The following is the transcript of a talk delivered by me on 17 December 1966, during the winter workshop at Bikaner, for teachers of polytechnics of Rajasthan. It provides a reflection on the life, that we lived and the threads that we weaved, during the early years of Jodhpur polytechnic from 1962 to 1966.
Introductory: Last six months were rather tumultuous. Universities, colleges, educational institutions and students have been in the news, frequently, striking headlines. Reactions were mixed, ranging from outright condemnation to deep sympathy. Mist is now gradually clearing and deep concern is replacing resentment. Committees at the highest level have tried to go deep into the malady with a view to isolate the issues and to devise suitable measures. All possible efforts are required, to have a proper understanding of the needs, urges and aspirations of the students to harness their energies into useful and constructive channels. Status, calibre and equipment of the teacher has to be strengthened, if he is expected to guide, inspire and lift the taught to the desired heights. Under the context, the relationship between the teacher and the taught is vital and has to be cordial, natural and spontaneous.
Taught: The teacher, in the best sense of the word, is a friend, philosopher and guide. He has to be affectionate, understanding and inspiring. He should have a touch, that heals and stimulates. The kid, the delicate charge of the teacher is the most precious raw material of the nation. The teacher has to work ceaselessly and has to lead a dedicated life. He has to tread in unknown waters, explore new horizons, open new vistas, cross rigid frontiers and to introduce to the wards to the unbounded wealth and mysteries of nature. Taught is a toddler. He needs all the attention. He needs a helping hand, till he grows and stands on his own. He is like a sapling. Ninty percent of the protected saplings grow into healthy and mighty shade lines. Not more than one percent of the unprotected saplings will survive. Taught surrenders himself unconditionally to the teacher. That gives him a sense of security and provides direction and purpose to his efforts. A dedicated teacher and devoted taught is a very happy combination. They are complimentary. Both bloom simultaneously. The link between the two is natural and flexible. The teacher gives all that he has, to the taught. That is his urge. That gives him a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment. His greatest moment comes, when the taught stands erect, moves freely, happily and firmly and carries the nation on his broad shoulders.
Individual Freedom: Freedom of the individual is the essence of democracy. A man cherishes freedom. He guards it zealously and reacts and revolts with full vigour at the slightest encroachment on individual freedom. He hardly realizes that democracy also means voluntary curtailment of individual freedom for common good. None of the democratic institutions can function, if every individual insists on free and unfettered freedom. It is very natural that the grown up boy in the college or university wants his share of freedom for running most of the activities that he feels are his own affair. It is good and he should be encouraged to do so. The difficulty and conflict arises, when he frets and fumes and insists on his pound of flesh. That places, the so called educational administrators in a dilemma. They can not keep their hands off and they find it too hot to be in. Such situations are very unfortunate and are a negation of all that democracy, freedom and education stand for. It is a wild growth, which completely blocks the normal channels.
Men in general: The men in general are good. Goodness is latent, inherent and implicit in them. In spite of daily conflicts, strikes, agitations and demonstrations in all cadres, the vast majority of men continue to be basically and intrinsically good. We may say that ninety nine percent men are keen, willing and sincere and will like to keep themselves absorbed in useful constructive work. Not more than one percent are, what we may say bad or off the track. They are a motley mass of spoiled brats, volatile quixotes, tramps and moral degenerates. They grow and flourish as ring leaders, disgruntled politicians and bad characters. They take pleasure in creating chaos, confusion and disorder at every possible occasion and opportunity. Their infection is very quick and penetrating. Given a free hand, they can disrupt a whole community. They have to be isolated, if we want to survive as a body of civilized individuals and want to lead a useful and purposeful life.
Healthy diversions: Every man wants to be happy, healthy and kicking. Vast multitudes of people follow games and sports on television or radio. A substantial number is always keen to witness a vigorous game of football, cricket or tennis or an athletic meet from the side lines. All such people have a yearning to play. That is the spark, which is latent in every living man. Give them the opportunity and you will find them kicking.
Outdoor games and sports are particularly important in educational institutions. It is for the teacher to pat the taught and to bring him to the grounds. The magic of the open air does the rest. We have tried a method, which has clicked. We divide the boys into small groups of thrirty to forty boys. For athletics the competitions are arranged treating these small groups as a unit. Since a boy has to compete with a small number, his chances of being on the top in some of the items are enhanced. He scans the field and finds mostly raw hands and freshers like him. That induces him to shed the initial hitch or hesitation and he takes the plunge and is quickly in the thick of the battle. Every point scored or a place gives him a feeling of elation, achievement, pride and fulfillment. The experience is healthy and exhilarating. Similarly, competition in outdoor games can activate the youth. If a team of football, hockey, volleyball or kabaddi is picked up from a small group of thirty to forty boys, every keen or energetic boy finds a place in the team The boys who get into the team for the first time, exert and in course of time become leaders by sheer effort and energy. They are able to do so, because the competition is between equals and they know that reasonable effort can take them to the top. Competitions in team events are usually arranged on league basis to keep the challenge alive and to sustain the interest of the individuals. Almost ninety percent of the boys can be encouraged to take active part in outdoor games and sports by this method. Games, sports and outdoor activities on a mass scale bring the teacher and the taught closer. A new understanding develops. A keen, affectionate and painstaking teacher emerges, who finds a devoted and responsive taught, bubbling with enthusiasm, always keen to surge ahead.
Successful teacher: A successful teacher should be good in his subject. He should have a good expression. He should be able to assess the needs of the taught and should be able to feed him in an appropriate manner. Some are born teachers. They are talented and gifted. They have an appeal, which touches the taught and are able to carry them in their stride. Those who are not so gifted, can become successful by sincerity, dedication and hard work. The taught always knows his teacher and is generally very accommodating. If the teacher is sincere and dedicated, the taught always gives him a reasonable chance and support. The teacher should have an insatiable zest for knowledge. It should be a sort of obsession for him. He has to read regularly and perhaps laboriously. He has to consult all possible sources to make himself ready and well informed. He has to plan and write out his lectures, tutorials and practicals. This is a painstaking, but, absorbing task. That provides exactness to his thoughts. Thereafter, if possible he has to think and devise and improve suitable aids, which can make his words live. Words which tell. Taught should be able to see, what is told, either directly or by an ingenious fabrication of imagination. It looks like an ideal, but, many teachers are able to realize it, by persistent effort and dedication and to that extent, the ideal can be achieved.
A lot of dust has gathered round the relationship between teacher and the taught during the last decade. Mushroom growth of political parties and partial exploitation of the youth by political parties is partly responsible for the disruption of academic life in the universities, colleges and other places of learning. The relationship between the teacher and the taught has to be based on fraternal links rather than political and social patronage and legal rights and manoeuvrings If we want our youth to be groomed for the tasks facing the nation, the teacher and the taught have to be placed on a pedestal, where the teacher can look after the kids, with a feeling of exclusiveness and the taught can look up to the teacher for all the help and guidance that he needs.