Women’s Training College students perform at the institute’s diamond jubilee celebrations in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Dec. 15: Women’s Training College today turned to its past for a better future, much to the pleasure of its former faculty members.

The old-timers returned to the college to be felicitated during the institution’s diamond jubilee celebration.

Principal Jessie George Modi’s invitation to four former faculty for their contribution to the development of the college not only made them happy but also emotional once they returned to the campus to share their experiences. The quartet to be honoured were former principals Razia Tabassum and Saroj Bala Sinha and former teachers R.P. Singh and S.N. Singh Sathi. They addressed the 120-strong BEd students of the college and the other dignitaries present on the occasion.

Overwhelmed by his invitation, R.P. Singh said: “Getting the invitation for the college’s diamond jubilee celebration made me think about the institute’s past. It is a pioneer in the field of women’s education and I remember the time I spent at the college. I fondly remember all my colleagues and principals, with whom I worked over the years. The invitation also made me realise that the college will go a long way as it has not forgotten its roots. Principal Jessie George Modi has proved well that the college is heading forward with its past.”

The person at the helm of the college at present also happens to be the better half of the state’s deputy chief minister.

Singh added: “In those days, the teachers, who served the college, were paid a very low salary but even then they were always happy with their job. They looked like a satisfied lot.”

Former principal Razia Tabassum said: “Yeh haseen mauka hai mere liye ki main aaj is karyakram mein shamil ho rahi hun (This is a great moment for me that I have been able to participate in this programme). I thank principal Jessie George Modi for inviting me here today.”

Sathi said: “So many emotions are coursing through me after returning to this college. I didn’t just teach here but learnt a lot at this college. And it has continued throughout my life.”

Former principal Saroj Bala Sinha said: “I joined a few minutes late on my first day at work and was made junior to my other colleagues. If it had happened to the youths of today, they would have blamed others for their negligence in duty. I don’t find the present generation disciplined, something which we gave a lot of importance.”

The students of the college also presented a cultural show where a Saraswati Vandana, a skit and a Rajasthani folk dance were performed.