An Interview with Asst. Prof. D.N. Mahato
Dip Narayan Mahato is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, Kathmandu University, Nepal. Presently, he is on study leave, working for his PhD in Physics with his major research in Biomedical Nanotechnology at State University of New York (SUNY), University at Albany, USA. He has served Kathmandu University for more than nine years in different capacities. He was a very dedicated, hard working and honest faculty in Kathmandu University. Recently the blog management team had a chance to interview him, here are the excerpts:
BMT: Good Morning Sir.
Mr. Mahato: Good morning, how are you doing today?
BMT: Fine, thank you sir. Good to have an opportunity to interview you today. Could you please let me know your past association with KU, and in what capacity?
Mr. Mahato: I joined KU in February 1995 as an instructor in the Department of Physics when I was waiting for the result of my M.Sc. second year. I was promoted to temporary Lecturer after I submitted the transcript of my Master's Degree. I got the permanent Lecturer position in January 1998. It was said that one needed at least one additional degree, either M. Phil. or PhD, to get one's promotion to Assistant Professor. I completed M.Phil. from KU in service and got promoted to Assistant Professor in 2001. Now I am on study leave and working for my PhD at State University of New York (SUNY), University at Albany, USA.
BMT: Having worked for this many years, what is your impression about this institution?
Mr. Mahato: I would say, it's basically a kind of privately administered public institution that has maintained a good academic standard. However, to see this institution like a real university, it needs a lot of changes in the education and administration systems, and also in the programs of graduate and undergraduate study. Regarding the question of whether or not KU is appropriate for somebody to work, not to speak of only my impression, even every single faculty who has worked in KU right from its early childhood has never thought of abandoning such an academically healthy and progressive institution.
BMT: You have worked very honestly for KU for so many years; did you have any difficulty in getting study leave?
Mr. Mahato: I did not have any difficulty in getting Unpaid Study Leave. However, requesting a Paid Study Leave, I had talked personally to Dr. Pushpa Raj Adhikary for more than half an hour, argued with him in as many ways as I could, but did not get any green signal. Then I talked to Dr. Sitaram Adhikary for at least half an hour in his office and got the reply that they had changed the rule not to give Paid Study Leave, but he added that he could consider me as special case because of my continuous service in KU for more than nine years. I tried to strengthen my chance by talking to Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma for more than an hour in Manbhavan's Management College, got some positive expectation but eventually I received the letter of Unpaid Study Leave. While talking to him, I expressed a disparity towards KU that such a well-built institution is heading towards Nepotism Death in future, but he replied, "Do not worry, KU will have a good future because I have not appointed any bad personality in KU". I still remember this special sentence and tend to shower pity at the present situation.
BMT: But they say the deserving candidates get priorities when hiring, promoting and while granting leave. What makes one eligible? Who else could be more eligible than you are?
Mr. Mahato: That was true during the early 90's when KU was just an infant. Later on, they changed the criteria and gradually the best eligibility requirement for hiring, promoting and granting leave has publicly been seen to be the member of their family, one way or the other. Honestly speaking, I do not see any reason for not granting me the paid leave, except I did not come of as their family member.
BMT: So there are some people in KU who are privileged? Is that right?
Mr. Mahato: Absolutely. If the same question goes to Dr. Sharma or Dr. Adhikary, I am sure they will ethically answer the same as I did.
BMT: Did KU send you to US for PhD? Or does KU have any role in sending you to US?Mr. Mahato: I am in USA by my own efforts, but KU has granted me Study Leave, though it's unpaid. So, the answer is "No" for sure, but "Yes", of course, on the other hand. KU compelled me disrespectfully to get my PhD. This is the great role of KU in sending me to USA. Though I am still happy, I would have been little more happier if KU had not been disrespectful to me. More important, I am feeling a kind of tired of hearing the same type of ridiculous things over and over again. Somebody had mentioned in the past that Dr. Ghanshyam Bhatt was sent to Italy by KU, which was absolutely wrong in the sense that he got that luck by his own efforts.
BMT: KU authority was unwilling to cooperate when KUPA was being formed. What could be the reason behind that?
Mr. Mahato: The reason is quite simple and obvious. They knew that KUPA was going to bring about a historic change in KU which they never liked.
BMT: There is a virtual organization in KU called No-KUPA, isn't that offensive?
Mr. Mahato: KUPA was born to fight against what is now No-KUPA. The answer is clear.
BMT: Recently this blog has learnt that No-KUPA members are being promoted, would that be a good motivation to academic honesty?
