A salute to Professor H.N. Aswathanarayana

Prof. Aswathanarayana as a NCC Officer at a camp.

Sir,

Tears rolled down on my cheeks after reading the article by Dr. K. Javeed Nayeem titled “Prof. H.N. Aswathanarayana: A mentor who is no more” in Star of Mysore dated Mar.20.

I too never knew that he was imprisoned and was a freedom fighter. I was staying in his outhouse at Krishnamurthypuram during my early days of appointment in Mysore University.

The Professor used to introduce me as his friend before everyone though I was not a teaching faculty and was only his tenant.

I wanted to run a School for my younger unemployed brother which did not materialise. But Prof. Aswathanarayana coordinated me in all my endeavours. He was ready to spare his private property for the School building.

When my aged mother used to visit Mysuru, prepare jowar roti and offer him, he would affectionately eat it and share the same with his old mother.

I still remember his hour-long speeches during Ganesha festivals in his area and at Sri Ganapathy Ashram.

After I shifted my house, he did not forget me but went on inviting me to all his personal functions which I never missed.

I used to meet the Professor at St. Philomena’s College, GSS School and in TTL College premises where he was available always for talks. As Dr. Javeed said, he lived for a purpose. He was strict, disciplined and never compromised with his principles but was a scholar and humble at heart.

Here is my salute to my Meshtru (as I used to address the Professor). May his soul rest in peace.