Interviews
TalesofTradition: ‘Walking the same corridors feels nostalgic’
Partho Ghosh, an alumnus of Apeejay School, Noida, shares how the School has intertwined with his family.
Thirty years after he first walked through the gates of Apeejay School, Noida, Partho Ghosh still remembers where the canteen stood and which room belonged to the principal. He studied at the school from 1984 to 1997. Today, his son Poumit, a student of Class 4, walks the same corridors.
For Partho, the choice of school was never in doubt. He and his brother both studied at Apeejay, and his nephew did too. In this Tales of Tradition conversation, he looks back on friendships that have lasted a lifetime, the changes he has seen on campus, and the stories he now shares with his son.
Tell us about your own years at Apeejay School, Noida.
I studied at Apeejay from 1984 to 1997, and it was an amazing experience. The teachers, the friends and the infrastructure were all great. In terms of grounds and facilities, I don’t think many schools in Noida, or even Delhi, have an area like this. It was huge. We had wonderful teachers and principals. The friendships I made there are the best part. I still carry that network of friends today, and we will carry it for a lifetime.
What led you to choose Apeejay for your son?
It was entirely because of my own experience. I studied here, my brother studied here, and my brother’s son was also at Apeejay until he moved abroad. Apeejay was always the first choice.
How does it feel to see your son walk the same corridors you once did?
It is always a great feeling. Whenever I go to a PTM, I make it a point to visit the middle and senior sections. The pre-primary wing didn’t exist when we were here, but the rest of the campus brings back good memories. It becomes nostalgic, because I remember sitting in those same places 30 or 35 years ago.
Do you and Poumit already share stories about school?
Yes, we do. Facilities have changed a lot between generations, but studying at Apeejay is a common thread. Poumit often asks me, “During your time, was this here? Where was that place?” I told him there was a canteen at one spot, and that the swimming pool is still the same. The fee department now sits where the principal’s room used to be. He asks, I tell him, and we share these memories.
How do you see safety and facilities for students today?
The facilities have improved a lot. Today, every bus has a conductor, is air-conditioned and has GPS and cameras. There are also didis on board for the children’s care. When I was a student, buses were not air-conditioned, so students today travel in far greater comfort and with more safeguards.
Do you feel Apeejay will be a strong foundation for Poumit’s future, as it was for yours?
Yes. When I studied, learning was mostly bookish. Now the curriculum has become more modern, which is important with the advent of AI. School also helps you build a network. You interact with teachers and peers, and you become part of an alumni network. So many batches have passed out and are doing very well. In any good company, you will find someone from Apeejay. That network helps. A school can take you to a certain level, but a lot depends on the student. If a child gets a good environment, they will do well.
