Teacher Par Excellence Prof B S Raman Remembered-Trust to Raise Rs 1 Cr for Students Scholarship
Teacher Par Excellence Prof B S Raman- Retired Head of the Department of Commerce at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru who passed away on 27 July 2018 Remembered during a Public Condolence Meeting held on 1 August 2018 at Eric Mathias Hall, St Aloysius College – A few of the former students of Prof B S Raman, many of whom are Chartered Accountants, have formed a Trust to Raise nearly Rs 1 Cr for the Scholarships of deserved students.
Mangaluru: As a Alumni of St Aloysius College- Mangaluru having completed my B Sc graduation in the 80’s, even though I have not personally known Prof BS Raman, because he never taught me being a science student, but I had always admired his Character, his Nature and Compassionate to his students, whenever he mingled with them, or during his participation in college programmes. Even though the much loved and respected teacher, Prof B S Raman is no more-It’s so easy to just think about the pain and grief that his passing has caused to many of his close colleagues and also the students whom he taught. The pain that they all feel should not overshadow the life that he led. A beautiful soul can never be forgotten!
Prof B S Raman served as a professor of Commerce for over 35 years and retired as the Head of the Department of Commerce at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru. He was a well-know writer having written more than 100 books on commerce, accounting and associated subjects. He was loved and adored by his students for his passionate teaching, dedication to the profession and compassionate attitude towards the students. These and many more qualities describe Prof B S Raman, who passed away in his native place, Ooty on 27 July 2018, at the age of 81. Post his retirement, Raman stayed in Mangaluru after which he moved to Bengaluru and finally, went back to Ooty, where he spent the last few years of his life.
File Photo of Prof B S Raman speaking during a SACAA Awards Programme
Sources reveal that, Raman was a brilliant child and always bagged ranks throughout his student career. Joining St. Aloysius College as a lecturer, and later he retired in the year 1995 as HOD of Commerce. The BBA course was introduced in the region for the first time by Prof Raman and he also helped develop the commerce and accountancy subjects in the state. All of the commerce students who studied especially in Mangaluru, have been indirect recipients of Raman’s contributions as he had written over 100 books in commerce, economics, accountancy and law. These books are a part of the syllabus in many universities in the country. Many of his students remember him fondly as a disciplinarian and a brilliant man.
The Public Condolence Meeting began with a prayer service by three Aloysius students of three different religions, followed by a tribute paid to late Prof B S Raman by Dr A M Narahari- the Registrar of St Aloysius College, and also other persons namely Prof Sunney Tharappan, Prof V R Hebbar- both his colleagues; and Fr Leo D’souza Sj-Former College Principal. Four of Prof B S Raman’s former students students, namely CA Paul Verghese, Ca Chandrakanth Rao, NG Mohan; and Sudheedrakumar, currently the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax at Mysuru, who had come all the way from Mysuru to express his thoughts. A song was sung by Ms Manasa of III rd B Sc paying rich tribute to the soul of Prof Raman. The entire Condolence Meeting was professionally compered by CA Kiran Vasanth, a student of Prof Raman.
Archibald Menezes- President of St Aloysius College Alumni Association {SACAA} in his tribute to Prof Raman said, “Prof Raman was always immaculately dressed in white with black shoes and belt were his trade mark. Geography was not a subject of great interest to most of the students and we all know Raman Sir would keep on explaining the same subject so many times, it was sometimes difficult to concentrate further. But we managed. After high school joining College, that was the beginning of our association and I must say great friendship with our dear Sir. All of us had great admiration and respect for our guru which continued for the next 4 years and beyond. And even today his face is clearly visible to our mind when remember him I am sure you all share this feeling. He is one teacher who will never be forgotten and his memory will live forever.”
