E.A.Tuck – An educationist par excellence

To Sir with Love!

My old fellow Cambrianites will agree the great teacher in our then Principal Mr.E.A.Tuck at Cambrian Hall. Teaching was a gift that came quite naturally to him. Today after over thirty years he last taught me, Mr.Tuck is still remembered as that great teacher we had in school! Besides his many qualities, his selflessly contribution in imparting education stands him apart. Truly teachers like Mr.Tuck are living example and institution in them.

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Mr. E.A.Tuck’s photo of 1980

I am writing about him the way I saw him while at Cambrian Hall. This piece fortunately coincides with his presence in town as an invitee at the ongoing Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Cambrian Hall School where he served for over a decade till the year 1982 to voluntarily opt out for being amidst his near and dear ones in Australia.

As I sit with my pen poised in mid-air, I can almost see the memories dripping through the nib. It was the time Cambrian Hall was approaching its silver jubilee sometimes in 1978-79 when Mr.Tuck advised us all by saying, “The year 1979 usher the Silver Jubilee of this school and with it recollections of the past twenty-five years, and vision of what the future will have in store for all here, must inevitably come to the minds of those associated with Cambrian Hall.” Let us look ahead, he had said, to the year of Cambrian Hall’s Silver Jubilee and in the words of the School Song:

Let us live with dignity

courage, hope and charity.

Let the name of Cambrian Hall

swell with pride within us all.

As we onwards, onwards go

Ever on “To Greater Heights”.

With years gone by when he spoke these words, today every Cambrianite swells with pride to see the school in the league of majors. Mr. Tuck re-visiting Cambrian Hall on its Diamond Jubilee is in itself an occasion. The school looks forward to his blessings, guidance and words of wisdom for onwards path to greater heights. His advice will once again energize the school like it did years back. Needless to say, his charisma and passion for education continues to mesmerize his associates and admirers in India and abroad.

For you who have not been associated with Cambrian Hall or even the today’s generation children and most of the teachers at the school this piece attempts to let the readers know of an ardent educationist like Mr. E.A.Tuck and his magnanimous personality. Educationists like him are pride for their profession. Dehradun is proud that he once taught here.

As student of Cambrian Hall over 30 years back, I remember the children when I was in school always looked upon their teachers and the then Principal Mr. E.A.Tuck with great respect. For us he was someone whose words were like holy sermons, for we knew his unintentional love for each one of us. Such teachers are unfortunately rare then and becoming rarer today. Hence respect for such beings come from within and not a handiwork of any special tutoring.

In the paragraphs below, I will try to mention some of the quotes of Mr.E.A.Tuck while he was in Cambrian Hall for the readers to gauge his personality and his way ahead thinking.

I am sure the readers will appreciate the selfless work and ideals of an educationist like Mr. Tuck that I may briefly discuss here. Through these words the intent is also to assure Mr.Tuck we still remember and practice his teachings, the great moral values imbibed by him and other teachers while at schools. Their hard work on every student definitely has helped parents do all that less work on our character and personality building.

Among the few memories dripping through the nib of my pen, I recollect Mr. Tuck once pointed out the dedication and love of Mrs. Maude Mainwaring, the founder Principal towards the school. Mentioning this when Cambrian Hall celebrates its Diamond Jubilee is very apt. He had said, “As the founder Principal of Cambrian Hall Mrs. Mainwaring had the arduous task of nurturing this school through its infancy starting in the year 1954. She looks upon the school as her special baby”. A lovely thought of Mrs. Mainwaring for there a very few who consider their place of work as their part. This quote equally stands at praise for Mr. Tuck who recognized his predecessor’s contribution to the school.

The era of Mr.Tuck saw Cambrian Hall grow, strengthen and shine on all fronts. It was undoubtedly the "Golden Age" of the school. Proudly once he said, "Each year the problem of trying to accommodate the numbers who qualify in the entrance test is becoming increasingly difficult. Whether this is Cambrian Hall's popularity in a town known for its educational institutions, I cannot say, but our enrolment has certainly grown beyond our expectations." Not taking the credit of the good reputation Cambrian Hall gained under him, Mr. Tuck was always seen his humble self with a no-nonsense approach by anyone. For him work has always been worship!

Photo of Independence Day Celebration at Cambrian Hall in the year 1980. 

Mr.Tuck in black robe reading the school pledge on the occasion. Among 

the then staff members Late. Col. Shashi Shumshere J.B. Rana is also 

seen standing with the chief guest near the flag post.

