First a Teacher

#ThankyouTeacher

(Circa 1920s)

'Look what I have brought for you!' Ramakrishnayya told his wife, showing her the school books.

'I have spoken to the headmaster. He has agreed to allow you to join the 7th class,' he said.

'I don't want to study. I want a baby,' she sobbed.

'Do you remember? As a new bride, you asked me if you could study but you got busy with the family. Now, I think you should study for 1-2 years and then we can have children,' he comforted her.

Parvati's schooling stopped after 6th class as she had attained puberty. 

As per customs, she was sent to her matrimonial home.

A few years earlier, she was married to Ramakrishnayya, who was educated and taught in the Kurnool village school in AP.

As a dutiful wife and daughter-in-law, she looked after the family and their farm.

But after five years of married life, she could not beget a child. She had many miscarriages. A child died within two days of birth. The bubbly, enthusiastic girl turned into a sad, depressed, and reserved person.

Ramakrishnayya thought of pulling his wife out of depression by asking her to pursue her studies.

He spoke to the headmaster and got her admission to class 7.

Initially, Parvati was reluctant. No girl went to school after puberty and not after marriage.

How will she sit in a class of boys?

How will she complete her household work?

What will everyone say?

Patiently, her husband cleared all her doubts and fears.

Reluctant, and primarily to escape the sympathetic and sarcastic words of family and neighbours, she started attending school. 

They put a screen on so no one could see her. She entered the class after all the students sat.

After a few months, she showed interest in the subjects taught and attended school enthusiastically.

When the final exams were approaching, Parvati was pregnant. Her mother-in-law asked her to stop her studies.

'The final exams are in a month. After that, she can rest. It will also divert her mind and not make her anxious,' Ramakrishnayya requested his family.

Parvati passed 7th class but had a miscarriage.

His family passed disparaging remarks, but he waved them off, saying Parvati had miscarriages even when she was not studying.

Stoically, Parvati continued to attend school. In the evenings, her husband helped her to understand the difficult chapters. His family chided and laughed at them for wasting time on studies when they should try for a child, but Ramakrishnayya was determined to wait till Parvati completed her Matriculation before trying for a child.

'I am first her teacher and then her husband,' he told himself. He admired her for concentrating on the subjects and taking pains to learn subjects like science and math, which were new to her.

Parvati was slowly returning to her cheerful nature that he loved.

When she was in Matriculate, a gynecologist joined the district hospital. Parvati wished to consult her, but Ramakrishnayya asked her to be patient. 'We have waited over three years. Concentrate on your exams and we will visit the doctor thereafter,' he told her.

However, Parvati was yearning for a child. She met the doctor and asked her to start her treatment.

Two months before her exams, Parvati was pregnant.

Ramakrishnayya did not wish to enforce his views, so asked her if she wished to drop out of school and appear in the supplementary exams after her delivery.

'I will honour my teacher first and then my husband,' she replied.

With the support of the doctor and her husband, Parvati attended school regularly and gave her SSLC exams. She was the first woman in the Kurnool district to pass Matriculation. The entire district and administration praised her grit and determination.

They addressed her as Parvati Garu-Matriculate. (Garu indicates respect in Telugu and is equivalent to Hindi- Ji )

'The full credit for my success goes to my husband, who is my teacher and guide,' she spoke.

A few months later, she delivered a healthy boy.

As she basked in motherhood, many women admired her and felt motivated to study and have a family life. Many wished to learn but were not comfortable attending school.

Parvati spoke to her husband and the school authorities. They started a special class in the afternoon, enabling women to attend to their home responsibilities and then school.

Parvati spent her time motivating women to restart their studies. She advised parents to allow girls to continue their studies and not drop out after puberty.

Four years later, the first batch of girl- students passed Matriculation from their village.

All remembered and thanked Parvati, who died that year.

Parvati's son grew up studying in the village school, where his father became Headmaster. When he completed his SSLC, he went to Madras (Chennai) to pursue graduation.

Ramakrishnayya suffered from lung disease when his son was in his final year of graduation. He knew his end was near, but he did not want his son to miss his examinations to attend his funeral.

He wrote to the principal of the college requesting him to hand over his letter to his son after he writes his last paper.

Ramakrishnayya died when his son's examinations were on. In deference to his wishes, the principal called his son after he wrote his last paper and handed over his father's letter.

'Do not be upset that you did not attend my funeral. I do not wish you to attend to my mortal remains, leaving your studies. I always believed that I am first a teacher and then my other roles.'

'Learning is not attained by chance. We must seek it with patience, determination, and dedication. I hope you will seek knowledge with the same determination and dedication that your mother and I pursued.'

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    Based on the true story of Ramakrishnayya, Parvati and my father, their son.