Located near Gauribidanur, about 80 km from Bengaluru is Hosur, a rustic village where thinker and Gandhian Dr H Narasimhaiah (popularly known as HN) was born in 1920. The hometown of HN, Hosur has many memorial spots and structures that remind you of a staunch Gandhian and an erudite teacher.
Established in 1991 and named after HN, Dr H Narasimhaiah National High School is visibly the most prominent landmark in Hosur. This school has a huge campus, and has memorial auditoriums and a small museum dedicated to HN’s life and contributions. The samadhi of HN is located in a secluded corner of the campus.
An eye-catching signboard, ‘Infosys Science Centre’ and HN’s famous question mark credo — Prashnisade Oppabedi — greets you at the entrance of Dr H Narasimhaiah National High School. Housed in a small building, this Science Centre was founded by Dr HN in 2000. The museum has huge collection of displays showcasing prototypes, models and images of innovations and developments in various streams of sciences. The museum was developed jointly by the National Education Society and the Infosys Foundation.
This museum is known to have been one of the gifts from HN to the students of many backward villages located in and around Hosur. “Our obscure village has long been known to the outside world only because of this centre and other memorials of H Narasimhaiah, who was a true Gandhian and passionate teacher,” says Ramanjinappa, retired headmaster of H N High School.
A Fulbright scholar, HN was a teacher all his life. He loved to teach and for more than 50 years, he worked in various capacities at National College in Bengaluru. HN taught science. “Think rationally and don’t accept anything without questioning,” was HN’s message to his students.
According to HN, a poor teacher complains, an average teacher explains, a good teacher teaches and a great teacher inspires. “In late 1950s, HN was my physics teacher while I was studying for my BSc degree in National College. He was a great teacher who inspired many students like me,” recollects Basavanagudi Ramanna. HN was an inspiration not only for his students but also others.
To popularise basic sciences and instil an enquiring spirit in layperson and learned alike, HN founded The Bangalore Science Forum (BSF) in 1962. The National College has been hosting the BSF’s various activities like the weekly seminars and science workshops for several years. The BSF has won two national awards for its efforts to popularise pure sciences.
When he was a student, HN was deeply inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. When Gandhiji visited his school in 1936, HN got an opportunity to translate Gandhiji’s speech from Hindi to Kannada. Since then, HN took to wearing khadi and adhered to the Gandhian principle of simple living. He also took a break from his studies to participate in the Quit India movement in 1942. In 1960, he obtained PhD from Ohio State University, USA and in 1968, as Fulbright scholar and visiting professor, he taught at the Southern Illinois University, USA. HN was also appointed as vice-chancellor of Bangalore University twice.
Despite rising high in ranks, HN’s Gandhian beliefs remained strong.
In recognition of his lifelong contributions to science, education and freedom struggle, HN was honoured with Tamarapatra (freedom fighter award), Padma Bhushan (the third-highest civilian award), Hampi University Nadoja and Rajyotsava awards.
Published 24 July 2017, 17:21 IST