A Salute to the Greatest Teacher!

     While I am detesting this phase of my life where exams are taking up all my time, there is also something I am finding pleasure in; my brother’s new college or rather my PU college. College started recently for him and he comes back in the evening daily and shares with me the whole day's experience. Hearing the stories of a place that was once dear for me (and still is) brings back a wave of nostalgia always. I long to go back to those days, which definitely were the best two years of my life.

      I still remember how I ended up in this college. There was free admission at that time for meritorious students and without thinking twice I had declared I would join there. My parents were skeptical; the college was still under construction, ours was supposed to be the first batch. They were concerned about my future but finally there was one man, meeting who, they were convinced that I was in safe hands. It was our principal Mr. K.V. Ragunath Rao who is famous as KVR amidst students.       

       As promised the college building was ready in time and all facilities were provided and more! He used to take organic chemistry for us and chemistry became fun when he taught it. Classes were fun filled and I never got bored. He never failed to help anyone when in need. If I have to describe him in one word, that would be ‘Inspiring’. There were many instances which left me in awe.

       One such instance took place when I was in second PU. During the middle of our academic year, he had some major health issue. His leg was injured and he had to undergo some operation. But he never let that reflect on his teaching. He was ever smiling. While many will be in search of reasons to escape work, he did exactly the opposite of that. He came back within days after he was discharged from the hospital and resumed teaching. Such was his dedication. How many of us actually do it? Did I say he is a senior lecturer and he was around 70 at that time? Well that should speak volumes about him! When I was facing problems with my studies, he called me to college during study holidays and he came everyday too, to help out students like me, even by giving extra preparatory exams so that we can learn from our mistakes and improve ourselves.

       Kind towards students, friendly with everyone, dedicated towards his profession, ever ready to accept any challenge and zeal to lead life to the fullest, that's how he is. He has always been an inspiration to hundreds like me. And our college which was at that time, just a new college, is now one of the top colleges of our city and even people from neighboring towns come down to join here. I witnessed the frenzy among parents to get their children admitted to this institution during my brother's admission. I must say this wouldn't have been possible if not for KVR! So when he recognized me and smiled, I was on cloud nine!

Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu

Guru Devo Maheshwaraha

Guru Saakshat Para Brahma

Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha

       I have recited this thousands of times since childhood but I realized the true meaning of it when I found a great Teacher like him. Yes, I am proud that I am his student and I hope that each and every one of us get a lecturer like him who definitely will change our outlook towards life. I salute you Sir.

       That's me, HRS and KVR in the picture. HRS is another equally great lecturer. Speaking about him would require one more post, which I will definitely write someday.

PS: I am writing about #MyRoleModel as a part of the activity by Gillette India in association with BlogAdda.com.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)