In an era of endless traffic congestion to make way for VIP convoys, giant illegal billboards to hail politicians’ birthdays, and myriad other forms of showsha that end up alienating the general public, a minister managed to set an example for his peers last weekend with a little humility.This was probably the first time in some years that state education minister Vinod Tawde was attending an academic programme, but was not at the dais as the chief guest — instead, he was sitting amid the audience to watch the event, just like others at the gathering. The unique circumstances came about since Tawde and his wife, Varsha, were present primarily in the role of parents, in Pune to attend the orientation programme at the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (SSLA), where their daughter Anvee recently got admission.To quote the state minister of school education, higher and technical education and culture, he chose to give a hundred per cent as a father that day, and therefore did not step into the shoes of a minister.The Tawdes arrived in the city on July 13 to drop off Anvee at the hostel of the college she had applied to after Class XII, and were present at the orientation on July 15.Naturally, Tawde was also invited by the college management to the stage as a respected guest in the course of the function — but, he made it a point to refuse any special treatment, and preferred to sit in the audience with the other parents. In fact, the politician made this a completely personal visit, refusing to commute in his official minister’s car and instead using his own vehicle.Later, Tawde told Mirror, “After completing her studies in Mumbai, this is the first time my daughter will be staying on her own in a different city for her education. Like every father, I just wanted to make sure she is safe and secure wherever she stays, so my wife and I came along to settle her down in the hostel. I am a minister by profession, but my child did warn me that I was to keep my designation away for a day to focus on being her father during this orientation programme.”To settle his daughter in to the Symbiosis Viman Nagar campus last week, Tawde also officially sought permission to remain absent from the ongoing monsoon Assembly session in Nagpur, submitting in a letter to the Speaker that he would not be present on Friday due to his child’s admission responsibilities. After he took over as a minister in October 2014, this is the first time Tawde has been absent from any Assembly session.“I am a minister today, but may not be in the future. I will always be a father, and as one, this is an important phase in my child’s life. All these years, we have lived together and at least met at home at the end of the day. Now, she is embarking on a journey away from home, and I wanted to spend some time with her,” he shared.Tawde further said that it was wholly his daughter’s decision to pursue Liberal Arts, and he was informed about her selection only after she had finalised on her dream. “I am happy she was selected for the course due to her efforts. We were also considering the Ashoka University, but she was keen on joining Symbiosis,” he said, adding, “I had heard Malala Yousafzai father’s speak about how he would never cut his daughter’s wings, and wanted her to fly. I believe in this philosophy — my daughter will take her own decisions without my interference, and I will support her completely.”The keen dad also went a step ahead to acquaint himself with concepts under Liberal Arts, to better understand this comparatively new stream. “It is a beautiful, off-beat course that gives students a variety of subjects to delve into. I am proud my daughter chose it,” he said.Sunday’s orientation began with a message from the institute director introducing the programme, followed by a special session for parents with counsellors on ‘how to deal with young adults’. The Tawdes were present for every session of the programme, and curious to understand course details.SSLA director Anita Patankar confirmed that the minister had been an active member of the parental audience. “We were pleased that the education minister considered our Liberal Arts programme as a valuable one, and enrolled his daughter here. Her parents attended the induction programme like all others, participating in the sessions and workshop. It was a unique experience to have a top politician in the auditorium just being a regular parent, doing what other parents do — supporting their children,” she summed up.

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