A Doctor Remembers - 2

Life in the boarding for over two years was great fun and full of incidents. Rising time was 6 am and we had to go down for physical training at 6:30. Our teacher was Dharmasena - a huge man bustling with muscles - he was nicknamed "Kaakka" - Crow - as he was so black! Fifteen minutes of brisk exercise, followed by a wash and breakfast between 7:00 to 7:30 am. All of us had to drink a glass of milk which I disliked. Often my friend late Nissanka - called with affection "Jelly" - would come early have his breakfast and drink his milk. I would exchange the glasses - my full glass for his empty one. Mr fernando would send for "Jelly" and get him to drink the second glass in spite of his protesting vehemently! "Jelly" in later life became a lawyer but died very young.

We had morning study from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. School began at 9:00 am, lunch interval was between 12 Noon and 1:00 pm. School closed at 3:00 pm. Our evening studies were from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm., followed by dinner and bedtime at 9:00 pm.

There was a colleague - Vohra Indra - who could not keep his eyes open during night studies and would fall asleep. The Master on duty who paraded up and down would see (Indra asleep and give him a tyhundering knock which would send all of us into fits of laughter. We called Indra "Bassa" - A Night Owl.