Just a few more hours...and ill be out of this hell...".I was really glad when the thought reverberated in my mind. On the stroke of four,I was staying behind the massive iron gate.The officer in blue shoved a parcel into my hands.The parcel was neatly wrapped in black and on it was a soiled label which said,Ajax-12th March 2000.Unwrapping it,i found my old jeans and jacket inside.The jean had a neat hole,where Officer Barbrody had shot me.Memories flowed into my mind,one after the other,it was an excellent plan,no loopholes.The diamond at the Rockyville museum was the supposed loot! Nicky would disable the seurity measures,giving me room to steal the diamond and escape within just 40 seconds.On the signal..i rushed into the exhibit room,The guards were drawn away by the false alarm made by Nicky.There we were,just me and the diamond.It was quite easy for me,just snatch it and escape.I hastened for the back door and found it bolted.I was surprised...it was to be left open by Franko....i couldnt believe it.Was it a mistake or...."Ajax"I heard my name.Turning back...my eyes stared in horror, right into the barrrel of a 9mm Jillops automatic pistol.I made an unfruitful attempt to escape,but Barbrody easily shot me down.I felt my leg.It was as good as brand new.I had a limp for just 3 years.I remembered the judges last words i heard in the court. "Ajax,has been scentenced to 8 years in prison,on charge of burglary and smuggling charges"The tap the doorkeeper gave me on the shoulder brought me back to the present,breaking the battered glass of the past.The door opened slowly...and i got myself ready to take a good whiff of freedom.I stepped out of the Jail.I was lookin around for Nicky when i heard the door close behind me with an unprecedented CLANG.I turned around and looked at the massive Concrete wall within which lived 600 inmates of which a 100 would be innocent.Torture and pains would wait for someone going inside.I sweared on my greatest ancestor that i woudlnt return to this place....AT ANY COST!Eight years of solitude taught me the lesson.Eight years of suffering.Eight years of waiting...My mind seemed firm enough to get me the good life i was yearning for.I was determined to live a nice life..without any fake identities or false checks!My attention was captured by a white rover which rode up to me.The glass was lowered quickly..behind the shade was hidden Nicks flashy grinning face...He opened the door for me..Settling myself in..i asked him to leave for the church!..He seemed shocked to death."There is nothing like God rite?"he asked.I smiled at him gently and said..Dude..things have changed!My face smiled back at me from the mirror..i found my reflection in the mirror as fate! or atleast hoped to........The cross on the highest tower threw its shadow on me...i stepped into the church with all respect...knelt down in front of the altar and was praying"Dear Jesus...i was a thief..i had no one to teach me how to pray..but still...i am here with a new soul...i left the old one behind the walls of the prison...Saviour of the earth...i know that u can see through my mind...i am determined to live a new life...please help me follow your path of righteousness and all the 9...oh no..10 commandments the God gave the world...UPLIFT ME FROM THIS DANK DITCH OF SINS MY LORD...."I was so engrossed in prayer that i didnt notice the propulsion of tears in my eyes..i felt a drop running down my cheek and it stopped at the chin,as if it were waiting for someone...some other drops joined the leader and it fell on my folded hands..my eyes were closed..suddenly...i felt a very warm thick drop on the end of my thumb.I felt as if i were suddenly overcome by a loving presence..the atmosphere itself seemed to have been upturned.I lifted my head in surprise...i couldnt see anything but a fulgid light..it filled my eyes slowly...and at the end..my eyes seemed too tired to look at it.My vision wasnt over..there was something in the distance..a very radiant hand...it was stretching towards me..i could see the palm...but there was something different about it.....I was pulled out from my vision by an awkward shriek from behind..turning back...i saw Nicky staggering back in complete horror...with his eyes fixed on the wall in front of me....i looked at the direction of his eyes...There it was.......the Crucifix.drops of red were flowing from it...i was shocked to realise the truth..It was bleeding....i stood up in a slow pace..my eyes still fixed on the crucifix…I couldn’t help noticing the palm.. it had a clean notch..just like the one in my leg...that was when i saw someone beside me..kneeling down...It was Nicky..I could do nothing but to smile.
