I feel fortunate to have a copy of the First Mizo Bible published in 1959, a legacy from my Grandfather. My grandpa was one of the fortunate few, to have a copy of the first Mizo Bible as he was a collector for the Bible Society of India & Ceylon (the then Sri Lanka) during those days. He pasted on the cover of his Bible that he was eligible for 2 copies of the First Edition of Mizo Bible and that he extended the opportunity to Mr.Thansanga, Head Teacher of Sawleng High School.
As I opened the Bible to start reading, I came across few note patches that my grandfather scribbled down and kept inside the pages. Among them, there was one thing that strikingly caught my eyes and I immediately store it in my phone. It read, 'Bazar Corps Nursery School was started on 25.08.1971. Teachers were - Miss Rothuami and Miss Sangliani (Rita), who worked as a Volunteer. Commanding Officer read the Bible and prayed, asking for a blessing and declared the school opened. Song No.499 was sung, and Bible passages read were - Mark 10:13-17 and Psalm 127'.
It was indeed a humble beginning with 12 toddlers, comprising of children admitted by Chhinga & Sons family (Thakima, Hlua, Thangtea, Tei), and other families (Phillip, Vivala, Hriatpuii, etc.) nearby. The Nursery School resembles the present day - Pre-School manned by two dedicated volunteers, and might have been the first of its kind in Mizoram. It was a sneak-peak into their wider and larger project, and the First Managing Board members would have been pretty occupied during the preparations period. They tirelessly work for the formation of an English Medium School which was greatly needed by the public at that time. They gather and formulated all the things required to start a Nursery to Class IV School.
[Picture can be scrolled to view MES Album in Flickr.com]
Admission was opened from 15th January, 1972 for Nursery-Class IV and the fees incurred in the beginning were as follows:
Admission Fees - Rs.10.00
Tuition Fees - Rs.20.00 per month
Games Fees - Rs.5.00
Library Fees - Rs.5.00
Contingencies - Rs.5.00
Four teachers were engaged - Mr.Zirthanga B.A. English (Madras) as Headmaster with a pay of Rs.350.00 per month, Mr. Lalhrima Sailo B.A. (Eng.Hons) as Assistant Headmaster with a pay of Rs.300.00 per month, Mr. Zoliana and Miss Rita Sangliani as 2nd Teacher with a pay of Rs.250.00 each. As the fees were not sufficient to meet the expenses, Mr. C.Thangkima (First Managing Board Secretary) sponsored the salary of one teacher for the first year. The other Board members - Dr. H.Thansanga, Mr. Thangliana, Mr. Muankima, Mr. Chalthianga and Mr. Lalzuala also hand a generous amount to maintain financial stability.
The endeavor and far-sighted thinking of the Local Officers (church elders) of Bazar Corps-Salvation Army thus, led to the establishment of an English Medium School. And it became a reality, when the Modern English School (M.E.S. as we fondly remembered) was finally opened on 27th January 1972 at 10:00 A.M. by Mr.Thanthuama, the then, District Education Officer of Aizawl District. The Bazar Corps Band presented a special musical number, and the Managing Board members shared their zeal and report their accomplishments.
Records maintained by the Secretary of the First Management Board shows that the First Parents Day was held on 17th November, 1972 with Mr. Vaivenga, the Hon'ble Education Minister as Chief Guest. By that time, there were 8 teachers with 150 students, and the School building needs to be extended which was finished by 4th April, 1972. The Second Parents Day was held on 15th November, 1973 with Mr. Thanthuama, Inspector of School as Chief Guest. The School has extended upto Class-VII with 14 teachers and 320 students. In 1974 Class VIII was added and the number of students rose to 400.
Modern English School is one of my Alma Mater where I have spent the best days of my School years. I started with Miss Mami (H.S.Laldinpuii) back in 1982 and move on under the guidance of many abled teachers. Sir Zoliana was our Headmaster and our Principal was Sir Lalhrima Sailo, the Peons were Pu Sina and Pu Pahanga. Our Classroom was at the basement of the first school building when I joined, and we keep moving up and into the storey of the new building as our grade soared higher. Every School Assembly was a challenge for me as I had to compare my height with two of my classmates - Melody Lalmuanpuii and Zonunmawii, to see who will stand on the first-row of our line, since we were the tiniest in our Class.
I still remember the Hamlet voice of Sir Rawna (as their Drama - Hamlet in Mizo was very popular in those days and most of us can recite while listening to the audio), the sparkling white-teeth of Sir Vawra, the Heimdall of M.E.S. Ma'am P.Rintluangi inspecting our school bags, the bellowing voice of Sir Biakzochhunga, the Bollywood face of Sir Eddie, the long energetic hair of Sir Zosangzuala, the fresh-handsome look of Sir Dinga, the soft husky voice of Miss (Pi) Remveli (under a pin-drop silence in the classroom), and (Oh!) how attentive we were when Miss Martha told us stories from the Novel-Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, whenever she comes to our classroom as a substitute. The expression of Miss Helen teaching us 'Kawa Pakchhi' still linger down memory lane as I was a complete failure in Hindi, and luckily it was not a compulsory subject those days.
Recess time was usually well spent in the playground after filling our stomach in the school canteen with Re.1 and 75 Paise. Our favorite games were 'In-kawi-bah' and 'Rubber-zuan' where B.Thangpuii was the star player (we loved teaming-up with her), and we sometimes continue the game after the school finishes. Our Parents Day celebrations were extraordinary and fun-filled functions with our Principal giving witty yet humorous speeches, the school Nightingale - Sailothangi Sailo and Rebecca Saimawii singing their heart out; the hilarious Advertisement Clip on the goodness of Amul Milk Powder acted out on stage - our skinny Peon Pu Pahanga was given a spoonful of Amul Milk Powder and was replaced by Lalchhanhima (the giant student) to show the immediate result. Those were some of the things that were hard to erase from one's memories.
Most of the teachers admitted their children in the school showing the quality that MES maintained in those days, and many of us who continue to St. Pauls High School easily got through. I have also witnessed many drop-out students from other school admitted in our class doing fairly well. Sometimes I shifted my seat from the first row to join the back-benchers and blend-in with their mischievous activities and enjoyed the fun. One time, I bunked classes with my friends (May their memory refreshes as they read this!) and we went to the only Children Park in Aizawl, where we had our Tiffin and played together for awhile, and since we have nothing else to do, we parted and went home. I still wondered why many students have the habit of bunking classes 'cause we were quite bored that day.
To conclude, I would like to dedicate my humble writing to my Grandfather Major Saibuanga, my uncles - Mr.C.Thangkima and Mr. Lalhrima Sailo (the First School Board Secretary & First Principal of M.E.S.) whom I believe would be joyfully looking down from the Heaven above to see the Modern English Higher Secondary School celebrates its Golden Jubilee. On their behalf, I would like to extend our heartfelt warm wishes to the Students, Teaching and non-Teaching Staffs for marking many years of changing and touching lives.
You have seen His hand since in inception and His goodness has led you this far, it is my prayer that may our loving God continue blessing you from one glory to another. Dieu Avec Moi - God be with us.
[Note - I just received a copy of The Nightingale MEHSS Golden Jubilee (1972-2022) Souvenir from Sir Rama, and today I published the article I wrote on the Souvenir in my blog to mark my 48th Birthday which was yesterday]