Working shoulder to shoulder with the school management and trying to lessen the financial load on the school where-ever it could, Mr. Tuck once mentioned during the Principal’s report of the academic year way back in early 1970s, the formative years of the school, “We can overcome the tremendous financial constraints by tightening our belts and so for the next couple of years we will have to live on bread and water – not literally, but for our many functions we will have to exercise a certain restraint.” A very good example portrayed by him that curtailed extravagant expenses for the cause of the school. Undoubtedly not many think the way he did for his workplace. This displayed a true educationist and a loyalist in Mr.Tuck dedicated to the noble cause of building the school in its formative years.

These feelings can only be felt if one sees deep. His level of commitment was exemplary! Today recollecting these memories the respect for Mr.Tuck only grows.

His unmatched qualities of being a fine educationist besides an efficient leader of men reflected in one of his annual reports where he said "I am fortunate to have under me a staff that work happily and in spite of certain problems, are willing to accept the rough with the smooth." On complementing the growing strength and well management of the girls and the boy’s hostel in the school which was something unique in those days, he said, "Managing good hostel for any school is very important. Cambrian Hall is fortunate in having competent staff to manage the hostel.” A fine example of leadership where every person associated with the school gave his best and stood by Mr.Tuck.

To the parents of the children who studied in Cambrian Hall, Mr.Tuck invariably in many of his speeches at the school on many occasions acknowledged by saying, “You have indeed helped me and through me the school. Your continued support can make this school one of the best in the State”. How true! Today, undoubtedly Cambrian Hall stands tall due to the selfless contribution of motivators like Mr. Tuck.

Mr. Tuck’s feelings about Mr. Meredith Doutré his predecessor show his very humane and humble personality. Without wanting a word of appreciation for self while as the principal, he said, “It is he who has put this school on the educational map and made it what it is today. No amount of words will be adequate to sing his praise for he was all that a man of his stature be. With Mr. Doutré’s passing away in September 1971, another spirit of a true “guru” has moved on leaving us poorer by his absence but ever so richer by his experience.”

Even now Mr.Tuck feels equally attached to Cambrian Hall. At his age only a determined soul can travel thousands of miles for being part of the celebrations where he had spent a part of his prime days. He says, “In all humility and sincerity I can say that I was fortunate to have worked here”. A great man! Sir, may you shine forever!

I remember, how as our English teacher when we were in the highest class of the school, the lessons so meritoriously taught by Mr. Tuck that while being taught we simultaneously learned them. His results were ever shining. His teaching was par excellence. Who would not love to once again be a student to such a fine teacher?

Such was his aura that even the naughtiest of the child in class would sit attentively. The morning assembly saw a pin-drop silence the moment he approached. His routine round in the school corridors kept both the teachers and the students on heals. His crisp voice still reverberates in my ears. Off the class his generous attitude towards all remembered with respect. I distinctively remember how his way of appreciating with a pat and saying “Shabash” (well done) to the good work done by class IV employees motivated them.

While academic results are an accepted yardstick to measure the worth of a school, it is not the only one. It is here that according to Mr. Tuck’s vision much that cannot be taught within the four walls of a classroom is learnt outside and the true quality of an individual is often more accurately assessed by his or her quality to accept and read just to a multitude of changing situations. To think and act independently and to develop a taste for all that is worth while around us. He kept balance of studies, games and extra curricular activities a prerequisite for all on the school campus. Sir, we love and respect the same we did when you were our teacher! May you visit Dehradun many more times!

Maude Mainwaring to Dr. S.C.Biala, Cambrian Hall’s journey to Diamond Jubilee

A nostalgic recount by an ex-student

From the principles lay down by Mrs. Maude Mainwaring the founder principal of Cambrian Hall to presently Dr. S.C.Biala, Cambrian Hall has stood the test of time and remained on firm footing as a true school in every sense. Be it academics or extra co-curricular activities, the school has always shined bright and carved out a special place for itself in the league of majors.

The principal ship of the school over the years has changed hands from late Mrs. Maude Mainwaring to late Mr. Meredith Doutré, Mr. Edger Allen Tuck, Mr. GW Mayer, late Mr. RC Singhal and presently to Dr S. C. Biala. All these eminent educationists were/are highly qualified with long and rich experience of teaching coupled with administration and ably assisted by talented, experienced and professional teachers that have taken over the challenging task of leading the school which very aptly has risen as its motto “To Greater Heights”.

In the efforts for continuous up gradation of educational standards, the school has always adapted to the most modern techniques of teaching and chalked a path keeping in view the need of the times and stood tall like the mighty oak. Cambrian Hall is lovingly called “CH” by its well-wishers.