Mr. Mahato: Never, and in deed, how could that be? To be honest, this is also a kind of nepotism that seems to persist, one after another, even after such a historic change in KU. But all I can say is: "Every bad attempt has to have an unpleasant return", this is the law of nature.
BMT: There is no doubt that Dr. Sharma was solely responsible for the establishment of KU. With the allegation from all sides, do you think he is still capable of leading this institution?
Mr. Mahato: Not at all! He gave birth to KU to make a good academic institution in the country where Nepalese people, either serving the institution or being served in the institution, could get well-benefited in a democratic pattern. But the circumstances have changed a lot, and he should have his own vision to see that KU needs a new leadership to have it gain what it was meant for. I cannot blame him, but I can hope, he might be thinking of getting a respectful escape from KU so that he could hold the position of a good character in the history of KU. A creator should not see the creation to be declining!
BMT: Dr. Sharma doesn't listen to his co-workers. He dictates them, so the principled academicians hesitate to work under him and leave the job sooner or later. Only yes men stay intact with him. Do you disagree with it?
Mr. Mahato: I completely agree. In principle, nobody is perfect in all respects. One has to trust in others, too. Darkness never realizes that it is dark unless it gets light to be bright. And regarding the YES-MEN, they should never forget that dignity is also a kind of holy thing in life.
BMT: How do you see the charges of Nepotism against Dr. Sharma and Adhikary?
Mr. Mahato: If Dr. Sharma and Adhikary are really honest, they should pay the appropriate charges of nepotism that they have spread in KU by themselves.
BMT: Don't you think the administration controls the dean's offices by assigning voiceless hanumans in dean's offices?
Mr. Mahato: Definitely I do. And Saraswati Prasad Rimal is the best example. I have been the grader of exam papers in KU for a long time when he used to control the I. Sc. exam system as a whole. Once upon a time, when I asked somebody why he had been assigned for that job even though he was not capable of, the answer was that KU was giving him simply the respect for an old man. Now he has been assigned to control the Dean's office, which, possibly, he had never dreamed of, or more accurately, he was never capable of.
BMT: Many former and current academic staffs, like you, are studying internationally. This advantage could be a very huge resource for KU. In what way, is KU taking advantage from you?
Mr. Mahato: KU is an academic institution, and an academic institution can be strong only if the professionals are really strong. Having gained the training and knowledge of many things of international standard, those associated with KU could come up with new visions to help KU get built up to the top of the ladder where it could be compared with some other good international institutions.
BMT: What should KUPA do in order to make KU an academic institution where everyone has values, thoughts and a better place for everyone that contributes the nation?
Mr. Mahato: First of all, KUPA should never forget that good actions never go unrewarded and that evil deeds never go unpunished. This will make KUPA function well to maintain a healthy, fair and transparent atmosphere in KU.
BMT: Any message to blog readers?
Mr. Mahato: Think big, never get disappointed while struggling, and always try to become good. Success often comes after setbacks.
BMT: Thank you very much sir.
Mr. Mahato: You are most welcome. And thank you for inviting me for this interview. I wish BMT every success in carrying out its future role to establish a pleasant atmosphere in KU for everybody to breathe in.
BMT: Good Morning Sir.
Mr. Mahato: Good morning, how are you doing today?
BMT: Fine, thank you sir. Good to have an opportunity to interview you today. Could you please let me know your past association with KU, and in what capacity?
Mr. Mahato: I joined KU in February 1995 as an instructor in the Department of Physics when I was waiting for the result of my M.Sc. second year. I was promoted to temporary Lecturer after I submitted the transcript of my Master's Degree. I got the permanent Lecturer position in January 1998. It was said that one needed at least one additional degree, either M. Phil. or PhD, to get one's promotion to Assistant Professor. I completed M.Phil. from KU in service and got promoted to Assistant Professor in 2001. Now I am on study leave and working for my PhD at State University of New York (SUNY), University at Albany, USA.
BMT: Having worked for this many years, what is your impression about this institution?
Mr. Mahato: I would say, it's basically a kind of privately administered public institution that has maintained a good academic standard. However, to see this institution like a real university, it needs a lot of changes in the education and administration systems, and also in the programs of graduate and undergraduate study. Regarding the question of whether or not KU is appropriate for somebody to work, not to speak of only my impression, even every single faculty who has worked in KU right from its early childhood has never thought of abandoning such an academically healthy and progressive institution.
