TV
He has been Divyang since birth but has never let his physical deformity come in his way of imparting education. Though he depends on a tricycle to go from one place to another, he takes the pain to make his students capable enough to make a life of their own.
Meet Subash Chandra Patra, who is a resident of Sukadevpur in Bhadrak district. Popularly known as Subash Sir in the locality. He runs his class from under a tree as he has no room where he can accommodate his students. He teaches children reading in classes from Class I to V.
If a first-time visitor visits his class, he can be forgiven for mistaking him for a trained teacher. But the fact is that he has no formal training in teaching. Yet, he teaches Mathematics, English, Science, and even History so lucidly that his children never encounter problems in understanding the subjects.
“We love and respect our teacher very much. He is one of the best teachers. He never gets angry with us and elucidates subjects several times till we don’t grasp them. When we fail to turn up at the class for some reason, he visits our houses and brings us with him to his class,” said Parshuram Suta, a student.
At a time when private tuition has become a business and a source of earning money, Subash sir never demands any fee from parents. He happily accepts whatever they give.
“He never demands any tuition fee from us. But his way of teaching us is in no way inferior to other trained teachers. He teaches students under a tree. In case of rains, he shifts his class to the verandah of a nearby temple. We urge the government to construct a house for him,” said Saraswati Khamari, an ex-student.
“He teaches under a neem tree. The students face problems when it rains. It would be helpful if the government constructs a house for him,” said Ramchandra Behera, a local resident.
When asked, Subash Sir said he gets immense pleasure when his students achieve success in their lives.
“Around 40 years ago, I started teaching children. Thereafter, I developed an interest and decided to continue my teaching. I have a thatched house where it is not possible to accommodate the students. So, I run my classes from under a tree in the morning and evening,” said Subash.
