KATHMANDU: Prof Dr Hari Sarmah is an emeritus Professor of English of Tribhuvan University. He is now the CEO of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), the pioneering association of tour and travel agents. He plans to document a brief history of NATTA and publish his travelogue and other manuscripts. He has received various awards and honours in his lifetime where he received the National Education Award in 1984, Gorkha Dakshin Bahu in 1985, Trishakti Patta in 1999 for his contribution as Programme Coordinator to make Nepali tourism campaign Visit Nepal Year ’98, among others. Here he gets nostalgic about his college days

MY ALMA MATER(S)

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in 1971 from Tinsukia College, Assam, India and in 1973 I completed Master’s degree from Guwahati University, Assam, India. In 1976 under Tribhuvan University’s fellowship I joined Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad for PGD in Teaching in English. I received Honorary Degree from Sri Lanka for my work in drugs abuse prevention in 1990.

COURSE STUDIED

I studied Humanities and Social sciences including Economics.

COLLEGE LIFE

The college life is an opportunity to know yourself better in the company of all sorts of friends you meet there. It is a gateway to life ahead.

BEST OF COLLEGE LIFE

Being an Editor for my College Magazine, being very close to my Principal and all the teachers, and also being a very competitive student in my studies and performances used to be the best part of my college life. I never missed any extra-curricular activities held in the college.

LASTING MEMORIES

I remember that during my college and university days I always use to receive awards and medals in literary competitions and symposiums. I was a student studying in the night college because I had to work whole day as a columnist in one national vernacular weekly to enable myself to meet all my personal expenses. I never troubled my parents to finance me. I also presented a Nepali programme in the All India Radio aired from Guwahati.

LESSON LEARNT

Yes, after my Bachelors I decided to enrol myself in Delhi University as a PG student and went to receive blessings from my Principal, I touched his feet and asked him to bless me for my future. His only words of blessings were ‘be good and do good and this will always bring you good in life.’

WORDS TO HEED

It is only during your college life that you can prove yourself as a Jack of all trades but not after you have won the Bachelor’s Degree.

HOW TO ACE IN COLLEGE

Do enjoy the best you can by participating in the academic discourses and extra-curricular activities provided. Remember, you are the best and prove it by all means fair.