Earnest Appeal !
The backdrop of Polytechnic teachers being overlooked for AICTE scales following the sixth pay announcement has been a matter of deep concern. To address this pressing issue, an urgent meeting of all Polytechnic Associations across the country was called in New Delhi.
The meeting, held at the prestigious Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Pusa Campus, New Delhi, was meticulously organized by Prof. Satish Suryan, Prof. Ravindra Singh, and their dedicated colleagues from Delhi Polytechnics. Representatives from across India attended, reflecting the unity among Polytechnic teachers.
The Maharashtra Government Polytechnic Teachers' Association was honored to be represented by Prof. Rajnish Pise (President), Prof. Shrikant Naik (Treasurer), and myself, as the General Secretary. On the agenda, the most pressing issue was the establishment of the National Federation of Polytechnic Teachers' Associations (NFPT)and the election of its office bearers.
Prominent figures like Prof. Santosh Kumar Pipra (Madhya Pradesh), Prof. Chandrashekhar and Prof. Gokhari (Andhra Pradesh), Prof. Bhaskaran (Karnataka), Prof. Abdul Naser (Kerala), Prof. Madanlal Rana (Rajasthan), Prof. Jamir (Assam), and many others brought invaluable insights to the table. Prof. Satish Suryan's welcome and briefing set the tone for the intense discussions that followed.
The first day's deliberations concluded with a formal decision to elect the NFPT’s President the following day. That evening, the camaraderie among attendees blossomed. The impeccable hospitality of our hosts added warmth to the event. We shared stories and experiences; and has a fun.
The morning of the second day brought an unexpected twist. A group of teachers approached me with a heartfelt request: they wanted me to take on the responsibility as President of the federation. Their confidence in me was humbling, but I was genuinely surprised. I expressed my gratitude but insisted that Prof. Satish Suryan, who had worked tirelessly to organize this landmark meeting and was an aspirant for the role, should be given the opportunity. "We will all support him," I assured them.
However, their conviction did not waver. Within half an hour, another group came forward with the same proposal. Feeling the weight of their trust, I decided to consult Prof. Rajnish Pise for guidance. After careful discussion, I agreed to consider the role-but only under the condition that the decision would be unanimous.
With this resolution in mind, I approached Prof. Suryan to share the developments. His reaction was one of visible annoyance. After a moment of contemplation, he firmly stated, "Let there be an election."
On that day, March 3 of 2006, by mid-morning, it was clear that the post of President would be decided through an election. The conference hall buzzed with anticipation, the atmosphere charged with tension. Mrs. Rane, Principal of Government Polytechnic, Panaji (Goa), was appointed as the Election Officer.
Prof. Satish Suryan and I were the candidates for this significant role. Mrs. Rane outlined the election procedure. As part of the process, each candidate was given five minutes to address the gathering and present their vision.
Prof. Suryan spoke first, passionately recounting the relentless efforts he and his team had invested in organizing this landmark meeting. He emphasized the strategic advantage of having a President based in Delhi, enabling closer coordination with the HRD Ministry. His appeal was heartfelt, urging the gathering to entrust him with the responsibility of leading the federation.
When my turn came, I walked towards the dais slowly, and with confidence. Standing firmly, I greeted the dignitaries on and off the dais; with a small smile on my face, I tried to lighten the atmosphere. I began by congratulating and thanking Prof. Suryan and his team for their commendable efforts in organizing this crucial meeting. Their dedication deserved recognition.
I spoke about the essence of an organization and the responsibilities of its leader. I shared my experiences—two decades of serving as General Secretary, navigating struggles within and beyond the system, and fostering unity among members.
After a big pause, I addressed the gathering: "Dear friends, personal sacrifice and strong commitment are the foundation stones of any organization." The room was silent, hanging on to every word. Turning to Prof. Suryan, I continued, "My dear Prof. Suryan, you deserve to be President; no doubt about it. Not for me, but for the benefit of our organization, for these people, I earnestly appeal to you to withdraw…"
The words resonated deeply. The room erupted in applause that filled the hall with energy and emotion. Prof. Suryan, moved by the moment, rose from his seat, approached the dais, and graciously announced his withdrawal. He congratulated me, and the applause grew even louder!
In that moment, I felt the profound impact of an earnest appeal !
Dr. Mahendra Ingale, Former Principal of Polytechnic
Pune, March 10, 2025
P.S. That same day, March 3, 2006, former U.S. President Bill Clinton was in New Delhi for an event. The leading news paper, Hindu’ covers both stories, giving them equal importance.
