Chhaya Sir, Our Teaching Buddha

Dear friends, 46 years since I stepped into the world from a home @ BVB and have remained like you all a proud Bhavanite for lifetime. I continue to be guided by timeless principles resulting not merely from classroom teaching but nurturing by a school led by a Legend.

Every message posted herein is so beautiful that one needs to say no more. Matangi writing gives rare insights to a person whom each one of us seem to be personally connected to and indebted for life.

After 1975, I had the good fortune to have met him in 2011 and then a few times over last decade. He was the man who was asked by the Prime Minister to strategise and set up of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalas across the country. He ran a tribal school outside of Vadodara till his very end and was asked by the local Vadodara corporation to train teachers in their schools. Overall, the nurturing and teaching agenda carried till his very end.

Amazing that he also shared a part of his life I for one never knew. His Gandhian existence in his small home at Vadodara. Him retiring with a 5000/- Rs salary. Yet he led a life to the fullest, full of joy and adventure, for he was detached from the desires of life today. His Alaska trip enveloped in the warmth of his great family and if I am not mistaken about his African safari which he termed as his honeymoon trip on 50th anniversary.

Must admit I knew the tougher side of him, and little did I realise that he was indeed a Buddha in our midst. Like a post said that such legends are born once in thousands of years. We are all lucky and blessed to have our lives touched by his divinity.

I wonder how we all could keep his light shining on future generations of Bhavanites. Happy to be part of any initiative to institutionalise his memory forever and to bring glory to the school for generations. (Rakesh Jain, 75 batch, contact 8826905492). His simple message of adopting one child for education is perhaps the bare minimum each one of us can take oath to today, to keep his light and dreams ever shining.

At your feet Sir forever, as I owe whatever little I have achieved in life to you and my parents. And Madam Chhaya , you are indeed a beacon for all our families for having been with Chhaya Sir by his side all his life and having nurtured a family of Bhavanites with such deep care , love and affection unseen in the world of today . And our wishes to the five daughters who make this family complete and monumental in every way.

To sir with love
Chhaya sir , a man of steel with a heart pure as gold . Me and my siblings were always in awe of him . We were truely blessed to have studied in school headed by sir . I remember when we were in 9th standard everyone was given a duty to help the school heads and I was given a duty outside his office which generally children dreaded . Though not directly but I got praises for this duty through Ms. Geeta Kapur . After 25 years of passing from school got the opportunity to meet him and he was just the same princi as we used to call him. I am truly blessed to have studied under his guidance. The memories will always be cherished.

This is a tribute to a father who was so much more to me than a teacher, principal, or an educator. To the man who shaped my perception of the world right from the very start. Surrounded by 5 daughters, his wife, and mother, he was the patriarch and protector of the Chhaya clan! But even in the 1970s and 80s, I remember growing up thinking that it was but natural for men to help with the kid’s chores and that women and men are equal partners in making family decisions. He was a loving husband and dad! Whether it was his love for his dear wife, his five daughters or his extended family, he didn’t hide his emotions or feelings and I loved him for that!! I remember, as a kid, when dad came home, he would let us comb his hair into a dozen ponytails with lots of hair clips. To this day, the best vacations we had were the summer vacations where we would travel by train. It wasn’t the destination, but the travel itself – which he ensured was most comfortable and filled with all the local specialty foods of cities we passed through. He also had a very special bond with mom, their love for each other is eternal and set the bar high for us girls. It was a selfless love that lasted his whole life and beyond…

I so admire papa for his kindness, generosity of spirit, tenacity, and optimism! This is the man who showed us the value of helping others. No matter who it is or what they need, if they need help, you find a way to help them! Selflessly helping others – family, friends, colleagues, and students. Always striving to do what’s right, always speaking up for what he believed in, and never backing off in his fight to do the right thing. He always found a way to solve absolutely any problem, sometimes it didn’t even need to be a problem!! He was a self-made man who lost his dad at 10 of years of age but still figured out a way to support and care for his mom and took responsibility for his two younger sisters. He was a lifelong student who grew quickly in his career but always believed in paying-it-forward. He was proud of “his children”, thousands of them.