“Prof Raman was a noble soul, a true gentle man, very Kind hearted, a true Mahaguru. What we have learned and visualized in our books he represented in human form in our times. Because of him we developed a keen interest in accountancy. During our final year he invited us to bring to him any problems which we did not understand and he taught us any number of times till he made sure that we understood the issue. I just want to tell you how much popular Pro Raman’s books were which were so simple and to extent we could follow the sums without the guidance of a teacher. SACAA is very glad that in 2016 we confered on him the eminent Aloysian Alumni award. On behalf of the alumni association we condole his demise and pray that God grant his soul eternal rest and grant strength to his family to bear this terrible loss. We all are sad, because we were part of his extended family” added Archie Menezes.
Also speaking during the Condolence Meeting, Fr Dr Praveen Martis Sj=Principal of St Aloysius College said, “Even though I was not much associated with Prof Raman, I had heard lot of good things about him. This institution has produced many eminent persons, who have been taught by great professors, and Prof Raman is one among them. He was a man of Excellence, Commitment, Compassion, and Consciousness. Even though he is not with us anymore, His spirit is still within our hearts. Let Him be role model to all of us and also the students of St Aloysius College”
Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Fr Dionysius Vas Sj said, “When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the spirit laughs for what it has gained,” is an ancient Sufi saying. Even though Prof Raman is no more with us, he has left his face impression in our hearts as a memory. Sometimes memory becomes a treasure, and no doubt Prof Raman’s memory will always be a great treasure for all his colleagues and students he had taught. He is indeed a loyal son of St Aloysius Institution, A loyal son of Humanity, and he was a man of innovation, discipline and Knowledge. Credited with a lot of new initiatives and innovations in his teaching at the College, he will be always remembered as a teacher par excellence with a deep sense of dedication to duty and genuine love and empathy towards his students. May His soul rest in peace”.
Prior to all the people who gathered for the Public Condolence Meeting offering floral tribute to the portrait of Prof B S Raman, one of his former student, CA Chandramohan KY made a brief announcement of the “The Prof BS Memorial Trust” catering to the need of the needy and deserved students by means of scholarships for them. CA Chandramohan said, “The students and colleagues having immensely benefited from their association with Late Prof. B.S. RAMAN intend to establish a PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST in his Memory to cherish his ideals and continue to advance his lifetime commitment to the cause of Accountancy and Commerce Education. The main objectives of the TRUST will be to “grant Scholarships, stipends, prizes, rewards and allowances, financial and other assistance to the needy and deserving students and scholars in the pursuit of education in Commerce, Accountancy and Management and to provide funds to the deserving students, teachers and professors for continuing their studies and research at the levels of pre-University, under-graduate, post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral studies.”
Serious efforts are underway to make the Trust functional in the next few weeks. We solicit your earnest co-operation and benevolent contribution to this noble cause. Initially the TRUST intends to create a CORPUS OF A CRORE OF RUPEES for the above said purposes. We request to please signify your Commitment to this most noble cause by filling the attached Commitment Letter and deliver it to the address mentioned thereon either by postal mail or electronic mail. Your commitment and contribution will go a long way in encouraging us to dedicate our efforts to the advancement of the objectives for which PROF B.S. RAMAN stood and lived for” added CA Chandramohan. And for sure with all these wealthy Chartered Accountants, who were taught by Prof Raman, raising a Corpus of Crore of rupees will be just a piece of Cake!
In conclusion, Prof BS Raman, a strict disciplinarian he was held with awe by his students and colleagues alike. He made an indelible mark in the minds and hearts of the students, colleagues and the management with his deep sense of commitment to work, simplicity, forthright-ness and unflinching loyalty to the cause of teaching and the institution He earned the respect of his students because of his inimitable style of igniting the young minds during their formative years. Widely acknowledged as a scholar with an insatiable appetite for learning and authoring books, he touched lakhs of students across the country by authoring over one hundred books on various branches of Commerce, Accountancy and management. His style of writing in a simple, lucid,easy-to-understand and intelligible manner made him the darling of the entire student fraternity. Sadly missed by dear and near ones!
For More details as to How You Can Contribute to the Trust, You Can Call: CA Chandramohan at 8088993192; or Dr A M Narahari at 9741410990