Mr. Magar and Mr. Zende Inspire Rotarians Through Tales of Their Accomplishments
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BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY for private circulation only | www.rotaryclubofbombay.org Vol. 55 Issue No. 13 Mumbai September 24 to September 30, 2013 Pages 8 Price R3/- Mr. Magar and Mr. Zende inspire Rotarians through tales of their accomplishments but we raised them to 70–80 per that regard, children in Mumbai cent over time. are much better off, but they need I became Assistant Headmaster motivation. We’ve got to support at the school in Colaba. For a year, them and let them run free. I was very troubled for a number Q: You’re an inspiration for of reasons, but I did not give up. so many people — teachers and I don’t look back, I only look students. What are the qualities ahead and I’m always positive. that you believe should be found There's something very satisfying in a good teacher and a good about the smile on a child’s face. administrator? Whenever I saw that smile, I A: For a good teacher, the job was more and more motivated to isn’t limited to teaching. A lot of work. Today, with this award and people can teach, but they can’t the support of Salaam Bombay motivate children. Motivation Foundation and the Rotary Club of is very important. Counselling, Bombay, there’s a lot I have to say, motivation and getting their but I cannot find words to express parents to understand the process how happy I am. I got the Adarsh — if a teacher can do all three Mukhyadhyapak Award two years things, that’s ideal. Every teacher ago from the Mumbai Corporation, should be able to do these things but today’s felicitation has truly and teach students how to study in he Somchand Parikh Award by my teachers as well because I touched my heart. There’s so much adverse conditions. for the Best Teacher 2013 would love to swim. Eventually, more to do. With your support, T has been presented to Mr. I learnt from my mistakes and we can change the world. These he Rotary Club of Bombay Ambarsingh Magar, Principal started focussing more on studies. children are my pillars apart from Bravery Award 2013 of Colaba Municipal Secondary So much so, that I became one being the pillars of India. I’ve T has been presented to School. His undying love for the of their favourite students. In the worked in the tribal department Mr. Vishnu Zende for his efforts in profession and endless support 11th grade, I went to Pune, gave with respect to education and I single-handedly saving many lives towards his students make him an the exam for Tata, but didn’t get continue to work in that sphere during the 26/11 terror attacks. inspiring personality. through. I went back to my aunt even today. They don’t have any The city salutes his spirit, presence in the village and stayed there for access to either books or food. In of mind and inimitable bravery. Mr. Ambarsingh Magar: two years wherein I completed my I’m grateful to the Rotary Club of senior college. Bombay. Thanks to the Club, I’ve I stood first in my English got a lot in life. You have always medium B.Ed. exams with 76 per supported me. I don’t support cent. This got me selected into the anybody, people support me — BMC. I didn’t have to pay because that is what I believe. I was born my presentation, interview and in a small village called Malegaon marks were good enough. I started in Nasik. I studied at the district off in Mulund. I saw that a lot of school and even now we live in the poor children didn’t have the means fields and end up walking two to to pay even five or ten rupees to three kilometres. Till the 7th grade attend school. There would always I studied in my village, after which be a few kids in my class I’d pay I had to go to the nearby village to the fee for, and request them to attend school. Everyday, I’d cross come to school. I was young and the river, which would overflow wanted to do something different during the monsoons. However, we and the Club supported me. They would walk or swim across waist- used to run tuitions there. At the level or even neck-deep water and Marathi medium school, we’d get go to school. I have been beaten 25–30 per cent results for English, September 24 to September 30, 2013 THE GATEWAY, The Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Bombay 1 Mr. Vishnu Zende: broadcast on TV. I told them that I would like to thank you all not only was the news true but that for inviting and motivating me. they were right in front of me and Secondly, giving me an award I couldn’t talk on the phone more. here, at the Taj Hotel is special. After that, I kept seeing the news I feel even the staff here would on my phone and was in constant feel proud, as they had faced the touch with the police officers. I situation bravely too, and one of could leave only two hours after us is getting recognised for this the police came. I went to the place collective effort. where the incident happened, to a I have been in the Railways waiting room, and there was not for 23 years, out of which I’ve a spot on the floor where I could been working for 17 years as an place my foot without touching announcer. At the time of the blood. I couldn’t bear to walk incident, I was on evening duty, there, stepping on the blood of a from 3 pm to 11 pm. It was around friend or commuter. I left and came 9:30 pm and I was waiting for back to my cabin. In the morning, the reliever to come so I could my reliever came and then I went go home. I was quite relaxed and home. my bags were packed. The attack Q: We in Mumbai are very was on the main line and I was dependent on the Railways stationed at the suburban line that and BEST to keep functioning day. Hand grenades were thrown relentlessly. We learn from you and the sound was deafening. I that one can think about others figured that there was a bomb blast before oneself. In a situation that had taken place and made an where most people would think announcement advising people of their own safety first, how not to go towards the source. did you manage to think about I requested the police to go to others? the suspected origin of the blast A: I've been working as an and handle the situation. I saw a announcer for 17 years and have small girl whose leg was severely worked at many stations. Many injured being dragged away by people know me personally. people. I’d never seen such a sight When I was at Sandhurst Road, before. Some colleagues came my cabin was at the entrance and and informed me that firing was a lot of people recognised me. underway. After that, I started Whenever there was a festival or telling people that they shouldn't a party, they’d bring me sweets. come ahead and that they should We had developed a relationship leave from the back gate. I kept with each other. It was symbiotic to deal with. I feel that the media this girl went to a window, jumped announcing this continuously, until — I’d be of no use without them shouldn’t be showing things that out of it and killed herself. On all the people went out through the and vice-versa. When this incident spoil them. I don’t have a TV at later inspection, it was found that back gate. When the two terrorists happened, I could only see them home and I haven’t lost out on her parents weren’t giving her a came in front of me, the platform and nothing else. I couldn’t think anything in the last four years. We sound upbringing. We ought to was empty. There was no casualty of myself, only of moving them to read the newspaper everyday. If we counsel even the parents. We keep there. The terrorists found an safety. watch the news, we tend to avoid saying that it’s a young country, empty platform but could hear the reading the papers. but those between the 5th and 10th announcements, so they started Excerpts from a Q&A session: Society should control itself. grades will be the foundation of a firing at all the glass panes in sight. Q: Mr. Magar, as social servants, We as adults are our children’s young India soon. We shouldn’t A bullet whizzed past me, missing what change do you want in idols and must think about how we mentally pressurise them and for me by only a foot. It was your society so that people like you behave. We should be responsible this we need more control within prayers and my mother’s blessings get motivated even further? for the way we walk and talk. I the community. that saved me. And Mr. Zende, I'd like to know want society to keep these things in Q: You must have had to wait what you were thinking when the mind so the impact will be visible Mr.