” This one Is priceless… “Baba , I cant find my spectacles”……. Pushpa Aunty Incredible as this may sound and I can say this because I have been witness … EACH one of these prayers were answered (she found her spectacles in the refrigerator!!) 11
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The Lessons
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Lesson 1
To share …
a laugh…a secret… a space (after adjusting with 50 students in 150 sq ft of space the Mumbai local train is a luxury)!
Lesson 2
To love …
as a way of being, not with an agenda (wonder why manipulation is something I don’t understand)
Lesson 3
To accept…
no matter who, how, from where (from Spain to Shanti Ashram… the classroom made room for anybody who wanted to join. Hmmm… suddenly diversity in my workplace is no sweat) 14
Lesson 4
To persist...
5.00am- exam revisions at the class. 9.00 pm-“two chapters left” she would yell. Remember that. Is it a coincidence then that her students are known for their never say die attitude.
Lesson 5
To laugh...
uninhibitedly…as one …never at someone. These flashback moments help me tide over today’s stressful times
Lesson 6
To be rich…
and endowed with friends. Money then is merely a perk in my quest to living life to its fullest. 15
Class says
thank you teacher
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I have been told by many who are not only respected & quite senior but who have seen the world that i come across as a “good human being” which means a lot to me. And I strongly believe that a zillion thanks goes to my Pushpa Aunty who inculcated and embossed in our heart, mind and soul - respect, caring, discipline, determination and most important values...
R ACHE E T L Not exaggerating, its a fact... I would have go CIA A SPE rs come and es along remained illiterate, if I had not joined Pushpa Teache ften one com er b o m Aunty tutions at the age of 5. s reme ery so … But ev you’ll alway an adventure That arning ake you e l s e k be… can m ho ma For me - Pushpa Aunty’s home is a temple One w he kind who est you can , b T o t y r k e l which is above any big or famous place of worship ly ta the v to be you can real ns to you… t n a W e e p irrespective of any religion or caste or creed. Someon res what hap OU! a Y c ally on is t, Who re That pers y hear m f o With Love and always with you, ttom the bo o bottom m o r f n u Sharad nks yo y heart has a h t d l m e u v o u o w o L y I f but for With Lots o ehrotra M i t i r Ak
I just know aunty for last 7 years as i am married to sharad for last 7 years but she treats me as if she has seen me since my birth. She has never made me feel absence of my own parents in Mumbai city. She treats our son “Shouryah” as her own grandson and its a fact that “Shouryah” loves to be with her more than his own grandparents.
believe in o t s u t h g tau s PUSH, you u love us to date a Yo ne ourselves. own children. No o r you one you would ou in our lives. No ey can replac ds more respect comman push Love you ejas tal, t Alpa, shee
With all my love, best wishes Kaveri
You bring joy and laughter, every time we see you. We pray for you. We are always there for you. Azra, irfan & Imran
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al’s ny individu a in s r a e the wy The first fe ost vital. These are o em ms life are th efine a person. I a e d h hes years whic were with me all t st mo you glad that e not only been my I hav her. years. You er but also my mot ach revered te you a lot Aunty. miss Gaurav
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I found guidance, friendship, discipline and love, everything in one person and that person is you. May not say it always, but, I mean it whenever I say it. Thank You PUSHPA AUNTY /MOM, for all the hard work and efforts you When I first joined Pushpa Aunty, I was not have put in, For all the things you have done only a failure, but had been advised to give up any academic goals. That did leave a mark on me for me & making me what I am today… and perhaps my then impressionable mind would have given up had it not been for Aunty.Thanks Jyoti Ahuja Tyagi Aunty for making me believe in me again and again. I am here today only because of your tireless efforts. You were like a Mother to us. It’s said that “The task of an excellent teacher is to stimulate apparently ‘ordinary people’ to ‘unusual effort’.”
I’d love for my daughter, Aarna to be your student too. Love always, Namita
Pushpa Aunty Wish you a many many happy returns of the day. May God bless you with health, happiness and prosperity in your life. Arjun
You were always there whenever I needed you. You are like a source of strength for me. Thank you for all the care and love you have given me when mum and dad were in Allahabad. I always look up to you whenever things are not going right in my life and you always assure me by saying “...dont worry.. I will pray to Baba and things will be fine…” Thank you Love always... Natasha 19
When I was little and I looked around for love, u gave me love abundantly….. When I was little and I looked for care, u cared for me…. When I was little and I stretched my hand, you caught it tight… When I was little and I felt bad, you never let those tears roll down my cheeks……. I miss u pasi, miss your chole, your butter chicken and dosa……… Miss everything, not doing your home-work and getting scared while coming to tuitions but always escaping…….
