MY TEACHER

During my recent trip home, I visited my Physics teacher. My professor who taught me Physics as when I was preparing for the IIT-JEE. I have known him since 1991-92. 17 years of knowing someone is a long time.

I didn’t make it through the JEE but I met and came in touch with a great human being. I have always been in touch with him updating him of what I was upto in life. I spent half a day with him reliving those days; sitting next to him – the man who taught me so much Physics, so well and so wonderfully. I loved Physics because of him; I couldn't solve all the problems I encountered but I enjoyed working on them, attempting to solve them; trying to apply those wonderful concepts.

That learning was greater joy to me than anything else; the intellectual stimulation; that I was learning; that my mind was sharp and active; that I was challenged and needed to solve problems that looked me in the face.

As I sat next to him and spoke with him, as I took him for a walk, sat in the park I was very humbled, feeling tiny next to a great man, felt very simple like a student should always feel and be. I was very emotional and moved that day. I bought some fruits for him. He can hardly see and hence very rarely steps out of home, apprehensive of maybe the traffic, the kids playing around or worried he might bang himself against some objects. But I told him that I would hold his hand and guide him, that he can get some fresh air.

As I held his hand and walked, thoughts were flooding my mind. It hit me hard that all of us would age, would wither, would experience weariness, the tide will turn and we might not remain as strong as now, either physically or emotionally. I took his blessings, told him that I was honored to have been his student, privileged to see and spend time with him. I updated my mobile number in his small notebook where he maintains data of all his old students in alphabetical order.

As I said good bye and left, I asked myself, what am I going to do for him, how am I going repay my gratitude, for the immense learning he gave me at that point in my life? I left extremely satisfied though for seen him in person and spent quality time; having gone back to my past and relived those days.