As I learn more and more, I realize that you have always known more. Thanks for letting me learn it on my own. Thanking for letting me live my way.
Happy Birthday DrManas Ghosh!!!
I was never a meritorious student. Rather was comfortable with the back benches. Singing, drama and debating was my forte in school.
My father wanted me to be another doctor staying in our house but never insisted. My mother did.
To study medicine, like my sister Moupi Ghosh is doing now, you need to be really good in Chemistry and Biology.
I was good in Biology, specially if you ask me to write
Reproductive and Digestive system with drawings, but Chemistry was as bad as Physics. Let’s not talk about Mathematics.
More than being a doctor, my father wanted to be part of Union Civil service. Poor Refugee family became a hindrance. RICE etc was in the womb of Samit Roy.
He insisted me also. My Dadu also tried that but couldn’t continue because of financial constraint. I preferred to follow the footmark of baba and dadu the other way round.
My parents invested hefty amount for my IAS/WBCS tuitions and mock tests, I failed. I never tried a second time as usual.
My father requested me to opt for science hence I did study. I did study because I had numbers that matter. Numbers do matter for admission.
While I was in my class 11, I was asked to sit for the mock-tests. I even cracked Joint entrance examination, I mean my rank was eligible for Dental studies, physiotherapy, homeopathy and I guess Pharmacy.
My father even went to a place called Katihar! Yes, there I was thought of sending. The way spoilt brats used to go in those days. Father also tried in China, Ukrain and Russia for studying medicine. Six lakhs, Seven lakhs were usually the package for studying there.
I shrugged off all options. I even attended dental classes at Panihati. It was more a Five star hotel and less a college. You can get burgers and coke delivered at your hostel door step, the specimen skeletons were costly, the environment was good. But I had other ambitions.
My father was ambitious regarding my prospects in Dental surgery. I deprived him from those fulfilling the dreams. I quit the classes, came to Kolkata and secretly joined South City Night College.
I refused to be someone whose basic work is to check the cavity, smell it, fill it. I DON’T INSULT THE PROFFESION. I humbly refuse not to be part of that league where I will be just another doctor earning some money and knowing average things about the subject.
One of my very close friend was very close to a dada called Papa Da. Both got admitted. I became a student of English honours (Night section).
My father fumed. He shouted and reacted and did whatever you see in films.
I was asked to withdraw my admission from South City and my father took me to the Principal of Dinabandu Andrews College and I got admitted to English Honours there.
Later I joined Mass communication, joined politics, joined drama group- My father listened to them, reacted when necessary, discussed when needed but mostly he supported – Silently of course.
The silence was powerful for me to grow. The silence is powerful for me to keep moving my way.
Its like learning how to cycle. Like swimming. You ride the cycle, get disbalanced but you alsways know there is someone standing behind you to hold the cycle and stop you from felling down.
Long Live the Spirit !
cheers!
