tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post6694325218054833334..comments2024-03-17T19:34:10.920+05:30Comments on Suvro Chatterjee bemused: Ten years of flying solo - yay!Suvro Chatterjeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027202980259279420noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-75344528224200418902013-04-08T22:27:55.662+05:302013-04-08T22:27:55.662+05:30Respected Sir,
Warm regards. Indeed, its eleven y...Respected Sir,<br /><br />Warm regards. Indeed, its eleven years now since you left St. Xavier's School- and all these years have been testimony to the ultimate truth of reality, that stands steadfast among all others: "One must perform one's duties adhering to Dharma- when one does that,one need never worry or fear about the results." Your life, Sir, is one living example of the great truth behind Bhagavad Gita's words- and I consider myself immensely fortunate to be witness to your life. This post, above all, teaches me the great value of self esteem, fearlessness and a manner of performing actions akin to the great fearless one, Nachiketa.<br /><br />With best wishes,<br />Debarshi.<br />Debarshi_Sahahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03600508755050924360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-37383513892044384002013-04-08T21:49:38.238+05:302013-04-08T21:49:38.238+05:30Shilpi, many thanks. Amidst the constant rush of s...Shilpi, many thanks. Amidst the constant rush of so many things, this day would have gone unnoticed if you hadn't drawn my attention to it with your comment. Yes, now it's eleven years, isn't it, and so soon too! And I have done well for myself without being associated with that one-horse school which has now become little better than a pigsty. I should have cut off the sentimental strings long before 2002 actually, I now know only too well. It had been preventing me for a long time from realizing my own full potential, and giving me nought in recompense. <br /><br />I wish a lot more readers would come back to this post and let me know what they feel about it...Suvro Chatterjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027202980259279420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-63271557452292326712013-04-08T21:11:52.816+05:302013-04-08T21:11:52.816+05:30It's an anniversary. Congratulations. I came b...It's an anniversary. Congratulations. I came back to visit this post very early in the morning, Suvro da. Can't believe it's been a year since you shared your letter of resignation and wrote the above; I remember the conversations as though they are from the weekend gone by and they also feel from another age. The images and lines from your piece will stay and some have gotten mixed with memories from later. Not to make this a longwinded comment but I can't help feel nostalgic about segments of time. I feel somewhat quiet and wanted to wish you here: love and luck for now and times to come and I'll stick to what I said earlier too (and I know one came true last year - not quite the way one would have liked it to) but may a few of your cherished dreams and wishes come true.<br /><br />Take care.Shilpihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106170029106184978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-71557576936489875162013-01-24T12:55:56.267+05:302013-01-24T12:55:56.267+05:30This is one of those blogposts that I do not want ...This is one of those blogposts that I do not want to be quickly forgotten! Suvro Chatterjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027202980259279420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-22134684596356207112012-05-02T12:56:59.445+05:302012-05-02T12:56:59.445+05:30Thanks Sayan. I find it most heartwarming when I h...Thanks Sayan. I find it most heartwarming when I hear someone saying s/he has found inspiration from me. You have my best wishes, it goes without saying. Do sign off with your full name, by the way: I know so many Sayans that it sometimes confuses me which one is talking!Suvro Chatterjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027202980259279420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-58344438391548025692012-05-01T17:38:02.430+05:302012-05-01T17:38:02.430+05:30Dear Suvro'da,
