Gangasamudra, a small village in Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka, may seem an unlikely starting point for a transformative figure in education and social work. Yet, it is here that Dr Eregowda GB, born to uneducated parents Bhadragowda and Nengamma, began a journey that would not only defy his circumstances but also reshape the educational landscape for thousands of students.
Eregowda’s early life was shaped by struggle. “Until the 10th grade, we didn’t even have slippers to wear,” he recalled, recalling the challenges he faced while growing up. His parents, though unable to provide material wealth, offered unwavering support for his education, supplying books and clothes until he completed his Pre-University Course (PUC). His elder brother also played a pivotal role, ensuring the family remained close-knit despite financial constraints.
At a young age, Eregowda found a guiding light in Adichunchanagiri Mutt, where he spent 15 years under the mentorship of Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji. Life at the mutt was austere –two meals a day – but it instilled discipline and purpose. “The guidance of Swamiji kept us motivated,” he said.
Eregowda’s academic journey took a decisive turn when he chose to pursue chemistry, a subject in which he initially struggled. A challenge from his chemistry lecturer sparked a transformation. “He told me to prove myself in chemistry if I respected him,” Eregowda recounted. This ignited a fire within him, spurring him to top chemistry in his class during BSc, get a distinction in Master’s, and a PhD funded by the central government.
“My connection with chemistry grew so profound that, even today, I cannot sleep without reading the subject for hours. That incident changed my perspective, and I developed a deep connection with chemistry,” he said.
In 1997, Eregowda cracked a test conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and was selected as a chemistry lecturer in a government pre-university college. Over the next 28 years, he served in various colleges, including as acting principal, with a mission to increase the number of students from Karnataka passing national-level entrance exams like NEET and JEE.
His tenure began in Battalahalli, Chintamani Taluk, where he turned around a college with zero admissions by personally enrolling 80 science students. “We built the college from scratch, with no chairs or boards initially,” he recalled. His longest stint was at Yelahanka Government Pre-University College, where he served for 18 years, maintaining an annual enrolment of 3,000 students. His efforts ensured students secured free MBBS seats without needing additional tuition, proving the potential of government institutions. “Poor families have bright students who can’t afford private colleges,” he noted.
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Spurred by a colleague’s remark that lecturers in Bengaluru merely taught from others’ books, he embarked on a mission to write his own. “That comment hurt me, and I decided to write a book,” he said. Despite initial financial losses, his family’s support, particularly from his wife, kept him going. “My wife would stay up late with me, taking care of our child while I wrote,” he shared. Today, his chemistry books are used by over a lakh students and lecturers annually across Karnataka.
In a bold move, Eregowda took voluntary retirement from government service to establish the Jeevith Education Trust, named after his son, to share his knowledge more widely. His institution achieved a remarkable 50 per cent success rate in its first batch, with 16 out of 32 students securing free medical seats.
Eregowda’s contributions to research are equally talked about. His work on cancer drugs, conducted under Professor K N Thimmaiah, led to the discovery of 21 new organic compounds and seven international publications. “The drugs we developed worked better than existing ones, but they had too many side effects,” he said. Despite setbacks, including a costly experiment that failed, his passion for research persisted. Appointed as a scientific officer at Adichunchanagiri Cancer Research Center, he continued to contribute to medical advancements while balancing his teaching career.
Eregowda’s institution emphasizes discipline and application-based learning through NCERT books. He counsels parents against pressuring students into fields like medicine for prestige, advocating for alignment with students’ capabilities. “We assess students’ capacity first,” he said, citing an example of guiding a student toward an IAS career via a medical degree.
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In 2016, he received the State-Level Best Lecturer Award, followed by the Aryabhata International Award, Sangama Ratna Award, Siddaganga Shri Award, Dr Abdul Kalam Lifetime Achievement Award, and the VK and BM Education Excellence Award, presented by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Looking ahead, Eregowda plans to write a book on the current education scenario, drawing on extensive research and student input.
“Research isn’t limited to labs; I do it through teaching,” he said, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to education. His institution, now three years old, continues to grow under his wife’s and son’s leadership, serving as a beacon for students from underprivileged backgrounds.