A STUDENT'S TRIBUTE TO Dr. PAUL LOVE

 

 

 

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A student’s tribute to Dr. Paul L Love, 

‘The English Professor’ 

at The American College, 

who passed away on April 24

 

The otherwise tranquil Barton House, where Professor Dr. Paul Linder Love resided, bustled with laughter and giggle of students. During exams, we would visit him as a ritual and he would treat us to fluffy tea-cakes and a steaming cup of chai . Amidst all the fun, he would advice us not to venture out on any culinary exploration and rather eat at his home where food was available for anybody anytime. Such was his concern for his students. It is hard to believe that he left us last Friday.

Looking back, I can only say that our teacher, fondly called as Proffy, was a personification of kindness. He never spoke much but whenever he did, he touched hearts, inspired minds and encouraged talents. Whenever we needed him, he was there for us. But for him, we couldn’t have afforded the expensive Arden Shakespeare editions. He provided us all the books on subsidised rates and if many of us could boast of our own libraries at home, it is because of our teacher.

Beloved Proffy was not known to hurt anyone. I can never forget the day when we students devoured the Chicken Biryani feast meant for some other guests of his. Fearing admonishment, we turned up late the next day. Surprisingly, we found a note under a plate full of tea-cakes which said ‘Please do justice’. Seeing our teacher’s munificence, we were left moist-eyed.

He always saw and found good in others. Even on the answer sheets, he would write down short comments which were highly enlightening. It became our study material for subsequent examinations. Though a master of the language, he was never for bombastic words. “Don’t use 100-dollar word in place of 10-Dollar word,” he would proffer.

Many, who came from humble families, turned to Proffy, the ever-loving patriarch of the department. He was a pillar of support for all, both mentally and financially. Once lent, he never accepted the money back and would instead advice us to support someone else in need. He expanded the circle of generosity amongst us.

We used to look forward to the four-day annual excursions to Kodaikanal with Proffy. He broke all the established notions of student-teacher relationship. Though we had the reverence for our inimitable teacher, we also saw a friend in him. He was an ideal not just for professors but also for young people like us. In fact, he cherished being among students. Young at heart, Proffy used to walk along with us from Bryant’s park to Pillar rock.

He brought in litterateurs to the college, whom we had only seen on book covers. Professor Paul Love was meticulous in whatever he did. He would faithfully follow his to-do lists to the T and never leave a job undone or half-done. A perfectionist that he was, Proffy had even planned his last journey. From what biblical verses should be read to who should be reading it, he had decided everything beforehand.

Dr. Love was someone who lived by his name. As love is pervasive and endless, so is our professor. He may have left us but the example he set is there for everyone to emulate. As per his will, he was given a simple loving send off. His memorial service will be held at The American College Chapel on May 2 at 5.30 p.m.

T. SARAVANAN

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