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his way to success. He could manage his expenses with the
little amount of scholarship he received. He passed the
matriculation entrance examination from Puri Zilla School and passed
F.A. in 1910 and B.A. with Philosophy(Hons.) in 1912 from Ravenshaw
College. He studied in Calcutta University for his M.A. degree and
BT. His suffering was untold due to poverty during this period.
Offers from many quarters for service to many high posts including
one from England poured on him after completion of his studies. But
Godavaris was not meant for that as he had higher destinations. The
material world did not attract him as he was to serve the poor,
downtrodden and exploited class. Pandit Gopabandhu Das picked up
this young energetic man and his selfless devotion to society
inspired Godavaris to work as a teacher for thirty rupees only per
month at Bana Vidyalaya in satyabadi near Sakhigopal. This school
was established by Utkalmani Gopabandhu to train the young men and
women to sacrifice the "self" for the service of the nation, the
Desh Matruka and to lead a sincere, devoted and patriotic life
accepting poverty as a boon. His subsequent associations with other
selfless teachers of Bana Vidyalaya such as Pandit Nilakantha,
Acharya Harihar and Pandit Kripasindhu could create a basis to lay
foundation to build up characters of students who could work in
order to make the motherland free and prosperous in future.
Pandit Godavaris will be remembered for his love for the
students and the motherland as well as for his sincere service the
poor and the neglected. Besides this, his achievements as a writer
are also of immense significance. People of his native place will
remember him for the spread of education in the locality by setting
up ideal educational institutions for building up the characters of
the students who would take the leadership of the human race. As the
founder of Utkal University, he will never be forgotten.
The soil of Banpur in particular and Utkal Janani in
general is proud of her worthy son, Godavaris. It would be our real
tribute to this great personality if every student of this
institution draws inspiration from his life, ideals and
achievements.
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