Celebrating its Diamond Jubilee having completed 60 glorious years Cambrian Hall is one of the leading and oldest coeducational, day and residential English medium school of the Doon. With only five students on its roll having classes Nursery to Standard II when the school established on 12th July, 1954 at 12 Lytton Road, Dehradun with Mrs. Maude Mainwaring the then, one of the finest teacher in the town, as the founder Principal Cambrian Hall has grown over the years and is among the best in class. With its present sprawling over 35 bhigas green campus amidst the Dehradun cantonment adjoining to The Doon School, its alumina are countless number of the top-notch officers of the Indian defense forces, civil services, academicians, corporate executives and many other professionals and business tycoons.

The momentous journey of the school could not have been possible but for the dream and hard work put in by Late. Col. Shashi Shumshere J.B. Rana a philanthropist from the lineage of the Royal family of Nepal, the school’s founder Chairman/President and his team of dedicated educationists that Cambrian Hall today is a respected school of the town with over 1500 students in classes I to XII. Affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi for Cambrian Hall imparting education has never been a business unlike many new age schools cropping up all around. It believes in what a school is for i.e. quality education, high moral standards along with necessary extra-curricular activities must for any child’s personality development to the fullest. The only thing it does not indulge in is blowing its own trumpets for cheap publicity.

Committed to the cause of education since the demise of her husband the visionary Col. Shashi Shumshere J.B. Rana in the year 1988 Rani Chandra Raj Laxmi the present President of Cambrian Hall School Trust while maintaining a low profile for self has further cemented the vision and moral values of Col. Shashi and maintained high standards of education and overall grooming of a child. Her humility is her greatest asset which has made Cambrian Hall scales the crest.

A very inspiring school motto ‘To Greater Heights’ which is also the lead phrase of the school song, Cambrian Hall emblem depicts a hand holding “Khukuri” (Nepalese knife with an inwardly curved edge, similar to a machete) and snow-clad mountains in the background, as if extending invitation to most beautiful but challenging world of nature. One can well imagine the far-sightedness of the founders of the school who were extremely conscious of nature and environment way back in 60s.

October 30, 31 and November 1, 2014 will witness the school formally celebrate its Diamond Jubilee among its past and present students, associates, eminent personalities and well wishers.

As an ex-student I owe my education to this great school. I have studied here right through from Kindergarten onwards over 30 years back. In fact my family has a long association with Cambrian Hall of more than 40 years and still going. Ours is a family kind bonding with this great institution and have always considered it as a school of choice. My family is proudly associated with Cambrian in all its momentous occasions – i.e the Silver, Gold and now the Diamond Jubilee.

The school takes pride in the fact that many of the schools in the town and different places across the country are today led by once Cambrian Hall teachers. The present Principals of St. Thomas School, St. Jude School, Hilton’s School, Riverdale School, Carman School, Guru Nanak Academy, Bishop Cotton and many others have their roots in this great institution. Likewise schools like Col. Brown, Constantia School, Bishop Heritage School, Patna and few others had teachers from Cambrian Hall lead them. Truly Cambrian Hall is mother of all schools in the Doon!

Cambrian Hall has also set up many novel traditions and is a first on many fronts. It was among the first coeducational school of the town to cater to national and international students both as day scholars and boarders. It possessed an Auditorium way back in mid seventies when most of the schools did not have one. The early seventies also saw Cambrian Hall a proud owner of school buses fleet to ferry children from across the Doon valley. During those days none other school in its class possessed its own school bus fleet, Cambrian Hall did. The NCC too was a part of school curriculum, though optional was again an innovative way of imbibing the spirit of patriotism among the students.

In the sphere of games, its annual sports equated to the District level sports at one time. The inter school boxing matches with some leading schools of the country were once a regular annual fixture at Cambrian Hall. The only other local schools which saw this sport in those days were the Rashtriya Indian Military College, The Doon School and Indian Military Academy (IMA).

A Museum of birds and small animals to infuse the love for nature among the students was a pride of Cambrian Hall so were the many clubs which focused many activities every Saturday afternoon. An all religion temple at the school was among the many firsts here. Likewise there are countless fronts where Cambrian Hall has stood as a leader to date.

