Mr. Kallingal

I was just reading an extract from a Peter Drucker book/interview where he describes the seven experiences which have shaped him as a human being over the years. It made me remember some of such events which have had significant impact on my life as well.
One such event/person is Mr. Kallingal. He was my English teacher between Classes 8 - 10 and I used to go to him for tuitions even in 11th and 12th.
He is a rather quirky, though very principled person. He would not hesitate in taking up a battle where he felt his principles were being compromised. He was also a person who would not be content with status quo. He would always push his students to do better than before. The other thing about Mr. Kallingal was the fact that he would fiercely protect his students from any external threat, even if he might just turn around and thrash them separately for their mis-deeds.
One incident that is always prominent in my mind, I shall narrate.
It dates back to Class 10 first term exams. That year the report cards for our section had been stolen from the Principal's desk (yes.. stolen!!!). Anyways, since the Class teacher had the marks, there was no hiccup in the parent-teacher meeting. I think this was one of those occasions when Mummy and Papa had both come for the PT meeting. Considering that through the years my parents had never heard anything adverse about my performance or behaviour in school, what was to follow was even more mind-numbing to me.
Mr. Kallingal was our Class teacher. When my turn came, my parents and I trooped over to the teacher's desk and waited for him to comment on my performance. I had topped the class by a margin, and guess was expecting the usual accolades - " Nikhil is a very good student, very intelligent, hard-working and disciplined."
What i got instead was - "I am not at all happy with Nikhil's performance."
"He is getting complacent and is certainly not performing to his potential. I think he is taking things too easy."
My parents were shocked to say the least. As for me, I didn't know where to look. The eyes of the entire class and their parents were as if burning into my back. They had also not heard anyone give a dressing down to Nikhil Mohta.
Mr. Kallingal continued, maybe he saw the incredulous look on my face - "I am not saying that you have not done well. What i am saying is that you can do much better. Hence, I am not happy with your performance."
On the way home, I heard my parents repeat the same thing. Mind you, they were quite strict when it came to studies and discipline. My own thoughts were a mix of - "What does he think of himself?" to "How could he?"
I determined to show him what i could do!!!
Much later, as i often sat back and reflected on the events of that day, i realised how Mr. Kallingal pushed me towards giving my best to every situation in life - academic, personal, professional. I think this is one trait for which i give him full credit.
Thank you Sir.