“We all are beggars” – he spoke in a slow but firm and clear voice. The whole classroom fell silent for a couple of seconds. This was followed by huge applause even as the lecturer stood and watched him in surprise. It was Harish’s classroom, and this was his turn!
It was two years since Harish joined his college. Yet, settling down with the bon ton of his college seemed to be several light-years away. Now and then, he could be spotted at the staircase trying to put a brave-face to the heavy jargons thrown at him by his classmate crossing his way. Apparently folks learnt that Harish does not open up so easily, and started making fun of thim. Ffrom then he started keeping a low profile.
“Why don’t you talk to people?” asked rekha once. To which Harish replied, “I don’t know, I used to be a good communicator when I was in school; but now, I just can’t talk”. Then he fell silent with an expression on his face that almost screamed, “These people are from different society. What if they make fun of me if I say something ‘wrong’”? He said, “I did my schooling from Hindi-medium, and have got to see texts in English just for two years now. If I say something wrong, or worse, interpret something said to me in English incorrectly, then”?
To Harish, the most horrible event that can happen to him was that someday someone would ask him a question in English, and he’ll not be in a position to disregard it. He’d be ashamed in front of all the guys, and worse, the girls. The pride he earned for himself during his schooling, becoming class-monitor, School-pupil-leader, and had earned a place in the good books of many – All would be shattered in a fraction of a second. Remaining silent and ignorant seemed to be best solution.
A year and a half more passed. It was his final year in the college. Everyone was preparing for the campus placement events. On the hot summer day, they were moving slowly towards the classroom, with their faces plunged into their books they were carrying in their hands. Apparently there was an assessment being done by one of their lecturers.
Harish thought, “I wish I could take part in it. But I am too scared. But again, this would be my last chance to make it through the placement, and prove that I’m no less than anyone else… But what if I goof up, then? What will they think about me? All guys would make fun of me as they did to Mukesh, and no girl would ever wish to turn towards me again. I loose my stand I have taken for four long years! My self-respect is bigger than the job that I’d try, and not get. No taking part in the assessment! Just watch the event!!”
...To be continued
It was two years since Harish joined his college. Yet, settling down with the bon ton of his college seemed to be several light-years away. Now and then, he could be spotted at the staircase trying to put a brave-face to the heavy jargons thrown at him by his classmate crossing his way. Apparently folks learnt that Harish does not open up so easily, and started making fun of thim. Ffrom then he started keeping a low profile.
“Why don’t you talk to people?” asked rekha once. To which Harish replied, “I don’t know, I used to be a good communicator when I was in school; but now, I just can’t talk”. Then he fell silent with an expression on his face that almost screamed, “These people are from different society. What if they make fun of me if I say something ‘wrong’”? He said, “I did my schooling from Hindi-medium, and have got to see texts in English just for two years now. If I say something wrong, or worse, interpret something said to me in English incorrectly, then”?
To Harish, the most horrible event that can happen to him was that someday someone would ask him a question in English, and he’ll not be in a position to disregard it. He’d be ashamed in front of all the guys, and worse, the girls. The pride he earned for himself during his schooling, becoming class-monitor, School-pupil-leader, and had earned a place in the good books of many – All would be shattered in a fraction of a second. Remaining silent and ignorant seemed to be best solution.
A year and a half more passed. It was his final year in the college. Everyone was preparing for the campus placement events. On the hot summer day, they were moving slowly towards the classroom, with their faces plunged into their books they were carrying in their hands. Apparently there was an assessment being done by one of their lecturers.
Harish thought, “I wish I could take part in it. But I am too scared. But again, this would be my last chance to make it through the placement, and prove that I’m no less than anyone else… But what if I goof up, then? What will they think about me? All guys would make fun of me as they did to Mukesh, and no girl would ever wish to turn towards me again. I loose my stand I have taken for four long years! My self-respect is bigger than the job that I’d try, and not get. No taking part in the assessment! Just watch the event!!”
...To be continued
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