Sunday, September 26, 2010

Reply to Birendra Pandey

Padma Devkota

Letter to the Editor

    Dr. Beerendra Pandey's "Mocking at Mediocrity: A Disclaimer" (November 20, 2005) has revealed to every intelligent reader the academic quality of a university teacher who also tutors students on how to write. On the one hand, the tone of the write-up speaks for the sensibility of its writer. On the other hand, his claim that my "mischievous use" of his "Message" in the KMC prospectus turns it out to be "inflammatory" only proves the point that he does not understand what he writes.
Rather than be personal like Dr. Pandey, let me draw the readers' attention to the major issues of the debate. Ajit Baral's question on the sincerity of university professors in the blurbs of Yubraj Aryal's collection of short stories is still a burning issue. My article "Celebration of Mediocrity" (KTM Post October 9, 2005) highlights the fawning attitude of university teachers that functions elsewhere too. To prove that it doesn't Dr. Pandey has adopted the strategy of flattering his boss and some others from whom he probably has something to gain. He hopes to please some of his "respectable colleagues including the current HOD, whom I respect very much, both as an administrator and as a person" by slandering me in public. Such intellectual servility is simply another form of sycophancy.
    Dr. Pandey's confidence that his dishonest, unethical and unprofessional act of undermining the Central Department of English, TU, Kirtipur, can be washed or waved away simply by chiding me in public and by ludicrously apologizing for what he once sturdily upheld among critical colleagues is really pitiable. He has indeed disclaimed his own institution, Tribhuvan University, because KMC bought his service with money. No, not all the perfumes of Arabia will wash the stain away!
    Finally, Dr. Pandey has made his choice clear: to wallow in the sewage, which is worse than to be mediocre. Mediocres can be wonderfully civilized and sociable people despite their intellectual dimness. I cannot say the same thing about Dr. Pandey. Therefore, I am left with no choice but to dismiss and ignore his ranting.

The Kathmandu Post
November 23, 2005

No comments:

Post a Comment