HAPPY DAYS GONE BY - Introduction

In order to revive the Allahabad University, the Vice Chancellor of the Allahabad University has taken unprecedented step to fill up the vacancies. Three hundred appointments have been made. Screening and interviews for the remaining posts are going on. She has also organised an 'Induction program of the faculty members at the University of Allahabad' to inspire the newly appointed teachers by talking about the great teachers of the past.

I was requested to speak  about our old teachers. I had thought of speaking at length but cut short the speech to accommodate the time available. I will be publishing my talk in parts. Here is the first part of the unabridged version.

Happy Days Gone By

Introduction।। Students' Enthusiasm at Allahabad - Unparalleled।। God Does Not Exist।। Christ Birth In Stable - Courtesy Statistician।। The Unforgettable Teacher - Prof. RD Pathak।। Don't Worry, It Will Cool Down।। Can Parliament Abolish Constitution।। Fall from Grace।। We Shall Overcome।।

Namastey and a very good afternoon to all of you.

I am happy to be here. Five finest years of my life were spent here. Thank you for inviting me to talk about 'Olden days, glorious past and experience sharing'. But  I am reminded of the  warning of President Radhakrishnan to Chief Justice NU Beg on the centenary function of the Allahabad High Court. 

Chief Justice NU Beg (father of herbal expert Shahnaz Husain) talked about great past glory of the Allahabad High Court in his welcome speech.  However, in his inaugural speech,  the President Radhakrishnan admonished the Chief Justice by reminding him of his (President’s) remarks after a hymn that raised concern of the writer/ singer regarding their presence at time of Jesus’s crucifixion:

"Why are you raising these hypothetical questions whether you were there two thousand years ago or not? The problem is what are you doing today. You are crucifying the Lord today, at the altar of racial bigotry, national egotism.”

“It is not necessary for us to take pride in our past”, President cautioned.  

The President had to be given a befitting reply. And who else but Kanhiaya Lal Misra, one of the greatest advocates of all times and treasurer of Allahabad University for many years was requested to reply. He said,

“Mr. President, I have received your warning that we must not refer to our past. But, it is not easy to think of the present without reference to the past; for, the present evolves out of the past and projects into the future."

The past holds the key to open the door of the future. Will it open to a glorious or gloomy future depends upon  the notches and ridges of the key. Let me tell you about the key of the past that will open to glorious future. 

Next post we will talk about the first notch of that key - Inviting Eminent Academicians to Inspire Students.

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