GADAG: He has dedicated his entire life to teaching. For the past six decades, selflessly and with no help from governments or private firms, he has been providing free tuition, food and shelter to poor students in Gadag. Meet 87-year-old Basavantappa Guraappa Annigeri, who is is much more than just a model teacher.
Annigeri Sir, as he is fondly called by students, is neither associated with any trust nor has he ever taken help from anyone to do what he is passionate about: teaching. This agent of social change did not even marry to ensure that he shapes his students’ destinies well. Throughout his professional life, he spent his entire salary on students, and now uses his pension amount on their food, accommodation and studies. The octogenarian has never charged a single rupee for the tuitions he has been providing since 1954.
“He came to Gadag as a History teacher at Model High School in early 1954. On seeing the poor students struggling with their books and unable to continue their studies, he started teaching them for free. He started his noble service with just seven students. He would also provide free food and accommodation to them. His salary was a mere Rs 97 then of which he would spend Rs 17 on the room rent and the remaining on his students’ food and other daily needs,” says SY Chikkatti, founder of Bharatiya Shikshana Sansthe.
He taught students of Classes 6-10 with great sincerity, and his popularity as a good teacher grew within a couple of years. In 1955, one of his students from Kurtakoti village bagged 10th rank in the SSLC results. This news spread like wildfire in the region and students from Gadag and surrounding villages started thronging Annigeri Sir’s place for guidance, which was available 24x7.
He guided 30 students that year, and within a few years, 150-170 students started taking tuitions from him. Students standing in a corner and taking notes for want of space was a common sight in his classroom. However in early 1970s, ex-MLA D R Patil, who was impressed by his selfless service like other Gadag residents, provided him a space behind the old bus stand. Till today, the veteran teacher imparts quality education for free at this place, which is now popular as Annigeri Ashram. A garden has also been named after him.
Teacher With Midas Touch
Annigeri is known as a teacher with ‘Midas touch’ for his ability to help academically weaker students get good marks in exams. Thousands of his pupils have achieved great success in life and are now well-settled in different parts of the country and abroad. “I stayed in Annigeri Ashram from 5th to 10th Standard and learnt many things under his guidance.
Apart from lessons in History, Maths and Science, he taught us skills that helped us succeed in life. Recently, I heard that local residents are planning to install a statue of Annigeri Sir and my joy knew no bounds. Everytime I visit India, I first go to Gadag to meet him,” says Satish Pattar, an engineer working at Detroit in the US. Another student G B Havanagi is now a government primary school teacher. “Whatever I am today is because of Annigeri Sir. He encouraged me to pursue B.Ed after graduation. Thanks to his sincere efforts and guidance, I could clear the course with good marks,” he says.
Retired, But Far From Tired
In his autumn years, Annigeri is far from tired. With just three years left for him to enter the ninth decade of his life, his passion for teaching remains the same as it was in 1954. He still teaches the children and offers food and accommodation to the needy students. The only thing that has changed is his position while teaching. Now, he often teaches seated on a chair since he cannot stand for long. As early as 6 am, he starts teaching mathematics to students.
The first class of the day continues for three and a half hours. He takes a break to have breakfast and comes back by noon to help students prepare for Navodaya exams. Tuition for Navodaya aspirants continues for four hours. The 5.30 pm-7.30 pm slot is reserved for outstation students. Those who are academically weak take tuitions from him in a special one-hour batch held daily at 8 pm.