This post of yours just left m...Dear Suvro'da,<br /><br />This post of yours just left me spellbound! What a conviction and confidence can a man have to take such a bold step, and then be vindicated in that stand in a decade, is just 'awesome' and truly inspirational. You know, how my situation over the last few years have unfolded and I had written to you for guidance in various phases of this period. Moving away from the 'cushy' regular banking job (though not so 'cushy' anymore in today's industry scenario) and venturing into 'teaching' (an area hitherto unexplored for me), was a huge change for me and more so in the mind. The decision was based less on facts and figures and more on a feeling of confidence and passion. And singularly, your views and example has been the inspiring factor! I must say, today standing at the 'start line' of a whole new career, reading your success-story, it gives me renewed confidence that yes, I can do it ! Thank you Suvro'da, and wish you all the very best for the next decades to come!<br /><br />Best regards,<br />SayanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-33733075345292095352012-04-25T21:10:08.508+05:302012-04-25T21:10:08.508+05:30Many thanks once again, Urna. Yes, I waited ten fu...Many thanks once again, Urna. Yes, I waited ten full years to tell the truth and dispel some of the mysteries and canards that have been circulating about my quitting that school. My great regret, though, is that most people who were involved in that sordid business don't read my blog, or if they do, they choose to stay very quiet about it. Not one reader has told me here that s/he is sorry s/he harboured a distorted impression of me for a long time, though some have already confessed as much to my face, or by phone or email. Also, I had expected a lot of other favourite old boys (and even a few girls) to write on this post, and I have been disappointed - so far, at least. But, as I said in the post, nobody can take away my sense of triumph from me, and the fact that my classes are filled to bursting, despite the worst that my detractors could do, and what else really matters?Suvro Chatterjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027202980259279420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-56209854917953504852012-04-24T15:55:28.702+05:302012-04-24T15:55:28.702+05:30Dear Sir,
First off I would like to extend my con...Dear Sir,<br /><br />First off I would like to extend my congratulations for having beat the odds and lead to fruition a thought that most people would barely allow to take roots in their limited imaginations! It couldn't have been easy to have taken that decision and followed through with it. And I find you an all the more admirable person for that. I did know, as did my other companions in our tuition class, that you had been a teacher at St. Xavier's quite some time back but none of us had any clue regarding the circumstances that lead to your having left the school and becoming a tutor and a counselor. Sure, there were rumours aplenty in circulation, though vastly stripped of glamour and grandeur, around as late as the time we became your students and possibly till the present day. I had often been prodded and probed by people who had never even met you with queries regarding your professional decisions, which it had never occurred to me to make any of my concern; it was more than enough that you were teaching us. Well, I don't know how many of my former classmates and your former students read your blog but I am sure they would find answers to a lot of their doubts in here. What transpired between you and the particular authorities in question ought not to be any uninterested third party's business and yet, here stand completely, utterly random people with a bagful of tales of the Myth of Mr. Suvro Chatterjee. If you don't know the whole story, don't supplement the absences with your imagination and propound the same as the absolute truth! In retrospect, I wonder what kind of stories have been circulating regarding someone very close to me, who had gone through something similar while teaching part-time in another well-known school back home. Honestly, I feel myself privileged to have known and been taught by a person like you and am just plain glad that you chose to do what you did. There is so much to how I think and what I believe in that I owe to your influence and I think that's the best and most priceless gift one can give another - to teach someone to think and question.<br /><br />Love and best wishes,<br /><br />UrnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-41441119019147504282012-04-18T11:08:55.545+05:302012-04-18T11:08:55.545+05:30Sir,
You'd first taught me when I was in class...Sir,<br />You'd first taught me when I was in class six. You would take us to the library and allow us to touch and feel books that were otherwise meant for seniors. I remember you asking about steadfast friendship that is the stuff of myths. And, I remember telling you about Toulouse Lautrec and Maurice Joyant. A day later, when the class was unusually unruly, Fr Wautier walked in and was about to reprimand us when his eyes fell on the blackboard. You had written Toulouse and Louvre on it. He, in what seemed to be his mildest and mellowest mood, asked 'What is Toulouse?' and I remember faintly whispering--'a place in France and he quipped, 'Which part of France' and I remember your class where you had said that it was a district in the south-west of France. He said something more about the Saint Sernin Basilica. I remember the names to this date without the support of the internet. <br />From there to Devassy? I am glad that I did not school under him. The last time I went to school only to meet you, I glimpsed this character who made it a point to be rude the moment I told him who I was there to meet . Kudos to you for leaving that meagre institution, now populated by mediocre masters and mistresses.