Interviews
TalesOfTradition: ‘Returning to school as a parent still feels surreal’
Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, alumnus-parent shares that some of his closest friendships go all the way back to nursery
He is a second-generation Chartered Accountant and runs his firm in South Delhi. He has been practising alongside his father, who is also a Chartered Accountant, since 2017. Meet Aditya Agarwal from Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park. Interestingly, the alumnus chose this school for his son, Vyom Agarwal. In a candid interview, the batch 2008 alumnus talks about how he felt when he returned to school as a parent, among other things.
What was a typical school day like for you?
It began with the dread of waking up groggy at 6 am and catching the school bus at 7. But I always looked forward to seeing my friends. The campus was different then, less modern than it is today. Once we stepped through the gates, though, it felt peaceful. We felt relaxed and secure there.
Is there a friendship from your school years that you still cherish?
Quite a few. My friendship with Shrey Gulati goes all the way back to nursery. I’m also still in touch with Ankit Bhalla, both Saurabh Singhs, Kriti Khanna, Nakul Luthra, Punit Mehra, Prashant Singh Bisht and many others. Those friendships mean a great deal to me.
Which school activity pushed you to try something you might otherwise have avoided?
Football, swimming and tennis pushed me beyond what I thought I could do, both physically and mentally. We also looked forward to PT sessions. Those experiences shaped my love of sport and taught me to keep testing my limits.
Did anything you learnt at school prove useful much later in life?
The humility and discipline I learnt in my later school years have stayed with me in both my personal and professional life. School also taught us to treat everyone with respect, whether they were older or younger than us, regardless of their background.
What has your child told you about school that made you smile or surprised you?
I still remember Vyom’s first day in nursery. He told me that his class teacher, who had been my nursery teacher too, said that whenever he spoke, she felt as though I was standing in front of her again. That made me smile.
How did it feel to return to school as a parent?
It still feels surreal. Walking through the campus takes me straight back to my student days. The old building may be gone, but the memories haven’t faded. I feel nostalgic and proud, especially when I see teachers who taught me now teaching Vyom. I also remember how delighted he was by the big open field and the swings in the pre-primary section when we came for his admission.
