Snapshot

"A Science teacher needs to work hard" - Rajashree B Karapurkar

So how can you take the stress you thought was killing you and make it constructive?

Ask Rajashree Bandodkar Karapurkar -- recipient of the Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2019, constituted by Sahitya Akademi, India's national academy of letters.

"In the year 2012, my book Taaryachya Vanat Swapnanchi Sahal was released. Post this, I underwent a lot of stress at my workplace. To keep away from stressful thoughts, I got back to my writing and this book was born," she recalls. 

"The book was published in the year 2015 after a gap of three years," she recalls while explaining the journey of the award winning Konkani book, Chitkulya Chinkichye Vishaal Vishwa -- a colourful illustrative book written for children. 

Rajashree narrates the contents of her book -- "Little Chinki, a baby ant is curious about the secrets of the environment. During her journey of life, her protective mother guides her well to solve various problems. Their conversation varies from philosophy of life to the understanding of different natured ants. She also scientifically explains the procesess involved in the water cycle like condensation, vapourisation, formation of water droplets and the clouds that float in the sky." 

The book earlier won three awards, including the Konkani Kala Kendra and Konkani Bhasha Mandal award.  

"Chinki's (my book's character) enthusiasm, curiosity, problems, resolutions and positive changes in life resemble my self. The moment Chinki brought changes in her thought process, her world became enlightened," she articulates. 

"The characters were drawn by graphic artist Vasu. He really got deeply involved into the whole concept and gave his best. My sister Neela, a professional artist, took the story and the characters in her possession and designed the entire book which also plays a big role," she adds while sharing credit.

As a Physics teacher, Rajashree loves simplifying science for students through teaching, writing books and making educative animation films. Vidnyan Yogi, Saimakaden Samvad, Malbakaden Samvad, Space Talks, Taranchya Vanat Swapnachi Sahal are some of her literary works. 

Her animation films on Bondla zoo, produced for the Forest Department, Government of Goa, was one of the top 10 films selected at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa in 2010. 

Her love for Konkani is overwhelming. "I love Konkani simply because it's my mother tongue. Whenever I get stuck during my English reading process, I translate the sentence and understand the meaning. I have inculcated this in my daughters. In case they still get stuck, they request me to explain in Konkani -- be it Maths, Science, History, Geography or English text. I also explain most of my Physics concepts and derivations in Konkani at PES Farmagudi, where I teach. They find Physics easy compared to Chemistry or even English and Hindi," says the mother of two.

Though extremely happy about the award, she adds, "But nothing has and will change at my personal level. I will be the same, struggling every single moment. I will keep working on more books." 

"A teacher of Science needs to work very hard. It's our responsibility to drill in the concepts and understanding in the minds of our students. This can be done competently through stories," she opines. 

Her ongoing work includes "changing the text book language and making science interesting for children and the general public."

We are inspired by bold women everyday! Rajashree serves as an inspiration to many women. Her passion, hard work, bold determination to face challenges of life, and over all, her commitment to the future generation is commendable. 

We congratulate her for the award and wish her all the best!

Note: The article written by Rajeshree Nagarsekar was first published by Gomantak Times, Goa