‘What is so special about this person?’ you may ask about Dr. Mohan Alva to me. For this my answer would be ‘What is not?’ Having born in a humble family, after his graduation in Medicine he went on to build series institutions, which are today pursuing excellence, under the banner of ‘Alvas Education Foundation’ in Moodubidri. ‘Alvas and Moodubidri’ is today as synonymous as ‘Pais and Manipal’. But it is not just education with which Alvas are today recognized with. Alvas are today fast gaining the image of being among the finest curators of great and diverse heritage of Karnataka.
My experience with Alvas had begun very recently when I had been there, at their place, to attend Kannada Literary Conference organized by the institution entitled ‘Nudisiri’. It was one of its kind magnanimous Event spread across three days with an estimated Rupees 2 million investment. Being recognized as a National Journalist it might not be among the finest to me, but it is certainly one of the mammoth steps in preserving the Karnataka’s, and Kannadas, centuries old heritage. The efforts put to promote vernacular writers, poets and novelists as well as journalists are one of its kind. It is certainly not that Government of Karnataka hasn’t got any similar efforts going on. But this is something that is poised to earn their envy.
From the delicate details of constructing a mammoth stage, to organizing the refreshments and places of accommodation for hundreds of invitees until the perfect Time maintenance, there is a lot in the program, for which thousands who visited the function may stand testimony, for the State Government to learn from.
Let me put it straight away, this is not one of those articles which are written with biased perception. I am not paid for this article, neither is it that I have any personal gains to achieve by wooing Alvas. I have written so little articles on personalities and am reluctant to praise any person. ‘You need to appreciate people.’ My friends continue to say owing to my attitude which is fast to find shortcomings in people. Somehow, Mohan Alva stood for me out of the crowd.
At Nudisiri, for example, he would personally monitor all the preparations by rolling up his sleeves. The day I landed in Moodubidri, I would find Dr. Alva personally coming up to me and all other invitees to greet, in attire that is completely soiled. There is no free time for him. If he is free he would stand at the lobby and greet all the visitors with an utmost simplicity. I simply couldn’t resist my self from appreciating him. After all how many educationalists would be willing to do so?
There is a wonderful saying in Sanskrit which reads ‘Yatha Raaja Tatha Praja’ (like the king his subjects). The best example if you would search for it would be at the Alvas. Starting from the Chairman to the Coolie every one was so dedicated to the work that I could hardly resist myself from writing an article to appreciate them.
When I handed over the said article to the students of journalism, who were so enthusiastically working on the special issue of their college magazine, called Madhyama, they would take no time in translating my article from English to Kannada and have it published the next day. Their dedication and passion for the work was so exemplary.
It’s not that I did not note any shortcomings. A rose is always with thorn, but it is a thorn which protects the rose, so at times, I believe, you need to forget those shortcomings especially when they are so minute, as in case of Alvas.
This is a humble mark of appreciation on to this promising personality and his staff and students whom I would seek to further transcend boundaries to play a significant role not just in preservation of heritage of Karnataka but also India.
The author is Editor-in-Chief of Aseemaa: Journal for National Resurgence
