Interview with Dr.T.K.N Balu (Visiting Professor in English, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus)

I got an opportunity to interact with a veteran professor of English at Amrita School of Engineering, Amritapuri.  He is a visiting professor here, and this is what he shared during our interaction.

“I am a Tamilian, settled in Delhi.  Let me tell you one thing first, that, being in Amma’s hometown is itself a great blessing to all of us, and we are extremely fortunate to be with Amma – something that many people in the world are longing for.
This is my first visit to this University and I find this a very different kind of University – mind you, I have had the opportunity to teach in several universities in India as well as in places like UK, US and Australia!  In three major spheres – the academic, moral and physical – I see an essential difference here.  Most universities give importance to only one or two of these three vital aspects that shape the next generation.  But ‘Amrita’ focuses equally on all the three in a balanced manner!  That is the only way by which, the overall development of the students can be taken care of.

Moreover, Amma nurtures each and every student as her own child and what more can one expect?  The parents of these students do not have to spend sleepless nights in anxiety of any kind (!) as their children are in the safe hands.
Another difference here is that the students totally involve themselves in their studies and related academic activities along with the ‘values’ aspect the authorities are serious about.  This, I would say, is an example to the student community the world over and a positive sign for the future of our country.
The commitment and responsibility exhibited by most of the students here is astounding and mind blowing – something that I have never seen anywhere else with students in my long career, across the world!
I’ve taught students at University of Madras (Chennai), University of California (USA), University of London (UK) and University of Melbourne (Australia).  I am actually overwhelmed at the respect teachers receive here from the students, and I cannot help comparing my experience elsewhere both in India and abroad.   The other is that the teachers are highly educated, knowledgeable and hence command respect from everyone around.

Regarding the often repeated ‘teaching is a difficult task and teaching English is all the more difficult,’ I am pleased to say that this perspective has proved wrong at ‘Amrita’.  Another thing I should point out is the way the department of English, to which I am attached, is functioning like one family – a thing beyond the dream of many an English teacher.  That is what one is bound to cherish, ‘at the end of the day’.  That way, I would believe that the other departments too may be the same.
To be frank with you, I am really enjoying my days here, and I would call this ‘the golden era of my teaching career’.  I feel extremely happy to be a part of this great and wonderful institution.  It is indeed my good fortune that I am in the service of our beloved Amma”.
– by S Jeayaram