“And You are that English Teacher!”

“And You are that English Teacher!”

(Ruminating on our journey together)

“Kamakyaguri High School has produced scientists, doctors, engineers…. but Munmun has emerged the first writer from this school,” remarked Mr. Dulal Ch. Das, a senior English teacher of the legendary school.

In my entire teaching career of about forty years in several English medium schools in India and Bhutan, I have not come across any students, who ventured to be a writer at such a young age. But Munmun has broken the ice! In spite of her rural and under-privileged family background and schooling in a Bengali medium school, she has become the author of ‘The Divine Departure’ - a commendable book - at the age of 15.

For her excellent performance in English communication and writing skills, she has fallen in the good books of several luminaries including Madam Kiran Bedi, the legendary lady police officer of India. Munmun has also become a recipient of the Virangana Award from the Govt of West Bengal. Her name has also appeared among the thirty best performers of the world in an International Essay Competition organized by the Japanese Government. She had been an average and unknown student till class V. But our very first encounter caused an explosion. When I told her, “Tell your parents that Bhutan dadu (Grandfather who worked in Bhutan) advises a strong English teacher for me, who can speak and write English fluently.” To this, she shot back: “Aar sei English teacher ta tumiye (And you are that English teacher)”. My old self was killed with one shot. I felt dazzled. A new teacher arose in me. With a blazing fire of enthusiasm and energy from the very next day I started driving to her house, a distance of 14km, to teach her, once a week. Munmun, her parents and grandparents were awestruck. A new light of joy shone in all of them.

In our journey, we ventured to adopt a wider approach of learning than the traditional method of confinement within the framework of textbooks and syllabi. I drove her into extensive creative reading, creative speaking, and creative writing. I carried dozens of books, WISDOM magazines and other reading materials of her tastes and standard, from my home library. Besides, I trained her in the Iyengar Yoga in order to tone up her entire system. As her capacity and receptivity grew, I lifted her to higher reading, writing, and speaking.

When she stepped into class VIII, her parents started to bring the child to me in order to reduce my hardships. Every Saturday after her school at Bhatibari, they dropped her at my residence and the next day, Sunday, afternoon they took her back.

Thus, we studied and learned together in a spirit of celebration – joyously, jubilantly, and jovially. This worked wonders with my devoted grand-daughter, Munmun.

Seeing her fiery growth and spirit, one Sunday morning I said to her: “Munmun, you must write an essay before leaving for home.” She replied piously: "OK, dadu.” She asked me the topic. I said, “The topic is: Munmun Eight Years Hence.” Next, she asked, “How many words?” I said, “Four thousand words.” She nodded. From 8:00 A.M, she wrote and wrote and wrote without any break till 2:00 PM in the scorching summer. And it was 24 pages of her notebook, more than four thousand words. I took some hours to read and contemplate on her incredible imagination and creativity. It became a historic experience for me of an innocent child’s miraculous unfoldment of her vast potential. The ordinary child now has gained extraordinary standards. From this, I understand that in every child a Buddha or a Vivekananda stays hidden.

She dreams to begin her career as an IAS Officer. We humbly seek your prayer, blessings, good will and support for the smooth journey of this little rising star. She might become an asset for the entire human family.