Every year on Christmas Day, we were treated with pictures of a happy visit to Mrs.Castelino, our biology teacher, by one of our classmates. This year, seeing her picture, opening the message expecting another joyous visit, we were deeply saddened to learn of her demise .
Mrs.Castelino, an educator of great restraint, was never seen to lose her temper or raise her voice, however strong the provocation. The students she taught, were always ready to please , this their favourite teacher. Her gentle approach and kind demeanour, got the best out of even the worst recalcitrant.
She made difficult biology, simple to understand. Though an interesting subject, the intricacies of plant and animal kingdom, were not easy to comprehend. The names of the different classifications, a mouthful and difficult to master, their spellings, equally challenging. But teach she did, even the ones with the least aptitude.
Don’t know much about biology but some terms still come to mind, monocotyledon, dicotyledon, all due to her persistent repetition.. Standing on that dais, well turned out ,draped in her starched bright saree, drawing the plant reproductive system and naming the parts , or the human digestive system and the names of the intestines, duodenum, ileum , all come rushing to my mind, like it was yesterday..
Her face, still dear to us after forty five years, always lit up with a smile, as she greeted one and all. Easy and approachable, she was ready to help anyone in trouble, and patiently clarified, all our many doubts.We sadly bid Mrs Castelino, our biology teacher, goodbye, and pray she rests in peace, and will always remember her, as brimming with joy and happiness, till the very end .
Mary Jacob 