Lessons about life from Vajubhai, our school Principal

"It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings." - Gandhi

No human being is inferior to another just because of his birth or because of his work.

Story Line:

Teachers are the backbone of a nation. Next to parents, they are most instrumental in instilling good values in children. Those values shape not only the children’s future but that of a society as a whole.

Our Principal in school, Vajubhai, was one such great teacher. He believed that education was more important than just literacy. He introduced curriculums that were not just focused on class room book learning but also on real life education.

One such “educational” event that happened annually was an Appreciation Day for all the educators. That was the day where students were to thank all the people who made it possible for their education, every individual involved in keeping the entire system operational.

On Appreciation Day, we would gather in an Assembly hall or an open field. All those who made our education possible; teachers, administrative assistants, book keepers, bus drivers, yard cleaners, janitors and others were recognized and students would thank them.

There was one part of this event that was controversial. This is where our janitor, Trikam, would be invited on the stage and asked to raise the school flag. Then we would sing the school anthem and after that, salute Trikam. This was to be followed by a handshake with him. There was not a year when I did not notice tears in Trikam’s eye during this part of the ceremony.

Now many would wonder what was so controversial about this? Well, Trikam was not only a janitor but he was from the lower class of society classified as an “Untouchable.” To have upper class kids, most of them from wealthy families, salute a “lowly” worker and then shake hands with him was not something that was tolerated by some people in those days.

When this event was first introduced, it had created uproar. Some wealthy donors had cancelled their money contributions and also pulled their children out of the school. Additionally, every year some parents were displeased that their children were being asked to participate. Some had even asked or warned to keep their children away from the “Hand Shake” part of the ceremony.

However, Vajubhai did not give in, and in the process he taught some very important lessons about life that many years after, some of us still fondly remember and talk about during reunions.

 

Reflection:

The lessons (education) that Vajubhai instilled in students were:
1. Every human being must be treated with respect and recognized for his or her contributions.
2. He did not compromise on his believes and values even when pressured with cancellation of crucial donations.

Comments

[Opressed]

do you send this to our Boss?

[From a Friend]

Yes, pity people don't always treat people like people

[Easterner]

Very touchy and profound story teaching very valuable lesson. Ya, some of your Weston subscriber of the Friday Reflection may not get it or be able to relate to “the profound” part of the story as us from East, but everyone should be able to get the message its conveying

[Sam]

Actions speak louder than words. What the principal taught to the students was more valuable than the knowledge shared in the books. He is showing to the students what true leaders face in this world. Really inspirational.

[Ken Yee]

As a corollary, how many people know the names of the security guard, or cafeteria worker, or janitor where they currently work? As we celebrate Thanksgiving in the US, be thankful for their service, and take the time to wish each of these people a happy holiday by their name.

A Quality Guy

[Pinoy]

Great reminder to all of us!

My parents taught me how to treat other people respectfully. When I was growing up, we will ‘employ’ poor college students who needed lodging to help in our house while they go to school in the evening. While they were considered house helps, we treated them like family members – sharing our dining table, not asking them to wear uniforms, etc. Once they graduated, they will leave us and we will get another one. Even when we had house helps, our daily tasks were not removed (one of my task was to clean the pig pen every morning before taking a shower and go to school).

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Best regards,

[BHSC]

Excellent story… thank you for sharing.

When I was single and dating, I would always carefully watch how my date treated the waitress or water in the restaurant. If she was rude or condescending to them, I know this was a woman I did not want to date ever again.

[BQN old-timer]

Interesting to see this the same week that there was national press about the expanding use and poor treatment of the many contractors most high technology companies use to do the many sustaining support tasks like cafeteria and janitorial.

[Fr Milan]

Superb! A lesson everyone should learn…all are equal and no work / person is lowly.

[DG]

I’ll share this with my dad. I’m the daughter of two teachers. Thank you, Anand💗

[Fr: Flor]

Wonderful reminder, Anand. This is how we we were raised, too. Treat everyone with respect and dignity. Same value we pass on to our daughters. One of the tips we told them while staying at the dorm was to befriend or know the names of the workers at the dorm, cafeteria, and the school. 😊

[Fred Neal]

What a great learning opportunity you were given by this wise man.

[HEDDA ROBINSON]

I agree that no matter what, people should be treated equally. It's sad especially in this society, a lot of people still kind of cast others. Salute to the principal who stood up for equality.