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Fashion diva Ritu Beri can’t conceal a nostalgic smile as her memory jogs down those carefree days at St Anthony’s School, Hauz Khas. The words of her standard XI biology teacher, Rita Aggarwal, still ring in her ears: “Ritu, you’ll grow up to open a beauty salon.”

Well, Beri didn’t open a salon but she swept the world with her designer label. And she says she owes it all to her formative years in school.

“I was always fascinated by the way Jyoti Basu, our English teacher, would come to class dressed impeccably in crisp saris. She taught us the lesson of how to stay in control despite challenges in life,” says Beri.

Rita Aggarwal dealt with students with an iron hand but beneath the tough exterior was a warm heart. “I’d stay back and concentrate on my practical classes because my aim then was to be a doctor,” admits Beri, adding that Aggarwal motivated her to realise her inner desires.

Nostalgic about those lunch breaks with school friend Ritu Arora, Beri confesses those were the best days of her life: “It’s hard to be the bindaas girl I used to be then. Life changes you as you learn to cope with stress, career and broken relationships. But if the foundation is strong, the human edifice remains firm. I’ve survived everything with dignity,” she says.

Of course, Beri’s list of role models would grow as she moved onto NIFT: fashion czar Hemant Trivedi, and Asha Bakshi who taught her all about cuts and style.

“My gift this Teacher’s Day to all my gurus would be to tell them that they have played the most important role in my achieving success today,” concludes Beri. 


(HT)

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