He was a big body, active and energetic-
a kind of bouncing bubbling man who always spoke from authority.
Originally he came from some small mid-western town but a colourful
character he went to England, took his doctoral degree at the University
of London. But he lacked intellectual vigour and creative vitality. He
knew my supervisor at London University but I had not met him till I
arrived in America. In 1963, I was invited for a professorial post ,
with offer of good salary, and travel expenses of all family of five
paid. In the Fall of 1964, I joined the University of Wisconsin, at
Madison campus, and for the first time met the gentleman who was the
chairperson of the department.
I had not applied for the post, nor have I been asked to submit my
certificates of qualification. I was not required to appear for any
interview before any expert committee. And yet, over a telephone, I was
offered the post of an Associate Professor for the year 1964-65, to be
confirmed later for a tenure-tract position.
I taught the 1964-65 academic session and became a popular teacher
accessible to students. In my students years in England, I had become
interested and involved with the civil rights and politico-freedom
movements of that times. The white-black (racism)and the American
Vietnam War were the burning issues in those years. And I was vocal in
my criticism of the war and often delivered public speeches on the
freedom struggle of Asian people.
In the Spring of 1965, I was summoned to the chairman’s office and
without any usual pleasantries, the chair asked:
“Last night, at so-n-so’s dinner party, what were you discussing about
me and the female..colleague?”
“Oh, you know my preoccupation with the Vietnam War? I know nothing of
you and any of your affairs..” I was taken aback with such tirade. But
my chairman continued that an Indian female assistant in the department
had reported that I had made unfavourable comments about his and her
relation.
I protested but of no avail. He struck with anger:
“You are sacked. You cannot teach here any more.”
But only a few weeks ago, I had signed a formal document accepting the
professorship at the university and the gentleman had formally sponsored
my permanent US- visa application. “ What will happen to my
visa-application then?” I pleaded with him.
“That too stands cancelled.” Retorted the fat angry chairman.
I rushed to the Dean who expressed total helplessness in view of the
chairman’s recommendation. There was no place to appeal and no legal
course open to me to defend my self. That was the week that my
parents-in-law were to visit us from the United Kingdom. But I had no
job and no place to run in that alien land.
For two weeks I kept my story to myself. My wife and the in-laws knew
nothing about my dilemma. By the third week, one of my articles, was
published in the New York Times. A professor from Chicago University
phoned me and enquired how was I doing at the university as he wanted me
to take up another post. He invited me to Michigan State University
where I delivered a lecture and secured a teaching assignment. I taught
at Michigan State University, East Lansing campus for 8 years, and in
1972 returned to India.
While still in the USA, I learned that the chairman was divorced and
living in his country house at the outskirt of Madison.
One day, as he went inside the basement of his country house, and
lighted the pilot-flame of the heating system, the leaking gas exploded.
The man was burnt 90%. He suffered for a few weeks, but the doctors
could not save him. The chairman went to his heavenly abode without
friends or family around.
Perhaps he was less judicious in his judgements and too rash in action.
I swear I had never wished him ill. But the colourful character remained
vivid in my mind till this day.