.After the miracle was digested by both of us...we ran out to call the Parish of the monastery..we came back to the chapel with the short,bearded priest who kept staring at us in disbelief..On reaching the crucifix..my jaws dropped open.There was not even a drop of blood on the crucifix..the floor which was earlier flooded with the Lords blood was spotlessly clean.The old priest snapped on us for lying and hurried back to the monastery.The miracle had rendered Nicky speechless.We walked back silently to the Rover.I asked him for the keys.He flicked them to me.Putting myself in the drivers seat..i reached out for the steering..when it caught my eye..My thumb...it was stained red...my lips slowly drew into a smile.........
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
THE LOYOLA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.
The Hindu,dated 06/10/2007:
“Basketball tournament
Thiruvananthaparum: The 33rd Loyola junior inter-school basketball tournament will be held at the Loyola School courts at Thiruvananthapuram from October 8 to 11.
Host Loyola will take on Sainik School, Kazhakoottom in the opening match.
So began the flurry of the most famous basketball championship in city..The news created a whole new atmosphere in Loyola.One of anxiety,hope,the sweet smell of victory pervaded the nostrils of all the boys..
The next day, (07/10/2007)the gamekeeper of Loyola, the all smiles Jose Uncle was seen on the court, aided by the students to sweep the leaves, clean the court, change the nets and to fit the bunker .The banner whose presence every Loyolite cherished was put up in the quadrangle supported by 2 Aluminum poles. It read “LOYOLA JUNIOR BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT”. No one raised their voices that day, maybe storing the full potential of their throat to cheer the home team to victory.
The Quarter Finals
8-10-07-12:50pm.A bell, followed by the flourish of the seniors announced to the school that the 33rd Loyola Junior Basketball tournament had begun.
In all hopes and smiles(in missing the rest of the days classes),the seniors occupied the steps facing the basketball court, ready to cheer the school on to the stroke of success. Creative slogans and banners were geared up after a lot of cerebration.Loyolites were to play the Sainik School,Kazhakootam in the opening match, just like THE HINDU said.
The horde of animated loyolites in the stands exploded into shouts of “ ‘V’V ‘I’I ‘C’C ‘T’T ‘O’O ‘R’R ‘Y’Y….V-I-C-T-O-R-Y,That’s Loyolas Battle Cry”, which was aptly followed my many inventive slogans.When the Loyola team started scoring baskets, one after the other in the exhibition, missing out on just a few, the spectators erupted with “We want another one, just like the other one”
The opening match, scheduled at 1 pm started on time. The match progressed with each second, taking the viewers closer to the edge of their seats with hopes of Loyola defeating the looming Kazhaks.With young spirit within,skill in movements & passes,and propelled by the cheering students,the Loyola team with Nevin Bennet,John Thomas,Thomas K Mathew, and Shekar R.A. at their best closed the account with 47 points,leaving the Kazhaks at 38.The final whistle from the refree had the students,standing up and saluting the young team.The match between Don Bosco School (PLACE) and Sarvodaya Vidyalaya at 2:00 pm was dominated by Sarvodaya Vidyalaya with a huge margin of 20 points, beating the out station school for 46-26.
St Thomas Residential School won the match scheduled at 3:30 pm with St Johns for 34-18.
The most interesting match was between GV Raja Sports School,Mailam(named after Godavarma Raja) and Medical Higher Secondary school.With fast-paced techniques,lightning passes and great shots,GV Raja crushed the Medical School to 42-18.
The Semi Finals
The Semi Finals on 9-10-2007 had four qualified teams, with matches fixed between Loyola and Sarvodaya at 2:00 pm and GV Raja against St Thomas Residential School at 3:00 pm.
When the likes of Sanjay V,Thomas John,The Johnsons(Jubin and Jian),enthralled the vivacious Loyolites,Sarvodaya School were always the arch-rivals,with some fierce brawls and bouts,which would be accompanied by tired scorekeepers,who always had to keep the scoreboard ticking.
“Basketball tournament
Thiruvananthaparum: The 33rd Loyola junior inter-school basketball tournament will be held at the Loyola School courts at Thiruvananthapuram from October 8 to 11.
