What I learnt from whom.

   At every moment of life we learn something. The process of learning never ends in life. I just want to mention names of Institutions and Persons who taught me something which is a treasure for me now:

Nirmala Hostel, Port Blair: I learned discipline in this Hostel. Its Director was late Fr. Peter Gomes, SFX. I spend two years in this hostel from 1976 to 1978. We have to do every thing  at the given time. Right from waking up in the morning till we weent to bed. When I was there, I was little disappointed and unhappy because there was no freedom. But thereafter, I realized the importance of discipline in life. I still follow a perfect timing for each of my activities.

Fr. T.Paes, SFX: Fr. Paes was Parish Priest of Catholic Church, Oral Katchaa, Baratang, South Andaman when I was a small boy,studying in primary school. We used to attend a Government School at Oral Katcha. The School timing was 9 a.m to 3 p.m. We had a time constraint but he will arrange a class for moral education before start of our school. He will tell us small stories and tell us not to steal or cheat or tell a lie. Fr. Paes is now working in Kolkata but could never met him after he left Andamans.

Shri C.S.Nair: Shri Nair was a English Teacher in Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Port Blair. An outstanding English Teacher and our class teacher for two years 1978-1980. I was from hindi medium school and that too with a rural background. Shri Nair will never speak in Hindi. It was because of him that inspite of being from rural background I not only got first division in 12th class but topped in Andamans in Arts stream.

Shri N.Francis Xavier: He is now Associate Professor of English in Jawahar Lal Nehru Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Port Blair (formerly known as Government College, Port Blair). He is also an oustanding English Teacher. The way of his teaching English is superb. I learnt proper pronunciations and able to increase English vocabulary of mine. He taught me English from 1980-84. It was because of him that I became Post Graduate in English.

Dr. A.V.Vishwanathan Iyer: Dr.Iyer was my Principal in the College. He was outstanding teacher, able administrator and was competent to teach any subject in the College. His subject was Mathematics but  he was learned enough to teach any subjects, say whether it is Commerce, Hindi, Sanskrit or History. It was he who helped me in getting a posting at College as Lower Division Clerk. It was he who pursuaded me to come to Delhi. It was he who taught me how to be a good Administrator. It was he who taught me as to how tactfully handle a situation. Dr. Iyer is no more in this world but I always respect and regard him as my guru and mentor. Whatsoever I am today is because of him.

Jesus Christ: He is the greatest Teacher of my life. I read Holy Bible but not a regular reader. But whatsover, I read, I try to follow it in my life. All help came from him through various persons in my life. Lord Jesus gave me wisdom, authority, intelligence and made be capable of doing anything in my life. I always feel the presence of Jesus in my life. Whenever something wrong happens in my life I just look on him. Jesus never allowed anyone to insult me in my life. When I need something, he always gives me abundantly. Jesus has given me so many things in my life which I will never be able to count. He is my friend, my brother and my God.Thank you Jesus.

Loading and Unloading

           The word "Loading and Unloading is very common and frequently used in Andamans. This is so because all goods/material is transported from Chennai or Kolkata. So goods are to loaded on Ships at Kolkata and Unloaded at Port Blair. Wooden logs are loaded on trucks and unloaded at sea-shore. So many people are engaged for the workd of loading and unloading of goods. If you ask any such person as where he is going, he will say"Loading mein ja rahe hai." or "Unloading mein ja rahe hai.". If you ask them " what is your duty?" they will reply "Loading duty hai" or "Unloading duty hai".

          I remember one instance where a person wrongly used the word "Loading and Unloading". This person was sending his wife to Kolkata by ship and wanted his brother at Kolkata to receive her. Some 20-25 years ago, Telegram was the only fastest means of communications for Islanders. He sent a telegram to his brother " WIFE LOADED ARRANGE UNLOADING."