DIBRUGARH, Sept 6 � The age-old Indian tradition of the guru-sishya bonding was reaffirmed at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) when medical students apologised to their teachers for their �inappropriate behaviour� in the aftermath of the tragic death of Dr Sarita Tosniwal in May this year. They organised a function on Friday to honour the teachers.
The students, who had turned unruly during their protest following the murder of Dr Tosniwal, said that it was an act of extreme disgrace that a few among them had even burnt the effigies of some teachers. Pulakesh Sharma, president, Assam Medical College Students� Union (AMCSU), said that they were misled by some vested sections.
Prior to the Teachers� Day celebration on Friday, the AMCSU called a meeting of students and teachers of the medical college at the John Berry White Memorial Auditorium on Thursday where all students sought pardon for their misbehaviour. The atmosphere was surcharged with emotions as class representatives of undergraduate and post-graduate medical students walked up to the stage one by one to tender their apology on behalf of their classmates.
In the meeting, the recently reinstated principal, Dr Atindra Adhikari was also present along with a huge gathering of students and faculty members. The students admitted that they got deviated from the main issue and sought the removal of the principal, Dr Adhikari and vice principal Dr HC Kalita, which had no bearing on the death of Dr Tosniwal.
It may be mentioned here that there was a strong demand to suspend Dr Adhikari at that time by the Department of Health without giving him any opportunity to express his views.
In his speech, Dr Adhikari said that he had already forgiven the students as teachers always consider their students as their own children and urged everyone to work together for the development and progress of the institution.
Following the meeting on Thursday, thousands of medical students assembled at the college auditorium on Friday to honour their teachers by organising a special Teachers� Day function. The function included paying tributes to Dr S Radhakrishnan, cultural programmes, felicitation of teachers and speeches by both teachers and students.
Dr Adhikari told this correspondent that the Teachers� Day function was unique and special for all teachers.
