Standeties

I have studied my primary schooling in a Government school in a village in Kerala. The school is pretty old and even my father and his elders has studied in the same school. 

During those days, every year one day, there will be an inspection from the state education department. That day, one inspector come and do verification regarding the quality of education the school is providing and the teaching quality and so on and so forth. 

I have seen this from my first standard, few days prior the inspection, teachers will be extra cautious. They try to clean the class room and school surroundings. They ask us to wear good cloths and come. The class room board will be neatly arranged. They try to do all possible things to impress the education inspector. 

One of the another important activity is we do have assembly on the inspection day. to practice assembly, we start conduct assemblies prior to few days. 

When was in 4th standard, 4th is the highest class in primary school. the day arrived to welcome inspector. Few days before, teacher decided to practice assembly. They asked all students to gather in the school ground. Then they wanted a school leader, we will give instruction to other students loudly from the stage. One teacher, said I will be the right person to do that. They called me asked me to chant as one teacher says, He said, 'ATTENTION', I said it with my dry throat and top of my voice, later I realised that student only heard what the teacher said. When I say ' ATTENTION' all students stand erect with looking straight. Then teacher said, 'STANDETIES', I repeated with my dry throat high volumn, all of us stood, hold our hand back and keep the legs in distance. 

The exercise embarrassed me, all friends lough at my first public speech. Same day, I went and told my mother about it, she made it easy and taught me how to say it and how stand. I was pretty confident to do the same act next day. But teachers didnt have time to experiment with me again, they choose another student from different class. He was smart and confident guy, gained the confident and trust among teachers and students. One of my first failures in life. 

I have moved to different school from 5th standard onward. A convent school, everyday we had assembly for next 6 years. I have not chosen any time to become a school leader or got chance to do, what My mother taught me. 

Post school, I have moved to colleges, the job. I still remember, this ATTENTION and STANDETIES.  I have not good the opportunity to say it again. It is very true that, if you loss an opportunity, you wont get that same again. 

Now, I am 33 years old, I am married and a have daughter. Last day, my wife, said it aloud to my daughter, ATTENTION, STAND AT EASE. This is the time, I realised that STANDETIES means STAND AT EASE. STANDETIES is not a word or posture.

It dawned on me that finally, it is STAND AT EASE. I said this new discovery to my wife, she amazed with my foolishness for years. She said, I am unique and I will be only one person will be not knowing STAND AT EASE.

I said this story to my friends and I realized that, I am a common man among the majority of this country. I am not unique.