A Tribute to Nana: A Legacy of Love, Sacrifice, & Inspiration

True character often shines brightest when we pause to reflect on the people who shaped us. My father, Late Shri. Dandapati Jagannath Achary, whom I lovingly call Nana (owing to my Telugu origins), was that guiding light in my life. He was more than a parent; he was the cornerstone of who I am today. His life embodied resilience, selflessness, and unwavering love.

As I remember him, I’m inspired not just by personal memories but by the idea that ordinary individuals can leave extraordinary legacies. This tribute isn’t just for me; it’s for anyone seeking reassurance that kindness, sacrifice, and moral courage still thrive in this world. Nana’s story proves that true greatness doesn’t depend on wealth, status, or public recognition. Instead, it emerges through the quiet impact we have on others—an impact that echoes long after we are gone.

Humble Beginnings: Strength Forged Through Struggle

Nana’s journey started in hardship. My grandparents faced severe financial constraints, making even basic education for their children a challenge. My grandfather, though a charismatic personality and the king’s goldsmith, fell into drinking and other lavish habits early in his life, mostly leaving his children to God’s mercy. In such circumstances, while others might have faltered, Nana refused to give up. When he needed money for board exams, he sold his only bicycle. At times, he cooked and did chores for his teachers just to pay school fees. These teachers, recognizing his potential and determination, guided him with opportunities that became stepping stones to success.

He was a math champion early in his life. While many students would study hard and keep practicing, he would be busy cooking, cleaning utensils, and performing other tasks that deterred him from preparation. Yet, he would end up as the topper, often scoring full marks. He instilled this love for math in me too through clever tricks. He would persuade me to solve hundreds of math problems in exchange for a few firecrackers during the Deepawali season. Let’s not deviate…

Seeing this charismatic and humble student with an eager attitude, society often extended support in various ways. Friends shared books, offered encouragement, and sometimes even split meals with him. These small acts of kindness created a ripple effect, helping Nana stay focused on his studies and instilling a deep appreciation for community and cooperation. Later in life, he extended the same generosity to his students. He never kept accounts of what he spent for them, treating them like his own children. The school he taught at became his second home, and he cared for it with the same devotion as he did for his family.

A Life in Education: Guiding Young Minds

For 33 of the first 55 years of his life, when he was physically active and unaffected by paralysis, Nana dedicated himself wholeheartedly to teaching. He influenced countless children during a pivotal stage of their growth, leaving a profound impact that would shape their futures.

He taught a range of subjects—particularly passionate about mathematics and English—and embraced the mischievous curiosity of 4- to 10-year-olds with patience, humor, and warmth. While others might have seen rambunctious young minds as a challenge, Nana saw boundless potential. He believed that education wasn’t limited to academics; it was a chance to shape character, nurture confidence, and inspire big dreams.

Nana also championed progressive education methods, implementing a “learning through happiness” philosophy under the state-funded Ananda Moya Shikshya program. He emphasized choice-based, stress-free learning, ensuring that children could learn at their own pace. Over the course of his career, he touched at least a thousand lives, ensuring his legacy endured in the hearts of those he taught.

A Cultural Advocate: Celebrating Odisha’s Heritage

Nana wasn’t just a teacher—he was a passionate advocate for Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. As an active member of the “Upanta Utkala Sahitya Parishad,” he played a pivotal role in organizing annual Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) celebrations. These events featured poetry recitals, literary discussions, and cultural performances by students and teachers alike.

He believed education was incomplete without fostering a connection to one’s roots and cultural identity. By encouraging students to participate in these programs, he inspired them to appreciate their heritage, blending academic learning with cultural enrichment. His dedication to Odisha’s traditions left a lasting impact on both students and colleagues.

The Rock-Steady Family Man

Nana was the eldest son in his family, and as the only person with a stable and sustained income, he bore the responsibility of his family wholeheartedly. He was a rock of stability in his post-student life, dedicating his first two decades of personal life after joining the teaching service to his family. His sacrifices were exceptional, going far beyond what one could expect. He prioritized the well-being and needs of others, ensuring his siblings, parents, and extended family had the support they needed. These acts of selflessness touched deep emotions in those around him. While I choose not to discuss every detail out of respect for those close to him, it is undeniable that his actions defined what it means to be a true family man.

A True Partnership: The Role of Amma

Nana’s achievements didn’t unfold in isolation. His journey was enriched, and often sustained, by the strength and resilience of my mother—Amma. Life tested them both, sometimes severely, but through every hardship, she stood by him, steadfast and loving.

