It's been forever since I blogged. No excuses. Just been plain lazy and largely uninspired. If I'm writing today, with an exam tomorrow, I have a valid reason
Very rarely do we get to meet people who inspire, engage and manage to get you engrossed in a classroom environment. I'm doing a post-graduate, so I've met scores of teachers through school and college. I've finally met someone who can talk about anything under the sun and still make sense. Let alone make sense, he can keep you captivated. Telling stories to teach a subject like Global Economics is not something everyone can do. Stories that entice, and capture an over-worked student's attention. I'm privileged to have been taught by this inspiring man, Prof. Harkant Mankad.
Prof. Mankad walked into our class of about 120+ on 27th of August and has kept us listening, glued to his stories and awake (a surprise considering our long hours) till this afternoon when he delivered his last lecture. From the moment he cracked a joke about his waistline, through the countless stories of war, politics and history, till he told us about his interest in palmistry, there have been lessons in Economics that none of us would've bothered to pick up otherwise.
We learnt a subject that we thought would put us to sleep and instead came out smiling, like kids who'd heard the best of stories on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
It's amazing how an achiever like him can continue to reach newer heights and still stay so humble. His personality is endearing and strangely he reminds me of my granddad who narrates such wonderful stories. On the whole, its been an experience that's left me enriched. What has been the most striking to me is the revelation that this world and the economy is about psychology which makes me feel closer to the subject than I ever have. It's been a series of lessons in Economics, strangely correlated to the way we live our everyday lives.
Thank You Prof. Mankad, on behalf of the batch of 2008-10 at SIBM Bangalore. You've inspired us all to go out there and play our own game.
Hi. Dr.Mankad is truly a masterclass. The boundaryless knowledge that he has of 'anything(everything) under the sun' and the erudite manner in which he shared his stories is something that is truly distinctive and exceptional. A 'once in a lifetime' experience it was.
ReplyDelete@deeps-Don't wanna miss out on this opportunity to praise, honour, admire, commend the beautiful and striking piece you've come up with. Splendidly elicited. No one could do it better :)
Cheers
Satya
Truly Prof.Mankad is one of the best that I have ever listened to...and the blog perfectly captures that essence :-)
ReplyDeleteWho would have ever thought that Economics could be best taught by a combination of History & Psychology ?? :-)..
Well the magician called "Prof Mankad" did it..!!
I completely get it.
ReplyDeleteSome people just manage to enrich you in the kindest of ways that knows no words.
and we're blessed to have been in their presence even for a short while.
May there be many more such individuals who grace our lives
Truly said Deepika...I've been equally captivated by Dr. Mankad's no-nonsense attitude..
ReplyDeleteHis classes have been as interesting as Grandpa's stories and the man himself is no less than a walking encyclopedia.
This young man who is 42......around his waist, has certainly given me enough food for thought and inspired me to be humble with pride..:)
Well .. I was not fortunate to witness the magic. But truly I can get what you admire in him . Such people teach for the passion of teaching and create the same passion in the listeners too . Rare ppl :-) Glad that you enjoyed the shade of the good ol' tree of wisdom
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely remarkable - at this age to keep a class of close to 120 students captivated for almost 6 hours over a period of 10 days.. My biggest takeover from his sessions - other than the Global economy obviously - his humility
ReplyDeleteI don't know who this Prof. is, but the wording of this piece is quite stunning. Its simple, to the point and exquisitively written. Loved it, very inspiring. Well done Deeps.
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