With papa gone, it may seem like the end of an era… but for all his daughters, grandkids, and my mom, he will always be with us – a part of who we are! Thank you papa, I love you with all my heart!!

Dr Chayya was a man with a big heart , strong presence and a heart of Gold. Dr Chayya was a leader in every sense of the word . He lead by example and was very approachable . He taught us to respect every religion and each person. He enquired about everyone’s well being . He made it a point to personally talk to me about things I did and enjoyed . I was a sports person and a diver , hence he always spoke to me about sports and would encourage me to perform better. He was a role model , someone one looked upto and wanted to become like . He was compassionate, touched everyone’s lives he spoke with or met . The world needs more people like him . He was a mentor and guide .

ओम् पूर्णमदः पूर्णामिदम् पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते

To the man who showed us how completeness can be lived.

जिन्की छत्र-छाया तले हम सब बड़े हुए.. जिन्के नाम से डर लगता था तो उनकी एक मुस्कान, एक शाबाशी के लिए हम जुते रहते थे

He was an ideal for us and our parents. The stern but loving Father figure, who established more than 300 schools in India & abroad, training more than 4,000 teachers and 400 principals..

His ability to see the big picture, yet connect with small children, his love for knowledge, his fun-loving nature... Words fall inadequate to express.

Sir, I know you're in a better place, and improving it further with your brilliance, passion and commitment.

Privileged to be taught and mentored by you.

ओम् गुरु ब्रम्हा, गुरु विष्णु, गुरु देवो महेश्वरः, गुरु साक्षात परब्रम्हा, तस्माई श्री गुरवे नमः

Reverence and Remembrance

There he is! In the centre of the group photo of my batch! Similarly he was the nucleus of our alma mater! Dr M P Chhaya our respected Principal fondly called ’Princie’. He was no less than a prince.. a handsome & good looking man with a persona extraordinaire! I was always in awe of him. The command in his voice, his impeccable speech and the gait so impressive as he walked through the corridors of our school as a father would do to ensure that his family is safe. The other side of him was equally impressive. His little humour, his laughter would make us feel at ease and laugh along. This deadly combination of discipline and humour was what made him the person he was!!!
Although I did not meet him after I passed school, I could not forget him ever! A man who taught us the importance of discipline, hard work and kindness in life lives on in my heart!
Last year I heard his audio msg on our facebook group thanking all of us for wishing him on his birthday! There was a little tremble in that voice, as is with age but clearly the “sound of love” was present. I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face... Nostalgia gripped me.
Little did I know that I won’t hear this voice again... He is gone for his journey ahead but has left his mark on each one of us in one way or another!
Our dear Princie, Guru, Mentor, Hero, Chhaya Sir! You live on in our hearts! So, I will not mourn but pray that his soul be at peace! I will continue to seek your blessings. I know you are watching us from above and smiling

Sometimes it becomes difficult for a Shishya to write about her guru that also whom she adores. For me Chayaji has been my mentor, guide and above all a father figure. My association with Chayaji is from 1974 till date. I was lucky to learn and grow as a teacher, educator and administrator. His humility, Gandhian philosophy and above all inclusive approach in education was commendable. During his tenure, I as a fresh entrant in the field of Education, learnt so much from him. He was the first principal in Delhi schools to start special education centre, counselling room, CCE pattern among others. My regular interactions with sir came about with him being a part of all the managing committees of the schools I headed.
His blessings and advice have always been with me throughout my career as a Principal of some of the bests schools of Delhi.
Sir, you will always remain with us.
Om Shanti

Dr Chayya was a man with a big heart , strong presence and a heart of Gold. Dr Chayya was a leader in every sense of the word . He lead by example and was very approachable . He taught us to respect every religion and each person. He enquired about everyone’s well being . He made it a point to personally talk to me about things I did and enjoyed . I was a sports person and a diver , hence he always spoke to me about sports and would encourage me to perform better. He was a role model , someone one looked upto and wanted to become like . He was compassionate, touched everyone’s lives he spoke with or met . The world needs more people like him . He was a mentor and guide .