THANK YOU TEACHER

I was much reluctant to leave my home, “sweet home” which provided all comforts to get admitted into an engineering college in a remote place. The only son of my affluent parents, my life was a bed of roses indeed. I had no option but to go there because the college was a reputed one and offered good placements. My parents escorted me. Though small, the place was beautiful. The campus was large, well-constructed in the lap of nature with hills in the background and an abundance of greenery. The departments, the hostels, the canteens everything within one boundary. The students found the hostels quite good but I knew I would’ve to make many adjustments. I made myself bold while bidding a tearful adieu to my parents.

One month of classes passed away in a flash making my life difficult. The schedule was hectic. Food was not a problem because I’m not a foodie. The ambience around was congenial and so were the teachers. Though, an engineering college it seemed more like a school in aspects of discipline. My problem was with my classmates and room-mates who often pulled my leg and with whom I couldn’t gel well. An introvert from birth, I never liked to make friendship with the new boys. I heard that in the past, a few students who couldn’t accommodate left after a few months. I called my parents and told them my decision of returning home. They were obviously shocked. The next day I was called to the Dean’s office. My father must have shared his predicament with the Dean, I guessed. I was entrusted to Sneha mam. The much sought-after English teacher of the other sections. I had heard lots about her and I met her for the first time. She stood up as soon as I entered said, “Hi Amit,” and holding my hand led me out of the room. Her parents named her quite aptly I thought, because she was very friendly. She took me to the canteen and over samosas and tea, we exchanged pleasantries and parted ways. I was strongly determined that no matter what I’d be off and started packing my bags. There was a knock at the door. It was Sneha mam. With an annoyance which I didn’t exhibit, I asked her to step in. She sat next to me and holding my hands in hers, said, “We all have a bag which we pack differently. Some of us are travelling light, some of us are secret hoarders who’ve never parted with a memory in our lives. I think we are all called to figure out how to carry our bags to the best of our ability, how to unpack it and how to face the mess. I think part of growing up is learning how to sit down the floor with all your things and figuring out what to take with you and what to leave behind. Pardon me Amit, if I’m wrong but I fail to understand why you’ve taken this hasty decision of leaving the college and that too within a month. You’re the only child of your parents. They must have done a lot of homework too before sending you here. Do you think it’ll be easy for them to live without you? If they have taken this decision of sending you to this college, it is definitely for your good. Though far away from them, you are in one of the best colleges which will groom you in all angles. Look around and you’ll find many others who have the same story to share, but aren’t they accommodating? How will you gain experience and exposure until you do not step out of the comfort of your home? In order to be successful a little effort has to be put and sacrifices made.” In an affectionate and soothing tone, she continued for some time. Her wisdom was gradually seeping into me.

From the next day onwards, after classes each day she would wait for me and we would walk and talk in the campus premises. Gradually, I broke open my shell and started mingling with other students. Spending quality time with her, she played some magic on me. Her constant counselling about academics, my goals, the rapport I should build with people around me, most important accepting situations and handling them in the right perspective gradually got imbibed into me. Goading me into competitions she pulled out the potential within me which I myself couldn’t recognize. She instilled confidence and a spirit of fighting my battles on my own.

She ensured I emerge victorious as a leader. I will never say “Thank you” and end it there. I will be indebted to her lifelong for the manner in which she has polished me.

Today I am working for a reputed corporate as an HR head. Job satisfaction and financial benefits set aside, I myself find it strange that a shy and a quiet Amit is now transforming minds. It is nice to be told we are good looking but I would love to hear someone say that I make things easier, that they are happy I exist, that they don’t know what they would do without me, that I am strong and they are proud of me and I have something to offer. Compliments don’t always have to be about appearance, right?