Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (MS)

Bantwal, Oct 6: Scholarship changes the life of financially poor students. State governments, various departments, corporations and foundations give scholarship to students in order to encourage them to study. A teacher has made it his mission of life by getting these scholarship to the deserving students.

This retired teacher, who is popularly known as ‘Scholarship Master’ has helped to get Rs five crore scholarship to financially poor students.

Retired teacher Narayana Naik (80) has achieved this unique distinction. He resides in Karpe village of the taluk. He is helping students to realize their dreams by providing help to secure scholarship.

Naik visits educational institutions, government offices and private organizations and communicates with them through orientation and guides them to seek the right scholarship. In the last one year itself Naik has visited more than 200 schools of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

Naik got retired in 2001 after serving as teacher for 38 long years. Instead of spending his retired life with children and grandchildren, this teacher is very much involved himself in social service.

Narayana Naik says, “I am doing this since the time I was a teacher. After retirement, I have got more time to devote to this cause. This gives me happiness. Now I am totally dedicated as a resource person for scholarships.”

Naik spends more than half of his Rs 40000 pension for the travelling expenses in order to go to schools and institutions. He says that education is the key to success and everyone should give attention towards getting good education.

Naik says that he always gives preference to students of government schools and colleges who top in studies but are financially poor. I visit their houses and guide them to get the proper scholarship.

In addition, Naik also coordinates with NGOs and Foundations who provide scholarships. In the last year Rs 16 lac scholarship was given to eligible and deserving students because of Naik’s efforts.

Hariprasad Shetty, principal of government first grade college, who knows Naik for the past 25 years says, “Naik is one of the most selfless individuals I have seen in my life. Many rural students have got the benefit from his noble service. His spirit even at the age of 80 is commendable.”