With a special gift for learning And with a heart that deeply cares, You add a lot of love To everything you share, And even though You mean a lot, You’ll never know how much, For you helped To change the world Through every life you touched. You sparked the creativity In the students whom you taught, And helped them strive for goals That could not be bought, You are such a special teacher That no words can truly tell However much you’re valued For the work you do so well
miss everything….. Thank you…… thank you for everything…… Love u always…… Radhika 20
With lots of love, Sonu
“I am proud of where I am at this point of my career and the ONLY reason where I am is because of this lady - Pushpa Aunty. We all call her ‘aunty’ but she has been a mother to me - or should I say mother to all of us who have spent our childhood at her house - OUR HOUSE. Ask my mother or my father what standard I was studying in and they would have no Idea. They did not need to since they knew their son was under the care of Pushpa aunty. All the values that I have cultivated are attributed to her. Aunty I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me but I can only pray that students can have a teacher - A MOTHER like you. Love you oceans”
A Teacher Is… Someone who is wise... Who cares about the students and wears no disguise. But is honest and open and shares from the heart. Not just lessons from books, but life where you are. A teacher takes time to help and tutor. With English or math or on a computer. It’s ‘U’ who’s patient, even in stress. Who never gives less than the very best! Not that I was the perfect student, But you were the perfect teacher for me. You r the best. No one can ever replace you.... Love you.....
DISCLAIMER: I am proud to be THE ONLY student, past or present, for whose wedding Pushpa aunty has done a show stopper hindi film item number. Make sure to watch the DVD if you have not already :-)
Regards Hema
Shekoo
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You bring joy and laughter, every time we see you. We pray for you. We are always there for you. Azra, irfan & Imran
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ow....ever n l il t d o o dh ays ..from chil ve and alw a h Hi Aunty. I . . . u o .and s with y er to us.. h t o since I wa m a e r l ou...You a our specia ll a r e b will love y m e .we be...I rem monitor... e h t will always e m ade w hen you m .the yello . . . s m a e r times....w c eused s....solo ic ....when I e c had mento u a s d n bread a e a lot of r a e r e h t dal....the . her.. as cher-teac a e t y preserve it la l p il w to d n a ... ave earned ou always. y s s le things I h b a ab ....may B ... a treasure I love you Kajal
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‘Ageless’ is the word which describes YOU to its last letter. It’s only those cherished moments which linger in the mind without having to take a trip down the memory lane and yet wanting those same moments back is what I wish for – be it your contribution as a teacher, a friend, a philosopher, a guide or simply as a person who touched my heart. “Pushpa Aunty” these words have been with me for so many beautiful years and saying them again and again, always gave me and still give me a sense of pride, strength and most of all a warm smile on my face. Those were some years!!!! Those never ending tuitions and coming back on Sundays to study then felt like such a pain, however today I would do anything to get them back. You have touched so many lives and I’m sure each one is grateful to you in one way or the other, for me you have touched my soul. There are so many memories that deserve mention as all of them have shaped my life for the better however there are few which stand out. I grew up to become a person trying to emulate you and incorporate all the good qualities which you strived to inculcate in us.
