Life as a Geographer in India by Anu Kapur

Author:Anu Kapur [Kapur, Anu]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, General, Biography & Autobiography, Educators, Human Geography, Anthropology
ISBN: 9781000372779
Google: cyEnEAAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 55783463
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2021-03-31T00:00:00+00:00

To Sir, with love

Using a mix of theory, concepts and everyday examples, Chandra Pal navigated class lectures in a way which held the attention of students. While his razor-sharp mind enabled him to answer questions, it was his personality which encouraged student interaction. He liked to teach and encouraged his students to experiment with innovative ideas and ways. That he could train the reticent me into using computers in less than a few weeks speaks of his skill as a teacher. But he was no hand holder; he expected determination and encouraged independence. The chair of the Head pleased him and he enjoyed giving access to students and lending an ear to their troubles. Streaming unhesitatingly into his chamber for advice, references and signatures Chandra Pal’s ability to give individual attention to each student won him their deep loyalty. That he enjoyed being with students can be seen in the numerous field survey trips he willingly offered to undertake. Lending an air of congeniality and care was his wife Indira, who accompanied him on numerous academic endeavours – ensuring that geography and students were not separated from his personal life. The family-like feeling he kindled for the department can be seen in the numerous projects students willingly proposed and in which they engaged themselves. It is the pool of alumni and student donations which helped augment the niggardly department funds refurbishing some basic needs. Sound system for lectures, writing boards and accessories such as lecterns, curtains, wall clocks, dustbins for classrooms, overhead lights on tracing tables of the cartographic lab, extended grilles for safety on the main gate, two computers, a printer, scanner and Internet access – all were created for the students. For the faculty, an air conditioner, refrigerator and a tea club were added to the meeting room. No big deal – but thoughtful beyond doubt!

Students were Chandra Pal’s top priority and it is ironic that it was they rather than his own sons or a family member who shouldered the gasping Chandra Pal to seek medical help at the University Health Center. Finding the Health Center without any doctor on duty in the middle of the day they hurried him to the nearby Hindu Rao Hospital where he died in their arms. This led to a furious agitation among his students and they lodged a written complaint with the university authorities about the dismal functioning of the University Health Center. Much beyond that it was an act to their “Sir with love.”

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