One August morning, Kaikasi got a call from renowned writer Subhash Chandran, asking her to do an interview for the Mathrubhumi illustrated weekly. On hearing the name of the interviewee, she stood captivated. An unforeseen opportunity to interview Arundathi Roy, the Booker Prize winner, had befallen her. What followed was an arduous journey that lasted a whole year, which ultimately turned fruitful in 2021.

From bagging the New Indian Express’ South India’s Most Inspiring Teacher (40 under 40) Award to becoming the heart and soul of UNIQ and The Lecterns, Kaikasi V S, Assistant Professor in English at the University College, Thiruvananthapuram, has numerous laurels in her possession.

Q. Not many people would know that ‘Kaikasi’ is a prominent character from the Ramayana. Your name is as unique as your personality. Any story behind it?

My father wanted to give me a unique name and hence chose Kaikasi – Ravana’s mother, as the character is noted for her courage and fiery nature. In Sanskrit, there is a phrase: kikasasya abadhyam sthree, which simply means Kaikasi - daughter of Kikasa. In the 1980s, people did not want their children’s name to explicitly assert caste identities. But nowadays, the circumstances are changing. Considering the current times, people often ask me if I face any threat due to my name as it has roots in a demon family. However, nothing of the sort has happened so far.

Q. You wanted to pursue a career in civil services, but then opted for teaching. What changed your resolve?

Growing up, I always wanted to become a civil servant. But the words of former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson IAS, changed my mind. ‘Teaching is the best profession. A civil servant is a big clerk who deals with files, nothing more. But teachers deal with students, the future of the nation. They always engage with youngsters and remain young in their hearts’, he said. These words prompted me to analyze both professions and I concluded that teaching has beautiful pace to it. A teacher is more like a celebrity. The love and respect we receive from our students is genuine. The same cannot be said about civil servants. For me, teaching is 100% percent rewarding.

Q. Your students refer to you as ‘democratic’, a rare but desired quality in teachers. Isn’t it high time that all teachers embrace such values?

Yes. To be democratic is the bare minimum, at its max, a teacher should learn from her students. There is no need for any hesitation. Asking doubts to a student is actually better and more worthwhile than asking a colleague. But the problem is that teachers have been trained to maintain a hierarchy. In earlier times, a student’s only source of information was the teacher, but not now. It is high time to acknowledge that students are in the same level as that of teachers, if not superior. In such a scenario, if a teacher is trying claim authority or respect, it will only backfire.

Q. Do you feel that a teacher must be addressed as ‘sir’ or ‘madam’? Are these forced addresses, in any manner, guaranteeing reverence?

It is the students’ choice to address a teacher in whatever way they wish. We cannot insist them. When you are asking a student to refrain from calling ‘sir’ or ‘madam’, it also displays a sense of your authority.

In India, it is common trend that if you are a teacher, you ought to be respected. Elsewhere, if a teacher isn’t good enough, he or she won’t be respected. But here, it all succumbs to some age-old concepts of guru bhakti. It basically, respect without merit. Respect should come naturally. In today’s world, a teacher insisting to be respected is utter foolishness.

Q. Students call you the ‘heart and soul’ of UNIQ and Lecterns, the acclaimed quiz and debate clubs of University College. Can you trace its evolution?

It all began with an informal quiz club started by Arun sir (Arun Kumar, News24), which was further expanded and named UNIQ – University College Quiz Club. Lecterns – the debate club was started in 2016, following Rohit Vemula’s death. The tragic news made me realize the need to discuss such relevant issues. Initially, we had only five members. Now, it has turned into an active debating fraternity with around 200 members. The college is known through our clubs.

My only grievance is that we don’t have much support from the college authorities. Yet, amid all limitations, we tried to promote our club via social media. That has yielded results. Subsequently, we received media attention as well. ‘Kerala Kaumudi’ was the first one to cover us.

Q. Every year, you have one ‘Speak for India’ finalist from the college. How is that possible? Is there any special training behind the success?

There is no special training behind it. We have talented students who are self-motivated. But at times, they might lose track. That is when guidance comes into picture. We are not dealing with conventional quizzes and traditional debates anymore. They have advanced a lot. There is devil’s advocate, jam, cross debates, pounce, buzzers, business quiz etc. What we do is create awareness among the students and inspire them. It all works in one-to-one relationships. That is why I say, we are like a family.

Q. Students voicing out their opinions, actively participating in campus politics, have always had a certain blemish to it. What is your take on that?

In my opinion, campus politics is necessary. If Kerala is able to stand apart from the political judgment of the rest of the country, it is due to the campuses and the campus politics prevailing here. The students clearly know what is wrong with the central government’s policy. If there is no campus politics, where will such discussions take place?

Some people often criticize and ask what good it will do if you light candles and protest here for an issue happening in Chile or Ukraine. But, it is the gesture that matters. An emotional bonding signaling that ‘we care for you’. That needs to be appreciated.

Q. Your recent interview with Arundathi Roy was well-received among readers. What is your impression of the Booker Prize winner?

My interview with Arundathi Roy was an exceptionally long and tiring process. But what came out of it is priceless. As a person, she is reluctant and easily offended; not easy to deal with at all. At the same time, she is extremely intelligent and brilliant. Some may like her, some may not. But, one can never ignore her presence.

Q. We often laud that Kerala, as a society, is highly advanced and progressive. But many of the recent occurrences suggest otherwise. Do you agree?

Kerala as a society is anything, but progressive. We are intelligent, informed, advanced, but not progressive. Just skim through the comments below a woman’s Facebook post. That itself is a yardstick of our progress. The increasing toxic relationships in campuses, subsequent tragedies, acid attacks, suicides, murders are all a reflection of our patriarchal society. We were a lot more progressive in the 1970s and 1980s. It is sad to see that we are moving backwards. Our society has now become very rigid. We have become hypocritical at the very core. But, I do have hope in the current generation. They are not judgmental or racist. They don’t body shame. They don’t sneak peek into others’ lives. I wish that they remain the same as good human beings.

Q. On this Women’s Day, as a mentor, as a woman, what is the one piece of advice you can give to the girls out there?

Just one advice, be financially independent. Marry only after getting employed. Whatever small job it may be, doesn’t matter, earn it. Women are denied of their choices because of their dependence on others. Girls have to assert their right to enjoy and explore freedom. Their choice should be respected. They should move out from the ‘born to sacrifice’ category.