Mangalore: A farewell function was organized recently at Ravindra Kalabhavana of University College Mangaluru for the English professor H. Pattabhirama Somayaji, who served almost two decades for the institution.
Speaking on the occasion, Mangalore University Political Science Associate Professor Dr. Dayananda Naik hailed Mr. Somayaji as an English scholar who can take students to a different world and also a scholar in Kannada. “He can receive negative comments with a smile and always maintained a space between personal ideology and profession.”
PG Department of Economics Coordinator Dr. Jayavanth Nayak opined that Mr. Somayaji was an intellectual link of the college. Commerce Department Head, former principal Dr. Uday Kumar M A said that Mr. Somayaji loved his profession and was ready to freely discuss any socio-political issues. Journalism department Head Dr. K R Shani praised his simplicity, intellectual ability, and hard work. Head of the department of English Dr. Rajalakshmi N K said that Mr. Somayaji still has a hunger for knowledge and he developed it also among students.
Chemistry PG Coordinator Dr. K. Laxman, History Department Head Rajeshwari, Associate Professor Dr. Kumaraswamy M, Aruna Kumari from Physics, Dr. Nagarathna N. Rao of Hindi department, and senior non-teaching staff Krishna Shettigar recalled memories with Mr. Somayaji. Principal Dr. A Harisha wondered about Pattabhirama Somayaji's huge fan base.
Later, Mr. Somayaji recalled memories with his mentor Jnanapeeta awardee Dr. U R Ananthamurthy. He defended his tough stands on various issues and added, “differences are common, but human relations remain the same.”
The retiree was felicitated by the organization. Superintend Bhagyalaxmi was present among others. The head of the Sanskrit department, Dr. A. Kumarasubrahmanya Bhat mastered the ceremony.
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