Those Were the Days my Friend

Dr R A Mashelkar, scientist and former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

I was born in a very poor family in a village called Mashel in Goa. My father died when I was six and my widowed illiterate mother brought me to Mumbai in search of a job. I walked barefoot until I was 12. I studied under the streetlights. As I stood 11th among 1,35,000 students in the SSC exam in the state of Maharashtra, I got a Tata scholarship of Rs 60 per month. That is how I could study. Then I attended a school in Girgaon, where principal Bhave taught science. He did not simply believe in chalk and talk. He wanted us to see and learn. One of the experiments that he did changed my life.

The principal took the students outside into the sunlight, holding a convex lens in his hand. He wanted to demonstrate how to find its focal length. With a piece of paper in his other hand, he moved the lens up and down until a bright spot appeared on the paper. Then he explained, ‘The distance between the lens and the paper is the focal length’. He held the paper there a little longer and soon it caught fire. For some reason he turned towards me and said, ‘In the same way, if you focus, you can achieve anything in life’. That lesson has stayed with me ever since. Throughout my life, I have practiced focus and it’s what I tell young students too: You can do anything, but not everything. So focus.

As I grew, I learnt more lessons from this simple school experiment. Sun’s rays are parallel and the property of parallel lines is that they never meet. Convex lens make them meet. Therefore, I had this idea of ‘convex lens leadership’ which I used in bringing CSIR’s 40 different national laboratories together by making them focus on a common objective. Later, in many leadership positions, including the 16 Mashelkar committees, I used the convex lens of leadership to make people with divergent views converge on the big purpose. Race, religion, language are dividing the nation. Today not only our nation but the whole world needs a convex lens leadership

‘If you love doing something, never give up on it’

Dr Mohan Agashe, actor

I was 10 or 11 when I began attending Baludyan, a children’s theatre that had just opened in Pune under the guidance of Sai Paranjpye, who, herself, was quite young at the time. My friends and I were among its first participants, cycling there each day. That is where I found my knack for acting.

I met some of those friends recently, and the memories came rushing back. They call them extracurricular these days. Looking back, I realise how deeply that theatre shaped me. Perhaps without them, I wouldn’t hold the title of Dr today. As children, you pick up hobbies only to get back to them when your are older. If you love doing something, never give up on it. Pursue it instead, and let it remain a part of who you are. Don’t give up on something that brings you happiness, what you love doing the most.

‘No gadgets, no distractions, just pure joy in living’

Vandana Chavan, former Rajya Sabha member and former Mayor of Pune

Childhood, for me, was truly wholesome, a time filled with learning, laughter, and love. I was always that sincere student, the monitor, the head girl, the one who stood first in every class, but beyond academics, life was rich with experiences. My days were full — dance, singing, sports, stitching, art, and my mother ensured we explored everything. Those years taught me discipline, leadership, and, most importantly, empathy.

As part of the Girl Guides, we worked in orphanages and old-age homes, learning to value kindness and connection. I had two younger twin sisters who were extremely naughty, so I was a monitor at home too! Those playful fights, family holidays, and long evenings spent playing Lagori with neighbourhood friends are memories that still bring a smile.

Life was simple, yet full. No gadgets, no distractions, just pure joy in living. I often tell parents today to expose their children to everything, let them explore, fail, and find what they love. And to the children, embrace every opportunity your parents give you. Learn, play, create, because one day, these memories become the warmest part of who you are.

‘Keep an open mind, try new things, explore new cultures and cuisines’

Jayesh Paranjape, cultural walk leader and founder, The Western Routes

It’s difficult to pick just one memory because my childhood is filled with moments spent at restaurants like Vaishali, Marz-O-Rin, Prabha, and Raviraj. My parents were food lovers, so eating out was a big part of our family life. Back in the 1980s, going out to eat so often was rare. To my sister and me, it felt like something really special. The staff at these places knew us by name, they saw us grow up, celebrated our birthdays, and became our friends. Even today, when I walk past Vaishali, the aroma of sambar instantly takes me back in time.

Our first butter chicken at Raviraj, the sandwiches at Marz-O-Rin, or the upma at Vaishali, these aren’t just dishes, they’re pieces of our childhood. Over the years, I’ve realised what these restaurants truly taught me: consistency. In a world where everything changes, they’ve stood the test of time. That’s something I carry with me even now. To all children and families, I’d say have a lot of fun. Keep an open mind, try new things, explore new cultures and cuisines. Go out in nature and learn as much as you can, it teaches you everything.

‘Even imperfect efforts deserve appreciation’

Dhanashree Heblikar, actress and theatre director

One of my fondest memories is from a Rangoli exhibition. I deliberately enrolled, though I knew I couldn’t draw Rangoli well. Mine turned out to be the most oddly shaped one there, and the teachers weren’t too happy. I told my parents it must have been wiped away before the exhibition, but to my surprise, it was still there. That moment taught me that even imperfect efforts deserve appreciation. Another memory is from our school. My school was Hindustan Antibiotics School in Pimpri. They often took us to Pune for competitions, and those trips gave me exposure, confidence, and a sense of independence. Travelling with teachers instead of parents made me bolder and more self-assured. These little yet meaningful experiences truly shaped my childhood, and they continue to inspire me even today.

‘The food wasn’t fancy, but the happiness around it made it special’

Sarosh Irani, owner, Vohuman Cafe

My days at St Vincent’s High School remain the brightest part of my childhood. I still remember the short recess between 10:50 and 11 am, when the bell would ring and the corridors would burst into life. Laughter, chatter, and the rush to the canteen filled the air. We’d buy a small samosa or a packet of popcorn, or a local cola, simple treats that somehow tasted extraordinary in those joyful moments. Often, two or three friends would share a single samosa, each bite richer because it was shared. The food wasn’t fancy, but the happiness around it made it special. Those carefree breaks, filled with friendship and laughter, taught us joy in simplicity. Looking at our children today, with their modern comforts and busy lives, I often wonder where that beautiful, uncomplicated happiness has gone. Some memories, no matter how small, remain forever golden.

(Ruta Patil & Sanika Deshpande are interns with The Indian Express)