Host Loyola will take on Sainik School, Kazhakoottom in the opening match.
So began the flurry of the most famous basketball championship in city..The news created a whole new atmosphere in Loyola.One of anxiety,hope,the sweet smell of victory pervaded the nostrils of all the boys..
The next day, (07/10/2007)the gamekeeper of Loyola, the all smiles Jose Uncle was seen on the court, aided by the students to sweep the leaves, clean the court, change the nets and to fit the bunker .The banner whose presence every Loyolite cherished was put up in the quadrangle supported by 2 Aluminum poles. It read “LOYOLA JUNIOR BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT”. No one raised their voices that day, maybe storing the full potential of their throat to cheer the home team to victory.
The Quarter Finals
8-10-07-12:50pm.A bell, followed by the flourish of the seniors announced to the school that the 33rd Loyola Junior Basketball tournament had begun.
In all hopes and smiles(in missing the rest of the days classes),the seniors occupied the steps facing the basketball court, ready to cheer the school on to the stroke of success. Creative slogans and banners were geared up after a lot of cerebration.Loyolites were to play the Sainik School,Kazhakootam in the opening match, just like THE HINDU said.
The horde of animated loyolites in the stands exploded into shouts of “ ‘V’V ‘I’I ‘C’C ‘T’T ‘O’O ‘R’R ‘Y’Y….V-I-C-T-O-R-Y,That’s Loyolas Battle Cry”, which was aptly followed my many inventive slogans.When the Loyola team started scoring baskets, one after the other in the exhibition, missing out on just a few, the spectators erupted with “We want another one, just like the other one”
The opening match, scheduled at 1 pm started on time. The match progressed with each second, taking the viewers closer to the edge of their seats with hopes of Loyola defeating the looming Kazhaks.With young spirit within,skill in movements & passes,and propelled by the cheering students,the Loyola team with Nevin Bennet,John Thomas,Thomas K Mathew, and Shekar R.A. at their best closed the account with 47 points,leaving the Kazhaks at 38.The final whistle from the refree had the students,standing up and saluting the young team.The match between Don Bosco School (PLACE) and Sarvodaya Vidyalaya at 2:00 pm was dominated by Sarvodaya Vidyalaya with a huge margin of 20 points, beating the out station school for 46-26.
St Thomas Residential School won the match scheduled at 3:30 pm with St Johns for 34-18.
The most interesting match was between GV Raja Sports School,Mailam(named after Godavarma Raja) and Medical Higher Secondary school.With fast-paced techniques,lightning passes and great shots,GV Raja crushed the Medical School to 42-18.
The Semi Finals
The Semi Finals on 9-10-2007 had four qualified teams, with matches fixed between Loyola and Sarvodaya at 2:00 pm and GV Raja against St Thomas Residential School at 3:00 pm.
When the likes of Sanjay V,Thomas John,The Johnsons(Jubin and Jian),enthralled the vivacious Loyolites,Sarvodaya School were always the arch-rivals,with some fierce brawls and bouts,which would be accompanied by tired scorekeepers,who always had to keep the scoreboard ticking.
This year found no difference,The untiring seniors started cheering for the propitious team with relinguished energy and they did make us proud,after a match that seemed like a sprint wherein two runners had their shoulders glued to one another.
After much cheering and moral support,no one was unhappy to fing the Loyola Basketball team triumph over the clash of the rivals.
Seconds before the final whistle,the stands were so quiet,as if no one was present ,the squeak of the shoes and the bouncing of the ball was not audible to any.All our senses were drowned in tension,but just a fraction of a second before the final whistle,we found the orange ball make its way through the hoop quarded by the Sarvodayans.This was instantly followed by a burst of high frequency whistle from the refree.The gallery erupted in joy,Loyola finishing Sarvodaya with 70-69.
GV Raja displayed their skills once again with enough pomp,Knocking STRS clean out of the tournament.
