Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Induction into society

My son did his Engineering from PESIT in Bangalore. At the time of his admission my daughter who was already working in Bangalore took care of his admission so I did not attend his induction. Another parent, a friend of ours, whose son also joined the same college came back and reported the proceedings.

The Director of the Institute, Mr. Jawahar Doraiswamy got on to the pulpit to address the freshmen and their parents. He began with the benefits of acquiring technical education and went on to say how the society would merit by the services of the young men who had opted for an engineering career. Finally he asked the new entrants a question.

“ How many of you would want to take up teaching as a career?”

Not a single hand went up.

“ I can understand” he continued, “ Now listen carefully to what I have to say.”

Pointing out to the front seats occupied by faculty members he said, “ Here are gentlemen who have opted to teach you when they could have easily taken up lucrative jobs which would have fetched them much more money. They are those that have the responsibility of shaping your lives. They have undertaken a job that none of you want to do. I, therefore, expect you to treat them with the respect that they deserve.”

Needless to say that his concluding words received a thunderous applause.

I missed the opportunity of meeting a fine gentleman.

My son spent four years in the college. He, like others of his age, got in and out of trouble. Some of those episodes may find a place in this blog in future. I asked him once what he thought of his college. He replied -

“ There were times when I wondered what I was doing in this place, this is worse than school. But now I feel that if I have a son I would want to put him here and nowhere else.”

Thank you PESIT and Mr. J. Doraiswamy for making my son a fine human being.

17 comments:

Archana Bahuguna said...

Great thoughts. Teaching is one of the most noble professions :-) It is also an art. A few days ago I was just contemplating on what it takes to be a good teacher, and I was dumbfounded to know "how much" it takes to be a good teacher. After all you are setting an example!

passerby55 said...

Preeta...

Teaching is indeed a noble profession...

but when i meet my son's teachers during a PARENT-TEACHER meet. I always return with a feeling my son does not know what a good teacher is like and what a school should mean to one.

sometimes its difficult to get used to the changing times.

.... i till date respect and remember all of my teachers.

starry said...

Preeta..teaching is indeed a noble profession and it takes a very special person to be one.I have the greatest respect for my teachers and I always tell my children too.

Hip Grandma said...

hi all,
teaching is a noble profession but unfortunately with changing times a lot of compromises have been made and teachers do not enjoy the same status in society as before.i have seen the downfall myself in the past 25 years.who is responsible for the situation is a much debated question.the blame game continues.'ek haath se tali nahi baj sakta.' is my opinion

Usha said...

Although some people refer snidely to the college as PESIT SCHOOL, it is accepted that students who come out of it are doing very well. I think their system breaks the stereotype of the freedom of college life.
I am really glad that the principal decided to talk to the students about the dedication required to be and stay a teacher in today's time and age.
But they don't get a similar recognition everywhere and many are leaving the profession to get into higher paying jobs in the private sector.
Another alarming trens among students is that nobody wants to pursue humanities and science studies. They'd rather go t athird grade engineering college than do pure science in a fine college. Who is going to teach their children? More engineers? I shudder at the prospect.

Hip Grandma said...

usha:we don't get good Physics and Maths teachers to teach in colleges and schools any more.Reson-the good ones become engineers or join the IT industry.Our University has extended the retirement age by 2 yrs. and is trying to rope in retired professors to take classes on a part time basis.The trend is alarming.

Himavan said...

First time here, Through Starry's...
Very encouraging one. I've had and have teachers who motivated me and made me what I am now.....

Teaching is always in my cards. They say 90% of things one will learn by teaching. Hope in future I play it.

Thanks for sharing your personal journies...will pass by...:)

Usha said...

HHGmom, I am really worried about this trend. really wish I could start teaching in a college now . When you have the time pls read an earlier post of mine @
http://agelessbonding.blogspot.com/2005/09/selling-ones-shadow.html

I would very much yuur opinion on this with your experience with youngsters.
Thanks

Movie Mazaa said...

Arent I glad that I teach?
All the more, since I am done reading ur post?

:)

Hip Grandma said...

usha: the piece mentioned by you has been brilliantly written.i've alredy given this a thought.i'll think again.that's a promise.

Hip Grandma said...

velu : times are trying and soon there is going to be a dearth of good teachers and the future of India may not be pleasant to view.hats off to you for your choice.

Hip Grandma said...

contented:welcome.glad you liked my post.do stop by for more.

passerby55 said...

preeta!

The comment from usha made me realise why my son's school is finding it diffcult to retain teachers or unable to appoint new ones.

last month his physics teacher left the school. My son said she was very good and he could understand the concepts so well when she taught it.

BUT Preeta i think knowing the subject is ok at one level, to deliver that at the Students level is important.

I hope you get what i trying to say. Teaching is different!

Hip Grandma said...

passerby55:i agree.understanding a subject does not make one a good teacher.i am working on the topic and will soon post it on my blog.let us all think why even the good ones don't want their children to become teachers or vice versa.

Hip Grandma said...

mahadevan:your wife needs to be commended for doing a great job.yes good teachers are becoming scarce these days.i request you to read my post 'where are we going friends' written in two parts and give your valued opinion.

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