The first piece...

ॐ सहना ववतु सहनौ भुनक्तु
सहवीर्यं करवावहै
तेजस्विनावती तमस्तुमा विध्विशावहै
ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिही...

As the echo of peace slowly comes to a halt, I try to come to terms with the sudden gush of light into my eyes after a 15 min entreaty with the divine. Amidst myriad new faces, the smell of fresh fabric & coconut oil, an atmosphere filled with red sand dust, the feel of rubble under my sole and a distant electronic cacophony, I attempt to gather my senses and not seem over awed.
Excited, curious and a trifle bit shaken, I get in line and march to the division bell that had just rung.

More than a decade after I first stood in the school assembly, why do these thoughts flood back into my memory?