People who Shaped me.........

THE PEOPLE WHO SHAPED ME.

The other day I got asked a question that got me stumped and thinking. The question was this. Who are the three people who have inspired you? It sent me hurtling down memory lane…and a long lane that is…. knocking briefly on one door , shaking my head… no… not that one.. yes she attracted me.. yes he impressed me..but inspire? Now that’s a special word.

Inspiration is a life enhancer, to me it is a turning point where someone takes you by the hand and walks you on to a different path and says walk…. fear not… it will be for the better.

Being the cynical soul that I am, it was difficult to be inspired by many people. When I look back, there was more kidding than greatness. There was definitely a lot of support from some in power, a lot of love given and reciprocated but inspiration is another dimension.

So the names that surfaced to mind were:

KIRAN KUMAR

Educationists, thinker, boss, friend. A lecturer of P.D.M Polytechnic Bahadurgarh. where I did my diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering..

When I met Kiran Sir, I had been a student not good in studies. The Professors used to say He cant do anything.

But Learning was a passion that engaged me totally.

Kiran Sir never actively taught me anything more than the syllabus. He had a zero interference policy but He was watchful. I learnt from him to delegate. If he had a criticism he would say it when we were studying and end it with a smile that often brought tears to my eyes. I learnt from him a generosity of spirit. A teacher is a giver. There is place for everyone. Teachers are big hoarders. I learnt from him the blessing of giving.

I held his praise in high regard. he would share with me stuff that other teachers said about me. he would mention me to people. he would mention me as one of his best in studies. he would send me out for prestigious assignments. So simple and yet so profound.

I learnt from Kiran Sir you don’t have to heap money and praise to reward people, you need to be sincere, to share information, to show that you value the person. I am so different from Kiran Sir –he was soft spoken in the extreme – I am not,. Those who work well With me have every freedom, those who don’t, I let go – yes that too I learnt from him.

Kiran Sir and I had spent some good Moments togeher. Now he is Head of Department in the same college.

Kiran Sir… was, is, and will be an inspiration.

The second person who comes to mind is:

YOGESH MISHRA SIR

Mishra Sir is senior lecturer of Electronics Engineering at the BRCM College of Engineering and Technology Bahal Bhiwani(Haryana) where I did my B.E., my first degree in education.

A Person from Uttar pradesh.. very good teacher, Fun loving. Again soft spoken and calm.

Mishra sir was an excellent teacher. Clarity was the key. And engagement. Eye contact, interest in the audience, organization of matter. He showed me how one needs to get into the mind of the student or a person. Be it. That was a big education.

Her accent, although thoroughly Indian, was impeccable.

I learnt from her that you need to have depth. ‘Knowledge is Power’ he once said to me and I have never forgotten. It is indeed. It is the foundation for a lot of courage and fortitude. He always said Communication skills doesn't matter if you are having very good basics.

From Mishra sir I learnt how the foundation was important, In our college ours was the first batch who conducted a course on PCB Designing. I learnt to be an independent thinker and have the confidence to be a creator of ideas.

Meanwhile, I have learnt from lots of people what not to do. My observation of others in the profession was a good handbook on how not to be a disaster. That too was learning.

And the third?

It is a filling of the varied influences of authors, poets, movies, theatre and people in many walks of life. From my parents and my friends I have learnt to value honesty and integrity. That is another source of immense strength.

From the virtual world many friends, my dearest being Anshu for her erudition, her generosity and her unconditional affection. I never thought a girl sitting just next to me in a train journey will be soo good friend of mine. She taught me a lot.

Well, if I die tomorrow, I have acknowledged my debt to the various people who filled my life with joy and purpose.