November 2002
I was a Computer Science Lecturer for Degree and PG Students, at S Ch College in Maddirala.
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I thought to
conduct Seminars in the College, with BSc Final Year Students. When I have mentioned about Seminars in the
Class, some Students have given their Names.
In that list, First Name was Ms. Mallika.
I have explained
about the instructions (i.e., Selection of Seminar Topic and its Sections,
Description need to be in a generic way, Time Management, Dress-code, etc.) to
give a Seminar. Students have listened
carefully, and noted all the instructions.
They have started spending time in Library, for the selection of a
Seminar Topic. They have reviewed many
Text Books and Magazines. Some of the
Students have identified some Topics; and met me for suggestions. Within few days, Seminar Topics were
finalized for everyone. Then, they have
started to prepare sections for their Seminar Topic; and get reviewed. Later, I have suggested them to do
mock Seminars, to avoid stage-fear; and said “Be ready to give a final
mock Seminar”.
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In our College,
the Admin person is Mr. Moorti. He was
the single point of contact, for all College related matters. I met him in Office Room; and said “Moorti
Sir…! I have planned to conduct
Seminars. I need your help.”. Then, he said “What do you need from us
(Non-Teaching Staff) ?”. I said “A Classroom,
an external blackboard, extra benches for Students, and chairs for Staff. I am going to invite Principal also.”. Then, he said “Good, Sir....! No issues.
We can arrange them easily.”. He
called a Non-Teaching Staff (Office-Boy), and mentioned about the requirements.
In those days,
there were no projector and Seminar-hall in the College.
As Classrooms are very big, most of the (Staff) meetings were in anyone
of the Classroom.
After finalizing
Seminar-days, I have invited Principal.
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In the College,
our Department Staff-Room is a separate cabin-room, that is attached with the
Computer Lab.
Prof. Naagaamjaneayulu ( TELUGU ప్రొ. నాగాంజనేయులు ) is my boyhood friend, and also a colleague in this College. We have a habit of having the lunch together, daily.
One day, during
the Lunch time, Ms. Mallika came to our Department Staff-Room; and asked me
“Sir… you have mentioned the dress-code as Saree for Girls, … … to give the
Seminar. Is it compulsory ?”.
I said “Good
question. In our College, there is a
dress-code for Students, in the similar way, there is a dress-code for Staff
also. I would like to conduct these
Seminars in a professional way. So, I have
mentioned the Staff dress-code for the Students (whoever going to give Seminar).”.
Ms. Mallika said
“But … …” and thinking.
Then, my
colleague Prof. Naagaamjaneayulu said “Do you have any more confusion ?”.
Ms. Mallika said
“Sir… I am just thinking about the
dress-code.”.
Then, Prof.
Naagaamjaneayulu suggested her as “Do you know ? … … …
Your Master was a Student in this College; and then became a Lecturer,
later.
He has invited all College (Teaching and Non-Teaching) Staff and
Principal, for this Seminar. That’s why,
he has planned your Seminar descriptions are in a generic way, but not fully
Technical.
We generally know the Staff. But
he knows… … what their (Staff’s) heart-likes.
Moreover, he was my boyhood classmate and friend. I prefer to take his advice, in this
College.
He wants to see you all… … at Seminar dais… … not as Students… but as
Lecturers.
Now tell me. Do you have any
confusion in the matter of dress-code ?”.
Ms. Mallika said “No, Sir.”; and went towards Classroom. After few minutes, she came along with Ms. Bhaargavi; and said “Sir, … … Bhaargavi will give the Seminar, as a First person. I will give the Seminar, as a Second person. Because, I need some time.”.
I said “No
issues, if you have a good cooperation between you both.”.
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Unfortunately, College
was declared a holiday, on the first Seminar-day.
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On the next
working day, I went to the Class; and asked the Students “Now, who is the first
Person to give the Seminar ?”, by addressing both Ms. Mallika and Ms.
Bhaargavi. Then, both were looked each
other. Ms. Bhaargavi said “Sir… We both are ready. But, she is the first Person, who gave her
Name for Seminar. So, let her give the
Seminar, as a first Person.”. I said
“Good.”.
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Ms. Mallika have invited me for the final mock Seminar. But, I was busy with Lab schedules. I asked her to check with the availability of any other Lecturers. Then, she invited Prof. Naagaamjaneayulu and Prof. Pichchayya ( TELUGU ప్రొ. పిచ్చయ్య ). Both Lecturers came to my place; and said “No issues. We both will go as Reviewers, for mock Seminar.”; and they moved towards Classroom, along with her.
During the mock Seminar,
they have given their suggestions and feedback; and their feedback was good.
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On Seminar-day…
… … … …
Seminar was
scheduled at 4.10 PM, i.e., last working-hour for the day.
I have given the
reminder to the Principal, about the Seminar time; and sent reminders to all
the Staff and Students.
In a Classroom,
Non-Teaching Staff (Office-Boys) have made arrangements for the Seminar. So, Classroom became Seminar-hall, temporarily.
Ms. Mallika
classmates have made some designs with Welcome note, at header part of the Wall
blackboard.
Principal was in
his chair by 4.05 PM sharply. So, Staff and
Students were also arrived sharply as well.
Ms. Mallika was
well prepared and ready; and appeared in Saree, in the Seminar-hall. She already noted the ‘Contents of the
Seminar Topic’ at external blackboard.
