The Diamond Jubilee High School, Mumbai

I am an alumnus of what was formerly known as the Diamond Jubilee Boys High School, which used to follow the Maharashtra state board Secondary School Certificate (SSC) curriculum. Now, since 2012, the school is co-educational and it follows the national curriculum, the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE). 

After graduating, I pursued an undergraduate degree in commerce and subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration focusing on human resources. Thereafter, I received a postgraduate diploma in computer applications.   

Reflecting on my time at school, it was an era vastly different from today’s technologically advanced environment. In those days, there were no televisions, mobile phones or any other gadgets aiding learning; our teachers were the primary source of knowledge. I am fortunate to have received guidance from educators, such as Mr Abdul Rehman Yakub Ladak, Mr Dadasaheb Nasru More, Mr Shankar Anant Kolge and Ms Sakar Ghulam Ali Virani, among others. I distinctly recall the presence of our gatekeeper, Mr Kasam Vadsaria, who ensured we could not enter or exit without proper permission.   

I joined the school as a student in Grade 5. Everything about the school was novel and unfamiliar to me, from the expansive building with numerous facilities, to the spacious library, the well-equipped science and computer labs, and the grand hall for big events. Initially, I struggled with adjusting to this unfamiliar environment, but with the unwavering support of the teachers, I gradually felt at ease.   

Returning to the school as a teacher was a joyous reunion with familiar faces, including former teachers like Mr Dadasaheb Nasru More, Mr Shankar Anant Kolge, Mr Haroon Rashid, Ms  Liesel Krishnan and Ms Ezabel Francis Rodrigues. They expressed pride in seeing me as an educator within the school once again. The school's management also consistently prioritises staff development by organising various workshops.   

I am grateful to the Diamond Jubilee High School, Mumbai and the Aga Khan Education Service, India for providing me with the opportunity to give back the knowledge and skills I gained from my teachers.