Faces of IT BHU: Bahadur Prasad
From behind the meshed steel window he looks at an endless array of faces every day. His appearance is hazy to the queues of people courtesy to the cage that engulfs him within. He is mostly expressionless, a tinge slower than we’d want him to be, but a man very true to his job. His day is consumed catering to orders from hundreds of people, generating receipts in his modest machine and then returning the change. Bahadur Prasad has been a constant face at the cafeteria for four decades now.
A job at the IT BHU cafeteria for 45 Rupees a month on June 15th, 1976 was an epochal shift in Bahadur Prasad’s life. He had till then been an auto driver. Serving till 5 PM at the Cafeteria meant that he could pursue his Arts degree from BHU by attending the 5:30 PM evening classes. He graduated in 1981, fortunately a part the last batch after which evening classes in Arts were discontinued.
He is today 58, with 3 children: a daughter and two sons, all alumni of the university.
At the dawn of his career, 1 Rupee could fetch one a handsome breakfast. Two sweet dishes would cost 50 paisas, two namkeens were worth 30 paisas and chai was rated at 20 paisas. Today’s 25 Rupees lunch was back then for a humble sum of 1.50 Rupees. He believes things have changed.
Bahadur Prasad cycles his way to the cafeteria at 8 AM every morning. He owns a bike but prefers the pedals. He works till 5 PM, and then lets the new employee take over. It is his job to teach the young man. Humility is the biggest virtue he wishes to pass on.
On being asked about how he feels from behind the counter every day, Bahadur Prasad smiles, “Ab aadat si ho gayi hai. Aasan nahi hai yahan kaam karna. Jo bhi aata hai, bhookha-pyaasa hota hai. Unka khyaal rakhna humari jimmedari hai.”
On whether he had seen some change in students over the years and after conversion to IIT, he is skeptical. “IT BHU students have always been studious and have kept an arm’s length from politics,’ he continues. ‘Sab badey gharo se aate hain yahan. Hum sab inse accha vivhar karte hain kyunki shayad ye sahenge nahi.”
He is well remembered by the alumni who visit the institute. He recalls how the Union Minister Manoj Sinha identified him at once. He was well respected among the IT BHU students. ‘Khushi hoti hai ki humare bacche kahan kahan hai, desh-videsh mei naam roshan kar rahe hain. Accha lagta hai ki inhe hum yaad hain, aur humne inko chai-nashta kraya hai.”
He believes he gives his very best to the job. ‘We have never compromised with quality. Yes, the rates have increased, but they are still cheaper than the market. I coordinate with the Chairman to solve every issue that rises. We also maintain a Complaints Register. I personally hear to suggestions students might have. The last month’s Gajar ka Halwa is a result of popular demand from the students.”
Bahadur Prasad has his worries too. His staff has not expanded but the institute’s influx has risen drastically over the years. The Cafeteria, despite catering pretty much exclusively to the IIT’s needs is still under BHU. He recalls when the director once visited and acknowledged the workload. But not much has been done. Bahadur Prasad hopes that the staff is expanded or at least given a grade promotion and shifted under IIT. He believes the demands to be very genuine, but reassures that his team will continue caring for the students despite the delay in being heard.
Bahadur Prasad retires in November next year.