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Teacher par excellence

Memories of life in a classroom with outstanding teachers to guide at every step are etched in his mind. Andavilli Satyanarayana recounts the rare moments

GUIDING SPIRIT Ranganadham exuded a quiet charm

Bowing in reverence to his old school teacher Nasserwanji who left an indelible impression on his young mind, eminent jurist Nani Palkhiwala called him a `Nation-builder'. That applies aptly to Tunuguntla Ranganadham, a teacher par excellence, who passed away last month (August 2006) in his 98th year after leading a rewarding and fulfilling life. He belonged to the vanishing breed of teachers who loved their students as their own children without any reservations.

Looking back, I recollect with pride the days I spent in Governopet Municipal High School as his student, exactly 60 years ago in 1946. I belonged to the very first batch of students who appeared for S.S.L.C. examination under the guidance of Ranganadham as its first headmaster after it became a full-fledged high school. He taught us English. What I learnt stood me in good stead when I opted for teaching as my career. He was my role model and I tried to emulate him as a lecturer in English in later years.

Awe-inspiring

Neatly dressed, with a steady gait and a cane in his hand, the minute Ranganadham would walk into the classroom, all students - the studious, the indolent, the mischievous and the arrogant, would become attentive and remain like that for the whole period as if in a trance. Punctuality and discipline were his articles of faith. He rarely used the rod as his very presence infused awe in his students.

Legendary headmaster Thomas Arnold of Rugby in England was known to be a hard taskmaster and a strict disciplinarian but he was still adored by generations of his students for the love and affection he bestowed on them. It would be no exaggeration to say that Ranganadham belonged to that genre of teachers.

Under his able stewardship, the C.V.R. Governorpet Municipal High School made rapid strides and within a short time, earned a reputation of being one of the best schools in the city. Parents of intractable children sent their wards to this school, as they were confident that they would be taken care of in the manner they deserved.

Academic career

Generations of students who passed out of the portals of this institution bear testimony to the abiding influence of this remarkable teacher in shaping their lives. Former MP K. Punnaiah, cardiologist P.S. Rao, former Governor P.S. Ramamohana Rao and others like V. Sobhanadreeswara Rao, Jandhyala Shankar, T.V.A.S Sarma, P. Surya Rao, D. Amarendra, Ch. Krishna Kumar and B. Parvatala Rao are a few prominent citizens who hold him in high esteem.

Son of freedom fighter Ramaswami Gupta, who gave up a lucrative practice as a lawyer in Bapatla in response to the call of Mahatma Gandhi, Ranganadham joined service as teacher in 1933 after a brilliant academic career in Madras and Rajahmundry. He retired in 1963 and passed away in 2006. His was a rare case of longer post-retirement life than active period of service. His younger brother Anand Mohan established Sri Suka Brahma Asramam in Kalahasti and has conducted a number of `Geeta gnana yajnas. His `Geeta Makaramdam' is widely read.

Palkivala had said about his teacher: "Only a thoroughly good man can be so great a teacher as he indubitably was." That was precisely what my revered teacher Ranganadham was and I pay my respects to him.

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