Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Alka Chawra O ne of the most humbling moments in the life of a teacher – at least in my life – is when, many, many years later, your student comes back to you to give you back that priceless lesson, which you had imparted to him or her several years ago. Your lesson had empowered the student when he or she needed it the most. And, now, here comes the student to empower you, when you need it the most! I believe, this happens to all  teachers several times in their lives… The students grow up to become great physicians and surgeons… and they come back to treat their teacher… The teacher has lost strength… also, hope…”Teacher, it was you who taught us not to lose strength, not to lose hope,” the student, now, reminds the teacher… The students grow up to become Lawyers, Psychologists, Chartered Accountants, School teachers and Principals; they become Architects, Builders, Bank Mangers, movie and sports stars, even Ministers and Clergymen… They all ...

Pic.: Madhusudan D. Jeurkar   T here are, always, some defining moments in our lives. I have mine… One of them is when I first picked from a roadside book-vendor, in Fort area, Napoleon Hill’s famous classic - ‘Think & Grow Rich’. I still remember that afternoon, some thirty-four years ago. I was stranger in this city, and I was without a job. Worst, I was absolutely low in my self-confidence… and, I was filled with self-doubts and fears about my future... constantly consumed by the question – “Is there a place for me in this world?” Yes, it was during this period – I call it ‘The Great Depression of my life’ – my hands reached an old copy of Hill’s famous book. For me, that was the ‘Manna-from-heaven’. I wanted it so desperately to survive in my ‘desert’… And, yes, I did. C an a book change one’s life? If I say ‘Yes’, it is my opinion, my truth. I have given a brand-new copy of ‘Think & Grow Rich’, ever since then, to scores of...

Many years ago, on one morning, when a DAWN CLUB session was in progress, Fr. Rupak had come to see us, his teachers. He had been one of our dear alumni, and had been a very active participant of our Workshops and PD sessions. That   was when he was just a teenager. Then, he went about joining a Catholic seminary and eventually received his priesthood. Being a missionary, his vocation took him to various parts of the country and the world. Presently, Fr. Rupak is serving somewhere in Africa, where, yes, Lord wants him to serve.  I have been always a well-wisher of Fr. Rupak and felt proud being his teacher, even though it was for a brief while, and even though it was not relating to his academics.  Well, there is a reason why I remember Fr. Rupak in   this Post, today. Let me share with you that. That morning, I had casually ushered Fr. Rupak to the podium and requested him   to share with our young ones his own insi...

I had tough time with Rahul, this year. A 11th standard student that he is, he is the quintessential 'black sheep' in the flock. If a butcher comes calling, you are sure to say. "Take this one." So fed up, the shepherd is! Kavita, a T.Y. B.Com, girl is somewhat a similar goat. Headstrong and articulate, but difficult to graze on the dotted lines. Difficult to tie down. "Here is one more," you would tell the butcher! I had become very angry with them at several occasions; sermonised them; and, finally, when nothing worked, given up my hopes. I had this nagging inkling in my conscience that, both of them might dislike me for that. That, if the butcher, by default, asked them, in stead, they would certainly scream, "Here is he; take him!" So 'harsh' I must have been for both Rahul and Kavita! But, that was my 'guilty conscience' ... My unfounded fear. May be of losing my sheep, my goat. This Christmas, both of them called me to wish. A...