Mom

VOW-December 2010

Making a difference

Indu Mani Chemjong,
Principal, Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya

At the time of her birth, her father was reading “Glimpses of World History” written to Indira Gandhi by Jawaharlal Nehru. Thus he decided to name their first daughter, “Indu” as it was Indira Gandhi’s pet name. His prayer to God was, “Let my little angel be a kind-hearted yet a capable human being.” Sixty-two years down the road, it feels like that prayer has been answered. As I talk to Indu Mani Chemjong, Principal of the Army School seated under a tree at her quarters in Bhaktapur over a cup of tea, she tells me all about her three-decade plus years of journey as an educator.

“I know it’s hectic and challenging, but I have always loved being an educator. I believe everyone should love what they are doing,” Indu beams. For somebody who’s dedicated more than three decades of her life to teaching, Indu is as enthusiastic about contributing to the education system in Nepal. “By a better education system, I not only mean students passing with better grades; I want to see that the students are taught to be morally aware, more conscientious and socially responsible,” she elaborates.

“My dad was a Major in the British Army, and I spent portions of my childhood in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and wherever my dad got posted. Then my parents, who were really liberal in their beliefs and actions, thought it would be sensible to have me admitted into a boarding school in India,” Indu recalls, “Living and studying among friends was a lot of fun. It wasn’t really difficult for me to adjust because I was used to adapting to new environments.” The eldest among four sisters, Indu credits much of what she is today to the constant encouragement from her parents and the education she received in India. “We had some Scottish nuns who not only gave us academic education but also understood and fulfilled our emotional needs, keeping in mind the fact that we were away from our families,” she says.

Highly inspired by Indira Gandhi during her student life, Indu did her post graduation in Political Science. She wanted to become a leader, even though she wasn’t decided on which sector she would specialise in. “The Gurkhas in India were fighting for the inclusion of the Nepali language in the Indian Constitution, so I thought may be I should join the Public Service Commission and try to bring some changes, but it seems God had a different plan for me. Marriage happened and I came to Nepal,” she shares. ”And then the course of my life took a wonderful turn,” she muses.

Indu was 26 when she got married. “Ours was a classic combination of a love cum arranged marriage. Mohan was a young captain in Nepal Army when we tied the knot. He has retired as a Brigadier now. The fact that I would be marrying Iman Singh Chemjong, the Kirat historian and scholar’s son was something my family took pride in and they immediately said yes,” she informs. However, having grown up in an environment where men and women were treated equally, Indu was shocked to see so many demarcations between the world of men and women in Nepal. “I had to attend parties where men and women had separate groups. The two sexes didn’t mingle with one another. It’s funny but those were the days when even the King and Queen didn’t walk together… she always quietly followed while he walked ahead,” she recalls.

Two years into marriage, Indu gave birth to her first child, a daughter. Indu says that motherhood taught her the precious lessons of selflessness. “The whole process of transforming into a ‘mother’ is a very spiritual journey. You feel so empowered, so special... and at the same time you can gift such a special present to your husband! It’s priceless. When I was in labour before my first delivery, my husband was all set to fly to Lebanon on a UN peace-keeping mission. He waited and waited for our daughter to be born outside the hospital room so that he could at least have a glimpse of our first child, but my labour lasted very long and he had to leave,” she recalls. “He left in tears and could see our daughter only after six months!” Indu adds, “Marriage to Mohan has been a wonderful journey. He is my biggest inspiration and we are the best of friends. I owe my success, happiness and beautiful family to General Saab,” she smiles.

In the meantime, Indu decided to start teaching. “I started teaching at St Xavier’s School and continued for many years,” she informs. She taught at the primary level and as her students got promoted to higher classes, so did she. It wasn’t long before Indu started teaching Grade 10 students. After a few years, though, she felt a void. “I could see that lot of children at St Xavier’s came from elite families, mostly from Kathmandu and she wondered what it would be like to teach children from different backgrounds. I wanted to meet and teach children from different parts of the country,” she shares. Considering the suggestion of a friend, Indu joined Budhanilkantha School where she would get the opportunity to teach students from all corners of Nepal. She was surprised and excited at seeing the diversity of students at Budhanilkantha—she was even tutoring Prince Nirajan. “Nirajan was very shy but very lovable. He was a very good person,” she recollects.

Indu says that her stint at Budhanil-kantha enabled her to understand how students beyond their academics and as young growing adults also had to learn to handle their emotions. During these years, she came to understand that more could be done for her students’ emotional well-being. She wanted to help, “I decided then that I should do something to fill that void in their hearts.” Thus, with a short counselling training, Indu started providing counselling to the students with the help of her American colleague. Later, when she felt the need to earn a qualification to be a professional counsellor, she earned a postgraduate degree in Psycho-social Counselling from Vellore, India. Indu strongly feels that the youth today need someone with “patient and trustworthy ears” to listen to their feelings which they can’t easily share with their parents or even friends. “The world today is very complicated and often very confusing. The youth definitely need someone to share their dilemma, to reaffirm that there’s someone they can really trust. This is where a counsellor comes in,” says the veteran teacher. After a stint of four years at Budhanilkantha, Indu returned to St Xavier’s on a special request, this time to teach students at the higher secondary level.

Thereafter, Indu continued her journey as an educator, counsellor and principal in different schools and colleges in Kathmandu. She has been working as the Principal at Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya for the last five years. In the meantime, she has also not given up opportunities to grow as an individual and explore her inner potential. With many different accolades, two undergraduate and three postgraduate qualifications under her belt, Indu loves learning and one day, wants to follow her daughter’s footsteps and do an MBA degree. “I was an active member of the Army Officer Wife’s Association wherein we worked for the welfare of the army personnel’s wives especially those who have lost their husbands during the decade-long conflict. We gave them various trainings and offered them counselling on different matters,” she says. Social services apart, Indu also designates time for herself and her family, playing Sitar to give solace to her mind, and spending time with her husband and two daughters, Moheindu and Lalima. She also happily shares how she loves to watch films starring Shahrukh Khan, and how eagerly she’s waiting to book her tickets to watch Prashant Tamang’s Gorkha Paltan.

“I thank God everyday for his blessings,” she beams, “I am very positive and I feel wonderful that I live in my motherland and got this opportunity to touch the lives of many young Nepalis who really are the pillars of tomorrow.”

– Poonam Maharjan