BMT: You have worked very honestly for KU for so many years; did you have any difficulty in getting study leave?
Mr. Mahato: I did not have any difficulty in getting Unpaid Study Leave. However, requesting a Paid Study Leave, I had talked personally to Dr. Pushpa Raj Adhikary for more than half an hour, argued with him in as many ways as I could, but did not get any green signal. Then I talked to Dr. Sitaram Adhikary for at least half an hour in his office and got the reply that they had changed the rule not to give Paid Study Leave, but he added that he could consider me as special case because of my continuous service in KU for more than nine years. I tried to strengthen my chance by talking to Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma for more than an hour in Manbhavan's Management College, got some positive expectation but eventually I received the letter of Unpaid Study Leave. While talking to him, I expressed a disparity towards KU that such a well-built institution is heading towards Nepotism Death in future, but he replied, "Do not worry, KU will have a good future because I have not appointed any bad personality in KU". I still remember this special sentence and tend to shower pity at the present situation.
BMT: But they say the deserving candidates get priorities when hiring, promoting and while granting leave. What makes one eligible? Who else could be more eligible than you are?
Mr. Mahato: That was true during the early 90's when KU was just an infant. Later on, they changed the criteria and gradually the best eligibility requirement for hiring, promoting and granting leave has publicly been seen to be the member of their family, one way or the other. Honestly speaking, I do not see any reason for not granting me the paid leave, except I did not come of as their family member.
BMT: So there are some people in KU who are privileged? Is that right?
Mr. Mahato: Absolutely. If the same question goes to Dr. Sharma or Dr. Adhikary, I am sure they will ethically answer the same as I did.
BMT: Did KU send you to US for PhD? Or does KU have any role in sending you to US?Mr. Mahato: I am in USA by my own efforts, but KU has granted me Study Leave, though it's unpaid. So, the answer is "No" for sure, but "Yes", of course, on the other hand. KU compelled me disrespectfully to get my PhD. This is the great role of KU in sending me to USA. Though I am still happy, I would have been little more happier if KU had not been disrespectful to me. More important, I am feeling a kind of tired of hearing the same type of ridiculous things over and over again. Somebody had mentioned in the past that Dr. Ghanshyam Bhatt was sent to Italy by KU, which was absolutely wrong in the sense that he got that luck by his own efforts.
BMT: KU authority was unwilling to cooperate when KUPA was being formed. What could be the reason behind that?
Mr. Mahato: The reason is quite simple and obvious. They knew that KUPA was going to bring about a historic change in KU which they never liked.
BMT: There is a virtual organization in KU called No-KUPA, isn't that offensive?
Mr. Mahato: KUPA was born to fight against what is now No-KUPA. The answer is clear.
BMT: Recently this blog has learnt that No-KUPA members are being promoted, would that be a good motivation to academic honesty?
Mr. Mahato: Never, and in deed, how could that be? To be honest, this is also a kind of nepotism that seems to persist, one after another, even after such a historic change in KU. But all I can say is: "Every bad attempt has to have an unpleasant return", this is the law of nature.
BMT: There is no doubt that Dr. Sharma was solely responsible for the establishment of KU. With the allegation from all sides, do you think he is still capable of leading this institution?
Mr. Mahato: Not at all! He gave birth to KU to make a good academic institution in the country where Nepalese people, either serving the institution or being served in the institution, could get well-benefited in a democratic pattern. But the circumstances have changed a lot, and he should have his own vision to see that KU needs a new leadership to have it gain what it was meant for. I cannot blame him, but I can hope, he might be thinking of getting a respectful escape from KU so that he could hold the position of a good character in the history of KU. A creator should not see the creation to be declining!
BMT: Dr. Sharma doesn't listen to his co-workers. He dictates them, so the principled academicians hesitate to work under him and leave the job sooner or later. Only yes men stay intact with him. Do you disagree with it?
Mr. Mahato: I completely agree. In principle, nobody is perfect in all respects. One has to trust in others, too. Darkness never realizes that it is dark unless it gets light to be bright. And regarding the YES-MEN, they should never forget that dignity is also a kind of holy thing in life.
BMT: How do you see the charges of Nepotism against Dr. Sharma and Adhikary?
Mr. Mahato: If Dr. Sharma and Adhikary are really honest, they should pay the appropriate charges of nepotism that they have spread in KU by themselves.
BMT: Don't you think the administration controls the dean's offices by assigning voiceless hanumans in dean's offices?