While Cambrian Hall celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, one cannot miss remembering the teachers of yester years whose efforts and dedication is matchless. Some names of teachers who I saw in my tenure up to early 1980’s which comes to my mind who have left unmatched impressions on me and to whom I feel offering my obeisance and respect are Mr. Eral Shephard and Mrs. J.Shephard, Mr. D.Bulter-White and Mrs. D.G.Butler-White, Mr.Shanti Swaroop, Mr.Mohinder Singh Siddhu, Mr.D.N.Sharma, Mr.P.P.Singh, Mr. K.N. Bahuguna, Mr.R.Jordan and Mrs. S.Jordan, Mr. Roshan Lal, Mr.D.B.Rana, Mrs. V.Saxena, Ms. Jagbala Singh, Major (Retd). O.P.Trihima, Mrs. D.Fanthome, Mr. W.H. Thomson, Mr.A.E.Lunn, Ms. E.Edwards, Mr.A.W.Hilton, Mrs.Ketley, Mrs.M.Chopra, Mrs.J.Ghosh, Mrs.N.Greenwold, Mr and Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. R.Hensman and her daughter Ms. I Hensman, Ms.C.L.Joyce, Mrs. Q. Barnes, Mrs. M.Barth, Mrs.Pritam Kaur, Mr.G.Mackrodt,  and Mrs. Y.Mackrodt, Ms.P.Mackenzie, Mrs.K.Matloob, Mr. V.McNamara, Mrs, N.McNamara, Mr.V.N.Nigam, Mrs.D.G.Peters, Mrs.A.Pitre, Mr.F.Sharp, Mr. and Mrs. Darshan Singh, Mr. D.Wangchuk,  Mr.R.Cearns, Mr.J.Dennis, Mrs.N.Gideon, Mrs.Veena Guha, Mr.R.Jenkins, Mrs.U.Khanduri, Mr.R.Lawless, Mrs. M.Mathews, Ms. Suman Mehra, Mrs.V.F.Peters, Ms.S.Alam, Mr.R.Gardner and Mrs.V.Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. Giani, Mr.A.K.Raina, Mr.M.Khare, Mr.K.K.Sharma, Mr.Sealy, Major (Retd) D.P.Kala, Mr.Thakur Singh and many more both academic and non academic staff members who I may not remember now but their contribution beyond words.

Today, like me all Cambrianites feel happy to see Mr. Shyam Singh Thapa, Mr. Birbal Chhetri the Physics, Biology laboratory keepers and Mr. Pushkar the Sports Store keeper as the longest-serving staff members who were in my times and still dedicatedly serving the school with same vigor and zeal what we saw them then. They have put in their whole life to the cause of Cambrian Hall. These gentlemen among the many others are the true custodian of this great school but for their efforts and efforts of similar great teachers Cambrian Hall would not have been where it is today.

Long live Cambrian Hall! 

Governor Dr. Qureshi Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai? *

( * What makes Governor Dr. Qureshi Angry? )

Dr.Aziz Qureshi

The other day I was thinking of sharing with the readers an aspect which is different from the traditional ones only to realize the need to capture the spirit of a “karamyogi” (English: One who live in inner peace and act with love for the happiness of all beings). I could not think of a better name than the first citizen of Uttarakhand, Governor Dr.Aziz Qureshi. The paragraphs below give a glimpse of his personality and why at times Governor Dr. Qureshi Ko Gussa Aata Hai (English: What makes Governor Dr. Qureshi Angry?). With due respect to Dr. Qureshi, I am attempting to share few of the many sides of his multi-dimensioned and larger than life personality.

Rarely one notices a man like the first citizen of a State who engages so much emotionally and physically for the cause of its people like the Governor Dr.Aziz Qureshi. I can say this as I have noticed his many humane qualities and his typical style of conversing so casually with one and all that he looks more like a commoner than the first citizen of a State. So what is it that stands him apart even being a commoner with his people? A good human being is what one sees in him. A no non-sense approach man, his empathetic attitude towards all, both in political and public life looked upon with respect and dignity not only by his party leaders but even by the leaders of other political parties. With a distinguished political career which has spanned over six decades having joined politics as a student leader in the year 1951 as Congress Seva Dal member, he is a seasoned politician, master of his profession and undoubtedly a true leader of men and a statesman!

His intellectual grasp of any subject is amazing. Today there are only handful politicians who have the intellectual power as that by Dr. Qureshi. A human knowledge bank with triple Master’s in Political Science, Arabic and Urdu Literature, LL.B. and a Ph.D in Political Science along with D.Lit stands him high in order. A fine teacher besides being a politician he has once been the Head of the Department of Political Science and Principal, Aurobindo Arts and Law College, Bhopal besides shouldering countless number of political and social responsibilities. Presently also in his ex-officio capacity as the Governor he is the Chancellor of various Universities in the State. A perfect fit!

