BY WG CDR R KUMAR (RETD) 

 

 

AS Ire-attiredon 31st October 2023 from uniformed service in the Indian Air Force after a long and glorious thirty eight years where I enjoyed serving and training for National Security every second, minute, month and year. Thethoughtofnotgettingup early in the morning, dressing up in the uniform designated for the day, studded with sparkling ribbons and other accompaniments,reportingfor work when civilians were trying to break their slumber had always haunted me prior to superannuation. I thought, I would always miss those morning briefings and presentations by various branches of the unitonthet asks accom plishedandle ftout to be achieved during the day, week andmonth.The cribsand complaints against the Administration branch which I headed were endless and the finesse and wit with which I had mastered in handling allof them were lauded by my commanders whereever I served. Tomyuttersurprise,thesecond innings of my career did not even let me rest for two months and I landed up in a leading private university of North India on the similar profile but with a little deviation of handling young students pursuing various courses in computers, nursing and pharmacy. The routine has again begun and this time uniform has been replaced with formal clothing that had been lying under utilisedinmy closet. Risingearly with the University NCC Troop marching up and down one two one two and NSS volunteers rehearsing their drill. The challenges here are of trying to see that hostelitesdo notindulge in consumption of alcohol, smoking and other substancesprohi bite das per University rules and regulations.

 

Day Scholars travelling to University and back home by hired buses do not hoot, play loud music, do not get down on the way, avoid using foul languageandbullyjuniorswere few new responsibilities to behandled by the Director of Administration. Haditbeenmy unit, the defaulters would be chargedsheeted, handed over the punishment as prescribed in Air Force Act. The subjects here are young boy sand girls sent by ambitious parents to gain degrees and get placed in corporate of repute offering lucrative packages. Every school or college going child has dual behavioral pattern, one visible to the parents and the otheroneatUniversity experienced by facultyand staff. It’s raretofindateen with same sincerity and manner at home and away from home. And the other facet of their personality, we see at the educational institutions is surprisingly one hundred and eighty degrees opposite. The parents at times do not accept the complaints and reports given to them about theirward.For the mtheirchild is the most disciplined guy or gal. At times handling parents also gets very tricky. Sadly, the guardians impress upon that, we are paying hefty amount of fees to the University and it is the responsibility of the institution to look after their ward’s academics as well as social behaviour. Allsaid and done,carefuland delicate handling is needed to assist these boys and girls towards rightful way of living so that eachand every one passes out and reaches his or her goal in life. I am feeling young again with the mandin the second innings too I am enjoying everyball,every over and stroke I play to my fullest.