Ramesh Kale was more than excited to ring the school bell and welcome students after 18 months. The 43-year-old Diva resident reached Balmohan Vidyamandir in Dadar sharp at 9 am as students resumed in-person classes. Kale, who has been ringing the school bell for the past 19 years, said he missed this part of the job the most.

“The otherwise mundane routine of ringing the school bell suddenly felt like an integral part of my job,” he said. Kale was among the school employees along with principal Rupa Roy who welcomed Std X students on Monday.  Roy said they were looking forward to the moment when students would return to schools. “They are my children. How could I not be there to welcome them,” said Roy.