5. MY FIRST JOB AS A LECTURER (YEAR 1970)

STRESS, SUCCESS AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN
The Highs and Lows of A Woman’s Journey in the Corporate World

CARE: This is Chapter 5 of my book Stress, Success and Everything In-Between. These are individual anecdotes but to understand the professional journey in totality, I would recommend reading the book from Chapter 01 onwards.

It was the first week of July 1970 when I boarded the overnight train to Dehra Dun to attend the interview for the post of lecturer at Dayanand Women’s Training College. The train reached Dehra Dun in the morning, and my father’s elder brother was at the railway station to receive me. Sitting on the pillion of his Luna and holding the suitcase in my left hand, I reached his house. The rest of the day was spent renewing relationships and resting. When I went to sleep, I started thinking about the interview the next day. My MA result had not been announced until then. Would they still consider me for the appointment: I could not help wondering. I told myself tomorrow is another day. I will think about it tomorrow.

It was raining in Dehra Dun, and the weather was nice and cool, unlike hot and humid Lucknow. Snug in the blanket and listening to the continuous tipper-tapper of the rain, I was soon fast asleep.

At midnight, I woke up with a start to the sharp sound of the doorbell. My room was closest to the door, so I opened it to find the postman wearing a Duckback raincoat and carrying an umbrella. He had come to deliver a telegram addressed to me. It was from my father.

I hurriedly tore open the pink envelope and read it: “CONGRATULATIONS(.) FIRST CLASS FIRST(.)”

The result had been announced the day after I left, and the telegram was the only way to inform me. I was on top of the world but missed being with my parents at that joyous moment. I knew how happy and proud they must have felt. After all, my father had goaded me on to achieve a First Class First.

The next day, when I reached DWT College to attend the interview, the Chairperson of the Interview Board asked me whether my MA result had been announced. In response, I presented her with the telegram I had received the previous night. After a few general questions, I was handed an appointment letter and asked to join immediately.

Thus, within twenty-four hours of the announcement of my MA result, I was saddled with a job. Whoever said there was a shortage of jobs those days was unaware of the job market. Or was it sheer luck for me?

Dayanand Women's Training College, Dehra Dun, the first stop of my professional journey.

The next day, I started teaching the undergrads. It was a breeze. I knew the subject thoroughly and did not have to prepare for my lectures. I used the Chalk and Talk method. The Dehra Dun climate was nice and cool, the colleagues were relaxed and happy, and the students were sincere and respectful, although many were older than me.

In short, life was really cool. But is this what I really wanted?

(To be continued...)