The Final Showdown
10-10-2007, The watches showed 2:30 pm,anticipation all around,tensed faces…! On the court-the Loyoites and the boys from the GV Raja team. PHREEEEEE..a whistle and the ball goes high up in thr air.All the students had taken their positions to witness the most crucial match of the tournament.8 of my classmates were in the chapel,praying for our team,Another one in class,saying the Namaz.In spite of all the gallant moves and shots Loyola made,with great cheering from our side, the boys from GV Raja showed great skill and opened a riposte of jaw-dropping moves & passes,the finals,had all the Loyolites,without losing hope, cheering for the young team with great approbation .Not one sprightly Loyolite lost his words for the home team even when the Domination of the GV Raja boys was prominent.
In half time,the Loyola team was almost beaten,but with inspiring words from the coach Mr.Arun,the team bounced back to action and put up a mighty fight,but luck was displeased with the loyolites and turned its face away from us..with the GV Raja team defeating us 59-41,walking away with the most coveted basketball championship in the city
It is of great honour for me to say that the Loyola team finished second in the tournament,losing only to a school that devotes half of its time to sports.The best team did win the tournament.
With Refreshed spirits and strong souls the juniors are now regularly practicing basketball in the second trip.Let us hope and pray for the boys to bring the honour that Shinoy and the other great captains of Loyola School gifted the school..
~~~~~~~~~~XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX~~~~~~~~~~
After much cheering and moral support,no one was unhappy to fing the Loyola Basketball team triumph over the clash of the rivals.
Seconds before the final whistle,the stands were so quiet,as if no one was present ,the squeak of the shoes and the bouncing of the ball was not audible to any.All our senses were drowned in tension,but just a fraction of a second before the final whistle,we found the orange ball make its way through the hoop quarded by the Sarvodayans.This was instantly followed by a burst of high frequency whistle from the refree.The gallery erupted in joy,Loyola finishing Sarvodaya with 70-69.
GV Raja displayed their skills once again with enough pomp,Knocking STRS clean out of the tournament.
The Final Showdown
10-10-2007, The watches showed 2:30 pm,anticipation all around,tensed faces…! On the court-the Loyoites and the boys from the GV Raja team. PHREEEEEE..a whistle and the ball goes high up in thr air.All the students had taken their positions to witness the most crucial match of the tournament.8 of my classmates were in the chapel,praying for our team,Another one in class,saying the Namaz.In spite of all the gallant moves and shots Loyola made,with great cheering from our side, the boys from GV Raja showed great skill and opened a riposte of jaw-dropping moves & passes,the finals,had all the Loyolites,without losing hope, cheering for the young team with great approbation .Not one sprightly Loyolite lost his words for the home team even when the Domination of the GV Raja boys was prominent.
In half time,the Loyola team was almost beaten,but with inspiring words from the coach Mr.Arun,the team bounced back to action and put up a mighty fight,but luck was displeased with the loyolites and turned its face away from us..with the GV Raja team defeating us 59-41,walking away with the most coveted basketball championship in the city
It is of great honour for me to say that the Loyola team finished second in the tournament,losing only to a school that devotes half of its time to sports.The best team did win the tournament.
With Refreshed spirits and strong souls the juniors are now regularly practicing basketball in the second trip.Let us hope and pray for the boys to bring the honour that Shinoy and the other great captains of Loyola School gifted the school..
~~~~~~~~~~XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX~~~~~~~~~~
The Loyola Phenomenon
It all began twelve years ago.When I was a small kid of just 4 years.A small innocent child who was not exposed to any of the world,unprepared to face the hardships and the problems in life. My mom dressed me up in a blue shirt and black shorts,and i was like where are we goin mom? and She replied "Were goin to see your new school son,Loyola".It took me quite some time to pronounce the name properly.Till then it was like Olola and Loloya for me.
I gleefully entered the car.My ears reciprocated the sound of the engine.IT said "we were OFF". I was suspicious if i was going to a school or some native place.(as of then.I had thought of native places as faraway places)
When i looked out of the window.It showed a lush green landscape.Acres and acres of it.When i asked my dad which place it was.He told me that it was the TUBER CROPS RESEARCH CENTRE.I made my brain digest the information even if it did not mean anything to me.! little did i know tht in just a few seconds,i was going to enter a place that would change my life.Little did i know tht i was about to enter a place that would make my life more serene,peaceful and of course-playful and fun-filled.
