Memoir: Where all my music travelled
January 9, 2020
83+ Medical Biologist Turned Biographer
March 9, 2020
My name is Pandurangarao Sripathi. I am an 80 year old energetic and positive retired Principal of a Government Inter College from Hyderabad. I have retired from job but I am still continuing my passion for teaching and social work with various socially minded organizations. Due to my active lifestyle at this age some of my acquaintances and students call me superman.
My Interests
Along with teaching and working for the special sections of the society I also like reading thought provoking and motivational books. Dale Carnegie’s book ‘How to Stop Worrying and Start Living’ is one of my favourite book which helped me a lot when I was emotionally disturbed. I also like watching movies which gives some message to the society. My favourite Telugu movie is ‘Tata Manavadu’ which according to me gives a strong message of respecting and caring of elders.
My favourite historical personalities are Gautam Buddha for his compassion towards others and Swami Vivekanand because he believed that power is within us that is why he said ‘Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached’. My role models are Mahatma Gandhi because he preached that service to mankind is service to God and Dr. A.P.J. Kalam who is the best example of simple living and high thinking. All these famous personalities have inspired me a lot in my life and have encouraged me to do something meaningful and good for the society which I am trying to do in my own way through my services towards the various sections of the society.
Struggles in Life
Life has been a tough journey for me but my hard work and positive thinking always helped me in overcoming the struggles in life. I lost my father when I was 9 years old. No one except my maternal grandfather (mother’s maternal uncle) took care of me and my family that time. Since then I became very close to him. He only inspired me to help others. He was an advocate and he dedicated his life towards helping others, even after his death his organs were donated to needy people. He passed away when I was 26 years old. It was a big shock for me, I felt as if I became orphan at that time. But then I gathered courage to accept it and move in life.
I felt shattered when I lost my wife ten years ago as she was a great companion and support who has always been my side in all my struggles in life. My philosophical and spiritual orientation towards life helped me at that time in overcoming my grief and accepting it as a part of life. After her death I donated many of my house’s furniture and appliances in her name to charitable organizations and lead a simple life as I always believed in simple living.
Work and Achievements
I started my career at the age of 24 years when I got selected as Assistant Lecturer by Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission. I loved my job as it gave me the opportunity to take up various responsible and interesting roles and do lot of meaningful tasks along with teaching. As Head of the Department and Principal I listened to the concerns and issues faced by students, teachers and other staff members was always available to resolve those issues.
Even after my retirement I was invited to take up various responsible positions like principal in some colleges, Joint Secretary in different roles in the Board of Intermediate Education and Research officer in the capacity of principal in Telugu Academy where I worked on standardization of terminology and preparation of encyclopaedia of chemistry.
I am very much satisfied with my professional life and feel proud when I talk about my students as many of them are doing very well in their respective professions. They are also in touch with me and they acknowledge my efforts and teaching.
Now-a-days I am working mostly as Advisor and Volunteer with various socially minded organizations working towards healthcare, health awareness, palliative care, welfare of children and senior citizens, disability and right to education. I am in the advisory board of various senior citizens associations and old age homes in Telangana.
For my work and contribution towards the society, the state government honoured me with Vayoshrestha Award in 2015. Some organizations working in the area of healthcare and eldercare have felicitated me for healthy living.
My Family
My wife, my good friend passed away 10 years ago. Initially I felt very upset and lonely but with time, spiritual thinking and children’s support I have got adapted with this change now.
I have three children, one son and two daughters. All my children are highly educated and are doing well in their professional life. They all are well settled with their own family in Hyderabad. I very proudly say that both my daughters and my daughter in law are passionate academicians like me. Our next generation that is all my six grand children have professional degrees and are doing good in their professional and personal life.
Though all my children live in Hyderabad and we are very close to each other and share a cordial relation, however as I am a follower of Gandhian Philosophy I prefer to live alone in a small house and want to do all my personal and household chores by myself. My children respect my decision and we meet on a regular basis.
Active Lifestyle
People ask me what is my secret to healthy living and my answer is active lifestyle, positive thinking and engagement in meaningful work. I get up in the morning at 6am and do some aerobic exercises, pranayam and meditation for 1 hour daily. After this I have my breakfast followed by some household chores like cleaning house, washing clothes and cooking. I have simple and balanced meals. Once the household chores are done I move out in the day for my volunteering and advisory work with various voluntary and healthcare organizations with which I am associated. While going for work I prefer to walk or use local transport like bus as it keeps me active.
Once I am back home I prepare and have my dinner, read books, spend some time on Facebook and whatsapp and go to sleep.
My Wishlist
I am leading an active and healthy life and I wish to lead such a life till my last breath. Following are the things on my wishlist:
- I want to inspire more and more students to develop leadership traits in their respective fields and make India a superpower as students are the future of India.
- To guide and motivate more and more senior citizens to keep themselves physically and mentally fit by practising yoga, meditation and developing positive mental attitude.
- To work with more senior citizens associations and organizations for empowering seniors.
My Message
We are in this world to do certain duties. So, along with your personal and professional responsibilities do some services for the welfare of others and thus contribute towards the development of our country.
