Sailen Mukherjee (India, 02/11/07)

One always looks forward for friendly neighbours especially for people like us who have been settling in Bhopal after spending 27 years in Delhi as there is hardly any person known to us. That way we are lucky to have Dr. Subhash Pande, his wife Smita and two sweet kids as our neighbour who greeted us with warm smile on our first arrival to our newly constructed flat.

Day by day we became very close as if we have been uncle and aunty to Subhash and Smita since ages. We felt all the more fortunate when Subhash’s parents, Dr. V. P. Pande and Mrs Nirmla Devi Pande came here from Sagar to reside with them.

Conversation with Dr. V. P. Pande is a pleasure to treasure with. He has now been running 83 and maintaining sound health due to his strict routine lifestyle. He had been a retired Professor and Head of the Department of Economics from the first University of Madhya Pradesh (MP) that is SAGAR UNIVERSITY. He was also holding the position of Dean Faculty of Social Sciences.

His life intrigued me so much that I thought of penning a brief account of it for others to emulate.

Born in a Brahmin family Dr. V. P. Pande owes his scholarly aptitude to his father, Pundit Sitaram Pande. A gold medallist from Nagpur University Panditji was a teacher, freedom fighter and a true Gandhian. He dedicated his life for spreading education amongst masses in and around Katni, MP; as per wishes of Gandhiji. He authored many books amongst which “Ashastra Sangram” and “Manas Darshan” are widely known. He could memorize Ramayana by heart. He was known for his simplicity and divinity. People used to address him “Guruji”. He left for his heavenly abode at the age of one hundred and one.

Coming back to Dr. V.P. Pande, he lost his mother at a young age. His father made him read many religious books, literature, poems etc during his primary education. Reading Ramayana was a daily ritual for him. He could recite the slokas from Ramayana with ease till date.

He got a job in Railways after his matriculation. His father wanted him to stick to the job so as to support the family but Dr.Pande was determined to pursue higher studies. He left the job and moved to Kanpur for his graduation. At that time he actively participated in Quit India Movement of 1942, called by Gandhiji. Thereafter he continued with his studies. He used to meet his livelihood and educational expenditure by working in an office.

After completing his post graduation in Economics he opted for teaching as a profession and initiated his professional career as a lecturer at Amaravati. With the establishment of Sagar University he shifted his base there by joining as one of the Faculty members. He was one of those fortunate fellows who were appointed by late Dr. Hari Singh Gour, the founder Vice Chancellor of the University, who donated all his life-savings to establish this University.

Side by side he completed his graduation in law [LLB] and Ph. D in Economics from Sagar University. . To fulfill his ambition of becoming Doctorate from the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) he left for London in the year 1960 by ship making adequate arrangement for his wife and children at home. At that time his wife just delivered a son who was 10 days old. He told me “There were many constraints and hurdles, but the ultimate goal was waiting for me, I had confidence that God is with me and my family’s good wishes”. There were social issues too as a Brahmin going abroad was not taken in good taste.

He became very popular in LSE due to his commanding knowledge on Indian History and Culture. He developed connections with many students from other countries as well as Indians who afterwards occupied top posts in Government and in private sectors. He traveled all over Europe and also visited Pyramids of Egypt and many other monuments. He returned home in 1964 and continued teaching at Sagar. At that time he also held many important positions viz. Examiner for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Member of University Grant Commission (UGC); Member of State Planning commission. He was also the Examiner and Guide of Sagar University for awarding PhD degrees.

On his superannuation from Sagar University after serving there over 40 years, he was appointed as a Pro Vice Chancellor in North East Hill University for a period exceeding three years.

Despite being a scholar in Economics he has in-depth knowledge in Hindi and English literature, Indian Philosophy, History and religious scriptures like Gita and Ramayana.

He read many other books and his favorites are “Kamayani”, “Meghdoot”, “Raghuvansham” and “Autobiography of a yogi”. Kalidas and Tulsi Das are the poets he admires. Also he likes bhajans like “Vaishvnava Janato” and “Thumak Chalat Ramchandra”.

He had an opportunity to meet great Indian leaders during Indian National Congress in Trpuri, He met Gandhiji, Nehruji, Netaji, Sardar Patel and many more who influenced him a lot. Gandhiji once while traveling through Katni gave his flowers to him. This memory he cherishes with pride even today.

According to him a teacher should always be sincere to his primary duty i.e. teaching. He should never put his knowledge on sale through tuitions, should be fair to all and should not take advantage of the help rendered to the students. His endeavor should be to make his student not only an expert on the subject taught but also to ensure that he becomes a good citizen having moral values and principles. In his opinion politicians and teachers are responsible for the present condition of educational system. He also feels that the present generation is after Information and Technology but lacks in-depth analysis and knowledge. The teachers must insist upon analysis of the available information to dig out knowledge out of that. Information is a short-term business and one forgets it with time, but the acquired knowledge remains for long.

Dr.Pande has a very clear understanding about life because of his deep insight in Philosophy, belief in Dhyan, Gayatri Mantra and Sandhya which he has been practicing regularly since his upanayan sanskar (Thread Ceremony) at the age of 12. Among the dignitaries, this function was also attended by Pundit Ravi Shankar Shukla, who later became the first Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

According to him one should be capable of earning and supporting his own family and other needing relatives rather than getting involved in family disputes. He holds the view that a joint family is always a pleasure and strength.

Once I had the opportunity of attending a get together in Bhopal arranged by Subhash, son of Dr. Pande. It was a conglomeration of about 50 learned persons in the age group ranging from 50 to 70. Each of them paid homage to Dr. Pande by remembering their association with him as a teacher, friend, philosopher and guide. His contributions to the University, society and individuals were highly lauded. Many of them were touching his feet to seek his blessings. Such a scenario made me realize that Dr. Pande may not be rich in materialistic terms but the respects and honour he commands even today is invaluable. He is a vivid example of an ego less man leading a life of simple living and high thinking.

I vividly remember the day two years back when he lost his wife. As usual he was out on his routine evening walk. Suddenly Madam Pande became a victim of severe heart attack and passed away. While we were hesitating to break this tragic news to him on his return he started reciting Gita sitting by the side of her body and maintained an unbelievable composure all through the rituals.

He not only worked hard to fulfill his professional achievement but also made it a point to ensure that his children and other relatives are imparted proper education and upbringing. All of them are well settled today and he is now a great grandfather.

With my interaction with Dr.Pande I came to the conclusion if a man has self respect, confidence, determination coupled with principles and values, he will definitely succeed in his career and will be leading a healthy and contented retired life, which we hardly come across in today’s money-oriented world.

“If you can keep your head when

Others are loosing theirs and blaming it on you

If you can trust yourself where every thing is doubtful

One will be only successful

Just carry on as per God’s wishes and will”

May the Almighty give him a long healthy life to enlighten and steer us on various walks of life.

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