A Farewell to Remember

We don’t understand the importance of people when they are with us but when they leave, then we realize their worth. My first farewell was at 10^th standard where after a long ten years I have to leave my friends, which was a very sad moment. The second period was at the time of graduation. That time was also painful. To leave friends, who were part of my life for those four glorious years in the Walchand College of Engineering, was a very depressing experience. We enjoyed and suffered everything together in those four years. For those lectures, submissions, presentations, practicals, seminars, projects and exams(!), we were there for each other to help, guide, assist and encourage… But then the moment came, when you say good bye and move on with your life. It was a moment of farewell.

I took this topic purposely because there was a farewell in my college where I teach now(!) for one of the most beloved faculty members: Prof. V.T. Patil sir. The function was so touching, I saw my fellow faculty members talking, praising and expressing their gratitude towards Prof. Patil for last time. I was anchor of this function. And by convention, anchors are not supposed to deliver speeches. I could not express my feelings at that time. Hence I decided that this time I will write something on blog regarding this farewell. Incidentally this is my first article on my blog- The Fountainhead (name of this blog is taken from great novel by Ayn Rand having the same name. It roughly means the spring (source) from which river emerges, an originator).

Early days with VTP

I joined the college as an Assistant Professor on 1^st January, 2013. It was my first job after long years of education. They say, ‘the world you face after completing your education is a cruel place. Everyone here is on his own and in Darwin’s words: Survival of the Fittest holds true.’ Fortunately, I had my mentor in the form of VTP sir. Though he is senior to me by at least five years in teaching field, he never acted like one. He guided me in every work which is assigned by HOD; be it gathering committee, class teachership, organisation of parents’ meet, campaigning, preparation of departmental time table and what not. Really, it takes big heart to be helpful to a person from whom you won’t get any returns. And this tells very much about this man’s character. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power."

Aircrafts: common thread between VTP and me

I love aircrafts in general and fighter aircrafts in particular because of their mechanical ingenuity and capabilities. Sir was in Indian Air Force for around eight years in technical wing. He was in the unit entrusted with the maintenance of Antonov AN-32. This aircraft was given Indian name Sutlej after the river Sutlej which flows westward through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. It is a tactical transport aircraft, capable of operating from very adverse weather conditions of Himalayas. It is really a workhorse of IAF, doing service to the nation faithfully even after its designed life span (AN-32s were expected to be retired in last decade but Indian defence equipment procurement policy is famous for its dreadfully slow pace!).  Sir and I used to have long discussions about this aircraft and other fighter aircrafts of the IAF. This enriched my knowledge base about fighter aircrafts. It was the common point of interest for both of us.

Civil services

Though we are engineers by training, our interests lie elsewhere. Both of us aim to enter the Indian bureaucracy but this is no easy task. It takes a lot of hard work, patience and determination to be a bureaucrat. I have learned a lot form sir by simply watching him study. He utilised every minute he got from busy schedule to study. I am trying to emulate his methodology for my study too.  He was the one person whom I could discuss related issues, debate and finally come to opinion making. Really, you can learn a lot simply by observing your surroundings. Only thing is you should learn to pick the best from the rest.

Last day

Then came 28^th November 2013, his last day at college. There was uncomfortable silence in the department. Everyone was saddened by the fact that VTP is leaving us. Staff members, not only from mechanical engineering department but also from other departments as well as administrative wing came to meet him. It is amazing that one can touch so many lives at the work place by sincerity, affection and co-operation. It was gloomy day but every cloud has a silver lining. One great thing happened at the end of that day, sir asked me to attest his documents. It was first time in my life that I was attesting somebody’s documents! And the person happened to be V.T. Patil sir. :)

Finally, I would like to share few lines for sir:

"Do all the good you can,

In all the way you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as you can."

 Thank you sir and wish you bon voyage….