His contribution to the propagation of Hindi language and his achievements in teaching have won him the prestigious National Award — ‘Ganga Sharan Singh Puraskar’. The award was presented to him by President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi recently.
While he cherishes the award, he derives greater satisfaction when his scholars pass with flying colours.
Meet S.A. Suryanarayana Varma, a professor in the Hindi Department of Andhra University, who has done the university proud with his achievement.
“I treat my scholars as my own children, and when they are awarded Ph.D., I feel as though my child has been awarded the same. We (university teachers) should realise the value of working in the university and guide students and scholars on the right path. If we don’t, it’s a social crime,” he told The Hindu on Friday.
Recalling Prime Minister Modi’s interaction with schoolchildren on the television a little earlier in the evening, Prof. Varma, who is physically challenged, says: “I do not mind making the extra effort for my children (students) and do not consider it a strain.”
Born in Vizianagaram in March 1953, Prof. Varma did his graduation there and post-graduation in Hindi from Andhra University and got his Ph. D. in 1981 under the guidance of Dr. P.A. Raju of the university.
Prof. Varma has guided 32 Ph.D. and 10 M.Phil scholars so far. He has published more than 200 research papers in various prestigious literary magazines and journals and five translations, which were also recognised as significant contribution to the field of Hindi criticism, research and translation. His translations into Hindi are part of school curriculum in five Hindi-speaking states.
