Narahari Malla, a 77-year-old paan shop owner in Baanbarada village of Odisha’s Puri district, imparts invaluable life lessons to students across multiple schools, teaching traditional values and holistic well-being.
He runs a modest paan shop in the village square, selling betel leaves sourced from his garden. He is 77 years old, a class 10 dropout, and has no formal qualification in teaching. Yet, he has become the beloved guru of children from many schools in Odisha.
Meet Narahari Malla, whose dedication to education knows no bounds. For Malla, teaching is not merely a profession but a calling — a sacred duty bestowed upon him by fate. His dedication, passion and selfless service have endeared him to students and educators alike, earning him the affectionate moniker of “Naru mausa”.
A stalwart in Baanbarada village in Puri district, Malla’s journey from humble beginnings to revered mentorship over 40 years is nothing short of remarkable. Domestic responsibilities and financial constraints curtailed his aspirations for education. Yet, self-discovery dawned on him within the confines of his tiny shop.
Since childhood, Malla had a deep interest in one-act plays and singing devotional melodies. He decided to teach the art forms to village children. He gradually expanded his scope and approached local schools for permission to impart life lessons to children.
With due approval, he started giving free counselling sessions to students on various topics, including how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and discipline.
During summer, when people stay indoors, Malla walks barefoot to the Government Upper Primary School in nearby Sukapokhari, where, amid eager faces and attentive ears, he teaches the values of morality, discipline and reverence for Indian tradition to students of classes 1 to 8.
His classroom, devoid of textbooks but brimming with wisdom, resonates with timeless teachings. Through his words and actions, Malla advises them to pray and appreciate their heritage, stressing the importance of Indian traditions over blindly following Western culture.
Armed with wisdom and compassion, he instils in his students the values of discipline, respect and gratitude.
“I am delighted when my students achieve something in academics or extracurricular activities. I feel I achieved everything,” Malla said.
Though he is not a professional teacher, his dedication compelled nearby school administrations to accept his offer to teach values, good habits and respect for elders. Despite his age, he covers every school across multiple blocks in Puri district and cycles to schools in Malkangiri, where his in-laws reside.
Pratap Kumar Sahu, headmaster of the Sukapokhari school, lauds Malla’s efforts in reviving the teachings of moral science — a subject often neglected in pursuit of academic excellence and “scoring marks in mathematics, English and science”.
“Malla focuses on making these little students ready for a better tomorrow,” he said.
Malla is a keen observer of Gen Z’s tendencies and advises them to practise yoga and meditation, avoid junk food, and sleep on time to improve concentration and patience. Recognising the challenges faced by today’s children, he advocates for holistic well-being.
Beyond the confines of the classroom, Malla’s philanthropic spirit knows no bounds. Half of his earnings are devoted to his family’s sustenance, while the remainder is channelled into supporting his noble cause.
He donates money to temple associations for organising one-act plays and bhajan soirees during religious celebrations. He has built a small temple near his home, where he begins his day by cleaning the premises and offering prayers.
His altruistic contributions have been featured in Odia dailies, and despite his age, Malla remains fit and constantly plans for his next lesson for the students.
Seated surrounded by the paan leaves, Malla’s gaze often wandered to the past, reflecting on the twists and turns that shaped his life’s trajectory. One such event was the 1999 Super Cyclone, which wreaked havoc on his family’s livelihood.
“The wind blew away our shop, and it fell into a nearby canal. This is the same shop, but the canal has dried up,” he recalled. The shop sustains his family.
Yet, amid the debris of loss and regret, Malla found solace in poetry and songs dedicated to Lord Jagannath, writing verses that mirrored the joys and sorrows of life. He would also jot down his thoughts — impressive and incisive — on current affairs.
His impact on the community is profound, and fellow villagers acknowledge it. In the words of Abhimanyu Jena, a fellow villager and witness to Malla’s commitment, “For a man of his stature, words will always fall short in describing his humility and contributions to our children and society.”
In the twilight years of his life, Malla’s resolve remains unshaken, his passion undimmed. As he cycles from one school to the next, imparting pearls of wisdom to eager minds, his legacy continues to inspire generations to come. