Conf(e/u)s(s)ions of an 18 year old Nobilian

Because of the enchantment generated by that distance, I find it painful to look deeply into the past lest I awaken memories and relationships that we would rather leave undisturbed. From earning sobriquets like ‘The Mobile Man’ and ‘The Heart Break Kid’ to being labeled a ‘terrorist’ aka a ‘Manu Sharma’, I learnt what others learn when they face the world. When I longed for a life without difficulties, I was reminded that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. This was the most important lesson that I learnt here.

They say that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. I learnt to accept that pain is a part of life, and was able to endure the difficult times better and then move on, leaving the pain behind me.

Over the years as I battled through the sea of successes and failures, I had somehow unearthed a formula to get to the top. I was convinced that love, power and position were not given. These things had to be taken. And I took them. But I forgot the most important part of life. With great power, come great responsibilities. I misused the power and the trust, just for fun. As the mastermind behind the serial cracker blasts during diwali in our school, I learned an important lesson in my life.

The pain had started when I returned after my exile. Of course, things had changed a lot from when I had left. I felt it the moment I entered the gates. That belief and pride was shattered at that moment. Forlorn and lost, I knew that I had to survive the taunts for the next couple of days. Shouts of ‘terrorist’ and ‘bin-Laden’ echoed from corners of corridors and behind my back. Friends and strangers asked me when and where I would plant the next explosive. This was probably the toughest phase of my school life. I lived through it. Marc Antony says in Shakespeare’s immortal play ‘Julius Caesar’…”The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft entered with their bones.” These permanent scars prove that I have said ‘Yes’ to life.

With every sin that you commit, there comes a time of confession. I apologise for the mischief’s I was involved in, the rules I overruled, the advices I ignored, the love I lost, and the trust that I broke. I thank each one of you for helping me shed my ‘Playboy’ image. Thank You De Nobili, its workers, teachers and the administration for making me what I am today by giving me those innumerable opportunities to excel. I’ll forever be grateful to you. Thank You.

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Snehasis Biswas is an ISC(Plus two) 2007 graduate. Mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it