Wednesday, April 25, 2012

College Gate – ICON


The second semester we had operation management. For that the faculty was Mr. Raghavan – Retd. Captain. The entire college used to fear for him. He is very disciplined and honest person. Because of this people used to fear for him. He taught us operation management in this semester. Students had respect for him, but they are not happy with disciplined way of teaching. Generally, lecture teaches their subject concentrating only on concept. But he is different. The film taglines “man with different dimension” aptly suits him. He not only taught the concept but also how to study. He taught us the art of learning. Neha, Naren, Bharati, Shiladitya Lahiiri, Arun, Niranjan, Sheela, and myself never used to bunk the classes.

He wanted the assignment and project to be submitted on time. He always respected the substance in work rather than quantity. Quality always mattered rather than quantity. I think even Toyoto, who brought quality revolution, might be failed to match him. Such was his standard. In between the concepts, he used philosophy also to educated students. But though he was a strong person has a very good heart. When there is free time he mingled with our team as one of the friend. His expectation from the above mentioned people are very high. He wanted us to do well. If we fail to explain, then he felt he did not taught us well. It was his failure rather than team. Such a wonderful faculty.

He used to take revision classes. Students never used to attend. But our team never missed it. He would question us and ask to find the answer in which page that concept is present. Never thought reading will be so easy. This method never stresses and keeps the hunger for reading. That is the mark of best Guru. Whenever, we took more time he used to cry “oh come on”. I used to do the same with team whenever went for breaks or outing.

Though, he was disciplined, used look for students problems. If someone not able to meet the deadline if they go and speak to him with proper reason, he would make exception. He always encouraged honesty. If you have problem, speak out, do not hide that in lie. Never comfort with lie rather hurt me with the truth. This was his attitude. Whenever his class was there we used rush for the classes to settle down before he enters class. Some of the classmates used ask ‘why do you fear for him?’  I could not explain them. Somehow I enjoyed his style.

Suraj: Ek satcha khiladi hi, satche khiladiko samj saktha hai.
Readers: That was too much Suraj. Don’t act over smart.



I was enjoying his classes and being with him. Once he gave the project and need to give presentation on it. The time slot has been allotted for each student. He used to allot time for lecturing and taking presentation. It was a Friday, that day he over ran his lecturing time and only 10 min left for class to finish. That day I needed to give presentation.

Mr. Raghavan: ‘I will take the presentation on Tuesday.
Suraj: we have 10 min left, let me give the presentation.
Mr.Raghavan: why do you want it today only?
Suraj:  Today is  my allotted time. Secondly, let me finish it, so that I can concentrate on other projects on weekend.

My thinking surprised him. He might have thought ‘where did this guy come from?’ There is a saying in Kannada “suryange torcha”. He allowed me to give the presentation. Did I fear for him? The moment kid finds his/her mother, it runs towards her. Is that the fear? Once we see our best friend we generally rush and hug him. Is that the fear?

Think over it. I will be back in sometime….(wink)

3 comments:

  1. what a wonderful analogy in the concluding para. very fitting

    ReplyDelete
  2. With due respect to Raghavan sir. I cannot stop sharing this...his entry to the class and exit was always with his two wheeler helmet on....many times I was wondering, are we in right place?...really couldn't forget this.

    ReplyDelete