WHEN A TEACHER CAN'T FACE THE STUDENTS
- From: "Prof. Bijon B. Sarma" <rangada@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2007 07:21:08 -0000
WHEN A TEACHER CAN'T FACE THE STUDENTS
Prof. Bijon B. Sarma
INTRODUCTION :
In the last week of the previous month I got the bitter taste of how a
teacher can feel when he cannot face his students. Well, teachers are
not supposed to know everything and if a teacher confesses "Well I do
not know it" he should be given credit for his honesty. But what
happens when the teacher knows the answer and still cannot say ? And
not only that, he find no option other than to lie before the
inquirer ? Is not the situation pathetic and ironic for a teacher,
specially in the rank and status of a University Professor ? In the
last week of May, 2007 I had to face to such incidents.
THE STORY :
During the last week of May, 2007 I had a short visit to a renowned
European University. With two other members coming from USA and U.K. I
was there to take examination of a subject. We worked the whole day in
interviewing the students, examining their works, finding out the
modality of grading etc. In the late afternoon we could release the
sigh of relief, because the evaluation was finished and the grade
sheet finalized and signed. The message that all students passed was
conveyed. That created loud cheers among the examinees and other
students. Instantly they declared a party and we were invited in the
same. It was arranged within hours. As was usual in an European
country, there were lavish arrangements of food, hard drink and soft
drink. Maintaining my Indo-Bangladeshi culture I remained content with
few selected snacks and soft drinks. That marked a distinctly
different place for me in that large congregation, where the students
and teachers came from every corners of the world. However, I was the
only person from Bangladesh.
At this stage I noticed two girls to come with powdered color (Red and
Yellow) and to apply the same on other's forehead. They hesitated a
little to apply the same on me. However, I gave consent and they
became to do the same. One girl from Thailand said, Sir, do you know
this ritual ? This is an Indian custom and we love to follow it". I
smiled to remember the line "Mayer kachhe mamabarir golpo" (Narrating
mother's paternal house to mother), because it was the Indian Hindu
ritual of Holee, of which only I was the best "resource person" in
that congregation.
There was no dearth of "Kissing" that was so normal and frequent in
the context of an European country. However, the difference that I
created by 'soft drink specialty' barred the male and female students
to make experiment with me. I noticed their amusing looks and at the
same time, despair. But I was determined to maintain my tradition and
culture. At this juncture I gave a short lecture saying something like
"Dear students and teachers,. I come from a different culture where
they maintain distinct differences between the teacher and the
student. I find, in this country you maintain zero difference.
Probably this is good and I admire your culture. But I cannot break my
own because it reigns my thoughts and acts. That is why I could not
behave with you the way your other teachers did. I am extremely sorry
for my inability and request you to kindly forgive my weakness".
That eased the somewhat stiff situation and all accepted my apology
with cheers. The irony started immediately after it.
THE IRONY :
A Chinese girl came close to me and started discussing things. She
asked, Sir, I know you have good knowledge of Indian and Hindu
customs. We follow such a custom. Would you please tell me the
religious background of this story ?
In reply I said, "Well it is one sort of expression of merriment. Even
if there is a religious background behind, I do not know that". That
was a damn lie because I knew the religious story. The girl looked at
me with complete disbelief.
My ordeal was not over. As soon the Chinese girl moved afar, an
Argentine girls came near. She told, Sir, one bearded man from India
gave me many lecturers about his religion. He even gave me some books
such that I could learn his religion. In one of those books I found a
story regarding a marriage between an old man and the young wife of
his foster son. Can you tell me the justification behind it ?" This
time also I lied and said, "No, I do not know". I looked at her face
and could discover, she did not believe me.
Even though I so sincerely endeavor to quench the thirst of knowledge
of my students, in these two incidents I could not do keep up my
principle., even though the answers were not unknown to me. And in the
continent where I endeavored my best to create good impression about a
"Professor from Bangladesh" I in fact identified myself as a liar in
the eyes of many. But what else could I do ?
THE STORY OF HOLEE ETC. :
The religious story of Holee says, goddess Radha was married to an
eunuch man named Ayan. For obvious reason Ayan lived far away from his
house. In the meantime god or lord Krishna had grown love with Radha.
In her husband's house she remained guarded by Jatila and Kutila, the
two sisters of her husband. Still she was awaken by Krishna's flute
and managed to come out of the house. Her two maids, Lalita and
Bishaka helped her to meet Krishna in the forest, where there were
swaying pad hanging from trees. Lalita and Bishaka even made a small
make-shift house (Kunja) for their nuptial meeting. And that caused
all the complexities. In the early morning when Radha was going back
Krishna discovered red stains in her garment. In order to save her
honor, Krishna instructed Lalita and Bishaka to 'color' all including
Radha with various colors.
Now dear reader, please tell me, with my Indo-Bangladeshi-Hindu
background how can I tell this story to the young European girls ?
In the same way I could not say what made an old father to marry the
wife of his foster son. After all, in Europe and USA foster sons/
daughters and real sons/daughters are treated equally.
CONCLUSION :
Few men take the leadership most others follow. Leadership flows in
the straits of physical strength, shrewdness, influencing capability,
number of stalwarts etc. That results in the peninsular growth of
Kings, Religious preachers and Philosophers. In an European country
this teacher had to face crisis in connection with religious matters.
In different regions of this world men have devised religions for the
welfare of the mankind. Very nice. What made them to generate or
fabricate such type of fact or fiction respectively that a teacher
fails to explain to his students ?
FORGIVE ME :
Dear young girls from China and Thailand, please forgive me for what I
could not do. By this time, I know, you have already mentioned to your
parents and friends your experience about a Bangladeshi professor, and
you have pictured him as a liar. This is natural. Believe me, the
situation has compelled me to behave like that By nature I am not a
liar. The facts or fictions I mentioned above were of the type that I
thought it better to be identified as liar, rather than narrating
those to you.
Prof. Bijon B. Sarma. Head, Architecture Discipline, Khulna
University, Khulna. Bangladesh. .
.
- Prev by Date: AUTHOR'S REJOINDER
- Next by Date: GLOBAL WARMING/DIMMING-01
- Previous by thread: AUTHOR'S REJOINDER
- Next by thread: GLOBAL WARMING/DIMMING-01
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