<br />Recently, a 'strange' lady became my boss and in a month or so gave me such trauma that I would clench my teeth and make all sorts of noises while sleeping. My right thumb would shake involuntarily and my breath would never be full. With little ability to earn on my own I could not quit without another job in hand. <br />Working without self-respect, for someone as brilliant as you are, can be greater trauma (probably your tether would be far greater). One thing that you can be assured of is that hundreds of people continue to work without much respect for their own or larger interests. The company (xyz) where I work has MBAs from 'Umrica' telling editors to tag books with the label, 'free online resources from xyz international'. Yet, I cannot resign. The Prufrockian mask needs poetic escapades through language. I can hardly pen my own blog with sensible stuff. So, the detractors who badmouth you suffer the insufferable--being in purgatorio. The humiliation, the compromises and the muck we endure make us gape with wonder at your life and the lives around you.<br />May your paradiso sustain without bother.aranibanerjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08978301292838645138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-65958596464097261962012-04-17T23:20:25.547+05:302012-04-17T23:20:25.547+05:30Dear Sir,
Three cheers for you and your blog. Hop...Dear Sir,<br /><br />Three cheers for you and your blog. Hope it continues to blossom in the days to come.<br /><br />With regards,<br />SaikatSaikat Chakrabortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15868010301131014776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-2010598026062842912012-04-17T23:16:42.399+05:302012-04-17T23:16:42.399+05:30Dear Sir,
Congratulations.
Now that I have resig...Dear Sir,<br /><br />Congratulations. <br />Now that I have resigned from my job, I can understand how difficult it was for you to take the decision. If I, a person much younger, without any family to support and who can comfortably retreat back home had to think so much before quitting, I can admire how brave you had been to stick to your ideals. I wish more and more students would look up to you.<br />Your decision was a boon for us, since I guess that was the year you started the Michael's Class IX batch and I got the chance to enroll in your classes. Thank you.<br /><br />With regards,<br />Sayantikasayantikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13501892242958304832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-12298090183959107272012-04-17T23:02:41.777+05:302012-04-17T23:02:41.777+05:30And...that's it!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
Celebrations ...And...that's it!!!!!!!!!!!!!...<br /><br />Celebrations are due.<br /><br />Lots of love and best wishes to Sir,<br /><br />Debarshi.Debarshi Sahanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-20604260315425819242012-04-17T22:32:05.570+05:302012-04-17T22:32:05.570+05:30It's 10:28 p.m. on Tuesday 17 April 2012 right...It's 10:28 p.m. on Tuesday 17 April 2012 right now, and I am watching with bated breath as the visit counter creeps towards the 100,000 mark: it will be there in an hour or two, I should guess. I shall write at greater length hereafter, but for the moment I want to say a grateful thank you to every one who has commented here yet, even while feeling rather blue that so many others (there have been more than 900 visits already) couldn't think of anything to say at all...Suvro Chatterjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027202980259279420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-2007568249829802662012-04-17T14:28:47.444+05:302012-04-17T14:28:47.444+05:30Dear Sir,
The decision must have been a tough one...Dear Sir,<br /><br />The decision must have been a tough one for you then...!! Congratulations Sir , for doing so well and thus setting an example for so many of us....!! That you have done so well , choosing an option very few would have , is also because : you are one of those few people who actually practice what they preach , you stick to your principles come what may and you do what you love to do...!! <br /><br />As Akash Da said - " The last ten years have been the triumph of a teacher committed to his philosophy of teaching. " - it has really been so...!! And as I write this , i remember the small article - " I am a teacher " , which you have kept in your classroom....!!<br /><br />You are a true inspiration Sir , and an example of righteousness!. You have always told us that honesty, continued hard work and knowledge never go in vain , and you yourself set an example for that...!! May you remain in good health and continue to get more good students , who would be inspired by you...!!<br /><br />Regards ,<br />Shameek .Shameek Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13716348438171054715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-38508354451385929012012-04-17T09:29:20.680+05:302012-04-17T09:29:20.680+05:30Dear Suvroda
