Author: Mallika Chatterjee, Educator
The auditorium was full of a restless audience, eager to be part of yet another breath-taking performance of the renowned rock star: Tarun Bagchi.
Managing a single ticket, I somehow managed to secure my seat and sat with an immense feel of gratification for Tarun Bagchi, my student.
Tarun was a decent, amenable and bright student of grade 7. With his amicable nature, he became a friend of all. He was treasured by his teachers’ too. As a teacher, I would often cite the example of Tarun to other students. In a nutshell, one could conclude that he was a model-icon.
Besides being a good student, Tarun had keen interest in dance. On and off, he would participate in cultural activities and endeavoured to excel but there was something in his performance which gradually became a serious matter of concern. That was the touch of what was considered effeminacy, which he unconsciously dissolved in his creativity.
I remember, it was 15 August 2012. Tarun performed with utmost honesty but it was soaked with the grace and elegance of female style. He soon became a target for his peers to mock at, which eventually shred his confidence into smithereens. His pain and frustration were clearly visible in his studies and his behaviour.
Teen age is considered to be the most challenging phase of life when a tender floweret undergoes manifold changes. Tarun was not untouched. I could make out that he was stuck somewhere.
One day, I called him to my faculty room and requested him to share his problem. With tears in his eyes, Tarun poured out his heart. I then consoled him and said, “Tarun, continue your journey with utmost sincerity and passion. Don’t pay heed to what the world says. You will win one day and this world will applaud. Just focus.”
I don’t know how much the child understood but I could sense the switch in his attitude. I was happy to get my Tarun back, flying with buoyancy.
Our journey continued parallelly. I taught him till grade 10. Despite being in senior secondary section, he continued meeting me often.
Finally, the most awaited day arrived i.e. Farewell Day. The day when young chaps go for a makeover to look handsome and get the liberty to express their gratitude to school. Tarun started his thanks giving speech and to my utter surprise, he directed his speech towards me and extended his gratitude by narrating the way I motivated him in the past few years. Perhaps, this is the best honour which a teacher deserves after dedicating her entire life to the service of the society. I was speechless with happiness as the priceless gesture of a student had made my day.
In my teaching profession, I have come across a variety of students with different temperaments. However, by the grace of God, I do halt to develop a special bonding when I meet any sensitive student with a golden heart. Tarun was one of them.
Suddenly, there was a big round of applause and I returned, wrapping all my cherished memories, into this realistic world to applaud for Tarun Bagchi who stunned the whole world with his performance and made me proud.
Tarun Bagchi has become a busy celebrity now, overloaded with a hectic schedule but he procures time for me by sending lovely messages. There is no biological relationship between Tarun and me but Almighty has wonderfully bonded us in an undefined, beautiful manacle which is the sole source of inspiration for an old lady to fight the odds of life.
