Rajasthan Association for Studies in English
The Course Coordinator, Hemendra Singh Chandalia, walks briskly to dais, holds the mike gently, and begins to speak in his characteristic suave but firm voice:
“Hello, friends! This is the 19th day of the course, and before we plunge into our post-lunch session today, may I speak to you about a proposal? You are all academically very active and committed – shan’t we have a platform where we can share our concerns, feelings, and view about English studies in our state and country?” He paused. The listeners looked at each other and nodded their heads affirmatively. He continued: “Shan’t we have an Association of English teachers in Rajasthan? What do you say?” And instantly, there was a huge yell of “y…e…s” from the audience. It was a decisive yell.
The next morning, all the 46 participants of the Course gave their formal consent and contribution – and the Rajasthan Association for Studies came into existence. Amen!
Then, quickly enough, the following teachers were chosen unanimously to form the Executive Body of the Association, entrusted with the task of drafting the Constitution and setting forth the objectives:
Thus, born the aspirations of the English teachers of Rajasthan and fostered by the competent comrades like S.N. Joshi and H.S. Chandalia, the key functionaries, the RASE has grown in size and strength over a period.