Mr. Mahato: Definitely I do. And Saraswati Prasad Rimal is the best example. I have been the grader of exam papers in KU for a long time when he used to control the I. Sc. exam system as a whole. Once upon a time, when I asked somebody why he had been assigned for that job even though he was not capable of, the answer was that KU was giving him simply the respect for an old man. Now he has been assigned to control the Dean's office, which, possibly, he had never dreamed of, or more accurately, he was never capable of.
BMT: Many former and current academic staffs, like you, are studying internationally. This advantage could be a very huge resource for KU. In what way, is KU taking advantage from you?
Mr. Mahato: KU is an academic institution, and an academic institution can be strong only if the professionals are really strong. Having gained the training and knowledge of many things of international standard, those associated with KU could come up with new visions to help KU get built up to the top of the ladder where it could be compared with some other good international institutions.
BMT: What should KUPA do in order to make KU an academic institution where everyone has values, thoughts and a better place for everyone that contributes the nation?
Mr. Mahato: First of all, KUPA should never forget that good actions never go unrewarded and that evil deeds never go unpunished. This will make KUPA function well to maintain a healthy, fair and transparent atmosphere in KU.
BMT: Any message to blog readers?
Mr. Mahato: Think big, never get disappointed while struggling, and always try to become good. Success often comes after setbacks.
BMT: Thank you very much sir.
Mr. Mahato: You are most welcome. And thank you for inviting me for this interview. I wish BMT every success in carrying out its future role to establish a pleasant atmosphere in KU for everybody to breathe in.
17 comments:
Mahato Sir,
Your thoughts expressed in this interview make me believe that there are flaws in the administration of KU, otherwise you wouldn't speak it. You dedicated a decade for KU, in return they betrayed you. Sitaram's departure was a nightmare for him. No one even said good- bye to him. Now it's Dr. Sharma's turn,whether he leaves his office respectfully or the way Adhikary did.
Your student from the batch of 1997
Darilo Mukka pugena suresh rai lai.
Launa KU ka sathiho, Mahato sir le jasti uthuno paryo.
Laxman G
Hello
Mahato Sir is right. The true picture in now is as follows.
Bhola Thapa, Sanjay Khanal, Panna Thapa and Deepak Subedi from academic sectors are either getting promoted or already apomoted. In administration Mukund and Kumar Baral are the major roles to defame KUPA. However the relatives now have low morale because Sitaram is gone.
Pushpa Raj is switching side, he is close to KUPA now. Rimal is too old to make any comments, probably he will not take this responsibility, as he can't even up and down the stairs. One thing happened over the past few weeks, Mukuns is now more powerful than ever.
This is what the ground reality is.
I would like to remain
anonymous
Thanks Mahato Sir for letting know people some of the irregularities happening in KU. The authorities whom we trusted most finally betrayed us most. We gave them hand when KU had not taken its shape. They do not remember those days and think that they are the only who made KU.
Pokhrel C
Dear Mahatoji,
Thanks for an insight view on KU administration's misdid's. I strongly agree to your idea of kicking out suresh raj sharma
Mahato Sir,
Thanks for your opinion. We agree with you that KU authority, mainly Suresh Sir and Sitaram Sir did not run administration effectively. They must have supported long standing faculty member like you.
Thanks!
You have expressed the truth about KU. I am very much hopeful that your interview makes many peoples to know more about Nepotism in KU. I came to know from your interview that you did not get paid leave due to change in rule of “paid study leave”. I think this rule applies only for the people who are not relatives of Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma and Dr. Sitaram Adhikari. If you were Mr. Brijesh then you would have got paid leave. It becomes clearer that these people can’t run KU administration efficiently.
I hope KUPA will bring KU in right track. Please It may take some time but that the day will come soon when there is no Nepotism in KU.
Dear DN Sir, Your interview will be a very learnful for them to make better management. While there is also feelings from upper catagories. When I was teaching there I felt.
KU is only for the family memebers of VC and Registrar, not for others. There is no future of teachers.
Let us see
Thanks again for your Jod Dar Mukka on the face of KU Authorities.
Thanks
111911
Hi
The first thing KUPA needs to go is to investigate the charges against Sitaram. They shouldn't let him go very easily. He must be brought to justice.
Every single professor points fingure at Sitaram and Suresh raj other than a bunch of their their bootlickers. Isn't that something to worry about?
Bravo Mahato sir, you stand very high, and of course dignity has values but not for bootlickers regretfully.
