Unsung Heroes: From canteen supplier to award-winning teacher, meet Belagavi’s celebrated educator | Bangalore News

Rajashekar’s approach to teaching is rooted in his belief that ‘a teacher should always remain a student’.

Born in 1981 to a middle-class family in the Halasangi village in the Vijayapura district, Rajashekar’s early life was marked by both ambition and adversity. Growing up in Halasangi, he attended a local government primary school and later a private high school in Indi taluk. His academic journey, however, took a turbulent turn.

“After enrolling in a science college in Vijayapura on my father’s insistence, I found myself disinterested and dropped out,” he says. A decision that led him to leave home at a young age. For three years, he cut ties with his family, surviving by working odd jobs—hotel staff, medical shop assistant, and supplier at a court canteen in Hubballi.

“Life was tough. I was sleeping on platforms at Bengaluru’s Majestic bus stand, using newspapers to shield myself from the cold,” he added.

A turning point came during his time in Hubballi. Working at a canteen next to a Sai Temple, Rajashekar sought divine guidance and felt compelled to reconnect with his family. He wrote a letter, requesting his SSLC mark card to pursue job opportunities. His family, overjoyed to hear from him, welcomed him back to Vijayapura without reproach.

This emotional reunion marked the beginning of his transformation. While his father Kalyanappa Ragati insisted on pursuing education, Rajashekar wanted to settle for a job in a kirana store.

However, determined to rebuild his life, he pursued his Pre-University Course (PUC), securing 56 per cent in 2002, and later completed a BA degree at GRB Arts College with an impressive 70 per cent. He went on to earn a BEd from J H Patel BEd College in Sindagi on a government seat, laying the foundation for his teaching career.

“If not for my father’s continued persuasion, I wouldn’t be what I am today,” he says.

Rajashekar’s path to becoming an educator was far from smooth. Inspired by his mentor NM Biradar at Chanakya Career Academy in Vijayapura, he initially aspired to join the civil services, coaching in history, geography, and political science.

“I applied for roles like PSI, FDA, and SDA, and even attempted the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exams, clearing the preliminaries and appearing for the mains,” he says. Despite coming tantalisingly close—missing selection by just one or two marks in multiple exams—he faced repeated setbacks.

In 2009, while living in a room at Siddeshwara Swami Ji Ashram and immersing himself in yoga and moral teachings, he prepared for the high school teacher recruitment exam with determination. His efforts paid off: he secured 8th rank in the Belagavi division and received his first appointment in 2010 as a teacher at the Government High School in Hirenandihalli, Chennamma Kittur Taluk.

Rajashekar’s approach to teaching is rooted in his belief that ‘a teacher should always remain a student’. “I strongly believe that a teacher’s job is not limited to academics but to instil the joy of learning among students,” he says.

Drawing from his own struggles, he sought to make learning engaging and relevant for his students. Recognising the challenges rural students face, he introduced innovative methods to simplify complex social science concepts. His classroom became a space for inspiration, where he emphasised personality development, yoga, and goal-setting alongside academics.

“I failed many times, so I teach my students how to set goals and harness the power of their minds,” he says.

Social science laboratory in school

His efforts bore fruit: his school consistently achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in social science at the SSLC level, with several students scoring perfect marks year after year. One of Rajashekar’s most groundbreaking contributions is the establishment of a state-of-the-art social science laboratory at his school—the first of its kind in the Belagavi district.

Frustrated by the abstract nature of social science, he envisioned a hands-on learning environment featuring charts, models, maps, digital globes, smartboards, and projectors. To fund this initiative, he turned to his school’s alumni, creating a WhatsApp group in 2022. During Deepavali, he seeded the effort with Rs 1,000 of his own money, inspiring another teacher to contribute the same. Within days, students, alumni, and community members raised Rs 50,000.

The lab has since transformed learning, fostering curiosity and discussion among students. “Rural children now have access to digital education. Additionally, the maps, charts and models help simplify complex concepts,” he says.

Beyond the classroom, Rajashekar embraced technology to reach a wider audience. His YouTube channel, with over 7,000 subscribers, provides video lessons for SSLC students and offers guidance on competitive exams. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he contributed to the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) by developing digital learning content and participating in workshops to create student activity books, which are now used across Karnataka’s government schools.

His role as a taluka and district-level resource person further amplified his impact, training teachers to implement innovative academic programs. Rajashekar’s philosophy is deeply influenced by spiritual leaders like Sadhguru, whose Inner Engineering program transformed his personal, economic and professional life. He practices meditation and conducts weekly sessions for his students, fostering discipline and mental clarity.

“Where there is humanity, the Almighty’s blessings will follow,” he says, adding that his goal will always be to instil a competitive spirit among students and help them achieve their big dreams, such as becoming an IAS or IPS officer.