Gone with 'The Times'

Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsMy Aunt called me in the morning "It is my son's Board Exam result today, please check your computer and let me know the result".
"Ok, give me the roll number", I said.
"623584" she said and continued "Do not put the phone down. We all are sitting together and waiting for the news"

So many things started traveling in my mind. I had to check a result! Which side of the computer should I sit? What should be my sitting/standing posture? Do I change my clothes to have a look at result? Do I wear my old leather shoes?

I suddenly came back to the real world and realized that this is not 'my' exams result and also someone is hanging on the other side of phone to listen to my sweet voice.

I switched the computer on. Somewhat struggled with the site. Post typing the roll number, I started waiting anxiously. The slow pace of website download increased my heartbeats and created some more moments of suspense - but within few seconds, the page downloaded and the result was before my eyes. I congratulated my Aunt that her son had passed. They all shouted in excitement and the result bash was over.

Thanks to the Technology for making things so easier in our lives. Today, with less pains and lesser anxious & suspense moments, we can watch our exams results. Things have become much easier and transparent for parents. It is not that the entire butterflies from the stomach have flown away; but the pains are, seemingly, much lesser. Apart from the website, there are many other easier ways of doing things. Put a SMS - you will get the result, drop a mail with your roll number - your result will be delivered electronically to your inbox et al.

But, there is also a flip side to the technological advancements. One would agree that some years back, Board Exam result phenomenon was a week-long excitement and an altogether different experience. With lesser means of communication, there were always long drawn speculations regarding the exact results dates. One would remember of keeping a keen eye on the left side boxes of newspapers for the D-Day. So much excitement used to build every morning, increasing the heartbeats and one day you will find the news. Uf! Nervousness, Thrill, Excitement, Suspense, and Prayers would become call of the day. Hurriedly, one would get 'especially' ready for going to the school. Superstitions will have their special place. Lucky clothes, lucky shoes, lucky watch, lucky hairstyle, lucky scooter, lucky companion, lucky God, lucky street and so many other lucky mascots (cursing the unlucky stuff at the last class result & carefully avoiding the attention of family members) will be remembered again. With a shower of "Best of Lucks" and a mixed mood, one would walk towards the school.

The early morning panorama at the schools was also a great experience. Many would come alone, Many with their parents (girls in particular with their mothers) - anxiously waiting in-front of the notice board and making repeated enquiries with everyone on this earth regarding arrival and pasting of result list. Girls will have their own tantrums, God will be remembered most, parents will form groups and with passing time & limited success - naturally - the rumors would start flowing.

"They have got the result in their hand, but supposedly it is slightly on the negative side so they are avoiding its pasting."
"Whatever is the result - should come early, it is too painful"
"I think they are waiting for Principal to arrive"
"No No! The teacher who has gone to collect the results has still not arrived. I know him personally. Don't worry; the moment he comes here, I will come to know first"

The person who has declared his personal relations with the result collector will soon gain the maximum respect & attention with his every movement & discussion being followed religiously. With the passage of time, the excitement will start fusing, people will be slightly tired and less excited, move away from the notice board and suddenly the big news will flow. Here comes the test of power. The taller the better - The stronger the better.

There will be a great sense of joy, thankfulness, celebration, exhilaration and also little bit of sorrows & sad moments around. Most will look up and thank the God. Friends will hug each other. Each one will enquire others' marks. One's parents will meet other class mates' parents - congratulating each other. The show will end here with happy or sad departures of the groups.

Remember, there were hardly any phones and other part of happening used to wait at home - where many family members and even neighbours would be anxiously waiting to listen to the news. With some self-created suspense, the news & marks will be opened, jubilations and happiness will flow & the event will be celebrated with commonly a halwa party.

Hey, come back to the real world! It is not your result day today.

I would agree that Board Exam result is still a matter of anxiety, trepidation & a reason for many sleepless nights. And, undoubtedly, the use of technology is the right sign of development - but surely - with the changing trends - a great deal of excitement and array of strange experiences have Gone with The TIMES.

(Yogesh Kumar is a chartered accountant based in Delhi. The views expressed here are his own.) first published:June 13, 2007, 16:12 ISTlast updated:June 13, 2007, 16:12 IST
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