The Trials and Triumphs of Being Good

Inspired by the concept of ‘Education is for life, not for living’, the author retraces his footsteps from entering the college to becoming the best graduate in Metallurgy and then on to his pursuit of ‘Being Good’ in fulfilling the greater purpose of life of serving the humanity. In the process he narrates some of his experiences and some of the illustrious staff he met during his stay in the college.

It is a pleasure going down the memory lane and recalling the memorable moments spent at NITR during those five years (1991-95) of my life.

Thanks to destiny, I was brought up in a family where being a ‘good human being’ was more important than securing impressive marks. I, therefore, had no ambitious plans about where I would like to pursue my higher education; notwithstanding this, strange it may sound that I did do extremely well in my course, with least effort I might add (the college awarded me the Best Metallurgist Gold Medal in 1995). I attribute this to Providence and also definitely to my pursuit of ‘being good’; in fact, academic excellence was part of this process.

Unlike many high school IIT aspirants, I never underwent any special coaching for my engineering entrance tests; I wrote these exams as they came, with little preparation even as my attention was on doing well in the final XII class CBSE examination. In fact, I tried whatever came my way – NDA entrance tests, engineering & medicine entrances and so on. You may say I was highly defocused, in a sense you are right. My focus actually was on something else.

Nevertheless, my name appeared among the rank holders when the IIT results were announced and Mining was the stream offered to me. This did not appeal to my father. As for me, it wasn’t a major concern at all, for as mentioned earlier my aspiration was more to be a ‘good human being’. The end of this exercise saw me in the Department of Metallurgy in NIT. My well-wishers desired that I change my discipline after 1st semester (I had the choice as I topped in my class) or even better, give another try at IIT. Somehow, neither of these interested me as with every passing day my thought-process increasingly leaned towards this profound proverb “Education is for life, not for a living.”

My initial days at NIT are unforgettable but not for the right reasons. Being away from the comfort and care of my blessed family meant hours of homesickness, and the insipid food served in the hostel did not help one bit. What was worst was the inhumane rigmarole of ragging. I am sure now this must be a thing of the past. I could never reason out myself nor get a convincing argument from anyone as to how this sadistic practice brought the juniors and seniors closer. If it did anything, it only aggravated the mental trauma of the new entrants and added fuel to the fire of groupism on regional lines which already existed. I remember how in those early days I eagerly looked forward to the weekends to spend time at my cousin’s place to escape the hostile atmosphere. Once in three weeks I did not mind traveling 600 kms to be back at home; it was surely worth it. Even though my quest for ‘being good’ helped me forgive, I still remember the last slap a mindless senior cruelly lodged on my face, and this after the so-called closure of ragging.

The story of my stay in this collage is slightly different from others who joined this institution with conventional goals in their minds. My heart was somewhere else and therefore I did struggle. It is at this time that I met Prof. K. R. Patel from the Department of Mechanical Engineering; he was indeed God-sent. My innumerable meetings with him quenched the thirst of my soul and made a positive quantum difference in the way I treated and understood life. I found myself engaged in various gratifying activities be it serving meals to the poor or training little kids in the salient values of life or participating in thought-provoking spiritual discussions – all of this took me closer to myself and enriched my life tremendously. However, never for a second did academics take the back seat. Subjects were definitely important but only to some extent as they say “Man does not live by bread alone”.

Fond memories of Prof. V.S.Pakala flood my mind when I think of my classroom. He was a gem of a person. A deep sense of respect oozes out of my heart for this committed teacher who explained his chapters in such a lucid manner; besides, he was always approachable and keen to lend his time and energy to clarify our questions, if any, and also patiently listen to our new ideas. Undoubtedly he was the favourite of the class. I was pleasantly surprised and in fact delighted when I ran into him after 11 years in 2006 while I was trekking my way to Yamunotri.

Prof. R.C.Behera was another admirable person who reinforced the value of discipline in us by his uncompromising attitude to adherence of rules, while in Prof. A.K. Mohanty I saw the quintessence of serenity. In gratitude I remember Prof. S. C. Mishra who was my guide for the project that took me to BARC; I was to evaluate the possibility of having a coating of silica & ilmenite (FeTiO2) over metals using the plasma spray technique.

