Natore (AsiaNews) - For the Catholic Church of Bangladesh, Gouro Pado Mondol, 68, is a "creative and honest teacher devoted to his work" who during his many years of work helped students "find their way, supporting them in their choices."
A Hindu, the retired teacher and former principal dedicated 42 years to St Joseph High School in Bompara, Natore. On the 50th anniversary of the Catholic-run institution, school authorities decided to award Mondol a prize for service rendered.
The Fathers of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) founded the Catholic school in 1963 and the Hindu professor was among the first teachers it hired.
Speaking to AsiaNews, current principal Fr Julian Rozario described Mondol as "a very capable teacher, who kept politics out of the school and turned it into the best educational institution in the district."
"I tried to teach students all sorts of things," said Mondol as he described to AsiaNews his experience as a teacher and school principal.
"My motto was 'Learn and then go and serve.' Although I am a Hindu, I never had problems with school authorities. I have good relations with all religions. "
For some of the students who followed in his footsteps, he has also been a source of inspiration.
One of them is Shamsul Rahman, a Muslim, who now teaches at Pabna's Government Women's College. "From Professor Mondol, I learnt that teaching is not a trade, but a vocation."
