Arup Mukhopadhyay

I was born and brought up in the ‘city of joy’- Calcutta, India. When I was just four I went to a Missionary School. At the age of six I had to move to a boarding school. The life of boarding school was a mixture of everything what I had experienced at the later stage of my life. The school environ was friendly, open and warm. Though, at times, I was under academic pressure and was preoccupied with tests, exams, presentation etc, yet there were lighter moments too.

When I look back I feel that the process of socialization has been done in the school. I had to say ‘good bye’ to my school and embrace my college life. Of course I was more mature when I entered in the college and could handle things with more maturity. But there were many aspects College had offered. The most striking is the development of independent thinking that made me to get along well with others, to voice, to share views, to serve others and at large to be in the service of living. I believe that care and concern not only for human beings but also for living beings are the two important hallmarks of a civilized man.

My assumption is that school is the best place for one to help a child grow and explore knowledge within. To be in the company of young, in view of introducing them the adults’ realities of life is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. This implies not only love for children but also vision on the part of an educator. An educator goes beyond the parochial cultural limitations and instills in students the more generalized human values and culture. I enjoy the company of young people and take initiative to function with a sense of overall responsibilities. I believe in strict discipline and industrious study habits in students, while promoting the best values education aims at.

I commenced my teaching career in 1990 and ever since have taught Biology and Human Biology as preparation for Secondary and Senior Secondary Examinations. Judging from the response I have received from my students I feel I have been a successful teacher. As a ‘Personal Tutor’, right from the beginning, I was deeply involved in the corporate life of the students and carried out all my duties and responsibilities to the entire satisfaction of my superiors. I also served as House Master (age 17-18yrs, Sixth Form) in Nilgiri/ Duranta Houses and in this capacity I strived to encourage an atmosphere of consideration and to build up a positive relationship. My prime concern was the welfare and well being of all children under my charge and I ensured that they developed into complete and satisfying personalities. I have over many years channelised much of my interest, energy and time towards promoting, encouraging and popularizing many co-curricular activities such as street-play, Nature study, social service etc. During my school days, I was most enthusiastic about games and sports and displayed appreciative talents in athletics and volleyball. This aptitude proved to be an added advantage when it came to coaching school team.

In recognition of my experience, contributions and services to the institutions the Ministry of Education, Govt. of Maldives, appointed me Examination Superintendent and the Head of Biology Department in 1998 and later I was transferred to Science Education Centre, a premier co-ed school in the capital, prepares students for A/L examination of University of London Examination and Assessment Council. In May 2001, I returned to India with a view to heading one of the best boarding schools in India.

Perhaps my experience, sense of total commitment, diligent and dedicated service influenced the School managements and I was offered headship in May 2001. The goodwill, co-operation and spontaneous support I received from the various categories of my colleagues most evidently goes to prove that I carried out my duties, responsibilities and obligations efficiently, to say the least. As a head of the School apart from my various job commitments, I am required to chair various committees with a view to ensure that the school’s administrative machinery ran smoothly and progressively. I am constantly accessible to all my colleagues, which they really appreciate and this obviously help me to convincingly motivate my colleagues to function as an integrated team in the general interests of the school. I am relieved to say that the school is growing strength-by-strength in every sphere and functioning normally without repercussions. I have been promoted to Executive Director in Royal Global School, Guwahati for strengthening its academic and administrative structure as well as to provide overall leadership.

I am always on the move to greater challenges and responsibilities in an open conducive atmosphere where everyone enjoys functional autonomy and bring out the best of the talents.