G Sai Sagar
2005-08, Brindavan Campus
Till I joined Brindavan, only saw Ruchir Sir as another lecturer at Swami’s college. Only after I joined for B.Com ( Hons) realized what Sir and his capacity is.
Ruchir Sir is an inspiration and a role model to most of our accounts students because of his calculation capability, speed, clarity of thought and ability to teach. His class was something that we would never miss. However tired, whatever the situation may have been, if we sleep or lose attention we really lost an invaluable input for that day and life. Today, when I look back, and can rest on good fundamentals it is only because of teachers like Ruchir Sir.
Apart from knowledge of commerce subjects, Sir used to continuously grill us on some good habits and lessons for life. Prior to Brindavan, I was a slow and unpunctual person. Sir was very punctual and if one was late for class, one remained standing outside. No questions asked or expected which is the norm for his class. Towards the middle of our 2nd year undergraduate, he observed that boys were becoming tardy and started to close the door as soon as the bell rings for his class. There were days when half of us would be out of the class. The situation became such that he would be early, wait for the bell and close the door even on our faces. No excuses! On another day, he noticed us coming behind him in the reflection of the glass on the notice board. He was just a few meters ahead and began walking faster. We started to run to class but he was faster and again closed the door. Unable to bear the slamming door we demanded an explanation.
He was waiting for that opportune moment to hit the nail. He revealed a series of instances and why he was so particular about punctuality. He narrated an incident about selection of a Principal for the school where his mother was about to retire at Mumbai. A very popular school and after checking various applications and conducting interviews etc. 2 were shortlisted after rigorous testing on various parameters and both were equal in everything. Finally, one was selected because of a very small habit. Interviews, he said one can prepare and pretend for few hours but the way you live cannot be prepared for but arises from habits. Punctuality is one of those habits which can only be developed day after day and cannot come in an instant.
This changed me forever from a laggard to punctual. So strongly has the message been driven home that to this day, I cannot forgive myself for being late, ever!
In Brindavan stores he was very different person to us ‘Stores Boys’. He cut jokes, made us smile, relieved us of any worries, resolved issues, and so many other things. It was our good fortune to have learned from him and I pray to Swami that we continue to have such wonderful, lovely teachers in our life. May Swami bless Ruchir Sir to become One with Him. With love & gratitude!
