A Vocation With Insight and Purpose
Only when love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes
Is the deed ever truly done
For Heaven and the future’s sake
- From “ Two Tramps In Mud Time”, by Robert Frost
A Vocation With Insight and Purpose
It takes time to know your true calling. Well, in my case it took me half my life.
After an enriching yet grueling experience of 22 years in corporate world, it only needed a
pandemic to change my perspective on career. The lockdown during COVID contagion had
cut my demanding hours at office and cooped me up with family for a considerable time.
Instead of sulking over a pent up situation, I took to opportunity to restructure my life in terms
of family commitments, lifestyle and career path.
Life ushered me to Uddami India Foundation in the first quarter of 2021 while it was still
punctuated with frequent to infrequent lockdowns. Life came to a standstill, lives lost,
factories shut down and education adversely affected. At this juncture, I was completely
taken by what Uddami did to help the needy. I was in awe of what Uddami advocates –
“Empowerment of Youth for Sustainable Future”. The organization provides support for the
under-privileged youth through soft skills and other vocational training with placement
opportunities. It backs many other social causes such as “Women Health & Hygiene”,
“Gender Equality” etc. Being thoroughly moved by the diligence and dedication of Uddami, I
wanted to contribute with the only resource I had – knowledge and experience. Thereafter I
embarked on a new exciting journey of Communicative English Trainer. Training students
from challenging background to enhance their career prospect and that too at the crucial
time, seemed rather privileged opportunity to me.
My first batch started from March 2021. Education at that moment was facing a tremendous
challenge as students were unable to go to schools and colleges. However, classes
continued in an alternative method – “Online”, where teachers provided instructions over
video call. In order to access an online class a student needed either a laptop or a smart
phone. Hence my classes were held online initially. Since my students were not from an
affluent background, smartphone wasn’t available with all of them. This however didn’t deter
them from reaching out. Neither could kill their spirit to learn something so important. They
would overcome any hurdle to attend the English lessons.
It wasn’t exactly easy to establish a teacher-student bond and more specifically with those
students who hadn’t seen, known or experienced the things you have. They found it hard to
open up at the outset. My early classes would see them staring either blankly or confusingly
to anything I said. They slowly started warming up to me as I related stories from my past
profession. This brought me closer to my students’ aspirations and their expectations from
life. Thereon it had been a smooth ride so far.
Through the Communicative English Course of Uddami, I have been able to connect with my
students and impart all that I have learnt from academics and career. The course enhanced
their vocabulary, comprehension & writing skills; imbibed correct pronunciation and even
inculcated manners and etiquettes. Above all, the confidence had been reinstated in each
and every student of Uddami so that they could face the world without hesitation. Many of
them have completed the course with commendable grades and have even been
successfully placed in reputed organizations. As I walk by the street, I am often greeted by
ex-students of Uddami who wouldn’t stop gushing about how helpful the English lessons
were.
In brief, nothing beats the twinkling eyes, curious minds and happy faces of the students and
the gratitude they express and respect they show in classroom. I fall short of words while
thanking Uddami as it brought me close to my true calling. Way to go!
Bhaswati Adhikary – Communicative English Trainer