*
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.
*
