In this era when caste creed etc are breaking the boundaries set by them, the students of a school are divided into different divisions based on their marks/ranks, when they enter into class X.

All students of A division are supposed to be the brighter ones.

Students of B, C and D division should report to school at 7.30am when the school actually starts at 9:30.

One teacher will call up roll number randomly. The poor fellow comes near him as if he did some serious mistake and is about to be questioned by the cop.

He first places his fingers on the table with palm facing down.

The teacher has a wooden ruler in his possession. He will ensure that the fingers are placed in such a way that if the ruler is hit sideways on his finger it will cause the maximum damage/pain.

Now he asks questions from yesterdays lessons randomly. Minimum 5 will be asked. The moment the student deviates from the answer given in the note, the ruler comes down strongly on the fingers. But the students are so much adapted to such kind of punishment that they just make a different kind of sound as a reflex.

This routine continues for the next 2 hours. Almost all the 40 students will be called upon with the exception of certain lucky ones.

Another form of punishment during class hours is the culprits have to go to the front of the class.

The teacher alias cop shouts. HANDS UP, TURN AROUND.

The big cane will come crashing down on his back atleast 3 times.

Other forms includes standing by holding the school bag straight in ones hand without bending the elbow. Bending and touching the foot's finger with the school bag resting on the bag.

To add to the fun,

there is no playground,

lunch break is only for 30 minutes,

during intervals students should form a line and go to the restroom,

even in the approach road students should walk in a line.

If any of the rules is not met, the student can enjoy one of the above treats.

With the school enjoying 100% success rate in board exams parents are happy.

And students, which unfortunately includes me, thinks that this is the way it is done in all schools coz at that time social communication avenues with students of other school was virtually zero. I wonder whether the school follows the same practices even after two decades.

The positive thing is that I still remembers all my teachers who had hit me atleast once. Their face, red with anger is still fresh in my memory.

What will be effect of such treatment on character building of a student? Something to be thought of......