A SUNKEN SHIP…?
1970 –
2003. A glorious period of my life. I
worked in a “heaven”. Our American College staff, compared to so many other
colleges, were a gifted lot. So many nice things we enjoyed unlike other
college faculty. To quote one single example, in my early days we never have to
sign any daily attendance register. When you have work, do it. That’s all. In
all other colleges, most of the managements had this as a shackle to keep
faculty under their duress. Our college
had to go for it only after the insistence of the government after giving
direct salary payment.
Freedom was
so much for both to the students and staff. We enjoyed it with our own set
standards. Staff-student relationship was admirable. Especially the testimony
of graduate students who go for other colleges for post graduation always tend
to say what a great life they had in our college.
Then came a
struggle in the college in the years after 2008. A long and bitter journey for
people who loved this college. During this period thru this blog and by direct
contact, alumni who were in higher
echelons were even approached. Unluckily people thought that it was just an
internal politics. None realised the biggest danger the college would be facing
if the unruly elements took the reins.
Had all the
faculty come together or if the student community stood with the fighting
faculty, things would have been different. Only the non-teaching staff who
stood so strongly with the fighting people are to be always remembered with
great gratitude.
Government
rule says that the principalship is only for 5 to 10 years and principals
should relieve the post for the next senior. Ha.. this rule is not for those
who are so power mongering like the present principal. Who cares for government
rules and regulations. Powerful people
have powerful tools!
Who cares
for the all India ranking of colleges. Their only aim is to have the “college
industry” to mint money. They days when our college worked so hard for such
glories were all over.
So goes the
story….
******
Like this blog, the whole lot of alumni in that group is in very deep silence !!!
