Extremely saddened to hear about Kanwaljit’s passing away.

Although he was a year junior to me, we were great friends. We belonged to Rivaz house, our turbans were somewhat similar in structure/design, and we both displayed an uncanny ability of getting into trouble – rarely got caught though. In my humble opinion, he was the leader and I a follower in most of those somewhat dubious but nevertheless exciting escapades.

In the old days, Sixth-Formers (final year students) were allocated semi-private study rooms. As the name indicates, the purpose of the ‘Study’ was to facilitate ‘study’, though not everyone took that minor point entirely to heart. My classmate Gaba (also from Rivaz house) and me were allocated a Study above the Staff Common Room. This location had a multiple advantages. Not only could one overhear staff chit-chat through the open windows, but it also had convenient access. You could get to it from the Main School dorms (permitted entrance), and also via a somewhat secluded staircase (unauthorized access). One has to have an easy way to get in and out without being too obvious. Kanwaljit and I used to spend a lot of time here talking about life, planning adventures, figuring ways to ace exams without studying too hard, and discussing many other matters most significant to teenage intellect.

I cannot discuss a lot of our adventures, I promised Kanwaljit I would not – and my lips remain sealed. However, I am free to talk about one exploit because ultimately we got caught –actually I think we had a mole in our midst who reported on us. After protracted reconnaissance, we discovered way to get into the school food store/pantry. We would go in late at night and retrieve what we considered to be ‘essential’ foodstuff. We had a similar system for the school bakery. Needless to say, the Study was well stocked.

Such activity provided a welcome break from the monotony of studying for the ISC exam. I’d like to think that it actually helped me achieve good results. I did much better than most people (including myself) expected, and I have to thank Kanwaljit (at least partially) for my good exam results.

Unfortunately I lost contact with Kanwaljit after school. We ran into each other about 15 years ago at Chandigarh airport. He recognized me immediately although I no longer wore a turban.

I will always remember my friend. He was a good person.

Regards,
Kamar
Rivaz 60-68

That’s a beautiful obituary to your dad.

We only knew him as Kallu Mallu. The guy who, on the back of some connections his Dad had with the Oberoi’s, would sneak off from the gang on town leave to have himself a dinner in the Clarkes, which he would later boast about.

Amongst many others, the one incident I remember about him was coming back from town late at night in pitch darkness, below Knollswood, we found Kallu sitting actually astride the Deodar tree right where the shortcut to the school branched off. This was a tree which had the main trunk shaped like an upside down hockey stick. Sitting astride because in the darkness he had veered off the path, walked on to the tree, had slipped and had ended up hanging on to the trunk for dear life with one leg on either side. Not that we helped him off without first making his life miserable,

As you say, he is in a better place after all the health issues. RIP

Your emotional and very moving description of your Dad brings him alive for all who knew him.

He was a few years my junior, certainly with one of my brothers, the Bhumitra boys. For us members of a close fraternity, such a loss is always hard.

This little family of Cottonians cherishes each individual since he imbibes the value system and the motto we all live by. He will be missed especially by his class mates and those with whom he was friends during his years at BCS.

Kanwaljit’s memory will live on in our hearts.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family and you. With our sympathies.

P.S. Please do forward more details about his life and a few photographs so that we may share them with those who will want of preserve his memory. Thank you.