For Teachers Day

September 5 is celebrated as 'Teacher's Day' in India. It is one of the few days in the school calendar where students are allowed to entertain the teachers. I was in the eight grade then. We chose to perform this song at the gala Teachers Day programme.

'We are the World' was a big sensation then. Images of starving children and the pop-stars trying to help them flooded our TV screens. The Jacksons were still watchable then as were a lot of the others.

'USA for Africa' convinced us that the world was going to be a better place because of this effort. I think we chose the song because we wanted our teachers to know that yes, we were brats, but we still had some shred of compassion and idealism left in us.

The song, and its unique format of different voices all coming together, gave aspiring singers a chance to perform solo. I (never harbouring any soloist dreams) was content to sing in the chorus.

The song was very well received, if I may say so myself. Our teachers seemed strangely touched by the choice of songs - maybe it gave them a glimmer of hope that these students could still make something of their lives.