Tuesday, October 17, 2006

THE YEARS GONE BY

I hit upon this brilliant idea, that I too should write. I felt that sudden urge to make it big; Booker Prize, New York Best Sellers List, Money, Fame and a Rendevouz with Simi Grewal.
At the breakfast table, one rainy morning, I said to my wife Ann, 'I'm going to write'! I was immediately checked for signs of fever - I had been delirious with a temperature of 104 degrees when I was down with Malaria. Hence the quick check up!


I also hit upon the title - BTW Dude! (By the way dude! - for those of you who have come in late). The audience was definitely identified as the typical 20 something with a 'BTW' attitude. But then I wondered....How could a forty plus 'dude' communicate with 20 something 'dudes'. Easier said than done? Just that - when my target audience was on a breast milk diet, I was graduating from College! Tough!

I was introduced to Orkut. Was sucked in. And have got deeply entrenched there. By popular demand I am continuing - as the Schumacher of Orkut. Then came suggestions that my 'gems'should appear in a web-log or Blog! Took advice from my 'usual suspects'; the friends on Orkut. Unanimously I was goaded to write a blog. That's why I am writing this blog! BTW Dude has been dammed!

I just finished 16 years of teaching on October 2nd 2006. How did I fare in these 16 years? I took stock. Sat back and did some thinking. Concluded that I had done a reasonably good job. You can't please all. But, most importantly, I had pleased myself! I am one happy 'dude', particularly when I see my students doing well in life!

I attended the Annual Homecoming of TAPMI, Manipal. I spent quality time with students of the 2004-06 batch. I had first met them, a motley bunch of curious youngsters, on June 16th 2004. They were putty in my hands. I tried pushing through some 'fundas of life' alongwith the staple diet of Financial Accounting and Financial Management. In the process, I spent nearly 80 hours of my life, with them, inside the confines of the class; and God Alone Knows, many more in the canteen. I attended their convocation, the first one that I had attended, and a few did cry on my shoulder when the time came to part. It was at that time that I wondered - What will become of them? I fretted; like a parent would.

Time went by. And I met them at the homecoming. I was surprised. This time I met, a disciplined bouquet of determined young men and women. In the course of the day, the opium of truth hit me. I had stagnated, they had moved ahead in life. That night I slept, contended. They, a 'motley bunch of curious youngsters' were already on their way. My chest swelled with pride and I slept the sleep of God's.

Do teachers all over have the same feeling? I wonder! Haven't been able to communicate this thought to many amongst my colleagues.

What was the reaction of these young people when they met me? I did not ask. One of them had hauled a shirt for me, all the way from Kolkata. Why me? I was overwhelmed! Could I take it as a reaction?

Every day of these last 16 years, I too have been taught. Lessons by young people. By my colleagues. By friends. Subjects too diverse to mention. I have matured too as wine would if permitted. I have learnt to be a co-student. I have concluded that students are my clients; just as they are clients of the institute to which they have come.

I raise a toast, not to myself, but to all the people who I have come in contact in the last 16 years. They who left an impression on me. May their tribe increase and prosper! Amen!

30 comments:

humanprojector said...

Congratulations & way to go, Sir!

Unknown said...

So you finally took the plunge!!
And a very apt first post! :)

D N Prasad said...

Three Cheers ! Lionel. Will look forward to this regularly

Sandeep Acharya said...

Ya.. congratulations on heeding to our advice! wonderful Blog.. Rock on dude! ;)

Unknown said...

Sorry for not responding to earlier mail but CONGRATS to you for the blog. Will look forward to this blog daily.

Unknown said...

awesome write up sir........very reminiscent of Tuesday's with Morrie. loved it .....plz continue

Unknown said...

nice post....another blog i would be looking forward to

BTW DUDE...when is the next one coming up?

Karthik said...

Sir, the opening's been grand!

Game ON!!!

Ayush Paul said...

Among the other comments....this is one is bound to be one of the most GLOBAL ! I loved reading it, becauseI got to know what a an elder ( not older !) Dude thinks of 20 something Dudes. Although I have never spoken or written to you....I have had the chance of knowing you well. Maybe my photo is not so helpful in reminding who was I, but I know you will realize that this is how the one Dude...among other dudes felt @ I. Keep blogging..I love to read.

P.S. :: know me @
ayushpaul@blogspot.com

Shalin said...

cool sir.. lookin forward for more of stuff !!

Sazeal Shah said...

hmmm... interesting! i remember u sayin a year ago how u hated blogs and bloggers ;)

well, i'd say - "Join the club"


http://da-incorrigible.blogspirit.com

Unknown said...

Finally we get to see more of you :-) rather read more of you! That was really neat!

Saras said...

That was real cool stuff Dude!!:)...Looking forward to more such posts...

Adharsh Praveen said...

Congratulation sir.. a nice start..I expect to see more..

Aarathi said...

Dam kool....makes us feel so nostalgic about the time we all spent together....looking forward to your next blog...

RT said...

Really nice one sir .. Hope to reading more from your end ..

Anonymous said...

Dear Sir,
Its a really heart touching write-up:)..

Unknown said...

Hey

Cool starting sir.
Keep the Spirit up

PH said...

U hve been an interesting teacher..... so i guess ur blog wil b equally interestin.... lookin forward for more....

rt said...

Sir, its as amazing and captivating as ur true self :)
U have whetted our appetite and now we are craving for more...

Unknown said...

Damn I missed the alumni.. but your write up touched an emotional cord somewhere.

Unknown said...

I could easily hear your voice in your blog, as if we are sitting together and I am listening to your views. Great going Sir. Will regularly look forward towards your blog.

Karthik Abhiram said...

Great post.

Looking forward to more...

Green House said...

Good start for the Booker Prize.

Ann.

Memento mori said...

By The Way sir, Can't get deeper for starters!!!

Pal said...

sir...too good!!!

Joydeep Das said...

nice post sir...actually we knew if u actually ever wrote a blog, we could expect nothing but grt posts frm u...and regarding the pride tht u felt abt ur students...i must say most of them must hv had similar fond memories(even vips!)regarding ur classes and u...:)after reading ur post, all i can say is please encore... ciao - joydeep

Shaks said...

Sir,
It was a gr8 post.
waiting for more from you

Sanat Satyan said...

From a usual suspect...
With a lot of respect...

Lookin forward for more...
As long as the eagles soar!

Sanat

sanatsatyan.blogspot.com

KAPIL said...

Dear Sir,

Nice to see you on Orkut....I am thankful for your 'fundas of life' which you had given with the staple diet of Financial Accounting and Financial Management....Waiting for some more inspirational and motivating posts....

cheers

kapil mehta

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