Disclaimer: Today’s post is a small detour from forests and fauna. It’s simply about someone I liked and respected very much.

It has been over 3 weeks, and I am still trying to come to terms with the news of our dear Rohini Ma’am’s passing. She was the Head of the Zoology Department at Ruia College back in 2005 when we joined for our undergraduate programme. Rohini Ma’am was a dynamic personality, far ahead of her time, and someone who shaped us quietly and deeply. For many of us, she was a parent figure without judgment.

Her teaching was unconventional, yet effortless. She spoke to us casually, never from a pedestal, and learning felt more like a conversation than a command. Back then, I probably had different expectations of what a teacher should be, and I may not have labelled her as one of the “best” teachers in the conventional sense. But she was definitely among my most favourite teachers.

She gave us reality checks when required, but she also understood that not everyone belonged in the same field. She knew that some of us had our hearts elsewhere, and she never made us feel small for it. Instead, she encouraged us. She never questioned our choices, whether it was bunking lectures or immersing ourselves in extra-curricular activities, sports, student council work, social events, or festivals. She treated us like adults, and not young minds who need to be “taught things in life”. She believed that at that age, we needed the freedom to figure out our own path, including how and what to study. She trusted us to find our own way and never discouraged us from being busy, curious, or passionate.

She was a PhD in Zoology and she was also a Major in the NCC. Seeing her in uniform was a powerful experience. Back then, seeing a woman in uniform was not common, and she carried it with quiet strength and authority. She lived by example, and her presence left a lasting impression on all of us.

Looking back, I realise that she taught us far more about life than about zoology. It was something I appreciated even then, and something I value even more now. Teachers are among the most powerful people on this planet, often without even realising it. They shape minds quietly and leave behind lasting impressions.

I am still coming to terms with the fact that Rohini Ma’am is no more, but I want to share this: her students will remember her not just as their zoology professor, but as a mentor who advised without judgment, something we all need during our formative years as we grow into adults. Thank you for being who you were, Rohini Ma’am. You will be missed but never forgotten.

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