This article is about the most humble guru of my life, Mokashi Sir. Article was written when I was coming back from Bangalore to Seattle, well after a teacher's day on September 5th and dedicated to all teachers of my life, especially Mokashi Sir!
Sir introduction:
Mokashi Sir, a civil engineer from BVB college Hubli, Karnata, India. As his last name suggests, he was from north Karnataka region. I do not think any one of us till now know his first name! So let’s call our Sir by his last name Mukashi Sir or simply Sir! As a reminder, those days (the late 80s) engineers were not common and civil engineering was a prestigious branch to be in.
The pursuit of passion:
Sir was so much in love with teaching that he followed his passion and took a full time teaching profession at Polytechnic college in Kumta under civil department in-spite of having a handsome job offer in private companies. Further, he was so passionate about maths that he found a way to follow his passion by creating a tuition center for a first year and second year PUC science students. He partnered with his colleague Aldi Sir for physics and S V Kamat Sir for Chemistry to provide a full coverage of essential PCM courses for students.
Tuition center established in the early 90s by these trios in a small city of joy Kumta became popular within few years of establishment and thereafter referred as Mukashi Sir tuition.
Why my favorite:
Sir was punctual, the class would start exactly at seven dot thirty am every day in April and May. He would always arrive 5-10 minutes before and wait for students to gather. I do not remember any day our classes started later than the scheduled time!
Sir was a great planner, he would plan to cover the syllabus at the beginning of the year and would keep us informed on how we were progressing. He would also plan additional classes if we were lagging. Further to keep the class engaged, he would shuffle the chapters meaning calculus was divided into chunks and geometry would be introduced in between. That made us learn various chapters in a chunk instead of finishing one area at a stretch.
Sir handwriting was neat. Whether it is writing sign theta or drawing a parabola, all were so neat and I think it was because of the passion he had.
Most importantly, Sir was simplifier, patient and motivator.
Most of the students from our region were from Kannada medium. High school to college transition was not easy because we had to learn science and maths in the English language all of a sudden. Those transition days were difficult and that is where our Sir shines. He would make those maths so simple for all of us that the English language never came as a big barrier. He would take time to explain multiple times, once in Kannada and then repeat in English.
He was patient and offered us any number of hours of consultation. For example, if we had additional doubts, he offered that he can come early to have one on one or come back after all other classes were finished.
He was a motivator, motivating us to solve the problems. He said, his best gift would be if his student scores hundred out of hundred.
Last but not the least, teaching as a service, a quality that I liked the most in him. As a reminder, the mid-90s was a time when tuitions were booming as business and many teachers made this as a business, especially around Dharwad and Mangalore areas. Many of my friends went there for tuition and paid a high amount. Our tuition fees were just rupees 500 per year per subject including CET coaching. Coaching included 100 to 120 classes with many mock tests and exams. Sir would never ask for money if someone has not paid. Sir had waived off his fees too for poor students. Many times, he had thousands of rupees offer from his relatives and friends to take the classes in Hubli and Dharwad area but Sir continued to remain at Kumta and serve the needy people like us. His teaching and service meant a lot to us.
Well, you must be wondering if Sir was so perfect? No, there one thing that I did not like about Sir. Sir was a smoker, and to hide a cigarette smell, he would eat “jarda” which used to smell bad. However, he always ensured he never smoked in front of students.
Last few notes :
My association with Sir lasted longer than tuition time. In the same year I was admitted for Engineering college, his nephew also took the same college in other REC quota. I met Sir again when I got selected at the campus interview. I got him sweets and took his blessings. I also met him a couple of time after joining the job and had a good time with him. The last time I attempted to meet him was to invite for my marriage but could not meet him as he was out of station for valuation. Since then ( 2013) I have not met him and hoping I will soon meet him.
Because of Sir teaching, we were able to achieve a good grade on the board as well as in CET. We all owe him a big favor. Both my brother and sister were also his students. In between, I heard that he had a mild heart attack and had paused tuition. Now he as quit smoking after the heart attack incident which I am extremely happy for him. Whenever I hear calculus, the first person to my memory is my Sir!I wish him a great health and a great peaceful life ahead and hoping to meet him soon!
Your loving student,
Anil Masakal, from City of joy Kumta
Date: September 5th, 2018, thanking on a teachers day !
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