Three splendid years of 'RKV'ing!
Three years! What did you do?
Nothing much. Went around a 350 acre campus, met a lot of sweet, intelligent, wonderful, ambitious and innocent students, spoke to them in class rooms and on roads, smiled, laughed, watched movies and documentaries together, tried to inspire and got inspired! Had discussions and debates on serious and stupid issues. But, I made friends with thousands.
It was a great experience to be at RKV. All the negativities apart, at this moment of departure, I would like to look at the brighter side of past three years. It was great indeed.
I'm sure I would never get such innocent and fresh students anywhere else in my life. The students of RKV are the best I have ever encountered- I can vouch for that. Not only are they talented, but also creative on both sides of the brain. It is true that some students are distracted by the infatuations of teen-age. But that apart, they are wonderful. Their minds are the 'tabula rasa' (clean slate) of Aristotle literally. A teacher can make an impact if s/he wants to.
My interactions with students were based on the concept that students are learners who can learn on their own if the teacher provided a kind of structural opportunity or scaffolding. I am not sure how much I succeeded- my students have to judge. But I found that students at least 'tried' to do what I asked them to do. At least a few of my students made 'speaking English' a habit. And that is what makes me happy.
After three years of 'RKV'ing, when I walk on the roads of this campus, I get more smiles than I can handle. I guess one reaps what one sows! Sometimes a hundred fold! I care to give a smile to whoever cares to receive one. That establishes a human relationship. I believe in the adage 'If the person you meet doesn't have a smile, give her/him one of yours'.
My faculty friends and neighbours of RKV are family to me. Each one of them in their individual style has cared for, helped, and expressed concern and love at the times I most needed them. Without mentioning names I would like to feel grateful to all of them: those who cooked for me, those who substituted me, those who gave a consoling word, those who visited with kindness, those who smiled, and those who stood with me in my difficult times.
I started my family here at RKV. My wife- the sweetest person I have ever known- stood by me in my struggles. We stood the test of times together. We protected and strengthened each other when life put us through tough oddities. I owe her a lot! When she joined me here, we were a nascent family! The people of RKV helped us make life meaningful and joyful.
Finally, I should not end this by not mentioning the hills of RKV. The fortress that burns, fans and freezes RKV. You stupid hills have given me a tough time. You have burned me in summers and froze me in winters. The little rains you managed, helped to drench mind and body. Everyone might go away, but You will remain. You won't be forgotten!
It's time to leave RKV. Like I said in the beginning, I am not talking of the negativities of this place. It would take ever! Better things are there to invest my thoughts on. Like the sunshine of early mornings. Like the dew of winter nights. Like the gales of July nights. Like the milkman who says 'thanqe' every morning. Like the old, panting, noisy APSRTC bus that visits us twice a day. Like the proud honking of CGR. Like the '25-seating capacity' of RKV auto rickshaws. Like the monkeys that took mangoes from my house and dirtied my corridor. Like the laughter and cries of new born babies at the staff quarters. Like the tomato rice mess mornings and tough chappathi canteen evenings. Like the ten-Rupee mango from the fruit vendor. Like the Saturday WAT-CAT rushes. Like the never ending, ever-going-on construction work. Like the graffiti on the walls of our class rooms. Like the lone student couples stealing a word or two on the corridors. Like the candid attempts to copy in the exams. Sheer joy. All of these provided sheer joy. I can go on with the list for ever. Three years have filled me with such positivity.
Then why am I leaving the campus? Oh! That's a tough one to answer. You see, in life, I am a traveler. I like to explore fresher pastures and experience newer things. Yes, it is a risk. But without reasonable risks, no life progresses. I have to grow and improve myself. I have to equip myself for greater challenges. RKV is too comforting that it sometimes fails to offer a challenge or a threat that makes you grow. So I move out and try my luck. May be, I will feel bad about it. But for now, I a feeling excited, because I am challenged.
Dear RKV, dear administrators, dear co-faculty, dear staff, dear families, and DEAREST STUDENTS, I will miss you all greatly.