There have been many ‘kind hearts’ whose influences have contributed in my upbringing but, there has been only one ‘soul’, who has helped me evolve through happiness and crisis – and that is YOU. I take this opportunity to thank you and tell you how grateful I am for all the things you have done for my family and me. I used to run errands for you only for the sake of escaping studies and now ironically situations don’t permit me to spend an evening with you. Those lovely times spent after tuitions having solo candies along with Saijan and you, the afternoon trips we took to Kadam aunty’s house, the Thursday puja’s at your place, the fights we kids had to arrange and then re-arrange your temple are all memories that linger in my mind. On an ending note I would like to THANK YOU for the multiple roles you have played in my life. Divya
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nty Pushpa au ho we are s, w our career u. You never Our lives, use of yo here for a c e b ll a e always t today ar e r a d n a s u refuge gave up on are down, the only are we ou us. When use…our house. Y for o h ch is in your we love you too mu r. our mothe s to describe. word n
lit, Laxma
Savita, La
You carry a heart that never hates A smile that never fades A touch that never hurts A bond that never fails One looks with appreciation at brilliant teachers but with gratitude to those who touched our soul. Ronak
Paasi You are an irreplaceable influence in our lives. Me and Shaile are thankful for all that you have done for us. I love you Parag
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dividual’s in y n a in the w years The first fe ost vital. These are o em ms life are th efine a person. I a e hd hes years whic were with me all t st mo you glad that e not only been my I hav her. years. You er but also my mot ach revered te you a lot Aunty. miss Gaurav
Push aunty, As we go on with our lives, our best memories still are of the days spent with you. Our night outs, tagging along with you wherever you went, your puri bhaji…The memories are endless. We are what we are because of you. Thank you for believing in us. We love you and miss being with you. Aunty we are always there for you Sonal, Deepak, Nilesh
Thank you for all that you have done.. Bhavna, Sunder, Yasmin , Sonal, Roopal, Munna, Manisha, Umesh, Kavita, Gauri Despande, Madhavi Mudras, Eric, Magesh, Chanda, Amit, Deven, Hitesh, Gopal, Parag Chauhan, Unnati, Ami, Paresh, Pulin and Minika, Pankaj and Sonal Panchal, Santoshi, Lalit, Hina, Nitesh, Ekta 28
For the endless cups of chai, for the ceaseless squeals of laughter, for all the pep talks… thank you aunty. Our prayers and blessing are always there for you Sonu, Dipa , Jyoti
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Pushpa Aunty You make me be ME.. Every nice thing that I say or do finds its roots back in the tuition class where u have selflessly imparted, knowledge and values that will stay with me and will be shared with everyone I meet through this lifetime.
Push, You are cool. You are the best. Love you. miss all of us together. Avantika and Brinelle
You make me realise that it is a world of my belief and that nothing I set my mind to is out of my reach. But one thing u have never taught me is, how do u do all of this so effortlessly, smiling thru all the joy and pain. You were and always will be someone I love, respect and look up to.. And I will devote my life to tread the path you have shown me, for that’s the least I can do for you. I love u pushpa aunty!
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You are the youngest teacher ever. You are a friend and a guide. You will always be our best teacher
I know everyone else is going to hate it when I say this, but, u know it and I know it, thatI AM YOU’RE FAVOURITE STUDENT :)
Paresh and Prachi
Sunny
Pushpa Aunty I want to be your son in my next life. Gopal 31
t younger o n r e ld o e is I think sh with her e im t r e h ll e spends a 0 because sh ld live 100 u o h s e h S students. years Kshitij
She is my guru. She teaches us with full strength. We all go to her to become something in life and make our future. I love you aunty Jesha 32
When we are sick we take leave. Though she was admitted in hospital and had taken 9 bottles of glucose she did not take leave. No other teacher can do this. She can’t live without us. We cant live without her. Pratik
, , laughter e v lo u o y We We wish ery best. v e h t d n health a re for you e h t s y a lw are a , Aditya, a y r a w h is A Chinmay, & Yogita Ekta
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Her signature lines Mein ungli katega….. Maar dalega Bom marta hai
(for over 30 years)
(for over 27 years)
(What the…?!! Ha! Ha!.).
Washing machine mein dalo
(15 years)
When nothing worked
Sarita ke paas leke jao… (the torture continues…)
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Words can’t express the love and emotions we feel...
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Yasmin, Sonal Roopal, Sonal, Deepak, Nilesh Munna Manisha Umesh, Kavita, Gauri Despande, Madhavi, His Brother, Dipa, Jyoti, Sonu, Eric, Magesh, Amit, Deven, Hitesh, Prachi, Parag Chauhan, Unnati, Ami, Shrishti, Siddhi, Mona, Savita, Laxman, Lalit, Rajesh, Paresh, Pulin And Minika, Pankaj And Sonal Panchal, Bhavna, Santoshi, Sunder, Lalit, Ekta
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Admissions to her class & heart. open always
Directions to get there get off at LIC colony, borivali & ask for
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Pushpa auntys tuitions class.
Price: Rs. 50/- & above
The procced from the sale of this compilation will be given to the education of construction labourers’ children coordinated bu the NGO - Mobile Creches Concept : Sarita Vijayan
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Designed by: Abdul Muttalib