“Delighted when students pass, distraught when teachers face victimisation transfers”

In conversation with Rudra Poudyal on his last day in office
SUBASH RAI
GANGTOK, 29 April: After serving 35 years in the Human Resource Development Department [which was Education Department when he started out], Rudra Prasad Poudyal, is retiring from Government service on Saturday as HRDD Principal Director.
Mr. Poudyal, after earning a double MA, joined Sikkim Government College in the year 1977 as lecturer, Nepali, and was promoted as senior lecturer and selection grade lecturer in the same college.
He was promoted as Principal of Government College Namchi in the year 1995 and remained there till August 2000. From there, he was deputed as OSD in the Culture Department for one year.
He was then sent to the State Institute of Education as Joint Director and remained there till 2005. He was again promoted to the post of Additional Director [Higher Education] in HRDD from where he was made Secretary of the Sikkim Akademi in the year 2007. He was brought back to HRDD as Director in the year 2008 and was promoted to the post of Principal Director early this year.

Mr. Poudyal is counted among the renowned literary figures of the State. Some of his more famous literary works include Katha Kalp and Hareyko Manchey [collections of short stories], Tungoko Khojima and Karma [drama] etc. He has also translated five Buddhist philosophical books and the Dalai Lama’s books into Nepali language.
He had also served as an interpreter for the Dalai Lama’s teachings at Gangtok and Salugara in the years 1992, 1996, 2005, 2006 and 2010.
Besides, Mr. Poudyal has given lyrics to several music albums like Ghar Angan, Chetna and Shradanjai Timilai etc.
Speaking to NOW!, a day before his retirement, Mr. Poudyal shared that he plans to spend his retirement giving counseling to students in need.
“I have sponsored education up to postgraduate level to 41 students and my intention was to reach this number up to 100,” he said, adding that the unfulfilled mission will be accomplished by opening a free coaching and counseling centre at his residence library room.
“I will seek the help of my colleagues at SGC, whom I will invite to assist in their free time,” he claimed.
Sharing some of the happier, more satisfying moments in Government service, Mr. Poudyal said, “As a lecturer at SGC, when my students secured 1st, 2nd or even 3rd divisions, I used to be elated.”
On the bitter portions, he said, “I was very disturbed by the politically victimization transfers of ‘innocent’ teaching staff by the Department.”
He contended that such transfers have always yielded negative impacts.
“Firstly, the family life of the victim is ruined and one can think what kind of education can be expected by students who receive a politically victimized person as their new teacher,” he said.
He adds, “Incomplete supply of textbooks to the Government schools till my last working day will remain one of the biggest regrets, which will always pinch my heart.”