Wednesday, 15.07.2015
Three years! What did you do?
Nothing much. Went around a 350 acre campus, met a lot of sweet, intelligent, wonderful, ambitious and innocent students, spoke to them in class rooms and on roads, smiled, laughed, watched movies and documentaries together, tried to inspire and got inspired! Had discussions and debates on serious and stupid issues. But, I made friends with thousands.
It was a great experience to be at RKV. All the negativities apart, at this moment of departure, I would like to look at the brighter side of past three years. It was great indeed.
I'm sure I would never get such innocent and fresh students anywhere else in my life. The students of RKV are the best I have ever encountered- I can vouch for that. Not only are they talented, but also creative on both sides of the brain. It is true that some students are distracted by the infatuations of teen-age. But that apart, they are wonderful. Their minds are the 'tabula rasa' (clean slate) of Aristotle literally. A teacher can make an impact if s/he wants to.
My interactions with students were based on the concept that students are learners who can learn on their own if the teacher provided a kind of structural opportunity or scaffolding. I am not sure how much I succeeded- my students have to judge. But I found that students at least 'tried' to do what I asked them to do. At least a few of my students made 'speaking English' a habit. And that is what makes me happy.
After three years of 'RKV'ing, when I walk on the roads of this campus, I get more smiles than I can handle. I guess one reaps what one sows! Sometimes a hundred fold! I care to give a smile to whoever cares to receive one. That establishes a human relationship. I believe in the adage 'If the person you meet doesn't have a smile, give her/him one of yours'.
My faculty friends and neighbours of RKV are family to me. Each one of them in their individual style has cared for, helped, and expressed concern and love at the times I most needed them. Without mentioning names I would like to feel grateful to all of them: those who cooked for me, those who substituted me, those who gave a consoling word, those who visited with kindness, those who smiled, and those who stood with me in my difficult times.
I started my family here at RKV. My wife- the sweetest person I have ever known- stood by me in my struggles. We stood the test of times together. We protected and strengthened each other when life put us through tough oddities. I owe her a lot! When she joined me here, we were a nascent family! The people of RKV helped us make life meaningful and joyful.
Finally, I should not end this by not mentioning the hills of RKV. The fortress that burns, fans and freezes RKV. You stupid hills have given me a tough time. You have burned me in summers and froze me in winters. The little rains you managed, helped to drench mind and body. Everyone might go away, but You will remain. You won't be forgotten!
It's time to leave RKV. Like I said in the beginning, I am not talking of the negativities of this place. It would take ever! Better things are there to invest my thoughts on. Like the sunshine of early mornings. Like the dew of winter nights. Like the gales of July nights. Like the milkman who says 'thanqe' every morning. Like the old, panting, noisy APSRTC bus that visits us twice a day. Like the proud honking of CGR. Like the '25-seating capacity' of RKV auto rickshaws. Like the monkeys that took mangoes from my house and dirtied my corridor. Like the laughter and cries of new born babies at the staff quarters. Like the tomato rice mess mornings and tough chappathi canteen evenings. Like the ten-Rupee mango from the fruit vendor. Like the Saturday WAT-CAT rushes. Like the never ending, ever-going-on construction work. Like the graffiti on the walls of our class rooms. Like the lone student couples stealing a word or two on the corridors. Like the candid attempts to copy in the exams. Sheer joy. All of these provided sheer joy. I can go on with the list for ever. Three years have filled me with such positivity.
Then why am I leaving the campus? Oh! That's a tough one to answer. You see, in life, I am a traveler. I like to explore fresher pastures and experience newer things. Yes, it is a risk. But without reasonable risks, no life progresses. I have to grow and improve myself. I have to equip myself for greater challenges. RKV is too comforting that it sometimes fails to offer a challenge or a threat that makes you grow. So I move out and try my luck. May be, I will feel bad about it. But for now, I a feeling excited, because I am challenged.
Dear RKV, dear administrators, dear co-faculty, dear staff, dear families, and DEAREST STUDENTS, I will miss you all greatly.
Wednesday, 15.07.2015
Missing you sir...
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