When we crossed the loyola gate,my dad told me that we had reached the school.I couldnt believe my eyes.I initially thought that it was some sort of a place where classes were not in classrooms,but underneath trees(like a gurukul).
for i dint see any buildings for quite a while.It was just trees and lots of it.I just enjoyed the view.I was soon put in queue for the interview.I still remember the day as if it were just yesterday.When i entered the room,the first instruciton given to me was not to turnaround to see my parents.There were 3 priests in the interview panel. Father Thomas,Father Pulickal,and Father Mani. Even now, memory has the imprints the first question i was asked. Father Pulickal asked me "how did you come?".
I replied " i came by car." Even my small brain could understand that he was delighted by my answer just by looking at his face.I also remember the only question i couldnt answer correctly.When Father Thomas showed me a steel glass and asked me what it was made of,I could only answer "metal" He tried to prompt steel out of me to his very best, but was unsuccesful.
That was how it all began.It was my membership card to the LOYOLA FAMILY.
Whts LOYOLA all about...? all of the non-loyolite readers might be still wondering what loyola is all about.
The Fundamental mantra of success and the secret of the nice atmosphere in Loyola can be attributed to the fact that the Teachers are Friends!.The student teacher relationship is so amazing. Dont students learn things much better from friends than from some strangers? that is what Loyola is! Classes are as though friends are teachin you...
About the campus: The loyola campus itself is inviting to any stranger..The greenery makes the senses calm and refreshed! Students find their own favourite haunts.
The non-teaching staff is equally loving.They are upto help us whenever we need them.
So..
if you are not yet a loyolite...if you wanyt to enjoy life and drink its essence to the lees...i say you join LOYOLA now itself.Time and Tide waits for no one BUDDY!
I gleefully entered the car.My ears reciprocated the sound of the engine.IT said "we were OFF". I was suspicious if i was going to a school or some native place.(as of then.I had thought of native places as faraway places)
When i looked out of the window.It showed a lush green landscape.Acres and acres of it.When i asked my dad which place it was.He told me that it was the TUBER CROPS RESEARCH CENTRE.I made my brain digest the information even if it did not mean anything to me.! little did i know tht in just a few seconds,i was going to enter a place that would change my life.Little did i know tht i was about to enter a place that would make my life more serene,peaceful and of course-playful and fun-filled.
When we crossed the loyola gate,my dad told me that we had reached the school.I couldnt believe my eyes.I initially thought that it was some sort of a place where classes were not in classrooms,but underneath trees(like a gurukul).
for i dint see any buildings for quite a while.It was just trees and lots of it.I just enjoyed the view.I was soon put in queue for the interview.I still remember the day as if it were just yesterday.When i entered the room,the first instruciton given to me was not to turnaround to see my parents.There were 3 priests in the interview panel. Father Thomas,Father Pulickal,and Father Mani. Even now, memory has the imprints the first question i was asked. Father Pulickal asked me "how did you come?".I replied " i came by car." Even my small brain could understand that he was delighted by my answer just by looking at his face.I also remember the only question i couldnt answer correctly.When Father Thomas showed me a steel glass and asked me what it was made of,I could only answer "metal" He tried to prompt steel out of me to his very best, but was unsuccesful.
That was how it all began.It was my membership card to the LOYOLA FAMILY.
Whts LOYOLA all about...? all of the non-loyolite readers might be still wondering what loyola is all about.
The Fundamental mantra of success and the secret of the nice atmosphere in Loyola can be attributed to the fact that the Teachers are Friends!.The student teacher relationship is so amazing. Dont students learn things much better from friends than from some strangers? that is what Loyola is! Classes are as though friends are teachin you...
About the campus: The loyola campus itself is inviting to any stranger..The greenery makes the senses calm and refreshed! Students find their own favourite haunts.
The non-teaching staff is equally loving.They are upto help us whenever we need them.
So..
if you are not yet a loyolite...if you wanyt to enjoy life and drink its essence to the lees...i say you join LOYOLA now itself.Time and Tide waits for no one BUDDY!
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