It was great to be in the company of Prof. S.Sen and Prof B.C.Ray during our study trips to Tensa and Barsuan mines. I also fondly retain in memory Prof. Agarwal who agreed to accompany us on a study tour of South India, when no one else was ready.

As the courses concluded, campus interviews began and life took each one to their chosen destiny. It was the same with me too. My ceaseless pursuit of “being good” finally brought me closer to One who is Goodness Personified. Life may be hard at times but as we all know it never fails to reward us when we are sincere in our search.

I had the opportunity to visit NITR, the new avatar of REC, in 2007 and was glad to see the transformation that has swept this institution. Along with a new look and novel facilities, there is a fresh and more professional approach towards imparting technical education.It feels great to learn this college is now among the few select and prized centers of excellence in India that provide quality technical education. I am proud to be a Rengcolian/ NITRAAn.

Rameswar Prusty, graduate of 1995 and Gold Medallist in Metallurgical Engg., started his career in ESSAR and then completed his Masters in Financial Management at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam. He now serves at Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam and lives there at Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh.
(As published in the Golden Jubilee Souvenir of the National Institute of Technology Dec 2010)

Walk with Lord Ganesha

One fine morning, after a few days of my stay in the hostel, an incident occurred which revealed to me my true friend. After the bell had rung I started for the Institute. I stopped awhile to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha installed in front of our hostel. When I opened my eyes I heard, “Why do you boys leave me alone at the hostel?” I thought of the loneliness that pervaded the hostel after all the boys had left for the Institute. A little surprised I replied “Oh! Lord. Why don’t you accompany me to the Institute? I would be blessed to have your company while I go to the Institute.”
Lord Ganesha seemed pleased with my words. He stepped out of his beautiful little enclave and I could see his little vehicle following its master. I was reminded of the merit that I must have acquired in my past lives to have this blissful vision. His form was small, coming only up to my chest. Wooden sandals adorned his feet. A vision of the beautiful dancing trunk would rid one of the sorrows of the earth. The trunk sometimes made movements in the air or rested on the protruding stomach. Dressed in yellow and green silk Lord Ganesha looked more beautiful than anything in the world. The little mouse was very happy, as it was moving out with its master after many days.
Crossing the hostel gate we moved on towards the Institute. After a while our conversation began. I was very interested in listening to him narrating the events relating to His birth, getting an elephant head and how He became the ‘Agrapujya’. This narration thrilled me to the core. By habit, I tried to speak in between His narration and committed other mistakes too. When I did such a mistake He would punish me by hitting me with His trunk. It was more than a reward for me. Of course they served the purpose.
As we moved on He was on my right. Every time a vehicle or something else neared me I was afraid that they would collide with Lord Ganesha. Understanding my thought He replied, “Do not worry. None can harm me. I am invisible to everyone else except you.”

On reaching the Institute we walked towards the temple built for Him. As we ascended the steps He was ready to receive the prayers of many students who were waiting there. I made pradakshina, offered prayers and left for the classroom.
The forenoon session was over. I descended the steps on my way back to the hostel for lunch. He was there throughout overlooking the studies and classes of all students. Now He also was ready to come back to hostel. I was blessed again. This time we talked things relating to the material and spiritual worlds. We reached the hostel gate. A sudden thought caught me still, “What about lunch for Lord Ganesha?” The all-knowing Ganapathi immediately said, “I need none of the food you take. Your Vidya and Jnana are My food. If you study well My hunger is satisfied. You go and have your lunch. I shall wait for you.” I walked into the hostel. He waited for me in His beautiful little enclave.
I had my lunch. I was filled with the thoughts of Lord Ganesha. I left my room for afternoon session of classes. He was waiting for me. As I offered my prayers He came out to walk with me. I had thought about talking to Him on some topics and questions. He said, “We have spoken this morning. From now onwards we shall walk quietly.” I obeyed His command. As had happened in the morning He came back with me to the hostel after the classes. Our walks continued every day. He came with me to the library often. He always had the blissful smile on His enchanting face. I had at last found my soul companion.

Originally published in Sai Nandana – the commemorative publication of the Sri Sathya Sai Hostel for Senior Boys at Prasanthi Nilayam on the occasion of the 75th Birthday of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.