Dr. SRK

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

A couple of days ago, morning, we had one of our higher authorities calling us to inform that a retired IAS Officer (I defer to reveal his personal identity here) will be visiting us mid-day. Said that, it was our responsibility to make all necessary arrangements for his visit. This was nothing new to us, being put to work in a place considered an 'icon' in the Government Department.

Privileged of being in constant touch with our honorable Commissioner, we have enough experience to judge on how an IAS Officer's mentality would be. Adding to it, he was retired, made us to give a second thought at everything around.

He did arrive, on time! I wonder how he had planned his travel to reach us on time irrespective of the congested City traffic (bulk of the credit goes to his driver too). He was such a simple 'old' man, very calm and lived every single moment of his life with lots of patience - I happen to realize it at the very first sight. He did receive all the hospitality and comforts, along with greater satisfaction (as he puts it himself) of being provided with what he came expecting to us. His brief visit ended with few minutes left to a couple of meaningful hours. All his words said to us were invaluable, the way he encouraged we youngsters was simply sensational.

In a short period of time, he successfully imbibed some of his eminent characters within us. Before he left, said "I, actually wanted to visit you as an enthusiastic student; learning is a continuous process in life. But you made me feel like an IAS Officer again. Thank you all".

I just can't imagine how humble he still is! The very thinking of wanting to be a student is exceptional. He had taught me a very 'big' lesson in a very 'small' duration of time I got to spend with him. Just being with 'great personality' makes us feel 'really great', I had to believe this.

In life, I have been learning from everyone and everything ever possible; my parents, my sisters, all my teachers (everyone, I never can forget any of them), all my friends, superiors at work, colleagues, my subordinates at work, the Nature, from life and even the unknown. Whatever am today, I feel is molded most by rest of the world; and a minute by myself.

On this auspicious eve of Teacher's Day, 5th September 2010, though I have a lot of things to write about Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, (deserving not to do so) I better thought to commemorate the efforts of every single person and thing around me in making me what am today. My sincere thanks to one and all, even you too!

Happy Teacher's Day.