It was in July 1978, I came to NDRI as a lad of 18 years from a faraway place in down South near Kanyakumari. All along, being the eldest son of a C.T.B (Conservative Tamil Brahmin) family, I had a cocooned existence and knew little Hindi. When my train crossed Andhra I started feeling the cultural shock as the language, dress and behavior of people- everything changed so very abruptly. That was the first time I had moved away from Tamil Nadu !
On landing in New Delhi station, I could manage to find my way to Safdarjang enclave, Green Park and stayed with a bureaucrat overnight. Next day morning, I was asked by him to take a bus and catch another bus from ISBT (Bus- Adda) and get down at Karnal. For someone, with no Hindi knowledge it was a Herculean task accomplished with great nightmare.
The bus journey in rickety Haryana roadways, followed by the sight of buffaloes grazing in green fields on a sultry day made me to think twice before taking a plunge in NDRI education for a four year Dairy Technology Course. There was a girl in the bus who bought ticket for “Dairy Farm, Karnal”. She was having a bedroll, bucket etc. Thus I was sure there was someone getting down in Karnal, that too to take admission in NDRI. But those were the days of strict segregation of genders. Therefore I did not dare to talk to her.
I got down in the same place where she got down, hired a cycle rickshaw in the same corner, followed her and got into Dairy Science College. Mr K L Prashar was the officiating Principal. He told me I was late to come to college and hence had to wait till the Director gave permission.
As advised by Mr Parameshwaran, who was the administrative officer then (At last there was someone to speak Tamil!) I wrote a letter to the Director seeking his permission to condone the delay which was beyond my control and got it approved by him, then paid the fees.
Thus from July’78 to May’82 NDRI became my abode for- education, extracurricular activities, shaping up my personality, building network, learning management and what not.We were a batch of 48 students with a single girl from Moga,Punjab. These guys became my friends, brothers, companions and roommates.
We had a wonderful Director Dr D Sunderesan. We learnt administrative skills from him. Every notice he circulated was done with great communication skill. They would drive the message down to every single person who read the same. He was very fond of Reader’s Digest (RD) and got the library stacked with most of the books from RD. They were treasure of information be it family values, gardening, cookery one could get up to date of anything & everything under the sun.
We had “Earn While You Learn Schemes”. The two hours we spent in various labs, library, cattle yard, parlor not only enriched us but also gave a sense of exposure to all that goes in those places. We also became rich by INR 125 per month…very big amount to foot the entire mess bill! Because of this in corporate world later we never any job below our dignity and rolled up our sleeves to help or lead.
Words of Mr M M Sharma our Librarian those days, before Peter Ducker he taught me value of Management by walking around (MBW), he instilled the value of MBW, as he used to be the surprise visitor in the library late night, where I used to do part time work. His words still ring in my years, “You are doing the worst crime on earth….wasting time. Use it more productively! “
We had some of the wonderful teachers. I can hardly venture to name all of them as the list is too long. We had the best facilities for laboratory, model dairy etc.We were extended family members of most of the faculty members, who loved our visits to their homes during our stay in the hostel, even after graduation. Thus we never missed any festivals. On Holi we used to be treated to mouthwatering goodies from every faculty member's house !
We were made to the run the mess. Thus we learnt the art of procuring, planning, organizing, budgeting and management of feeding hundred plus members. High tea and special feasts in the mess were arranged with great interest.
Facilities for one to quench his thirst in academics, experiments, sports, extra curricular activities were left open for 24x7 !
Whenever we visit NDRI we come with the great interest like a newly married bride makes a first visit to her mother’s home, looking at each and every corner of the house with additional interest to see the changes that had taken place in her absence. We also feel the warmth and affection of every single member of the extended family.
Well above all NDRI gave me the confidence to face the industrial world without any fever. The exposure we got to students and faculty from all states gave a wider perspective. Thus we could excel in any multicultural teams be it in India or overseas.
Now with an active alumni association in NGA we look forward to every year for the annual pilgrimage to catch up with the recent developments in the field to Science, Technology, Management as well as with our old batch mates as well as budding professionals.
Does one need any more reason to fall in love with an institution like this !
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