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Looking Back
Raju G. C. (Nepal)
Assisting Teacher,
Beaconhouse National University, Lahore.
As an introspection, I am myself surprised to see how I
have transformed since joining the Beaconhouse
National University (BNU) in 2003. The BNU is situated
in Lahore, Pakistan. My transformation after studying art under
the Ambassador Madanjeet Singh scholarship at BNU is
analogical to the Zen anecdote that I came across earlier.
“Before studying Zen, trees are trees and mountains are
mountains. While studying Zen, things become confused. After
studying Zen, trees are still trees and mountains are still
mountains. Then one would perhaps wonder, “What is the
difference between before and after?” Well, there is no
difference, only the feet are a little bit off the ground. The
large part of the credit for lifting my feet a little bit off the
ground goes to my teachers who always encouraged us to
think critically, question and learn; and importantly to
“unlearn”. It is what has shaped my ‘educational upbringing’
at BNU.
I feel proud in saying that we had an exciting, challenging and a
ground breaking academic environment at BNU. We are highly
Prof. Salima Hashmi talking to her students at the BNU, Lahore.
obliged to Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder of SAF, and
Mrs. Salima Hashmi, without whom the educational milieu,
hospitality and multi- cultural experiences we have had would
remain simply a far fetched dream.
When I recall the year 2003, I retain a moment in which I felt
delighted, enthusiastic and even adventurous! That year
brought about a ray of new hope, dynamism and optimism
that were to colour the rest of my life! It was the year when I
was selected as one of the students from Nepal to study at the
BNU under SAF Scholarship. Two students from each member
country of SAARC were to represent his / her nation.
It has been four and half years since then. I graduated in June
2007 with distinction. I stood first position in Fine Arts
Department (batch 2003 -2007) and was awarded with a Gold
Medal. I feel proud and contended for being able to prove the
trust I was entrusted with. I am currently doing my Post
Graduate Studies in Art Education and also working as an
Assisting Teacher at BNU.
I have special memories attached to the place I teach. It is
familiar and intimate. Even these days, I go to the same classes
and premises that I used to go as a student. This is the space
where I prepared myself to be a ‘good learner ’. And that’s
where I teach my students now.
Raju G.C.
Title: Oil on Canvas
Medium: Acrylic and Pastel on canvas
Year: 2007
Besides teaching, I have been working as an artist and
participating in different exhibitions thanks to the wide contacts
of the BNU. Recently I was a part of VASL Artists’ Residency,
Taaza Tareen III at Karachi. It was a month long from 6 th January
– 6 th February, 2008 and was a remarkable experience to
share space, interact, and work together with other five other
emerging young artists.
SAF-Madanjeet Singh scholarship and four years’ of study/stay
in Pakistan did a lot to shape my thoughts, beliefs and vision.
Delights, surprises and ‘shocks’ came in different packets and
assemblages. All the processes bestowed us with the prospect
to better mould ourselves.
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SAF - Quarterly