Sir,
This has reference to the writeup ‘Tribute to an educationist’ (DE, Apr 29, 2018).Udhampur has been a fertile ground in terms of education and it has produced legendery teachers such as Prof Sansar Chand Gupta, Ram Charan Magotra, Ved Prakash Dubey, K C Gupta and of course, Dev Raj Gupta.Dev Raj Gupta, as the writer says, had a towering personality who is remembered for his exceptional services as an inspiring teacher,great orator and able administrator.He had a charismatic personality and farsighted ouklook.I have had the privilege of having been the student of Govt Hr.Sec.School (Boys) Udhampur in late nineteen seventies and early eighties when he was the Principal of the said school.In those days, this school had a glory of its own, which, I think,has not been matched by any private or Government institution in Udhampur even after more than three decades and in the midst of so much use of modern technology in education these days.Those were the days when this historic school would provide holistic education to its students paying equal attention to academics, cocurricular activities, sports activities and creative activities.Mr Gupta would often deliver lectures and talks in his inimitable style in the Morning Assembly amidst pin drop silence leaving all the teachers and students spellbound.
An institutional plan would be prepared and strictly implemented. Cocurricular activities such as Debate/Essay writing and other competitions were a regular features.The teachers would reach their respective classroom before their period started to avoid any wastage of time.His visionary minded persona can be proved by the fact that he introduced the system of Terminal Exams for the students of his school much before the State Government introduced it.It was during his tenure as Principal that the school published the magazine ‘Veni Lehar’-a masterpiece, for the first time.This school produced students who have carved a niche for themselves in their respective fields and raised the glory of their alma mater. He was really an epitome of selflessness, dedication and devotion to duty.Such teachers are rarely born but their great deeds leave deep imprints on the sands of time and serve to inspire the others to emulate them.The fact that he was elected the Chairman of Masjid Committee by the local Muslim Community of Chenani bears ample testimony to his secular credentials and massive respect he commanded.No doubt, he is remembered with reverence by all the people who were associated with him in one way or the other-his students, colleagues, subordinates and people in general.The writer has done a great service by highlighting the known and unknown qualities of this great teacher, able administrator and person par excellence and he desrves to be appreciated for his noble endeavour.
Yours etc…
Ashok Sharma,
Udhampur
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