There are some people whose memory remains strongly etched in oneRss mind despite the passage of many years. One takes somebodyRss roles in oneRss life for granted at a particular time. However, later, when one looks back in maturity and recalls the roles they played, one is amazed at their virtues and qualities. One such person I always have remembered and been thankful to is Robert SaRsab, a fine administrator at St StephenRss College, my alma mater.
From the day I went to submit my admission form till the day I finished college, his role in my student life was prominent. And not just in my life. All Stephanians, I am sure, will fondly recall what Robert SaRsab meant to all of us. Students who joined college after coming from towns and cities other than Delhi (I had gone from Dehradun) depended even more on his guidance than the students who had come from schools of Delhi. He was truly like a blessing for us, a sincere and warm person who would listen to our smallest problem (I am sure most of that was not part of his job) and tried his best to sort them out. I could see that he got immense happiness each time he could be a help to anyone.
All of us were always lined up outside the window behind which our dear Robert SaRsab sat in his small office. The window opened into the corridor of the main building. It was like a window of hope and respite which remained open almost the entire day for any and every one who wanted to have a word with him. His cheerful and smiling face looked at everyone who walked through the corridor. He spread his joy and optimism through this infectious smile which cheered us up even on our worst days. He would help us procure our bus passes , get them renewed and even make new ones for us if we lost them (which was quite often!). He would, of course, scold us and then make the new pass. We never minded his scolding. He loved all of us and we loved him. College years would never have been for us what they were had Robert SaRsab not been part of them. We could not imagine our college without his presence.
I recall a very interesting experience. When I was in my second year of English Honours, I had a green diary in which I would jot down my thoughts and poetry (the habit had been carrying on from schooldays). One day, I happened to leave the diary in the library and went home. When I reached home, which was a good distance away from college, I suddenly remembered that I had left the diary. I was very upset as I did not want anyone to read my “secret” thoughts and feelings. I called up Robert SaRsabRss office number and requested him to keep the diary with him. He replied that someone had given it to him and he had already gone through the “lovely” poems! I was truly embarrassed but was also relieved that only he had read my diary and not anyone else. When I took it from him the next day, he gave me a special smile. After that day, I have never left my diary anywhere!
Robert SaRsabRss authority seemed supreme. If nobody else heard our woes, he was always there. If we forgot to bring in our fee in time, he would give us another day to do that. If we wanted to make a phone call, he would let us do that (those were days when mobile phones were not even part of our dreams!), if we wanted a message to be given to one of our college mates , we would leave it at his window and he would pass it on to the boy or girl concerned. He never questioned as to why he should be doing all this and we never thought that this may not be part of his work. The positivity we got from just visiting his office was what actually took us there many times a day and he welcomed us each time. His grey hair and black framed spectacles gave him a comforting look and so did his immaculate white shirt and trousers. Thank you, dear Robert SaRsab, for making our college days full of happiness and comfort.