Teacher retires with rare feat: 100% attendance for 15 years

GLORIFYING WORK CULTURE

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: At a time when lack of work culture is a burning issue in Assam, a senior teacher from Don Bosco School, Pan Bazar has made an exception despite his physical challenges.

Jyoti Prakash Chowdhury retired from service by achieving the rare feat of 100% attendance in the school in the last 15 years. It was an emotional moment at the farewell function held at the school premises on Wednesday as the Principal, Vice Principal and other teachers did not want to leave the man (Jyoti Prakash Choudhury) who never missed a day to report for his duties.

Chowdhury told The Sentinel on Thursday that it was also difficult for him to believe that he had achieved such a feat. "It was a dream come true. I joined Don Bosco School, Pan Bazar in 1998. In 2003, I had taken the resolution to never miss even a single day to attend the school. It was a tough job as I have certain problems with my legs. But I was determined and had the strong will," he said.

Apart from his physical challenges there were other hassles that Chowdhury overcame while sticking to his resolution.

"On a particular severe cold day during the winter season in 2015, I started my journey to attend the school from an interior village in Nagaon at around 3.30 am. I was riding a scooter. En route, my vehicle developed technical snags and it refused to move. I tried hard to search for a mechanic. But there was no garage in the vicinity. I was just standing on the road in Nagaon district and praying that I should not miss the school. Then I saw a newspaper-carrying van, and I signaled the driver to stop his vehicle. After he did so, I requested him with folded hands to somehow drop me in Guwahati so that I could arrive at the school before 8 am in the morning. The driver obliged, and I managed to reach the school in time," said the dedicated teacher.

Walking down memory lane and cherishing beautiful memories associated with Don Bosco School, Chowdhury said that the lack of work culture is ailing the present society. "We must love what we do. Work is worship," he added.

Principal of Don Bosco School, Pan Bazar, Father Sebastian Mathew referred to Chowdhury as a role model for the present and future generation. He said, "We are proud of him!"

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