Mrs. K. Chowdhury
First of all, a big congratulations on being given the Best Teacher Award for 2010
Thank You.
Ques. What were your initial thought/feelings on getting this award?
Ans: My feelings were mixed. I was of course happy because it is nice to be recognized. However,I don’t really subscribe to these kind of awards. I mean, what are the parameters according to which you judge who is the best teacher and who is not.
Ques: Please tell us something about yourself.
Ans: I come from a very old family settled in Darjeeling since 1860. I have heard that my great grand father came to Darjeeling on horseback. He was a military contractor who helped to build the old military road. He set up one of the oldest printing presses in Darjeeling. My father was a tea planter. I studied in Loreto Convent then went to Kolkata for my graduation and post graduation studies. I was always a voracious reader and the many books I read during my formative years, together with the values drilled into us by the Irish nuns gave me the values that I believe in even now. I grew up in the late 60s and seventies. The Naxalite movement was going on then. The humanism and concern for the underprivileged that was instilled in me by my Loreto education made my heart go out to the deprived and exploited tribals and peasants who were fighting for their basic livelihood. The late sixties and seventies were also the time when students all over the world were questioning existing societal norms and values, on love, marriage, relationships, honesty and dishonesty, what was right and what was wrong. All this has shaped what I am today.
Ques: You have been teaching at NP for the last 25 years. What has kept you going strong and steady all these years?
Ans: You are talking as though NP is a battlefield! It is not. Teaching is a very interesting profession, you know, mainly because you are dealing with young innocent people. Unlike in any other profession where your success or failure is directly proportional to the effort made by you, in teaching , because you deal with the human mind, your results can be unpredictable. This element of uncertainty is what makes teaching into a challenge and hence interesting. Early in life I had made up my mind that life is a battlefield and as in a battle, one cannot open up two fronts at the same time. Since my personal life was a battlefield, I made conscious effort to make my workplace as smooth as possible, and I think I succeeded. Teaching was not my first preference though, I did not believe in the concept of control and power that comes with teaching. I wanted to be a journalist because I was very interested in politics. I could not pursue a career in journalism because there was no support from my parents so I chose the next best thing, that is teaching and I don’t think I regret it.
Ques: Notable changes you have observed at NP in the last 25 years?
Ans: A lot has changed. When I first joined North Point there was this option for the poor so a different class of students came to North Point. The stress was more on academics only. Nowadays it is more on games and all round development. We also offer more facilities such as swimming. Most of the boys I taught then have turned into fine young men. Most of the boys I teach now are turning into fine young men. And so it goes on.
Ques: Anything HISTORICAL, special moment at NP that will always remain close to your heart?
Ans: Yes. It was the the honour that the old boys gave me this year in April. The plaque said, We are your wealth It was something that touched the core of my heart and filled me with warmth. At that moment, I was happy I chose to be a teacher, no regrets.
Ques: Lastly, any words of encouragement for the boys?
Ans: Yes, many actually. To live up to Magis that is central to Jesuit education. Magis, that is to be more than others, to always strive for excellence. And also Carpe Diem that is to Sieze the day. Seize the opportunities that come your way and also to be honest specially to yourself.
Mr. Suraj Tamang
First of all, a big congratulation on being given the Best Teacher Award for 2010
Thank you very much, Sir.
Ques: What does this award mean to you? How do you feel about this?
Best Teacher Award at North Point as instituted by Rev. Fr. Rector is to challenge every faculty Master Learners to strive for excellence in their own field, therefore, it is a great sense of recognition in the honour of the hard work that every teacher puts in as per best of one’s ability. I feel fortunate to be integral part of North Point family and with humility I have accepted the Award.
Ques: Sir, can you tell us something about yourself and your family?
I come from a typical Tamang family, my father Mr. R. S. Tamang is forest Range Officer, he has been a guiding light in my life and my Mother Mrs. Suniti (Tuladhar) Tamang is my sole mentor. My sibling sister Ms. Ranju Tamang is at present involved in her research in the field of Botany under North Bengal University. My better-half Mrs. Neena (Rai) Tamang is my source of inspiration as she is my colleague as well. We are blessed with a daughter, who is 6 years old, studying presently at Loreto Convent, Darjeeling, and she reminds every day of the beauty of God creation and Love. I did my School at St. Robert High School, Darjeeling and passed out in the year 1989 as topper of the batch and pursued my further education at North Point College, and completed B.Ed. from Shri Ramakrishna B.Ed. College in 1997. I was given the opportunity to be member of the Glorious family of North Point in the year 1997, since then I have been loved by every student and my colleagues. I try to find ways to be involved in some social work as well.
Ques: What do you like so special about teaching at North Point?
North Point itself is very special. I have been gaining various learning experiences at North Point. N.P. Spirit and N.P. culture, Jesuit community, Colleagues, co-workers and students have contributed in their own way to make N.P. special for me. One should always ask oneself what can you give to your place of work? but some times I am scared that, will I be able to give at least what is expected out of me in comparison to what N.P. has given to me?
Ques: Sir, apart from teaching, you are now the co-ordinator for the lower Division also- what is the new responsibility all about?
Lower Division Coordinator is a new post created specially to see that monitoring and mentoring of the boys from Class 6 to 8. In this stage physical, intellectual, emotional transition will be taking place as well as these children develop identity conflict, relational confusion, manipulative skills etc. At the same time they are ignorant and innocent, so they need proper care and concern. As North Point provides all round development facilities to the students, at this stage we need to see that all our students get a fair chance to exercise the skill hidden in them. Class teachers and subject teachers of these classes have been taking great interest in this regard. So the Coordinator office is not the place to house the person in-charge only, it is the place where teachers as mentors can interact with the boys individually, store any official document related to the students of these classes, meet the parents of particular boy if necessary etc. I would like to extend my heart felt gratitude to Rev. Fr. Rector in entrusting me with this responsibility, I pray to Our Lady of North Point that I will be able to rise up at her service.
Ques: You are involved in many activities in school-what motivates you to work and give your Best?
I am involved in some of co-curricular and extracurricular activities of the school as my hobby. Moreover, at North Point every Master Learners in that sense have kept them occupied with various activities. This is one of the opportunities where we as teachers get to teach the N.P. culture, N.P. spirit, N.P. values to our students in an informal way. It gives us a chance to be with our students and guide them in their formative stage. North Point as a winning school, when every single student shines as winner, motivates me carry such activities in the school.
Ques: Finally, words of encouragement for your students?
As in the story of The Hare and the Tortoise, one should sleep before one accomplishes the task. Keep yourself uplifted so that you can lend your hand to a faltering brother. Always strive for excellence and shun mediocrity. Remain as a true North Pointer for ever. Lift up your hearts.
SURSUM CORDA.
Thank you.
Volleyball
Yash Agarwal, Pralav Pradhan
Football
Vincent Quiah, Reewang Bhutia, Prabal Yonzon
Table Tennis
Yash Joggni, Ninda Tashi Sherpa, Sonam Shakya
Basketball
Drukdra Dorji Penjore
Badminton
Sarvagya Bomzon
Athletics
Sumit Rudum
Academics-ICSE 2010
Namkha Yeshey Norsang
Elocution
Ashwin Kanan
Performing Arts
KarannRatna Pradhan, Vikrant Sinchury, Ronak Giri, Jessen Raj Jonchhe
