Renunciation
Author: Dr. K. S. Kang
Today was the last day of service for Sujata, though she had not superannuated but she had applied for voluntary retirement, three months ago and her request was accepted and today was the last day of her job. As she was moving towards the porch of the college, after parking her ev two wheeler in that portion of college cycle stand that was reserved exclusively for the faculty and Principal of the college, her whole career of two decades of teaching in different colleges moved like a movie in her mind. She clearly remembered the day when she received the appointment letter and when she came to join enthusiastically. She thought of changing the lives of the students through her teaching and ultimately change the nation and world as per ideals. But various factors combined to arouse her dislike for her profession like bureaucratic hurdles, irregularity of classes, political interference and apathy of the administrations. No doubt she loved and respected real and genuine students who came to the institution to learn something new and these students also regarded her in high esteem but their efforts were thwarted due to degraded politics among the students. This disillusioned her a lot and though she was never lax in taking classes though Principal and administration wanted to give more attention to non-academic jobs like hostel supervision, scholarships and like. Today, also she had assured Principal that though not on the payroll of the college any more from tomorrow but she will continue to take classes and finish her syllabus before leaving the town for her unknown future journey. Her decision was opposed vehemently by her parents as she was unmarried and even her friends and well wishers too wanted to continue her job till superannuation but she was fed up of the worldly life and worldly ways of affairs. She wanted to tread the pilgrims path and walk on the way leading to spirituality and divinity, though she was not sure whether it will lead her to anywhere or not. She wanted no ceremony at her farewell, she simple signed the attendance register and her relieving papers, she had declined to take any farewell girt or function form the staff and she had taken excuse form secretary staff club, but despite her protests Principal and a couple of faculty members arranged a tea party and honoured her by wrapping a shawl around her shoulders. She was simply over whelmed at the gesture of her colleagues and picking up shawl and her papers she quietly walked out of Principal’s office with tears in her eyes.
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