Tribute to a Teacher. Jaganmohan Reddy Sir - a soul, who lives in many, but is missing.

I put off the stand of my bi-cycle and peddled to my new tuition. As I rode further and further, the wind in my hair gave wings to my dreams. I finished my 10th Std and was fortunate to have got a seat in Warangal’s best tuition for Engineering Entrance Exam Preparations. It was believed that if you get a seat here, your Engineering seat is guaranteed. And this was a pride factor for both parents and students who joined Jaganmohan Reddy Sir’s Tuition. I was one of those proud students.

It was my first day there and knew how important punctuality was for Jagan Sir. I rode faster, reached my destination, parked my bi-cycle and took my seat in the class. Finally I was at peace, for reaching on time. Was it a big deal? Yes it was. If any student was late, he would have to miss the class. And if anyone misses 3 classes then he/she is suspended from the tuition. It was after all Tuition, wasn’t it? Then why the culture of discipline and punctuality was followed so spiritually? Because for Jagan Sir, Teaching was not a profession. It was his passion. He enrolled only 40 students per batch, one for inter 1st year and other for 2nd year. And these students who got enrolled have passed entrance exam for his tuition while they were in 10th Std.

He conducted early morning classes. The class started with a prayer followed by a moral learning or an inspiration from great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Einstein and more. And then he started teaching Maths and easy tricks to solve the problems. His one hour of tuition was not less than Yoga that gave mental strength, a positive thought process, an empowered soul. When I saw a man in late fifties waking up early at 3 am, consistently adhering to his principles, leading a disciplined life; I thought why I being a youngster can’t follow this way of leading life. While before realizing this, I was overtaken by the pride of being his student, was bunking classes, and took promotion to a scooter from a by-cycle. But he pulled me back, kept me grounded. Observing him was itself a learning.

He conducted exams every Monday, set a question paper himself, corrected them and gave ranks to all. He himself bore all expenses of printing the papers and all that he took as a fees was Rs 50 monthly. You would be surprised to know that 75% of HNI network from Hanamkonda passed out from his Tuition. All his students are earning huge in dollars, but at the same time are examples of his moral values. For instance, one of his students who was settled in Chicago, left that money and lifestyle for his mother and came to Hanamkonda to lead a simple and responsible life.

Whatever I am good today, I wouldn’t have been without his Maths classes. He taught me addition of efforts, subtraction of fears. He showed how integration of sources should be done and differentiation of negative forces. He explained the trigonometry of all sides of life and treatment of varied people on both sides of equals. 

He is 88 years old and has developed Dementia. One evening he left home and never returned, probably he is unable to recall his name, his address, his family. This blog of mine is a tribute to him on Teacher’s day. But more so, it is an effort to let people know of him and support us in searching him. His beloved students have teamed up to find him as fast as possible and rewarding Rs 5 Lakhs to the one who can pass help us get the information about him. 

Please spread this message as much as you can. Help us find a soul, who lives in many, but is missing.