If I am not
mistaken, it was last Wednesday that LhabTshering of XII Arts, came to me in
the staff-room and asked me to deliver a speech on the occasion of the Teachers’
Day on Friday. Though happy at the request, I mentioned Mr.Pillai, one of the senior most teachers of our school, but it was clear to me soon that he wanted
me to deliver it.
“Do you want me to talk about the importance of the day?’
“No, Sir.
Principal sir will do that …..” he replied respectfully.
“What
exactly do you want me to do then?”
“Sir, we
captains decided to ask you to talk on the topic: A Teacher’s Reflections …”
This is how
the matter came into being and why I had to deliver a speech on the day. I was,
no doubt, very apprehensive, to say the least. To talk about the reflections of
a career of a quarter of a century is never easy. Besides, on inquiry, I came
to know that I would be given some 10-15 minutes for the presentation. That’s
what had me worried. What should I talk about? Should I talk about my experiences
as a teacher, or need I talk about the changes I have witnessed in the
Education Sector? In teaching and its methodologies? I found myself in a real
predicament. Finally, on D day, after a nerve-wrenching wait, my name was called out. By then I already made up my mind not to read out from the paper I had prepared
on the previous night and do it without the paper.. Here I have not much pleasure in presenting, to you reader, the article that
I thought, was to be a winner with all and sundry. It is another matter if the
speech I delivered based on what follows below, was anything but a big hit unfortunately.
My pleasure
and pride knows no bounds to be given this opportunity of talking to you on the
voyage I have undertaken, spanning over a period of two and a half decades to
Bhutan in the capacity of a teacher. Now a career of over 24 years can’t be
contained within a time capsule of 10/15 minutes. Naturally I have to be to as
concise and brisk as possible, but in the process of reminiscing, reflecting
on a life, I have every reason to consider well-lived, if I omit or forget any
important details, if I fail you somehow, somewhere, do please forgive me.
The first
thing that struck me as impressive about Bhutan way back in 1990, when I came
to the country for the first time and still leaves me spellbound, is its
unparalleled scenic beauty, serenity and splendor. Ask any outsider about your
country and this is what you are most likely to hear and there began a love
affair which has been constant and hasn’t diminished a wee bit since then.
I was first posted to Ura Pilot School in
Bumthang and I wrote to my sister in Kolkata:
If there be
Heaven on earth,/ It is here, it is here and here it certainly is! It is not
for nothing that Bumthang is said to be the Switzerland of Bhutan. I was lucky
to have found in the Headmaster, the Heads of the institutions were not called
Principals in those days, a loving mentor and guide. The Headmaster,
Mr.K.K.Thapa, used to think the world of me and within a very short period of
time, I was given some very important responsibilities, from class-teachership
of the highest class to being the Literary In-Charge to being even the Cultural
In-charge! Incredulous as it may sound today, I have worked under some 14 Heads
since then and I have found all of them including our present Principal,
Mr.Namgay Wangchuk, understanding, caring and supportive. Some names that stand
out in this connection, are that of Mr.Mindu Gyeltshen, who having come to know
that I did not have a gas oven or cylinder and was totally left at the mercy of a gas stove, took the trouble of buying one for
me without my knowledge and reaching it at my place personally, on his way back
from Phuentsholing; Mr.Y.B.Ghalley, the first Principal of CHSS I worked under,
who taught me a lesson on humanity and acquainted me with the Bereavement Leave that we civil servants are entitled
to. He saved me from a certain financial catastrophe, right after my mother’s
demise, the very year I joined the school; Mr.Tashi Chonjur, who saved me from
making the greatest blunder in my life by refusing to accept the resignation
letter I tendered in, due to lack of trust in me!
I consider
myself lucky that an insignificant person like me has been treated with so much
of love and affection. I have always had a good rapport with my colleagues and
found them accommodating. Even people who prefer to keep a low profile and
mostly remain in the background, people like Madam Kezang and Madam Tshering,
Mr.Parsuram and Mr.Lok Bdr., have time and again gone out of their ways to make
life easy for me, without expecting anything in return.
But the most
palpable reason for my love affair with this great country of yours has been
you, my dear students. I am not getting any younger, but I remember even today
the first batch of 17 class four students of Ura School, Choney Dorji, Yeshi
Wangdi, Sonam Tshewang, Kuenga, Rinzin Wangmo, Kencho Wangmo from way back. All
of them have done very well for themselves and are serving the Tsa-wa-Sum in
various capacities. Their names will remain etched in my memory, if not for
anything else, then because of the way they welcomed a rank
outsider like me with open arms and made me feel at home.
This, your sense of humility and helpfulness, your inner strength and outer gracefulness, is what characterizes Bhutan best in my eyes and goes deep into your very roots giving your country a unique identity, Bhutan has come a long way since my early days..The monarchical country has eased into a vibrant democracy, The country has witnessed unprecedented progress in all fields including Agriculture, IT sector, Health, Transport and Communication, Education and so on in recent years. Teachers today in Bhutan, from a teacher’s perspective, are in a far more advantageous position than they were barely some two decades ago. Gone are the days, when a teacher had a tough time in making both ends meet. I have seen how some truly committed teachers in remote corners, tried to make teaching learning materials practically from scratches. These teachers did not get a mention anywhere, nor did they get any awards or rewards. But their tireless and selfless contributions to the spread of education have not gone in vain and paid rich dividends as Bhutan today has a well-ordered education system in place as a result. You all are the proud products of this enviable system. So don't you ever forget the legacy and the onus that lies on your young shoulders to help keep your country the way it has been all through.
I would like
to take this opportunity of expressing my heartfelt gratitude to all those
Heads, colleagues and especially you, my dear students, who have accompanied me
in this memorable voyage, both in rosy and rough times. I remain deeply indebted
to you all. Without your love, support, and appreciation, I would have been nothing.
You have made me what I am today. You have, with your vast potentials, made me
realize my strengths and limitations and believe in myself. You have been my
greatest strength and support. On this momentous occasion, I wish all my fellow
teachers the best of Health and Happiness and all my students a proud,
productive, prosperous and peaceful life. May God bless you all and shower and
continue to shower all His blessings and benediction on this glorious country
of yours for all times to come. May the sun of Bhutan never set till eternity. Thanks for your patience and tashi delek..
