When elections for class representative were announced during first professional I spontaneously decided to contest for the post. My decision was endorsed by my friend circle. What I did not know that becoming a CR was a direct ticket to supplementary in Anatomy. CRs of at least five preceding consecutive batches had flunked in Anatomy. By the time I realized it I was already a CR and my fate had been sealed.
I treaded very cautiously throughout the remaining first professional and avoided crossing path with Dr. Usha Ahuja. She abhorred the species of CRs and was known to be a CR tormentor. But destiny had its own plans.
My father was seriously ill for the past couple of years and he passed away on November 30, 1975. We were on preparatory holidays and being a day scholar, I was not coming to college. An undercurrent of boycotting final examinations was brewing in A and B blocks of the hostel if they were not delayed by a couple of weeks. Mrs. Ahuja had an inkling of the looming crisis. My family was still in the midst of bereavement when I got a message that she wanted to meet me. I tried to avoid meeting her saying that I was not in right state of mind. But she was adamant and I walked into her trap.
It was a winter morning and she was enjoying the sun sitting on the side lawn of C Block. Without uttering a word of condolence, she confronted me saying, “your class is planning to boycott the final examinations. I command you to make sure that exams are held on time. The exams will not be delayed.” When I said it has only been seven days since my father’s death and I was not in right frame of mind, she refused to listen and warned me that I will have to face the consequences if boycott went through. The rest is history.
I knew the inevitable and my worst fears came true when the result was declared. I had flunked in Anatomy like my predecessors. Next morning, we all (almost sixty of us) who had supplementary in Anatomy went to meet Dr. Balbir Singh the then HOD. Dr. Ahuja was also sitting with him. With a smirk she said to me, “How did it happen, so sorry for you”. My heart was full of disdain for her ( May her soul be blessed ) I replied, “If you who has done it do not know, who else would”. She was visibly offended and gave me scornful looks. I know at times I can be very intemperate.
Dr. Balbir Singh was due to retire after supplementary exams and he made sure that he cleared all the pending supplementary students in Anatomy, even from senior batches. When I went to thank him, he told me that all faculty members and even those from Physiology and Biochemistry departments had tried to persuade her to not take a revenge of the boycott from me. But she refused to budge and even tried to fail me during my second attempt (although she was not the examiner) by manipulating external examiner Dr. Kaul. She did an irretrievable damage to my career. I am disappointed I lived up to the not so glorious tradition of CRs flunking in Anatomy. Life is like that, you gain some-you lose some.
Dinesh Kumar Sharma
P.S. Certain secrets have not been divulged. Those interested to know more may call me.
