Door by door, built the ‘house’

Gopal Krishan Sharma

WHILE reading an advertisement of the Punjab Government, inviting applications for a two-year diploma course of radiographer by the Punjab State Medical College at Amritsar and Patiala, in a newspaper recently, I went back to the year 1980, when I passed the matriculation examination of the Himachal school board in the first division. 

I came across a similar advertisement then, but since I hailed from a rural and interior area of the state, there was no one to guide me how to go about it. Also, there was a financial crisis in the family because of which I could not even fill in the application form. I was staying with one of my relatives in Amritsar at the time and was in search of a suitable job.

By the grace of God, I came in contact with a retired Army officer. He told me that an illiterate person is like a room with no door. And even a tenant would not take a room on rent unless it has adequate doors and windows for ventilation. So, he instructed me to either do a diploma course or pursue graduation, which would enable me to get a job.

By paying a petty fee from my meagre hard-earned money, I did a diploma in shorthand and typing from a private commercial institute. Thereafter, I started taking up ad hoc jobs here and there — a year at the Punjab State Electricity Board; self-practice in the District Courts; as a stenographer in the income tax department — all in Amritsar — and finally at Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, as a stenographer.

After joining the university, I decided to build ‘doors’ in my room, i.e., my curriculum vitae, as per the valuable guidance of the retired officer. I pursued MA in Hindi, LLB (Academics) and a PG diploma in personnel management and labour welfare, and reached the position of a PA to a college Dean. 

When any guest visits my house, I tell them of the journey of my education while in a job. My beloved wards ask me why I show my certificates and degrees to every guest. I tell them that if I had not improved my qualification by literally burning the midnight oil, making the best use of my time and spending wisely on books and fee, it would not have been possible for me to construct this small ‘house’ and show every guest, every nook and corner that I built with such care. 

And so, I understand the value of education and encourage my children, friends and relatives to devote their valuable time to education. God did make me a ‘grapher’ — if not a radiographer, at least a stenographer!