Interview Transcript

Interviewer: Ankita Prabhakar

Interviewee: Mrs Prem Lata, (Post Graduate in Physics in 1988 and at present
managing family owned business in Patna)
Hello Ma’am. I am working on a project regarding which I need to interview you, and if you
permit, this will be recorded for academic purpose.

Yes. Please Go Ahead.

Please tell me something about yourself and your academic and professional background.

Hi, I am Mrs Prem Lata. I am almost on the age of my retirement. I studied Physics in my Graduation
from Magadh University and Post-Graduation from Patna Science College. I completed my Post
Graduation in the year 1988, after which I was married and became a house-wife. But, since 2008, I
have been handling our family business. I decided to join business because then, my husband
needed manpower. But now, it is in my blood as well.

You mentioned that you completed your post-graduation in 1988, which is really credible for those
days, specially being a woman. So, what was the most influential thing or person who influenced
you for this?

See, I was eldest among siblings and our Parents were not very much dedicated for our studies. So, I
had to guide my siblings. Then, I felt nothing was better than setting example for them.

That’s really inspiring. So, during your academic life, who was the most effective teacher you
remember? And why?

I think that most effective teacher in my academic life was my Physics teacher during my Graduation
days. Co-incidentally, her name was also Prem Lata. Basically, she was the one who inspired me for
my higher studies. During those days, we were not really allowed to study after graduation. But, with
her being my guiding light, I could enter my Dream College for my post-graduation and that too in
Physics. If not her, I would have stopped in graduation, maybe I would not have been even able to
complete my graduation due to family pressure. She was not just a physics teacher for me but also, a
mentor.

Do you remember any specific teaching technique used by her?

Yes. I remember few. Whenever I was stuck in any numerical and approached her for it, she would
first praise my approach, highlight my mistake and then ask me to complete it myself. At the
beginning, it was difficult but, her words were inspiring. I wouldn’t give up unless I solved that
problem.

She always referred my name to mathematics students of my batch for numerical solving skills. And
mathematics students used to come to me to discuss problems. In few initial interactions, I was
nervous. But gradually, I started liking it. Basically, it was her technique to keep me motivated. I
would work harder each day to solve new problems next day. This interaction technique helped me
build confidence.

Her explanations were basically with the help of diagrams. She would use real-life examples in
physics problem to explain it better. She taught me to play with numbers using physics laws.
Any specific incidence you remember?

Yes. As I said, she always pushed me for group discussions, she was a silent observer sometimes.
There was a mathematics student who was really brilliant and too quick to solve problems verbally.

I was sometimes really afraid to discuss problems with her. She was so fast that I was sometimes
demotivated. My teacher knew this well. Everyday, she sat with me an hour extra to make me as
good as possible in my area as he was in his area. That was the time when I realised, I cannot be
good at everything but if I am good at something, I should be best in that.

How effective were her techniques in retaining it for long duration?

They were really effective. She never believed in spoon feeding or examination approach of
teaching. As I mentioned, she would use real life examples in physics problems, that would motivate
me to see everything in the language of physics. Also, before moving to the next concept, she made
it sure that I was clear with previous concepts. That was really helpful in retaining every concept.

What according to you is the best technique to teach?

According to me, there is no best technique. Everybody doesn’t have same level of understanding.
So, the best should be a way that could make each student understand things. You should
understand the knowledge gap of the students and help them practice their learning. Bring in live
examples and help them relate it to the topic. Do not spoon-feed them rather, make them do things
by learnings. Encourage them for active learning. Make them Practice concepts practically.

How did your teacher influence your life?

In many ways. As I said, she was not just a teacher, but also a mentor. I was the only student of
Physics hons in the entire batch. But she, made me face healthy competitions always. She taught
me to use physics in real life. She helped me to get into my dream college for my post-graduation.
She has taught me lessons for life.

That’s really an inspiring story. Thankyou for your time ma’am. It means a lot.

Interview Conducted by

-Ankita Prabhakar,

Reg No: F007-19, Sec C

Indian Institute of Management Ranchi.

(Interview was conducted on phone and has been recorded in the best possible way)