Upendranath Nandi, a professor of physics at Scottish Church College in Calcutta, had a humble start, but did not forget his roots.

The 1983 Madhyamki graduate from Sargachi Ramkrishna Mission School, the charity’s first formal institute of education, returned to his alma mater at the alumni association’s behest to donate a cash award of Rs. 50,000 that he won from the Indian National Science Academy.

“The school nominated Nandi for the INSA Teacher's Award 2021, which offers a cash prize of Rs 50,000 in addition to an academic grant of Rs 20,000. Touched, Nandi decided to donate the cash prize to his alma mater,” said a member of the alumni association.

On Sunday morning, Nandi was felicitated by school officials and Ramkrishna Mission monks on-stage.

He named Swami Debaraj Nanda Maharaj as his inspiration. “I am grateful to my school for its education, and for nominating me for this award. By giving my award back, I hope the school can produce a great teacher in turn,” said the 56-year-old, who stood second in Murshidabad in the 1983 Madhyamik and went on to do an MSc and a PhD.

According to an official of the INSA, the award honours teachers who “inspire students to take up careers in science and technology”.

Nandi, whose ancestral home is in Daherdhar village 3km away from the school, recalled how he walked to and fro school. “In Class VI, we became boarders or ashramiks,” explained the “farmer’s son”.

Because of his modest means, he had no option but to focus on studies, he added.