Reflections on reminiscing occasion of father’s birthday

Introduction

Father’s birthday when he was here used to be a physical event with many people visiting our home in our native place. The line of lifelong friends from his multiple networks, and relatives was for me a happy memory. As his “night of birth” was 'Kama dahana' moment, the birthday technically was to be celebrated on Holi festival day.

The literary and cultural baithaks used to happen regularly at our home, and the birthday was another occasion of meeting of his friends and hearts. One’s seventh house in lagna chart indicates associates, tenth and eleventh houses indicate social capital and networks, and third house siblings and equivalent. People say often a pattern continues in families that only one survives. I observed, though he was the only surviving child of his parents, but he had so many extended family brothers and sisters and well-wishers. GOD was very kind.

Between two full moons

This astrological understanding was missing in my case during the times when I lived at home before moving out for job purposes. Probably he had many good aspects around these houses. Tens of thousands knew him, across districts and in state capital. He was a born teacher who became professional teacher and also taught about three thousand students on ‘how to teach’. He founded and established three 'green field' teacher training institutes during his later part of career apart from serving other level institutes during first half. The credit for establishing the country’s dedicated tribal teacher training institute was his. Helping the initial batches navigate the tough curriculum and the challenges he faced there is worth a book. I carry a feeling, 'unsung hero' of those times. Away from the limelight but close to the action ground, impacting thousands of lives.

When we ourselves become aged, it is not fair to expect our parents to prolong their physical stay, especially suffering and frail health. Not done and they need to move on is the mature understanding that dawns. However, a disciplined person without any earlier indications of poor health suddenly collapsing to the end in no time is only one’s choice I may say. Both occasions of entry and exit of this world were on Purnimasya days. Full moon indicates wisdom. ?Entry on Holika Purnima and exit on Guru Purnima. Between two full moons was the life that earned many admirers and shishyas. As one of those, I share observations. There will be subjectivity, and I do not claim any unbiased observation status. Son will be positively biased. Thus, categorizing into phases is given here.

Bala kanda

Born in a dedicated teacher’s home who trekked kilometers to teach to the first-generation learners, children of manual mine labour. As a young couple they stayed in the current Singareni village areas was relayed to me. I heard of ‘Boggutta’ village name many times. The literal meaning is hillock of coal. Losing one’s father with whom excellent relations existed was a huge loss for him. His father was so doting that I am told that milk giving animals were maintained at home so that his kid could get genuine milk. Organic we desire now!

Vidya kanda

Formal school education commenced only after the exit of his father. Outstanding credentials, I must say, factoring in the lack of guidance and then prevailing deprivation conditions. University topper in PG was the final status. Six rupees was the monthly pension his mother drew as surviving wife of then served teacher. School stipend was extended to him at the CSR propelled charity AV High school. College in then local intermediate place was an experience. Circumstances forced one to take up teaching assignments for survival. The motivation as I was told was to provide for the suffering mother. The quest for education later made him complete two undergraduate and two post-graduation programs in the next decade and half. After another decade of gap he did third PG and then tried twice to move up with doctoral studies. For reasons of losing his guide to fatal heart attack and later due to remote placement reasons, this could not see the light of the day.

Udyoga parvam

Serving in a village school in Garnepalli was the beginning I was told. Then got shifted to another village school in Maddoor for which he had to get down at ‘sola meel’ and walk. In childhood I found this description of bus stop a little funny. Later I understood that it was the milestone at which they had to get down by a bus and take the village rough road by foot. Later he was mentored by great academic leaders and by thirties commanded large high school at Sangem. Later he got promoted as a lecturer, then after another promotion, got opportunities to establish three teacher training institutions at three different places, first in Adilabad, then in Karim Nagar, and later at Utnoor. He also served ‘non-startup’ institutions. He spent the final couple of years mentoring his young colleagues for whom he became a father figure. Language was a comfort area for him. Versatility is worth admiring. He began his studies and during last phase taught in Urdu medium, commanded English, studied Telugu literature, was a Sanskrit scholar and knew Astrology, opted for Kannada as the additional language, was served by a Bangal cook. He had equal comfort with owners of Rajastani ‘Apna mithai ghar’ or Punjab automobile store's Sikh father/son duo or scholarly ‘Venkatrama & Co’ manager.

Vishranti parvam

The years of retirement were active but not easy. Had to suffer the greed of people. Positively many used to approach guidance, life and academic. Number of research students were helped in terms books from his personal collection. Astrologically he was asked, ‘what to do?’? His mornings were always early, often as children we woke up when his puja recitation was in the last phase. Our children too witnessed and experienced the same.

Mixed feelings

Losing our grandmother was a huge void for him. Especially strong was the relation as he lost father very early and she suffered in bringing him up in adverse situations. A part of him probably went away. The suffering inflicted on him by then a notorious minister interested in ‘selling government college seats’ was a deep suffering. But he stood his ethical ground. Physical attack by a colleague when the simple demand was ‘attend college and teach students sincerely’ weakened him. He braved heat, dust, forests, and lack of food/water, in the discharge of duties. He was an engaging teacher, both inside and outside the classroom. He urged his students to become honest and transform society. Many obeyed him. His classmates became teachers to vice-chancellor / chief engineer position holders. His students were manning different departments and reached their destined personal peaks.

Things that can’t be changed must be endured with was his philosophy. ‘Shad-bhagam manushya yatnam, saptamam daiva chintanam’ was the guiding line he gave to many. The meaning of the guiding line was – ‘Do your best (six of seven parts) and take the result as GOD given (seventh part)’. But I shared my emotion with him that his canvas would have been large had he got the right opportunities at the right time. He always played it down and said ‘give your best wherever you are.’ A man of simple expectations, interested more in contributing to others, my concern would have never been his concern.

Additionally, the suffering he underwent in later years of life made me question 'why he had to suffer’, especially in the hands of the corrupt and selfish. He developed a witnessing mindset and was not deeply worried. But as a responsible son, I was. I felt bad as I had to see his just actions go against him and shady conspirers 'winning'.

On a closing note

Whether times have changed for good people to operate better and operate easily is the question many ask. I believe that it appears so. One may be currently in a more materialistic world but the operating ground for good people is now present. I would like to believe maybe it is and is smoother. What caused this? Positive cosmic changes have happened? Is Jupiter the GURU favoring good people? Whether Saturn the SHANI is punishing the wrong doers? I believe in being affirmative and seek the blessings of our PITRU for all those like him. May GOOD HAPPEN to GOOD PEOPLE like him is the only tearful prayer.

May he remain in our hearts and minds, and get actioned through the hands of our sincere, honest NextGen.