An alumna of Lucknows highly-rated La Martiniere Girls School and currently a Houston (Texas, USA)-based correspondent of TV Asia and promoter-chief executive of an online multimedia enterprise titled Lights, Camera, Action, Ruchi Mukherjee has dismal memories of her school years. She grimly recalls experiencing verbal abuse, partiality and extreme lack of patience. Her unhappy school days compounded by sickness, saw her scrape through her class XII exams with a modest second division.But not one to be fazed by prejudiced teachers and poor academic results, Mukherjee says she never doubted her innate capabilities. I was extremely confident. I am glad school couldnt destroy my education despite my teachers making me feel unworthy, she remembers.
From class VI onwards Ruchi began documenting her school experiences, a record that fell into her sisters hands who recognised a writer in her younger sibling. My sister was my great support system. She encouraged me to write and believe in myself, says Mukherjee who began her career in a Kolkata daily, after a course in media studies from Calcutta University.
A popular personality in Houstons 20,000-strong Indo-American community, whose interests range from books and philanthropy to gender issues, Mukherjee squeezes in voluntary work with women and child-centric organisations. However one of her favourite subjects for journalistic coverage is education. She fondly recalls an International Award Summer Program (2009) staged in Osterburken, (Germany) which she covered for TV Asia. It was an excellent mix of classroom sessions, outdoor expeditions, cultural interaction — a perfect recipe for developing well-rounded individuals. But back home the primary-secondary school system has remained change resistant, laments Mukherjee.
There is so much knowledge, but the tedium with which it is dispensed in our schools is sad. To make leaders and good followers, children need to be empowered to think independently, and given the freedom to be creative. Physical recreation, outdoor expeditions, encouraging individual growth and challenging tradition is what our schools need to teach, she adds.
To this end Mukherjee is closely involved with the Youth Leadership Development Programme for high school students in Houston supported by several Indo-American organisations. The goal of the programme is to train the next generation of Indian-American leaders by giving them classroom and practical sessions in politics, culture, business and philanthropy.
Looking back at her years as a student in La Martiniere, Mukherjee remembers learning the hard way. Mercifully, my report card could never hamper my self-assurance. Had I let teachers and marks govern my life, I would have ended up sitting at home, cooking, cleaning and suffering abuse, she laughs.
Vidya Pandit (Lucknow)