A TRIBUTE TO A MAGNIFICENT FOUNDING PRINCIPAL
By ROSE MARY LYNGDOH & T F L MAWLONG
Our Founding Principal, Shri Raj Nath Upadhyay left us for his heavenly abode on the 31st July 2019 at the age of 83. A condolence meeting was held on 1st August College.
Shri R. N. Upadhyay joined SKDC as a founding Principal on 15th July 1963. With its bare facilities, education at SKDC began under his leadership. His thirty three years of relentless effort as Principal of SKDC was instrumental in bringing about the development, expansion and lateral growth of the College.
He is renowned and remembered by SKDC as an outstanding leader who cared sincerely for the staff and students. We are told that his quiet, kind and gentle ways won both the minds and hearts of his staff members.
In conversation with some senior teachers and staff of the College who were fortunate enough to have worked under him, we learned many wonderful characteristic traits and work ethics of late R. N. Upadhya.
A gentleman with a commanding presence
He is remembered as a gentleman, a man of honour. He was a man with a commanding presence. He is described as a quiet and calm person by all the senior staff who have witnessed his principalship in this College.
When we spoke to our two senior most office staffs, Smt T. Nongbri and Shri I. Kurkarlang, they said that they remember him distinctly, whenever they see him entering the college he used to be presentably dressed. He earned his staffs’ respect trough his talent, fairness and integrity.
A man of few words
When we think of a leader, we expect them to talk, socialize, interact, have conversations etc., his leadership was different, “A man of few words” says Madam M. Syiem (History).
Madam B. Kharwanlang (Khasi) remembers Shri Upadhya as a man of patience who would not hesitate to tenderly walk them through the cumbersome details when they needed clarification on anything.
A Father figure
He was both loved and respected. He was a magnificent leader who would always treat his staff with respect and dignity. He was a highly talented man and a great Guru who never fails to recognize talents in people and never fails to encourage his young recruits.
A Principal with Principles
None of them have forgotten how he expects the teachers perform their duty and never believed in reminding any one about their work. He is a man who trusted his staff. His goodhearted morals, values and beliefs-system were exemplary. Undoubtedly, “A Principal with Principles” says Dr. S. Kshattriya (Botany) when asked about this great leader.
Leading by small examples
“Whenever he would casually pop in the office, he would knock at the door before he enters”, recalled Smt T. Nongbri, a senior administrative staff. That was how he would lead by showing good example to the staff on a daily basis. He would engage in small conversations with the office staff asking them about their well being. His interest in the lives of the staff members is genuine. He is sympathetic and supportive even when a staff member is dealing with non-college related issues. He was never sparing in his effort to help them.
The architect of Science departments
The man who had positively changed SKDC in countless ways is also fondly remembered as the Pioneer of Science departments of SKDC. The Science departments as a whole feels indebted to him and can never forget how they came into being. The honours program in various departments of science would not have became a successful venture of SKDC in the early 1990 if it wasn’t of his relentless efforts. In the deliberate words of Prof J. Choudhury (Physics), “The (late) founding principal played such a critical role in the founding and nurturing of the Physics honours program in SKDC. He is indeed a visionary architect of our honours program”.
Coming from Uttar Pradesh, (late) Principal Upadhya had a rather uncommon and tender love for the local tribal people. It is indeed heart warming to learn about his love and respect for the people of this region. The commitment of this magnificent Principal to SKDC in the SKDC’s formative years was never wavered.
We salute You Sir. We are eternally grateful to you.