Anju Sen the State Tennis Champion

Anju di was a delightful personality. She taught Geography to the younger students of the school. The subject was taught in English but we began our Geography lessons with Madame Subrata who taught it in French. Madame Subrata was in all respects a lady of the early twentieth Century. She wore deep colour frocks, hair in a very special way tied; the lips red with lipstick and the cheek aglow with rouge. She came to school on a pousse pousse, got down from it with care and difficulty as she had a good height as well as weight. She entered the class room with measured steps. Sat on the chair and gave us a long dictation. It was in French and we who had just began to learn the language could hardly write a sentence correctly. But to encourage us she often gave us eleven or even twelve out of ten. I believe during summer she had gone to France and then we had as teacher  Anjudi.

Anju-di by nature was a very mild person. She could never scold any student even if she/he was disturbing the class.

Anju-di was a very good tennis player. As far as I recollect Sutapa and she played with The Mother quite regularly. The concentration with which the sent the ball back to The Mother was something of great admiration. Pranab-da was The Mother’s partner and all the rest who played with Her were on the other side of the net. These players tried to send the ball in The Mother’s reach. Sometimes if the ball fell a little far then The Mother ran a few short steps and tried to send the ball back.

In the fifties and even in the early sixties there were matches between Ashram groups with local groups sometimes players from other parts of the country too came o play against our players.

It so happened there was a tennis match in the  Circle “Sportif” for women and our players also participated. In the final it was Anju-di verses one local lady.

As we had the permission to visit these places, some of us went to “Circle Sportif” to enjoy the game and at the same time encourage Anju-di. The match began but we had to rush back to The Playground for March-Past. And after the March-Past one never knew at what time The Mother would come out for Concentration. So we just waited impatiently in The Playground for the result. Slowly some whisper in one corner some whisper on another corner discussing that Anju-di was the winning player. What excitement amongst us! Finally we heard that Anju-di had won and she was on her way to The Playground with the trophy.

By then The Mother’s distribution was over and she had gone to Her restroom. Playground was all subdued noise with excitement. Anju-di entered The Playground and The Mother was informed about it. The Mother came out of Her room and there was Anju-di waiting for Her on the door! Anju-di offered the cup to The Mother, The Mother received it with a heavenly smile on Her lips.

This is a past event and many of us have forgotten it. But for me The Mother on the door with a smile and Anju-di offering the trophy still is a very vivid picture. I always associated Anju-di with that particular moment. If eel it will remain with me always.

She left us on March 20th, 2010.