Exactly at 4.10
PM… …
I have mentioned
the welcome note for all the Audience; and took the seat at Students side, on
bench, at first row.
Ms. Mallika has
started the Seminar; and explaining each section of the Seminar Topic, one by
one. Where ever the description (with
drawing) is required, she has explained at Wall blackboard.
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Generally, … … in the Classrooms, … … at end of any Topic, … … I was having a habit of asking Students as “Any doubts ?”, by making a sound with a duster, on the Table. Students have observed it, and liked it very well. They wanted to replicate it, in a similar way, at end of this Seminar; to make me a Smile as a surprise. For that, Students were well planned and prepared, at mock Seminar. They have revealed it to Reviewers.
Anyhow, I have mentioned a Seminar instruction, i.e., they need to ask the Audience very politely, as “Any questions ?”, at end of the Seminar; because Staff and Principal are in Audience seat.
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At (almost) end
of the Seminar, Ms. Mallika got signal (duster and sound) from her friends as a
reminder.
At end of the
Seminar, she erased her explanations (simple descriptions/drawings) with duster at Wall blackboard. Later, she asked the Audience as “Any questions ?”, by making a sound with a
duster, on the Table. Really, this
incident was created a Smile for me. By
knowing the secret behind of it, all of my Class Students have smiled
silently.
After her
question, the entire Seminar-hall was pin-drop silent, for just few seconds.
Then, Lecturers
have asked some questions; and she has given a good response. They wished her, as well.
Then, Principal
asked her “Are you a Final Year Degree Student ?”.
Ms. Mallika said
“Yes, Sir.”.
Principal said
“Well done. You look like a Lecturer;
and your explanation looks like a Lecture.
You complete your PG Study, and come to our College. We will give a Lecturer job for you.”.
Staff said
“Oh. Spot Offer…!”. Ms. Mallika said “Thank you, Sir.”.
Then, the entire
Seminar-hall was echoed with the claps.
As a Conclusion,
I have mentioned the “Vote of Thanks” for all the Audience.
After completion
of Seminar, Non-Teaching Staff (Office-Boys) have rearranged the benches and chairs.
Non-Teaching
Staff said “Sir… Seminar was good. Generally,
our Principal doesn’t like Job recommendations.
You made him to do it… but happily.”.
I said “It might
not be a job recommendation. It might be
similar to a skill recognition, after an interview.”.
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On next day,
during Lunch time, Ms. Mallika has entered into our Staff-room.
By seeing her, I
said “Welcome… …! Mallika Madam…!”.
She was
surprised and laughed; and said “Sir… … you are calling me as Madam ?”.
I said “Yes. You got an Offer as a Lecturer.”.
At that time,
both Prof. Naagaamjaneayulu and Prof. Pichchayya were with me.
By seeing her, Prof.
Naagaamjaneayulu said “I think … … you understand very well about your Master…
… now.”. She said “Yes, Sir. Absolutely.”.
I said “Mallika…
… Do you know ? Prof. Pichchayya was
also a Student of this College. He was a
first batch Student of this College; and a Senior to me. You can request him, for his
blessings.”.
She looked
towards him, to wish.
Prof. Pichchayya
said “Not only we both, there are few more Lecturers are in similar. But, we were all... ... got Offer as a Lecturer,
only after completion of our PG study.
But, you got the Offer as a Degree Final Year Student, and also much
before your PG study. It’s really the unique
Offer. Great.”.
She said “Thank
you, Sir. It’s all… … because of our
Master advices and suggestions.”.
I said “This is a … … 'Never Before and Ever After' Offer, in the History of this College. … … Excellent performance. Your hard-work is created this Offer for you. Awesome.”.
Then, she said “Thank
you, Sir. In fact, I came here to tell
one more thing.”.
We looked at her
with a question “What’s that ?”.
Then, she said “During
my last visit here, I have requested for a break, instead of a first Seminar
Person.
That’s because… … I went to my
home-town Nagarjuna Sagar, that weekend; to learn the process of wearing Saree,
from my Mother.
My Father is a Central Government Employee, there. When I have revealed about the Seminar
instructions; he has predicted by saying, your Master is going to make the
Seminar, as a grand success. Even its
very far from here, he wanted to come to our College, to attend my
Seminar.
After seeing me in Saree; my Mother expressed that, I was
as similar as her Mother. She wanted to
have a Photo with me. ... ... ...
After completion of Seminar, I have informed my Parents by Phone; and mentioned about the Offer.
My Parents were excited.
My Father was really upset, for not able to attend the Seminar.
Finally, it’s a great achievement for me. Sir…”.
Then, I said “Wonderful. Double Congratulations. You got an unique appreciation from your
Mother. You made a memorable day for
her. Your Parents are also very happy. All the best.”.
Ms. Mallika
wished us by mentioning “Thank you very much, Sir.”; and moved towards her
Classroom.
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Due to the
unique Offer announcement by the Principal; Students attendance was increased
enormously, from the next Seminar onwards.
But, there was
no space for the arrangement of benches, in the Seminar-hall.
Students were
interested to attend the Seminar, even by standing behind the benches and chairs.
Thus, all
Seminar programmes were successful.
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Kudos to
Ms. Mallika
Prof. Naganjaneyulu K V (pronunciation Prof. Naagaamjaneayulu K V)
Prof. Pitchaiah G (pronunciation Prof. Pichchayya G)
Principal
(Teaching and Non-Teaching) Staff
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