EDUCATION

City Scan
Of principled principals

“Thinking is easy; action is difficult. To act in accordance with one’s thoughts is the most difficult thing in the world,” wrote Goethe. I have short-listed some individuals who are now remembered as Karmayogis. They have two things in common — Ludhiana and principalship of its Government College. Some wise men convinced the authorities to spare the services of A.C.C. Harvey to raise this college. He translated the dream into reality and served it till he retired in 1942. His wife, who upheld colonial values, asked him to choose between Ludhiana and the UK Harvey chose Ludhiana. She further asked him to choose between Ludhiana and herself. There was no formal divorce but she left Ludhiana because of its intense heat. He stayed back but sent her money till his death. He is united with the college for ever.

During the Raj, only a few could get higher education at British universities. Jahangir Khan did his Ph.D from Cambridge. He made a name in Cricket. During a prestigious match, this youthful bowler hit a sparrow. It fell down dead, the game stopped. The bowler sobbed. The dead sparrow earned a place in history. It found mention in newspapers and books and was mentioned on the BBC. It was surgically cleaned, stuffed and preserved in a British museum.

In August 1947, Jahangir Khan saw his house in Ludhiana ransacked. He stayed on till September 2, 1947, to see that the college functioned and the August 1947, salary was paid to the staff. That was Dr Mohd Jahangir Khan whose sons also became test cricketers.

A British Club (Montgomery Hall) in Lahore did not allow Indians. An exception was made to invite an Indian youth, Harish Chandra, to play tennis at the exclusive club. Harish Chandra went in white pyjamas, intolerable if not insulting, to the hosts. The game started but Harish looked disinterested, if not indifferent. The host burst out: “Boy, why don't you play?” Harish quietly left, saying that the court was short of standard length. English ego was hurt. Measurements were taken and the court was found 2.8 feet short of length. This youth had the vision of a sportsman and the courage of conviction as a man. HC Kathpalia lifted Government College, Ludhiana to the level of its counterpart in Lahore.

Dr K.N. Dutt belonged to a Bengali family settled in Punjab. He got his Ph.D in Physics from Cambridge. His students saw a Newton in him as he taught the laws of motion and gravitation. He taught here for a short period in 1948. At a joint youth festival at the local Government College for Women, the boys went out of control. All efforts to control them failed. Principal Dutt stood up and walked past the audience. Word spread in whispers and all was quiet. Such was his presence. His silence was eloquent. His conduct was principled.

Mr R.G. Bajpai was sent here in 1968 to restore the academic environment after a long strike. He did that. More was in store for him. A reception was to be held in honour of the Governor. The college hocker ground was recommended as the venue. Principal Bajpai opposed it at every step. His plea was ignored. He forcefully conveyed to the authorities the importance of the traditions of the college.

This did not cut ice. The reception took place. Bajpai protested. He was told that he was a custodian, the owner was the Government. Bajpai had the courage of coviction to state what the status of an academic custodian was. He was transferred — the senior-most principal to a junior-most college. The man never repented.

On February 28, 1978, Principal Kartar Singh Shergill retired. Besides several wise steps he took, he did his best to inspire others by example. He left office quietly, handed over the keys of his official residence to the person in charge of the college estate. In the evening he walked to the residence of his old student, N.S. Rattan (then the DC of Ludhiana), asked him for a simple meal and left for his village, Moranwal, next morning. All these principals who were principled men have left this world. Their work lives.

M.S. Cheema

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