This may be a small story which connects few of us but, it’s a reality that I pour out my deep sense of my world.
I, Devika Nagaraju was born and brought up by a very good humble family where only happiness was the brain food as I, when I was young, didn’t have much responsibility. I am a third daughter to my parent’s Mr.Y.N.Shivanna & Smt.T.V.Venkatalakshmi, as a youngest daughter in the house obviously pampering was on the higher side by my parents, grandparents and my guardians. I was called “Chiltu” by my dad, sometimes. I feel nicknames are more affectionate towards parents’ love, as my title says dad’s my progress, Yes, I have grown up witnessing his progress and success. A very hard worker, confident was his right hand, he never said no to any good work.
This may be a small story which connects few of us but, it’s a reality that I pour out my deep sense of my world.
I, Devika Nagaraju was born and brought up by a very good humble family where only happiness was the brain food as I, when I was young, didn’t have much responsibility. I am a third daughter to my parent’s Mr. Y.N. Shivanna & Smt.T.V.Venkatalakshmi, as a youngest daughter in the house obviously pampering was on the higher side by my parents, grandparents and my guardians. I was called “Chiltu” by my dad, sometimes. I feel nicknames are more affectionate towards parents’ love, as my title says dad’s my progress, Yes, I have grown up witnessing his progress and success. A very hard worker, confident was his right hand, he never said no to any good work.
Basically, my dad was from a rural background who came with just 20 Rs in his hand in the 1970’s after his degree in his hometown. He was a third son for his parents born and brought up in Yaliyuru, Kunigal taluk, later he found a job in IISC Bengaluru as a Asst.Librarian, he married to my mom Mrs.T.V.Venkatalakshmi in 1978 who was a teacher in Vokkaliga Sangha then, my dad thought to start up a own school inspired by my mom to take up initiative in 1979 and started with a less budget in a shed with a handful of student’s there first start was Kannada Medium named as VLS Vidya Sagara, The ideology of the school name is also so unique . V-Vinayaka, L-Lakshmi, S-Saraswathi, as a student we need blessings of all these three deities and also education should flow like an ocean among students as was their intention in naming the institution as VLS .
My dad’s only thought was as he had seen the struggle for education in his age and that it should not be a struggle for this generation of students . My dad was brave enough to start the educational Institution because starting up or becoming an entrepreneur is always challenging, but his start was with a good intention to serve the society. His good thought of serving society by giving education made him grow to a successful human being today, his aim/dream did not stop for one school, he started to elaborate in the whole vicinity. Now my dad has 4 branches of state board and 2 branches of ICSE with the same name VLS.
The Chain of institution was surrounded by a different cadre of people in society, there’s no differences in the caste or creed. My dad always used to encourage youngsters to respect aged ones like a child with the small children, his selfless effort and care towards all was commendable. Even though my dad had 3 daughters and society had taunted him about this my dad never ever felt that we were burden to him , he faced all the challenges and situations he and his focus was only towards his goal to reach the society by serving and being a helping hand, he balanced all family, career and his society with great pleasure, he was an unborn enemy, never had enmity with anybody till his last breath.
In 2012 when he asked me to take care ,with all his blessings I took over as a Director/Principal of VLS International School Basaveshwaranagar, Bengaluru, holds CISCE Board, my dad’s guidance, my mom’s leadership made me to develop the institution, I learnt being humble, patience and simple under his guidance, he taught me to be confident,brave, he always used to call me tigress which had a great impact on my strength , he guided me to be focused towards my goal no matter how many ever obstacles you get, he guided me to be punctual and be a role model to the staff and student’s treat everybody equal was his words.
His talks, his smiles are unforgettable, he taught me to balance personal life and career, he was not selfish, his whole life was dedicated to be a best guide and a social server his appearance was always simple with white shirt and a black/grey pant even though he constructed many Institutions he never taught about his house modification, he didn’t give preference to his looks nor the stay. He lived a simple life. We Never expected that we would lose him so early at the age of 70 during Covid-2 wave.
May 15th 2021 was a dark day and we were unfortunate enough to lose him without a small clue. But, I still was fortunate to be with him during his last days . It was a week we admitted him, one whole week I was with him during his last days where not everybody gets the time to spend. He left us in his kingdom and to take forward his legacy. I am still progressing only with his blessings, my dad my inspiration always.
My dad was a crown which was filled with all gems; each gem depicted his character. I am proud to be his daughter with deep sense of heart, I’m missing him all time , my dad has given everything today, if I am a human being a leader or a pride daughter it is only because of him, but he is not alive to see the growth of his dream institutions which he struggled day and night, where he has put his 100% effort. It’s only a memory now . A pain is always a pain without him.
Always in our prayer’s my dad……..
Love you daddy…..
Miss you……. DR.DEVIKA NAGARAJU DIRECTOR /PRINCIPAL. VLS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
