"To be dedicated is to give oneself to something completely" ❤️

The Day Today | Reflections

18th June 2025

#reflections

Firstly, today, we were so happy to welcome the two students who had arrived earlier this week, to spend their Semester Abroad in MCC.

Our Principal along with the Dean of International Programmes, the Associate Deans of International Programmes (Aided & SFS), Dr. Robert, Dr. Marilyn and Dr. Prince cordially welcomed them today.

Secondly, today, I was so happy to get two lovely books from my kindred spirit, on J. Krishnamurti. When he came all the way to our Office to hand them over to me, he was so excited, saying, ‘Sir, I know you’ll love these two books. It’s by your favourite JK’. 😊

I was also touched by his noble gesture yesterday, in recommending Ms. Lekhaa’s books to their local lending library. He then shared with me the happy news that the library had got her books on their stacks.

This, I feel is the greatest encouragement we can give for such budding writers. I also shared the joy with her.

Ms. Lekhaa’s books can be purchased HERE on Amazon.

Added, so happy to note that, Ms. Lekhaa has been selected to do her Fall Semester Abroad with LeTourneau University, Texas.

Thirdly, at 3.30 pm today, I was delighted to be part of the Viva Voce Examination of Ms. S. Keerthana, IIT Madras, who has done a highly commendable thesis under the supervision of her vibrant guide Dr. Divya, Professor, IIT Madras.

As one of the External Examiners for her thesis, I was so happy to see the panoramic sweep in her thesis titled, “Changing Shores, Shifting Horizons: Mapping the Ontology of Female Subjectivity in Post-1960’s Tamil Women Narratives”.

The researcher has done a very insightful and extensive study by contextualising and conceptualising theoretical paradigms in the works of the selected authors, ably bringing out their activist tendencies, and how the writers define or rather re-define feminism as a polyvalent site marked by freedom, rebellion and subversion.

I had also suggested to the researcher to consider publishing her thesis as a book.

I particularly loved the quote by Simon Gikandi that the researcher used as a kind of touchstone to their writing –

‘To write is to claim a text of one’s own; textuality is an instrument of territorial possession … narrative is crucial to our discovery of selfhood’.

How true!

Just started reading J. Krishnamurti’s book on Teaching: The Greatest Profession.

Here, a questioner asks him –

One of our professors says that what you are telling us is quite impractical. He challenges you to bring up six boys and six girls on a salary of 120 rupees. What is your answer to this criticism?

J. K replies –

If I had only a salary of 120 rupees, I would not attempt to raise six boys and six girls; that is the first thing. Secondly, if I were a professor, it would be a dedication and not a job. Do you see the difference?

Teaching at any level is not a profession, it is not a mere job; it is an act of dedication. Do you understand the meaning of that word dedication?

To be dedicated is to give oneself to something completely, without asking anything in return, to be like a monk, like a hermit, like the greatest teachers and scientists – not like those who pass a few examinations and call themselves professors. I am talking of those who have dedicated themselves to teaching, not for money, but because it is their vocation, it is their love.

If there are such teachers, they will find that boys and girls can be taught most practically all the things I am talking about,

says J. Krishnamurti. 

Now, finally, for today’s Clicks from Nature’s Plenty for all of us!

The Grey Pelican or Spot-billed Pelican of Chennai's Wetlands

The Spotted Owlet in Campus