Subhashree Kar, Prof.

Dr Subhasree Kar (MBA from BU),

Professor, REVA University, Bangalore

Subudhi Sir and his Magic of touching hearts….

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” – Carl Jung.

The department of Business Administration was the most sought-after department of Berhampur University in our time. Pursuing MBA was not my choice, but I reluctantly accepted admission to the Department of Business administration’s MBA program in 1998-2000. It was my father Professor Bauribandhu Kar and his Colleagues were the ones who convinced me to enroll in the MBA program. Being from Humanities with an honours degree in Psychology, I was finding the mathematical courses in the MBA syllabus troublesome and challenging. Particularly to avoid mathematics, I have not taken Science in my college days. But I was not knowing a turn will come in life where there is no way to escape from the course. I have already developed a kind of Phobia for numbers and mathematical/ statistical calculations, but developed immense respect for the members of the fraternity. My mind always accepts the teachers who deal with numbers as heroes, and they can do magic with numbers.

My MBA Program began. We were the special batch who studied in the old block of MBA as well as the newly constructed block and appeared our both annual examinations in one slot because of the super cyclone. In the initial days of introduction, one course after another started as per the timetable in the old block. New teachers were coming, and we were getting to know the teachers as well as the courses. The most awaited Statistics class started. A tall, slim, fair charming teacher carrying a smile on his face entered our class and we got to know he is our Professor Rabi Narayan Subudhi.

On the first day itself, without wasting a single minute, he started teaching the portions of the syllabus. It was bouncing back over my mind. I was just thinking in the class what next …. How I will learn these things. With self-doubt, I was asking myself “Is it possible on my part to clear this paper in MBA?” Subsequent classes were more difficult to understand for me. Sir started explaining the concepts through examples and was raising questions to us, from the portions that he had already taught. His target was the students whose faces conveyed to him the message that we are not understanding anything despite good teaching. One day suddenly, listening to my nickname in the class, I got astonished and this time the question was for me. I was feeling ashamed standing and unable to reply to the answer to his question. To confess honestly, I did not understand anything then. I stood silently, keeping my head down. Sir strictly instructed me to meet him tomorrow.

I was wondering what will happen. My father who was his colleague as well his literature teacher at Ravenshaw College. He used to praise him a lot and tell very high about him. I was thinking he might discuss all these with my father. The next day, when I met him, he counselled me saying that “Now you are grown up; You can understand the numbers. Leave your phobia and try to learn. You can do it. In case of any doubt, can discuss and clear it from me. In my next class, you must answer my questions.”

His kindness and inspiring words made me feel comfortable. His positivity and encouragement brightened my day. His words were well taken by me. During that period, he was bit strict, always looked reserved and thoughtful. But at heart, he was caring and concerned for all of us.

He inspired me to open the door of acceptance to the numbers and calculations. He gave me the confidence to dream to do the magic in numbers. I accepted wholeheartedly that there is no way out to escape from numbers. Mathematics is an important part of life. I scored very good marks, around 90 in Statistics and Operation research courses in my MBA, which was indeed a great achievement for me. I will remain ever grateful for the impact Subudhi Sir had on me – which he may not be knowing, himself.

After our MBA also I used to get all the news about our department and teachers from my father. One day I heard from him, that Sir is leaving the University to join a new private University. His decision was not well accepted by the senior professors at the University as leaving a State University for the sake of joining a newly evolving private University, and considered it as an unwise act. During that time most of the seniors could not visualize the future of that private University which is now the pride of Odisha- KIIT University. He proved his decision to be very apt for his career and climbed the professional success ladder effectively as a popular academician, able administrator, and well-acclaimed researcher both at the national and international levels. On the family front also he was a responsible son, father, and husband. I am privileged to be associated with him in his academic journey.

Mathematics and Poetry are a rare combination. He proved himself to explain mathematical equations of life and eternity in his poetic expression. He mastered the art of expressing mathematical patterns in poetic rhythms. He is soft in nature but firm in decisions. He knows the magic of touching human emotions.

Our Sir is a rare combination of intellectual and creative pursuits. On this occasion of his sixty years of eventful journey, I appreciate his academic endeavours and contributions to the student community and society. My sincere prayer and wishes for his good health and long life.