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‘Education
is that which fits a man to perform – justly, skilfully, magnanimously
in all the offices – public and private, in Church and State’ –
John Milton.
THE
PORTRAIT OF –
SHRI
A. SRINIVASA UDUPA – AN IDEAL LECTURER.
Other day, my son, studying in class one, come and told me, ‘tomorrow
is Teacher’s Day, and we the students have to greet /
wish our Class Teacher!’ Even at this tender age I was
startled to see his attachment, respects and sentiments for his teacher
and for a while took, me too, back to my School days!. I must not be wrong to state, that after the parents, it must be the
teachers who influence and make a direct effect in formulating one’s
personality!! One such name always occupied a place in our hearts is Shri
Srinivasa Udupa, who taught us Economics, in P.U.C. in National
Junior College, Barkur. I have not read much about Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, former union
President whose birthday i.e. 5th September, rightly
celebrated as Teacher’s Day, in India, but have seen in few teachers
like Shri Udupa, an ideal icon in this profession! Hailing from distant Altar – Yedthadi, heard telling, the
remuneration he getting, just take care of his vehicle expenses, -
but his dedication and sincerity to this teaching profession of
educating, with knowledge and moral values, was, un-parallel. His
concern for the Institution, where he studied and later taught,- (
being an old student of
same School ), - personal
inter-action with almost all students of Arts and Commerce, effective,
interesting & matured method of teaching new subject like Economics,
that too, first time in English medium, in this semi-rural area, are
un-forgettable! Gifted with loud and crystal clear voice, with a tall, handsome,
magnetic personality, with neat snow-white dress, whenever used to take special classes, was heard by even
pedestrians, walking on the road!. Many a times I have observed and
heard students of other faculties, giving an ear to his lectures /
teachings, from the adjacent classrooms.!! My first encounter with this great man was in the year, 1974, when
he taught us Social Studies, in 8th Standard, and
later we were fortunate to have him as moral science teacher for
class 10. But the real association with him was during Two years of
P.U.C. classes in the year 1977 to 1979. Most of us passing through the adolescence years, of teens, the
romantic time looking for ideals or models for life - to follow, it was in this gentleman, many like us found one
and got obsessed, and even dreamt of becoming a teacher like him! Out of
my student life of 15 odd years, these were the real pleasant years
enjoyed most. Each one of us, his one time students, may be having varied
experiences and will share few of them over here: In the year, 1979, somewhere in July(?) a great historian
Dr.P.Gururaja Bhat, the revered Principal of Milagres College expired,
Mr Udupa was our class teacher for 2nd P.UC. as usual come to
take attendance, the emotional obituary talk to his one
time Professor in MGM College, filled our eyes with tears! Many a times he used to give drop in his Enfield bike to late Mr
J.R.M.Picardo, his one time teacher, in the National High School, Barkur,
once told few of us “ Mr Udupa is doing Guru seve like this”.
The name of Prof. Jayaram Shetty, the Principal of Kateel Junior
College, well known!. Being an
old student of both NJC and Milagres Kallianpur, he was the President of
Students Union in the year 1979-80, once told me at that time “I
will choose Economics and go for M.A. and wish to be a teacher like
Mr Udupa” See his determination, he become one and rose to
be the head of this popular College. His columns in Kannada daily on
economic subjects are educative. One more interesting incident, we wish to share with you is, -
as ours was the only Junior College, at that time, catering the
needs of students of Kokkarne, Mandharthi, Bidkalkatte etc. and few boys
used stay in rented houses at Barkur and study and there were few of our
classmates known for mischief especially during Kannada classes,
including me. One day, early morning, one boy spread nai-chontli (I don’t
know the perfect Botanical term – but if this plant powder fall on
one’s skin, immediately it starts irritation) powder on some benches reserved for girls! Alas, as you know,
first one who sat started itching and informed others, as the news
reached to our class teacher, he entered the class, like thunder, fuming
with anger, made all boys to stand-up, stared at us, known trouble
makers, started sweating. Asked each one who has done this?
Pin-drop silence, no answers, gave an ultimatum – ‘whoever
done it accept and by afternoon and inform me’ The whole
class was in a state of despair / suspense. Normally afternoon first
lecture was in Economics, but to everybody’s surprise, there was no
mention of morning incident!! Every body thought the culprit got
scot-free! ? Days passed, also the academic year and goodbye to this great
Institution with a heavy heart and as usual, all forgotten the nayi
chontli affair. During the College day, next year, those who got
proficiency prizes were invited to collect the Prizes. To every body’s
surprise, it was a less known boy got the prestigious Prize in Economics
for scoring highest marks in both arts and commerce divisions! I was
contented with a certificate and small novel book called Balidana, for
topping in Commerce!. It was our attempt to win Prize in Economics,
because this was personally sponsored, very
expensive gift by Mr. Udupa himself, in memory of his father,
late Shri Manjunatha Udupa, of Althar.
Still preserved one, gifted for scoring highest in Ist P.U.C. -
as neither before nor after my PUC, I
was good in studies!! My friend, joined Bhandarkar’s College, Kundapur and me to
Milagres Kallianpur. While exchanging news / views, ultimately this boy
admitted it was he who the man behind that Itching episode !! –
a confession / conversion of one irate student of Udupa to come out with
flying colours! These four small incidents are enough proof for his respect towards
the profession and fellow teachers as well and his dramatic
influence over students. Normally there are two groups of students, the former used to read,
revise and remember and the latter lazy group just remember what was
told in the classrooms and both appear same exams. Of course, me too
belong to this lazy gang of average brain, succeeded in winning
proficiency prizes in Economics / Commerce etc. only because of the
efforts of these dedicated lecturers like Mr Udupa, Mr M.V.R.Achar and
Mr.Y.Mohan Rao. In other words such teachers had the capacity to
convert copper to gold and even didn’t mind spending personal money to
facilitate their students! Personally had a great desire to see Mr Udupa as the Principal of
National Junior College, this too, among many,
an un-cherished dream, but for most of us, he was a great teacher, if there are any yardsticks to decide
an ‘model teacher’ he qualify for all of them. Now retired, during various vacations seen him in the corridors of
Temple of Kotekere, a devoted social worker, we take this
opportunity at BARKUR
WEB-SITE to wish him a happy, peaceful
retired life with good health!. On behalf of Ex-Member’s ICYM Barkur, and BARKUR WEB-SITE, For a series of a very high quality articles covering many subjects, by Mr. Archibald Furtado , go through the archives. Click on the respective subject |
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Barkur, located in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, India. 576 210 |
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Copyright Kishoo, Barkur 2002. |
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