My first face to face seeing Governor Qureshi was when I was an invitee at the Raj Bhawan for a Public Relation Society of India function where he was the Chief Guest. This was sometime when he took over the office of Governor of Uttarakhand. Having heard a lot about Dr. Qureshi as a doyen of Indian politics and a great human being, I was eager to listen to him and finally offered my obeisance and respect for his many great thoughts and clear vision on whatever he conversed. I got amazed to see his vast knowledge on a non-political subject like public relations and its importance. He narrated how public relations can make or break an issue. In a very brief interaction with him post event, on my asking how he knew so much of the subject, he smilingly said this was nothing new to him for he has practiced the profession way back in the year 1961-62 when he was In charge of Publicity and Public Relations Department, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee. I got zapped to hear this after having known the long list of his academic qualifications, political achievements and public standing.

I am referring to the Public Relation Society event for a simple reason as this was the first stroke of knowing him that speaks volumes of Dr. Qureshi’s personality. The organizers during the event as a token of appreciation presented a sapling of “Tulsi” plant in a pot to all the eminent speakers and welcomed Dr. Qureshi with a bouquet of flowers. While accepting the bouquet with all humility, he in his typical straight-forward manner snubbed the organizers for making him an alien among the gathering. Red faced and taken aback the organizers and the audience came to a pin-drop silence not knowing the reason for Governor’s annoyance. For Governor Qureshi he was at par with other eminent speakers of the function having an equal right to get a Tulsi plant. I remember him saying he knew significance of Tulsi and Hindu ethos as much as he does of other religions. The silence in the auditorium saw a thunderous applause by the audience as Dr. Qureshi accepted a Tulsi sapling brought by the organizers of the event. The sequence greatly enhanced him in the eyes of many as a nationalist and up-right man; I am sure reading this makes you feel the same.

Such is his aura and encouraging attitude that non performers become active as seen and heard of him on many occasions. His feelings are rightly reflected when he says, “We must awaken in our hearts the light of virtues like humility, love, compassion and forgiveness to remove the darkness of anger and greed. We must also take a collective initiative to create a better society by helping the under-privileged people and spreading the light of happiness in their lives.’’

Governor Qureshi offers his whole-hearted support for uplifting of weaker sections of society, particularly rural youth, physically challenged and promotion of adult education. His feelings for the poor, down-trodden and helpless not being deprived of proper health care in the State shows his humane side. His mission of life in his words is to wipe out every tear from each eye and serve suffering humanity.

Rising above politics, Dr. Qureshi has always advocated that for any cause of national interest we should all work together without branding ourselves with our petty affiliations or on the basis of caste and religion. The nation for Dr.Qureshi comes first.

A true crusader for preservation of wild life and forests and for green technology for Dr. Qureshi the future for the humanity lies in preserving our environment and green technologies. I heard him stress recently on reduction of carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency and prevent the loss of our precious biodiversity and ecosystems. Preserving nature has always been an integral to the Indian ethos Dr. Qureshi feels.

Strange but the first ever three days International Conclave of Sanskrit scholars organized by the Sanskrit University, Uttarakhand during September this year was also a brain child of Dr. Qureshi. The conclave saw emergence of around 200 scholars from eight countries including US, Germany, Japan, Belgium, China, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan besides from every corner of India where Sanskrit is either learned, taught or researched. The Uttarakhand government resoled during the conclave to make the State an international seat for Sanskrit education and learning with setting up of an International standard Sanskrit University here. Needless to say, Sanskrit is the mother of all languages with its linguistic ancestry back to Proto-Indo-Iranian and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European. If Uttarakhand gains an international recognition as a seat of Sanskrit learning and research, it will go down the annals of history as sole efforts of Dr. Qureshi.

Dr. Qureshi often shares an interesting anecdote of how when he came to take over as the Governor of Uttarakhand he wanted the oath ceremony in Sanskrit language, but due to unavailability of a Sanskrit language oath draft it could not be fulfilled. One can only imagine the Governor’s love for the subject which even perplexes his critics many of whom look at him as a Muslim with unimaginable tolerance for all religions. Undoubtedly Dr. Qureshi is a patriot, great statesman, a man of principles with high values.

As a representative of the Central government, Governor Qureshi like his predecessors has held the political and socio-economic developments of the State in high order. Long live the righteous Governor!

Wishing a Very Happy and Prosperous Diwali