When we were in play school and kindergarten, we were told that school is our second home and teachers were our second mothers. After graduating to college, we met professors. Being born and brought up in a different country, I was told that college life in India centred on fun, “hanging out” with friends and bunking lectures. However, after entering BMS, we were informed about the strict 75% attendance rule and the rigorous assignment and presentation system, which changed my perception towards the professors – who until then, I thought to be laidback, lenient and hardly bothered about students and their welfare.
The first professor I came in contact with was Professor Prashant Shelar. He is one of the core faculties of BMS at the R. A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics, Matunga – 19. He is also a visiting faculty with the Welingkar Institute, next door. His qualifications include: MCom (Mgmt), MA (English), MPhil, PGDBM, PGDCC, E-MBA and is currently pursuing his PhD.
I began my journey of BMS with him in FY, where he taught us Foundation of Human Skills (FHS), Business Communication (BC), In SY – Public Relations (PR), and in TY – Human Resource Management (HRM) and Entrepreneurship.
Coming from a different country and background, Prof. Prashant Shelar, extended a lot of support towards me. He motivated and pushed me to grab opportunities and make the most of my time as a student. He has been a true guide and mentor. His teaching patterns heavily depend on discussions and exchange of ideas in the classroom and outside the classroom he stresses on learning by doing.
Prof. Prashant is the brainchild of the Podar BMS Parliament modelled on the Indian Parliamentary system. He identifies latent talent among students and brings them to the centre stage to promote all round development. I started off as being a member of the environment committee, moved on the personality development committee and currently am the spokesperson. He encouraged me to start taking personality development sessions for students who need the extra push and self-esteem boost. We also took sessions together over the summer break on a large scale.
He has an uncanny way of knowing everything about everyone. It shows how much he is concerned about students and he put my perception of the average Indian professor to correction. He is very committed to his job and knows how to interact with all students regardless of their innumerable differences. He is very approachable and extends his hand of support whenever and wherever he can. He encourages our ideas and helps nurture them to promote self confidence and the ability to achieve. He approved my idea of making a year book and suggested the idea of becoming the secretary of the English Literary Circle – a literary forum of our college.
Prof. Prashant believes that his aim is to touch the mind of at least one student. He doesn’t need to force his ideas on anyone. For him, the success of even one student brings him mental satisfaction.
My most memorable moment with him was during this year’s teachers’ day celebrations. I had the opportunity to felicitate him with the ‘best teacher’ medal – a students’ initiative for all our beloved professors – as a token of our appreciation and take them out for lunch to celebrate their special day.
Me and Prof. Prashant during teachers’ day celebrations 🙂
Prof. Prashant has truly changed my perception towards life and the way things should be handled. He knows how to delegate and complete his tasks. As the very famous management definition goes, “Management is the art of getting things done through others.” Prof. Prashant is a true management guru. He is omnipresent and always ready for new ideas, challenges and prospects; his thoughts reflect the ideas of today’s generation.
Prashant Shelar, the man who brought about a change to my life. In his way. A small but effective way. I hope his voice echoes through the corridors of the R. A. Podar BMS section for years to come. If you’re reading this sir, thank you for everything.
Submitted by –
Devina Sharma
(R.A. Podar College)
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