The favourite Professor

The students were up against the black board presenting their seminar topics. Since, I and my best friend had given ours we were sitting in the back bench, silently munching snacks.  Suddenly the teacher walked over and sat beside us. “ Oh ! No!” I thought, looking at TJ. But TJ smilingly offered  the bag of Chips to the professor who to my surprise not just accepted it but distributed among the students nearby as well.
That’s when I knew Dr.Rajendran (Dr.VR)  was a cool person.
Every evening after the days event’s he would join the students for a volley ball match, prank on a few students.  Once I remember winning an Ice cream from a friend. With a smirk of victory I was about to unwrap the cornetto. Suddenly, Prof.VR  snatched it from my hand and kept on walking along with the senior faculty. I was surprised and a bit disappointed with the disappearance of my ice cream.

When my naughty batch was well known for irritating a few professors by shooting too many unanswerable questions leading them to walk away during the class session, Dr.V.R walks in saying “I am so happy about this class . Really guys! I am blessed with such good bunch of students.”  I remember the disbelief in our classmates face when he said that. Later when a professor complained about us to him, he would say “Students are supposed to be  that way.  Else, where is the fun? They are also smart kids.”  At this remark, the pranksters of the class were moved.
He believes that a teacher grows along with his students, encouraging us to question more and express our ideas. He felt no fear in accepting that sometimes he wasn’t sure of certain questions but would refer and answer us the very next day in class. He impressed us and inspired us of how a teacher must be.
He was responsible and encouraged us not just in the academic arena but also in extracurricular events. Pushed us far more than what we knew of ourselves.
Our very own friendsly Prof. who dances with us during the DJ or departmental tours. That professor in whose class you are allowed to ease, have a snack and still be productive. 
“Work while you work, Play while you play.”
“Eat happily, Play happily, Live happily. “
He made sure his happiness was contagious to the people nearby.

My first internship, my first blood donation (more of overcoming my fear), my first conference, my very first anchoring sessions, my first paper presentation (which won the best paper award in humanities) was all because of him. He saw our capabilities while we were unaware of it. He understood us and helped us grow by accepting who we were.
 He is that professor who brings home made food for the students who work empty stomach while organising events. (Credit goes to his better half). He is someone who would surprisingly catch the hostel students and take them home to celebrate Diwali with him. Visits you at the hospital to make sure you take proper treatment and the diet afterwards.

“ The people around you are your family and you should care for them.”  This is the biggest thing I learnt from him as a person.

 “Always have a parallel experiment in progress so that you don’t lose yourself when you stumble.”
A mentor who supports your project idea which was totally unrelated to his field of research and helps us explore the curious world of science as the best thing that can happen to a researcher. He gave me that freedom and support.  Months later, he called me up from a conference in IISc. “ I thought your ideas were just small experiments, but after attending the conference here, I realise the bigger impact it can have on the society. I am sorry for underestimating. Now, you focus on this topic with your whole heart and we shall be successful.” Project discussions with him were more friendly, supportive  and challenging. 'Keep pushing your limits.' He lives by these words. We were against this new challenge  which is different from his comfortable  research  field  for a masters' project . He showed me the meaning of who you can term as a “GUIDE”.

A lot of Taiwan stories of Prof. Le Lehn Tee and the best human I aspire to be. The favourite teacher who played a very crucial role in my batch mates lives just by being himself: generous, caring, empathetic, jovial, responsible and encouraging. He taught us how to cherish life and be a better human being.
My teacher, My guide, My family and My friend. Happy birthday to you sir.