Kendrapara: In India, the usual age for superannuation from service is 60, however, people who have the zeal to work, take up other jobs till their body and mind allows it. Of course, in exchange for a basic or considerable remuneration, based on their skill, degrees and experience.
But there are exceptions to this – people working for about 24 years, and still continuing, that too without receiving or expecting any monetary benefits, is rarest of the rare. A case in point is Banabihari Das who has been serving as a teacher at the Upper Primary (UP) School in Kakharuni village in Pattamundei block of Kendrapara district.
Das’ ripe age of 85 does not deter him from going to school, every day, for the last 24 years, since he retired from Government service in 1998, as the Headmaster of Khadianta UP school. For Das, a teacher is and should always be a teacher, till his physical and mental health permits.
“I served as a teacher at Kakharuni UP school for 30 years and had a special connection with this institution of my village. Teaching is my passion – the School is a temple for me and the students are Lord Jagannath,” said Das, adding that teaching is what he loves and will continue doing this till he lives.
Das is a popular and revered person in Pattamundei block. Many of his students are serving in important positions in the Government and private sectors. However, the man remains humble, and sticks to his daily routine of reaching school on time (9:30 am) and gets engrossed in imparting education.
Renuka Mohapatra, who is working as the Headmistress of Kakharuni, Upper Primary School is in awe about the aura and dedication of Bana Sir. “I have no words to say about him. He is superhuman, and his passion and energy for the profession is unmatched. We all learn from something from Bana Sir, every day,” she said.
Malay Kumar Jena, Cluster Resource Centre Coordinator (CRCC), Pokhariapada Nodal Cluster said that Das has not taken a single day off since his retirement, which was 25 years back. “We are proud to be his students and whatever we have attained in life, is all because of him,” Jena said.
Das’ former student Ashok Parida said that the entire village idolises the octagenarian teacher. He is extremely knowledgeable, the school has seen a lot of development in his presence.
“Doctors, engineers, and people in very important positions are Sir’s students. They respect him a lot. People like Bana Sir, are one in one crore,” they said.
In a message to teachers, Das said, “Teachers are the backbone of education. Their aim should be to build able students, who are skilled, knowledgable and also good human beings. There is no profession nobler than Teaching. So respect it, and try to control the temptation for money.”