Formet student of KU
Dear Mahato Sir,
Tapae le lekhe ko kura ekdam satya ho. Tapae le afno interview marfat aafno sahasi pan dekhaunu bhaye ko chha. Yaste KU ka sabe teacher le dekhaye bhane Dr. Suresh Raj ra Dr. Sitaram ra ein ka puchhar haru ko baja baj chha ne.
Dr. Suresh Raj ra Dr. Sitaram le gare ko vrastachar ko chhan bin garne parchha. Eini haru ko matre hoena, enka puchhar Mr. Mukund, Mr. Kumar Baral, Dr. Bhola Thapa(Hanuman) etc sabe le vrastachar gare ko chhanbin hunu parchha. Brijesh le ta KU ma kaam garnu bhanda badhi study leave ma ne bitaye ka chhan (India-MS, China, ra ahile 4.5 barsadekhi NTNU, Norway), tayase le yas ko study leave ko pani chhan bin garnu parchha. Malae biswas lagchha ki e sabe kaam ma KUPA sakchham hune chhan, ani matre KU pariwarik university bata samajik university banne chhan.
Dhanayabad !!
Dear BMC,
I posted a comment with a list of who were involved in no-KUPA movement, but you have deleted it. Sir, this is not fair. I have done a little research to give you this information. Well, if you wish you could edit some bit of the information, but why do you want to sit on the information? I know you are fighter, and I am only supporting your cause along with KUPA.
Please put that as part of the comment, or a part of seperate item on you blog.
Thank you.
Pradyapak
Mahato sir,
Thanks for nice words.Yes, KU authority thinks that they sent me to Italy and US for higher studies. They claim that I caused a huge loss to them. They didn't even give me a copy of my job termination letter, which I requested to them last summer. With the formation of KUPA, I assume they will take this issue seriously as it's a common problem to all.
Thanks once again for your thoughts and nice words for me.
Ghanshyam Bhatt
Dear Pradhyapak Jee,
I agree with you that you prepared one detailed report. However, because of your adopting the same name like ours, it is likely that it may cause confusion. So, I suggest you to write you under some other aliases. Now, regarding your sweeping statement, BMC has some reservations. We should not fight against nepotism like that. Neither we can attack anybody personally. If you are interested to have further discussion on this issue please drop me an e-mail at pradhyapak@gmail.com
BMC
Dear Dr. Mahato
Very impressed with your interview. Thank you for your supportive words towards KUPA. Just to let all the readers of this blogsite know, we have been dormant for a few month as we were giving benefit of doubt to the management. However, the recent revelation that "respected" VC of KU invited exec. members of Student Welfare Council asking for their "help" in countering KUPA has changed our stance. We will not tolerate this type of cowardly act and our response will be seen in coming days. It's time for a complete change of management.
Sameer Dixit, PhD
GS, KUPA
Kathmandu University
Dear Sameer sir,
Definitely, this is cowardly act by Suresh Raj Sharma and his gang.
Yeah, Suresh Raj can do all these things. He can do anything. He just wants to stick to his chair. His nepotism, his greed for power, his penchant for saintlyness and his desire to transfer academic administration to his offsprings clearly indicate that this fellow is out and out rogue and should be immidiately kicked out of KU.
However, prevalent corruption and other problems in Nepal show that our politicians are too busy to bother about KU. It is the need of the hour that we all faculties should unite again and start showing his true colour to people.
Dear Mahato Sir,
You are absolutely right. KU belongs to utterly casteist, nepotistic narrowminded people whose sole qualification in securing upward mobility is ability to lick boot.
For honest faculties, these parochial mindsets always cause one or another problem. The days are not far away when the real stakeholders of KU will call the shots.
S.B.Shrestha
The University of Tokyo
Yes, time has come to send Suresh Sharma to send to "Aktiyar Durupayog Nibaran Ayoga". They will decide where he should be kept for all his irregularities to lead his laxuariou life. This guy used to teach tution in "Sukul" and sell solutions of old questions.When he became VC he became able to earn Hotel-like buildings in several places not only for him but also for his family members.He is not only corrupcted person in his family but his brother is charged on corrupction case by "Aktiyar". His gene is like that. No one does corrucption signing a paper for proof. When you compare his life style and legal source of income that gives you proof for his corrupction. Do you know how he became professor? Since he is Raja Bhakta, advertisement was published for application during Dashain Holiday when all other teacher were in vacation, that also in very short notice. This "Raja Bhakta" guy should go along with "Raja".
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