Congratulations. Back in 1993-94, wh...Dear Suvroda<br /><br />Congratulations. Back in 1993-94, when I was being taught by you, I was too immature to even anticipate that you would leave school. I feel elated that with your collective dedication, you, Boudi and Pupu are happier and satisfied. It not only speaks volume of your courage, love for teaching but also for your organisation skills whereby you ably juggle across everything required to run your institute. You are undoubtedly privileged to be ably supported by Boudi and Pupu. <br /><br />Kudos Suvroda. You teach by example. Perhaps there were many teachers who told me stories of great men and ideals but unlike you none taught me to live by ideals. I sincerely pray to God for your good health so that you continue to help students and get good students who love you, respect you and try and make you proud. <br /><br />Regards<br /><br />TanmoyTanmoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10472125805572571597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-70059766436526345982012-04-17T03:23:02.499+05:302012-04-17T03:23:02.499+05:30You have certainly earned the right to go to sleep...You have certainly earned the right to go to sleep content, and proud.<br />I read your resignation letter. I can only imagine the courage and conviction it took to write that not knowing what the future had in store. <br />One of the greatest pleasures in life is to prove the naysayers wrong. Congratulations and enjoy!Harmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09902184121779195490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-49078492135819105662012-04-16T20:28:47.679+05:302012-04-16T20:28:47.679+05:30Dear Sir,
It is a wonderful achievement. I am qu...Dear Sir, <br /><br />It is a wonderful achievement. I am quite sure that working at any institution, however good it may be, constrains one in many unthinkable ways. To have an experience of complete freedom at what you love doing, and to be able to thrive in it should have been exhilarating to say the least. <br /><br />Also Sir, your life is an example for many others who would love to do their own thing. I wish many people around you do get inspired by your story and try to take initiatives and challenges of the sort you took, when you decided to go solo. <br /><br />All the best for your life and may you remain healthy, both in body and mind to keep on doing what you love for a long long time. <br /><br /><br />Regards, <br /><br />NavinNavinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10481886024371608320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-40695125714012409432012-04-16T01:05:12.473+05:302012-04-16T01:05:12.473+05:30Dear Suvro Sir,
I remember the last day you taugh...Dear Suvro Sir, <br />I remember the last day you taught us. There was a buzz that Suvro Sir had resigned and boys were expecting a 'free period'. I faintly remember seeing your checked shirt in the corridor 5 minutes before the bell rang - much to my happiness. For many, however, expectations of a welcome 'free period' were crashed. I remember how calmly, on the last day of your 14 year long innings, you explained to us at length "Remember, there are no free lunches". <br />I had the responsibility of filling up the Lesson Plan Book those days. That day, a few drops of unnoticed tears were my entry.<br />I came home - searched for my class 4 radiant reader and read the short story "The last lesson". <br />Vive la Sir!Sreejith Nairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00702563656203968958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-35246735672816927512012-04-15T22:39:15.093+05:302012-04-15T22:39:15.093+05:30Dear Suvro Sir,
Congratulations on your ten years ...Dear Suvro Sir,<br />Congratulations on your ten years of ‘flying solo’. While reading this post, I could almost see the flame inside your heart glowing with happiness and pride and of course you have earned your pride. You have showed through example that it is possible even in these times to survive holding onto principles like honesty, self respect and self-independence. And you have not just survived but have thrived. You live with self satisfaction and pride which very few people can claim. You have proved that what our parents tried to drill into our minds right from our childhood –that if we can safely cuddle in the blankets of ‘security and stability’, we will never ever face any problem in our lives- is not true at all. <br /> Thank You for setting this example. You are my teacher in the truest sense. I have long accepted that I am not the perfect human being that I wanted to be but I don’t lose hope. With all my mistakes, I try to learn from you, fail, and try again.