Vidya Bharati alumni from Uttar Banga, Sri Pulakes Nandi talks about how although forced to give up on his career dreams, he found his love for teaching in the past 14 years

Sri Pulakes Nandi, initially wanted to become an engineer, but was forced to give up his career aims due to family obligations. For the past 14 years he has been working as a Primary school teacher and has grown to love the profession. Recently he talked about his experiences, whose brief extract has been given below.

Interviewer: Please tell us something about your academic and professional background?

Mr. Nadi: My initial education was at Sarada Shishu Tirtha, Cooch Behar, where I had studied from primary section till class 4 (1999 batch). Then I shifted to Maharaja Nripendra Narayan High School, from where I passed my class 10 board examination and completed class 12 from Rambhola High School. I wanted to become an engineer, so I joined Siliguri Institute of Technology, to study B.Tech in information technology and completed it.

As both my parents were elderly and there was no one to look after them, I came back home instead of pursuing a career in engineering. Earlier I had done a Basic training degree of 1 year, so I was able to secure a position as primary school teacher immediately on my return. Later I also completed a two year course in ‘education’. I joined as a primary school teacher in 2006 and have been working in this position for the past 14 years. 

Although I had aimed to become an engineer, I have slowly fallen in love with teaching and get immense satisfaction from it. I treat all my students as my own children and teach them as I would do to my own. Most of my students are first generation learners in their family and belong to farming backgrounds. During cultivation season they would often skip school to work in the fields, so my responsibility towards them becomes greater.  I try and ensure that they do not fall back in their education and see that they are disciplined in their studies.

Interviewer: What suggestion would you give to any Vidya Bharati student who wants to follow a similar career path as yours?

Mr. Nadi: Any student who dreams of becoming a teacher, should first of all have a good grip on his own academics and alongside that they need to develop a sense of leadership. A good teacher is a good leader as well and should have the capacity to inspire their students. They should also be able to explain any subject in an easy and interesting manner to his/her students.

Interviewer: How did Vidya Bharati School impact you? Can you share your experience?

Mr. Nadi: Although I had passed out from Sarada Shishu Tirtha when I was very young, it has left a huge impact on my life, so much so that I have got both my son and daughter admitted in Sarada Shishu Tirtha as well. Initially I had admitted my son in a private school, but within a year I realized he is not getting the values that I have been brought up with, so I got him admitted under Vidya Bharati School. 

Our teachers instilled a sense of nationalism and love for our culture, within us students.  We have grown up reciting Sanskrit Slokas which kept our mind and body peaceful. I still remember how our teachers acted with humble dignity and taught us to live our life with respect for one own self and others.

Interviewer: Please tell us something about your family.

Mr. Nadi: In my family, I have my parents, who are both retired school teachers, my sister, who is married and a teacher herself as well, my wife and my two children.

Interviewer: Would you like to share any message with the Vidya Bharati students.

Mr. Nadi: I don’t think I am in any position to give any message to the students. Whatever I have learned till date, is because of my school and have full faith that Vidya Bharati schools will provide their students with all kinds of lessons that they require in their lives.

Vidya bharati Purv Chatra Parishad thanks Shri Pulakes Nandi for taking out time and sharing his journey with the community.

If you are a Vidya Bharati alumni and would like to share your story, thoughts and achievements as well, please email us your contact details to info@vidyabharatialumni.org and we will get in touch with you.