Karma Yogi Sridhar S Chakravarthi Poem by narayana aghalaya

'cut down desires cut down needs
practice till perfect, then lead'
not a vrat for a day or a year
but a lifetime, let's be clear
this rigour when self imposed
enlightenment just implodes
one gets freed, to see others' needs
serving whom, one is truly pleased
not for those with a fickle mind
who hasten back to mundane grind
to a heady mixture of pleasure and pain
a zero sum game with no net gain
Sridhara freed himself when still young
to serve the needy just jumped headlong
to be a teacher was his passion
over decades leaving one and all stunned
he taught in Government schools
freed of fees, lower class kids, find them cool
smart, rich kids go to private schools
with AC in classrooms to keep them cool!
Sridhara had to work with poorer kids
in whom he found, deep inside, a spark hid
' I should act to stop this national waste;
there are gems here to be mined in haste! '
to some he gave money to buy books
which they took with hesitant looks
his novel techniques to teach science
students took to, like food with spice
when schools are cash strapped, none will take the call
he spent from his pocket, for Lab chemicals!
for tricky math sums, he would offer cash prize
one or the other would pick up in a trice
older students, he helped buy laptops
his generous mind worked non-stop
now his students are spread around the world
in high posts, crossing many a hurdle
serving society in their humble ways
Sridhara's noble life, guiding them every day
he has remained single through his life
to be free to serve the needy who face strife
his time devoted free to students
to clear their doubts, weekends were meant
'every rupee shall be spent on a noble cause'
he followed that dictum without a pause
eighty percent of his pay every month
to help those who need, based on his hunch
his lifestyle by choice, spartan
his zeal to serve never had a wan
Hubli is where he unleashed action plans
locals were amazed by this messiah-like-man
Society suffers from umpteen ills
as agent of change, Sridhara had the will
name and fame rightly followed
hallmark humility, always in tow
as teacher, for his lifelong zeal
with a state award*, gratitude was humbly sealed
for his noble work, he is a celebrity
thanks to media, we know the nitty-gritty
now in Mysore leading a retired life
his team helps bright students to cope with strife
love from ex-students he values most
in Mysore, he is often their beaming host
to meet him early is on my bucket list
That I have not, since long, is the sad gist
a mountain of good will is his sole wealth
May this gentle soul live long in good health
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