Amma faced her own challenges, which made their life together far from easygoing. Yet, she was the constant support system Nana needed. From managing family responsibilities to caring for him during his most vulnerable years, Amma’s unwavering commitment defined their partnership.

In his final years, her care and dedication were nothing short of heroic. She navigated the difficulties of his declining health with patience and love, ensuring his comfort and dignity. Together, they formed a quiet, compassionate alliance that exemplified the very values Nana taught in his classroom—kindness, patience, and the power of steadfast commitment.

The Artistic Soul: A Love for Music and Cinema

Beyond his roles as a teacher and family man, Nana had an artistic soul. He was captivated by the movies of Raj Kapoor and the soulful melodies of Mukesh. This passion wasn’t fleeting—it ran so deep that he spent years saving to buy a cassette player, a luxury item at the time.

Nana’s determination to fulfill this dream was extraordinary. He skipped meals, undertook long cycling trips, and made countless sacrifices. Eventually, his perseverance paid off, and he was able to afford that cassette player, which became his treasure. Listening to his beloved songs brought him immense solace, joy, and connection to life’s simple beauty.

These cycling trips weren’t just about saving money—they were symbolic of his determination. Each ride was a step closer to a dream that, though small to others, was monumental to him. It reflected his values: patience, effort, and cherishing life’s finer moments, no matter how hard they were to achieve.

Reflections on Life’s Complexities

Life is never a straight path. It is a mosaic of choices, circumstances, and fate—a tapestry woven with threads of joy, pain, and countless “what-ifs.” Around the timeline of Nana’s second innings, my own life went through profound upheavals. These are facets of my life that are too close to my heart, moments too raw and intimate to share fully in public. Yet, I can’t help but reflect on how I wish things had unfolded differently.

I wish I had been a more mature person, better equipped to handle the complexities that arose. I wish my father had been more conscious of his deteriorating cardiac health, the alarming blood pressure levels, and the chronic stress he endured—stress brought about by life’s pressures and the actions of some key individuals around us. These were silent battles that compounded over time, and while they were beyond my control, they shaped the path we all walked together.

In 2020, under unusual circumstances, I got married. By 2021, I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl—a joy amidst the chaos. But alongside these milestones came challenges: I had to leave a promising Ph.D. program, incurred loans exceeding 20 lakhs, and found myself grappling with resentment toward certain individuals whose actions inadvertently contributed to the hardships we faced. At the time, the weight of it all was crushing. But looking back now, I realize it was fate—an intricate design beyond blame or control.

The Second Innings: A Battle Against All Odds

My last memories of Nana are some of the most vivid and painful. On January 14, 2020, at around 1:30 pm, I received a call from his assistant teacher. He informed me that Nana had fallen off his chair, possibly suffering a stroke. When the phone was handed to Nana, he uttered in a blurry voice, “Bhargav, come soon,” and that was the last coherent conversation I had with him.

When I arrived, Nana was in the ICU. Over the weeks that followed, we celebrated even the smallest victories, such as when he managed to take his first spoon of semi-liquid food. However, life changed irreversibly. My mother sank into psychotic depression, and I took on every role imaginable—nurse, dietician, physiotherapist, and caretaker—all amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the first week of October 2024, I visited my parents after taking a break from my professional journey, a pause necessitated by multiple challenging circumstances. During this visit, I told my mother that I would bring them to Bengaluru, as I could no longer bear to see Nana in such a fragile state. Unfortunately, before I could fulfill this promise, Nana left us. He chose to spend his final moments in the home he had built after decades of hard work and struggle—a place he cherished deeply and where he found his peace.

A Void That Cannot Be Filled

In the aftermath of his passing, I find myself grappling with a void that words cannot fully capture. I long for his reassuring hand on my shoulder and the warmth of his presence. The world feels quieter and emptier without him.

Yet, alongside the sorrow, there’s a deep gratitude for the legacy he left behind. His life’s work—his kindness, humor, and unwavering dedication to others—is now a guidepost lighting my path forward. While I can’t bring him back, I can honor his memory by living the values he instilled in me and continuing the cycle of support and compassion he started.

I miss you, Nana. I’ve missed your hand on my shoulder for a long time now, and now I can’t even feel your warmth. I miss your presence, your laughter, your wisdom. The loss is something I carry every day, but so is your legacy.

Moving Forward: Lessons of Endurance

Though I cannot change what has happened, I can shape how I move forward. Nana’s spirit lives on in every kind act, every patient moment, every decision to uplift rather than tear down. His life was a testament to the strength and beauty of the human spirit, and for that, I will forever remain grateful.

Let’s keep making progress!

Jai Jagannath!

Hari Om!