THE PATH - VI

 The Path - VI   [ At The Madura College]

If someone takes to the concept of negatively availing of the ambience, it is a reflection of the individual’s short-sighted character. If some one were to say that I would work only if monitored, it implies that the person is irresponsible. Honestly, it should be taken as good faith reposed in workers. My simple observation would set matters right. Certainly the College has been genuinely proud of some brilliant teachers / workers in all departments. Who asked them to be brilliant? Certainly none. It can all be summarized in one sentence Each worker did what [s]he could. [Work / wander / gossip] It is unfair to blame the system. 

Did any one ever suggest us to be lackadaisical in our work? At best one can say there was no reprimand. But, integrity to our duties / work need not await any signal. Those who value their self respect do their very best and others merely squander the wonderful opportunity to prove their worth. Stated in a different way, every one proves his or her worth. The inference is inevitable and infallible. I make the observation to drive home the point that at the level of collegiate teaching, responsibility is very high when trust is placed on us.

To recall my ambience, I too began as a nervous starter, for I had only the confidence but not the experience of handling the live-wire situations of class rooms. Very early in my career, I tried to ascertain why some teachers are more respected. I realized, they always mean business and they do not digress.  It can happen only if the teacher is equipped. The department of Botany had excellent reference material even 50 years ago. Vivid counseling was available from Prof. Sriganesan and Prof. Krishnan. They told us how to go about. We took it as a real blessing instead of displaying stupid inadequacy before students. That way all of us gained a lot from senior Professors. Quite some nuances of teaching specific intricacies of plant development, I have learnt from Prof. Sriganesan. He would precisely peg our doubts and offer the most convincing solutions.                                                         His knowledge was wholesome and he was endowed with fine skills of depicting even complex structures. The most astonishing facet of Prof. Sriganesan was his forthcoming attitude to help junior teachers. For the mere asking, he would pump out voluminous information with consummate ease as if conducting a magic show. He was a model teacher and no wonder he mesmerized all his students by his skills of teaching. With the simplest of words he made the deepest impression of any concept. Undoubtedly we were lucky to have had his counseling and wiser counsel prevailed on our seeking his help. Soon, we recognized the advantage of being knowledgeable and the alert amongst us went about genuinely equipping us in every sphere. The strongest base for successful teaching is absolute clarity in our understanding. It is well with in the reach of any one who honestly wishes to teach. With so much to gather from the ambience, I wish our people make the best of it. After all, the place has to echo the vibrations our great predecessors and it is for us to pick up the right leads. I am reminded of the saying, if there is a will, there is a way. I am sure, if some people regroup their efforts to satisfy the current needs of advanced teaching, certainly they can achieve it. My belief is some lead is needed. I am sure the presiding deity Goddess Meenakshi blesses the institution to forge ahead into luminous radiance in the days ahead. But for the radiant legacy, the institution could not have sustained for so many generations. Am I not right?

Thanks for your patient patronage             Prof. K. Raman