101. Teaching Sankrit in English was a challenge

Thousand Moon: Mrs. Shubhangi Vinayak Garde
Contributed By: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar

Mrs, Shubhangi Vinayak Garde [Maiden name Pramila Kirtane] is 82 plus. She is a Bachelor of Arts with Marathi, Sanskrit, Economics and Statistics.  She stays in Kothrud Pune. She was married to Shri Vinayak Krushnaji Garde on 6^th April 1956. He was in Delhi during that time. Then he shifted to Valchand nagar, Dombivali and finally settled in Shahabad. They spent about 28 years in Shahabad . It was in Shahabad that she got all the opportunities to express herself fully.

Shri Nanivadekar Anna was patriot staying in Shahabad then. He was a Gandhian wearing Khadi. He was authorized to conduct Sanskrit examinations on behalf of Tilak Mahavidyalaya. As she already had Sanskrit for her B.A. she directly appeared for the third Examination of Tilak Mahavidyalaya and stood first. Shri Nanivadekar was a social worker and as such he used to teach Sanskrit, Bhagvad Gita and also physical exercises like Surya Namaskars. For all this she bows to him in deference.

And now her own words.

Shahabad lacked educational facilities then. So we sent both our children to Shri Shivaji preparatory Military School for their education. After about 15 or 16 years Mount Caramel Convent School started classes up to 10^th standard. It was an English medium school. But God probably wanted that I must make a headway so even though it was an English medium school they offered Sanskrit as a subject for 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th standard classes. I decided to start private classes for Sanskrit. The problem I faced was to teach Sanskrit in English as I was educated in Marathi medium but I accepted the challenge and proved myself competent enough. Teaching in English helped me improve my English also in a way. My Sanskrit classes for 8^th 9^th and 10^th grades evoked a good response and I was overjoyed when I found that 50 per cent students of 10^th class who had opted for Sanskrit were attending my classes.

I remember my Shahabad days as the happiest days in my life. Whatever I might have missed in my childhood I got it in Shahabad. I played Garba Raas, wrote a drama and also acted. I organized a children’s program for the ladies club. I learned to play Tennis and also Bridge. What ever was worth enjoying in life I got a chance to enjoy and I enjoyed. We shifted to Pune in 1992. I conducted Sanskrit classes for tenth in Pune when we shifted here but stopped them five years ago.

I am aware this is not any one single event of happiness but these are the memories of my happiest days. Actually when one of my students got 148 marks out of 150, I felt like having touched the sky.

Mrs Shubhangi Garde Pune.