A Heartfelt Thank You to Mr. Sundara Rudraiah
We are deeply grateful to Mr. Sundara Rudraiah, a seasoned bilingual technology professional and writer, for his generous gesture of donating the INR 10,000/- prize money he won in a national-level Father’s Day essay competition organized by Birla Estates (Aditya Birla Group) in Bangalore.
With over three decades of global experience and a rich journey spanning technology, leadership, and now writing, Mr. Rudraiah continues to inspire through his commitment to creating educational resources and raising awareness about dementia.
His thoughtful contribution to Pallium India, enabled by our Karnataka State Facilitator, Spandana, is not just an act of kindness but a reminder of how compassion can transform lives. Thank you, Mr. Rudraiah, for walking with us in our mission to bring comfort, dignity, and care to those who need it most. With his permission, we are delighted to share his prize-winning article here.
Appa: The Scholar Who Gave Us Wings
The vibrant hues of June in Karnataka take on a special meaning this year, for it’s Father’s Day. Today, I celebrate Appa, the man who not only instilled a love of learning in us, but also the courage to chase our dreams, no matter how distant.
Appa, a School Master even before India’s independence in 1947, brought his dedication to education home. Our house wasn’t filled with grand pronouncements, but with a gentle hum of intellectual curiosity. Evenings were spent huddled around kerosene lamps, devouring books like Chandamama and Sudha. Weekly magazines like Prajamatha, Prajavani – Deepavali Sanchike transported us beyond our village walls, while maps became gateways to unseen landscapes. He believed in the transformative power of knowledge, and nurtured our dreams, no matter how extravagant.
Several memories stand out. One memory that stands out is Appa sending me to National College, Bangalore in Karnataka, one of the finest colleges in the state at that time. He even arranged for me to stay at Ramakrishna Vidyarthi Mandiram, a prestigious paid hostel in Bangalore, for my pre-university studies. Another memory from my childhood is when Appa took us along with my mother to the Mysore Zoo. We had an incredible day, and I remember him showing and explaining each animal and bird with so much enthusiasm.
One memory stands out the most was Appa patiently teaching me to ride a bicycle. It was one of only two in our entire village, a symbol of progress and freedom. His gentle instructions and unwavering support gave me the confidence to wobble, then ride, finally tasting the exhilaration of independence.
He encouraged a few of us siblings to chase opportunities across continents – to Japan and the USA, for education and jobs. Though he might not have seen the fruition of all his dreams, the seeds he sowed blossomed into a family that values education above all else. Now, with grandchildren chattering excitedly about their studies, I see Appa’s legacy come alive.
Today, on Father’s Day, I celebrate Appa not just for himself, but for the countless others he touched with his dedication. He was the scholar who not just shaped young minds at school, but also built a family driven by a love for learning. He gave us not just knowledge, but the courage to take flight, just like on that precious bicycle all those years ago.
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