|
DSW: What are your first impressions of the
school?
PGI: On arriving here for my interview, at the Main Gate itself,
I thought Doon was very similar to Mayo College, Ajmer; where I have
previously taught.
DSW: What makes Doon unique?
PGI: The entire teaching atmosphere in Doon is different. The
relationship between teachers and students and between the staff itself
is very close.
DSW: If I could, I would…
PGI: I always wanted to be a philosopher. I am deeply
philosophical and am inspired by Osho and writings in the Bhagvad Gita.
DSW: Similarity with Mayo being the first, any other impressions?
PGI: Similarity with Mayo College is purely infrastructural.
However, I am amazed with this school in all aspects: infrastructure,
teachers, students, discipline and activities. In retrospect, I do not
regret making this decision to join school.
DSW: Favourite music is…
PGI: Old film music sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar.
DSW: Do you have any regrets?
PGI: I missed the right time to appear for IIT.
DSW: What are your aspirations?
PGI: To be the best. Whatever ‘best’ means. I am inspired by
successful people like the Ambanis but I want to do something different
at the same time.
-Shikhar Singh
DSW: Tell us something about yourself.
ARY: My parents were university professors of English. As a
result, I did my schooling and college in Kolkata, at St. Xavier’s. My
teaching career began in Raipur. I then moved on to St. James’ School,
Kolkata, and later, a school in Jharkhand.
DSW: What attracted you to teaching, and why English?
ARY: My parents’ profession was what initially attracted me
towards both the profession, as well as the subject. Moreover, I have
always had a creative flair for the English language. I also became a
teacher because I wanted to mould a generation of students. I believe it
to be a noble profession.
DSW: What brought you to Doon?
ARY: I was attracted to the school by its reputation and the
image it has around the country. I also came here because of Mr. Mason’s
long association with this school.
DSW: Do you find Doon different from the other boarding schools
in which you have taught?
ARY: Absolutely. The school has multifarious activities, unlike
other schools. The discipline here is also very good.
DSW: What are your first impressions with regard to the students?
ARY: Very good. They are up-to-date with everything and are aware
of current affairs.
DSW: Describe yourself in one word.
ARY: Creative.
-Ashish Mitter |
DSW: Where were you before you joined Doon?
VKL: I was teaching at the Mayo College for some years. I was
also doing a course in mass communication and I’m used to taking
interviews. It’s nice to be giving an interview for a change!
DSW: What brought you to Doon?
VKL: Actually, I had always wanted to teach here. I have always
known Doon to be a great school, and my friends and colleagues have
always spoken highly of the school.
DSW: What are your first impressions of the school?
VKL: Perhaps, the most striking feature of the school are its
boys. The boys here are very simple, polite and friendly. Moreover, they
are extremely responsible, and practically run everything in school.
DSW: How close is the school to your expectations?
VKL: The school is exactly like my expectations, actually it’s
somewhat better than my expectations. I had the company of many Old Boys
during my college days, and so had a very clear picture of what the
school was like.
DSW: What, according to you, is the main difference between other
schools and The Doon School?
VKL: The main difference between other schools and The Doon
School is definitely the behaviour of the boys. In other schools it is
only the junior boys that are friendly and loving, but here in Doon,
even the senior boys are equally friendly and amiable.
DSW: But don’t the students ever pull your leg?
VKL: All students like making a fool of their teachers, and new
teachers, of course, make excellent victims. Having been a very naughty
kid myself, I completely understand. In fact, all the jokes and
tomfoolery remind me of my childhood.
DSW: What is your favourite pastime?
VKL: I love reading books and it’s my favourite pastime. I also
like writing plays and poetry. Theatre is my first love.
DSW: So, would you have been associated with the theatre if you
were a not a teacher?
VKL: Definitely. I had always wanted to pursue the line, and if I
had got more support from my family, I would probably be an actor or a
director today.
DSW: What are your views on IB, which is soon going to be
introduced in the school?
VKL: I think it is wonderful that it is going to happen to the
school. I really like it because the studies are more logical and give
students more exposure. IB places more stress on the learning part of
studies instead of just cramming and scoring marks.
DSW: What is your life’s mantra?
VKL: I believe that we should always be sensitive to the needs of
other people, because what goes around comes around.
-Naman Goel
|