<br />I pray to God to bless you and your family with happiness, good health and prosperity. <br />The phrase from your post is ringing in my mind –“You know your job well, you work long and hard, you stick to some time- tested principles, and only God willing, you win out.<br />Thank You very much for this post Sir.<br />Warm regards<br />Rashmi DattaRashmi Dattahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04125416218229246687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-40001244407613343822012-04-15T14:10:27.773+05:302012-04-15T14:10:27.773+05:30Dear Suvro Sir,
It has taken me a lot of reflectio...Dear Suvro Sir,<br />It has taken me a lot of reflection and some experience to finally understand that successful is not just the scientist who wins a Nobel Prize or the author who earns critical acclaim for his work or the businessman who makes millions or even the philanthropist who takes care of the destitute. Successful is the man who does what he enjoys doing while holding on to strict principles, fights to transcend his immediate circumstance to create a niche of his own; can rise beyond the immediacy of pain and build a sanctuary of his own, no matter how small. Men are born unequal, in different environments and more often than not receive opportunities disproportionate to their abilities. Successful is the man who has the belly to fight his present circumstance to be able to breathe the free air and most importantly, successful is the man who does his daily chores with sincerity and goes to sleep in peace at night.<br /><br />Thank you Sir, for teaching us this.<br /><br />Sayan DattaSayan Dattahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10471336056338860961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-76867553742820828822012-04-15T08:55:30.321+05:302012-04-15T08:55:30.321+05:30Dear Sir,
My heartiest congratulations to you. Ma...Dear Sir,<br /><br />My heartiest congratulations to you. May you keep teaching and living with the same ferocity. You life 'has' been an example and an inspiration for many of us.<br /><br />Regards,<br />Arnab<br /><br />PS : I tried searching for Devasy's email in the internet but so far no luck (unless the email id of the principal of St. Xavier's, Kolkata counts).Akihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18025475963451009191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-36857883316857795262012-04-15T07:11:24.648+05:302012-04-15T07:11:24.648+05:30My late grandmother used to say, "haariye na ...My late grandmother used to say, "haariye na himmat, bisaariye na Raam". You, Suvro da, have lived those words. <br /><br />Best Wishes<br />AnandAnand Tiwarinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-48213485118130470262012-04-13T18:42:06.029+05:302012-04-13T18:42:06.029+05:30sir ,
you are one such person , other than my pa...sir , <br /> you are one such person , other than my parents and few others , who 'commands' and 'deserves' respect , instead of 'demanding' it . Your life in itself is something that inspires us to think and act with freedom . You have defined the word 'challenge' for us ,through your own eventful life . Thanks .Debotoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09612292375366632146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-69344065991702851182012-04-13T10:44:32.336+05:302012-04-13T10:44:32.336+05:30Dear Sir,
I would like to congratulate you on your...Dear Sir,<br />I would like to congratulate you on your remarkable feat of 'ten years of flying solo'. If it was not for that decision you made I and many of your students like me would not have come under your influence.<br />It is highly improbable that you will remember me (I was in the ICSE 2009 St. Xavier's tuition batch) as I have failed to keep in regular touch with you (I met you once after my boards).<br />I still cherish every hour I spent under your tutelage and I enjoy reading your blog posts.<br />Regards,<br />Kaustav SomKaustav Somhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01787031049469402202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30819742.post-47016368891440715452012-04-12T22:40:17.244+05:302012-04-12T22:40:17.244+05:30Congratulations, Sir, for not only doing so well f...Congratulations, Sir, for not only doing so well for yourself despite the insurmountable odds but also for setting an example for your students (including me) that honesty, hard work and knowledge seldom go in vain. I wish you all the best for the future.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />JoydeepJoydeephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03002902225511574873noreply@blogger.com