My take on my college in my three years of being here. Originally written as an essay to be submitted for the college's silver jubilee celebrations.
Has
anyone ever heard a glowing parent express in pride, “Mera beta bada hoke
veterinarian banke apne mummy-papa ka naam roshan karega”? Honest show of
hands, now. None? I thought as much. Another honest observation that I myself
have made. On an average, five out of every ten people one comes across have no
idea what the word “veterinarian” even means. It felt like the community of
vets was invisible to almost everybody but all that changed once I finally
found like minded people, here, at Krantisinsh Nana Patil College of Veterinary
Science.
KNP has stood as a proud institution
for 25 years on the banks of the river Nira, on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s
sacred ground. It has borne testimony to the dreams of hundreds of students who
have passed through here. It is a home away from home. Scores of people have
learnt valuable lessons here; not all of them academic.
I’m sure if the walls could speak,
they would divulge so many secrets. This college has seen so much that has
happened. It has seen the comings and goings of so many students and staff over
the years. It has seen how effective teaching practices and a strong will can
mould students from being lost dreamers to strong go-getters. The students who
come here, may not necessarily know why they have come or how will they get
through their five years here. Not everyone has a fixed life plan at the age of
18. Our thoughts change so fast, we can barely keep up! And the more we learn,
we see, we experience, the more we want to do something in life that will bring
fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment for us. I’m sure everyone who has
passed through the halls of this institution can confirm that while they were
here, their life took a new direction.
This college has stood testament to
the interactions of students who came here from different social strata,
economic backgrounds, ideologies, attitudes and personalities. I’m sure that
not all interactions may have been amicable, but each and every one of us has
grown and matured as a human being during our time spent here. It isn’t easy to
uproot oneself from everything that is familiar and come to spend weeks at a
time away from family and loved ones. But being in the hostel has taught us all
the importance of responsibility, adaptability and learning to stand on our own
feet.
Many
of us came here with a lot of doubts about the scope of this field. However,
our opinion quickly changed. We learnt that veterinary science is not just
about opening a clinic and spending the rest of our days stewed up in it. The
field has immense, immeasurable scope. Students can opt for research and
development or go into animal husbandry related fields just as easily as taking
on a core clinical field.
One cannot forgo a
particular topic when one talks about a veterinary college. The main
beneficiaries of course! Countless animals have been benefitted by the
knowledge and expertise of the dedicated doctors here at KNP. Our polyclinic
caters to patients as far away as Satara and Pune. Regular camps are conducted
for the adopted villages. Not to mention, the numerous animals who have been
benefitted by the distinguished alumni of our college.
Everyone here at KNP is
a part of a large, yet tightly knit family. This degree of closeness and the
bond that keeps us all working together in harmony is a flavor unique to our
college. Like every family, each and every member (whether two legged or four)
has their own unique personalities. We clash, we argue, we spit fire at times
but despite it all, we stay united. KNPians truly know how to multiply joy and
reduce sorrow by sharing problems and happy moments with one another. While we
are here, we are taught to respect seniors and the staff and to show strict
adherence for rules, whether they be college rules, hostel rules or mess rules.
The months seem to fly
by here. We all grow together, study together, play together, have fun together
and face the problems of life together. This college nurtures our dreams and
hones our skills and ensures holistic development of every student that comes
here. Our exemplary staff impart their knowledge to us in a way that is
interactive and fun. Our wits and skill are tested through exams and we learn
to do self study and hone a business sense for ourselves through non credit
courses like tracking programs, study circles and entrepreneurship program.
This college holds a very
special place in my heart. It has taught me so many new things, let me meet so
many incredible people and animals and in this process I have learnt so many
things about myself. The journey has been fantastic so far and I am glad that
there still is so much more road to be covered. Above all, I am grateful
because I am being groomed for one of the noblest professions in the world. For,
after all it was said by Henry W Longfellow,
“Among the noblest in the land
Though man may count himself the least
That man I honor and revere
Who, without favor, without fear
In the great city dares to stand
The friend of every friendless beast”
- Inquisitive I
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