March calling

Although in India, especially in the Northern parts, March heralds the start of spring, after months of bitter cold and Is, accordingly a welcome development, I have not enjoyed March as far as my memory goes. More strikingly, my first board exams that of class X commenced from 1st of March, of course way back in 1978. Ditto the next boards in March 1980 for class XII. But whether it was internal exams in school or at university, March meant preparation times as these exams used to be held in April. 

After years of studies, I finally became a professional and chose the bank service. But for a few years in the beginning, when banks used to close their books annually on 31st December, March again became a crucial month for annual closing and achievement of annual targets that guided one’s future prospects in the organisation. The month also required tax planning and a few forced investments that would send the household budget for a toss. 

After years of academic and professional evaluations that made the month of March a nightmare, I finally retired from active professional life and the month of March became just another month. And thanks to an equitable throughout the year climate of Mumbai, one doesn’t even experience transition of season from winter to spring! 

As they say, life is a great leveller! With time, everything passes by – youth, power, high position and indeed a few eminently passable things like “March!”