চেতনা

Enjoyed listening to the educative interview with respected Fr. Robin Gomes, SDB in Radio Veritas Asia's Chetna programme. RVA's popular host Atanu Das was at his professional best as he asked relevant and vital questions relating to the traditional Salesian teaching methods while imparted perhaps the best of intellectual and moral education to young minds so they can blossom to their full potential virtues in academics, technical, cultural or in artistic fields. The interview was engrossing and quite candid as Fr. Gomes comprehensively highlighted the tenets of Bon Bosco education from close quarters as a former Rector. His down-to-earth simplicity was displayed when he quite benignly narrated his own experiences as a past Don Bosco student developing both his academics and musical talents. In my opinion Fr. Gomes is an embodiment of the highest echelon of a trustworthy educator and social reformer - very much similar to my most admired personality as Fr. Huart, former Vice-Principal of Calcutta's St. Xavier's College. However, I beg to differ with Fr. Gomes in one of his pertinent observations. Its my reservations regarding the non-use of the cane in Don Bosco schools. As a former product of Methodist missionary academic institution, I have seen that the cane is an integral part of school life. It does not mean that teachers should invariably use the cane as a corporal punishment. It's presence is only to act as a deterrent. Boys and girls at an young age often tend to be mischievous, adventurous and somewhat unruly by nature. So the fear of canning prevents these youngsters from going overboard. This way the future citizens of our country can learn the important values of spirituality, kindness, reasoning and morality while at the same time advancing their academic pursuits. May God Bless Don Bosco school.