Meeting Explored!

Rajeev Nayan Pathak

It was difficult for me to plan my travel to Dibrugarh to see one of my friends retired from Dibrugarh University last year. He has retired from the post of Professor of Mathematics after giving his twenty-two years of service in the same University. It was a great honour and pride for him when his hundreds of successful students employed in various agencies working for the development of Nation had gathered in the farewell function organised by the Dibrugarh University Teachers’ Association and chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the university. The most remarkable line which he had spoken in his speech for the occasion was published in all the leading newspapers of Assam as “So little done, So much to do - Prof Barua”.

I had called him up and had informed him about my going there at his home to see him. He was eagerly waiting for me. I started from my house just after taking my breakfast early at seven in the morning, driving alone. To my surprise, after going to the transit camp, near the main road, about eight kilometres from my quarter, there was a sudden breakdown in my car. I had to leave my car there itself and boarded a city-bus for Dibrugarh. 

Sitting on my window seat, I overheard a child’s voice “Dadu, when the school will reopen”? The other voice said, “Very soon, Dear !”. I became interested in their conversation. The child said, “Missing my friends, Dadu! It was so fun being with them.” “Don’t you see your friends when you attend your online classes?” Said the old man. “Yes Dadu, we see each other, but Dadu still I miss them. I can not talk to them. I can not listen to them. I miss the stories my friends used to tell and we all used to enjoy. On my getting punishment from my teacher, my friends used to come to me after the teacher would be left the class. I am missing their friendly hand on my head and shoulders! Whenever anyone was in doubt, we used to give advice. We used to fight for a moment and would become friends again at the other!” His grandfather was listening to him patiently and was nodding at each sentence his grandson was completing.

It came into my mind that while the virtual connection with our students has become necessary today, it is not sufficient to continue the teaching and learning endeavour. Beyond the electronic connection, we need to connect emotionally too. I remember, as a student, and even now as a teacher, being in class has always offered me a sanctuary where I could forget everything else and immerse myself in a community of young, receptive and inquisitive minds.

“Dadu, you know, it was a great thing for me when my friends used to come to me to see my completed home-work and correcting answers in their notebooks. It was so soothing and happy moments for me. Even not feeling hungry, when my friends used to offer their tiffins, I used to enjoy finishing their tiffins within no time! It was so fun, Dadu!” 

Yes, children are missing the joy of sharing! They learn lessons on social adaptability, emotional stability, courage, forgiveness, ways of talking and convincing others, reasoning ability when they interact with each other face to face and witness emotions of each other! We are not thinking machines. We have consciousness. We are feeling machines. Our feelings trigger our thinking. These thoughts build up emotions within. These emotions are the key to learning.

I could feel the stress, fear and strains in these uncertain times developed among the school going tender minds! There is a need to create a space where our students’ voice and insights can illuminate their path for navigating through this time of uncertainty. 

I turned around and started talking to the old man first then the child. I asked about him, his school, his friends and teachers. He eagerly told me everything. He was Master Partho, a student of class five.

“Have you got any chance to say something during assembly?” I asked him.

A smile came to his face and he said, “Yes, many times! Once I had read one article related to Rainy Season and it started raining!” He laughed and continued “That day, all of my friends in the class called me ‘Rain – Friend’ …” and he focused his eyes away from my eye. I could feel his eyes visualizing the classroom scene where all his friends engaged with him!

If you want, I can talk to you, and tell you some good stories. Would you like that?

“Yes,” said he and nodded smilingly.

I gave my visiting card to the old man and asked him that I was in touch with counsellors that can help him should he need to speak to someone.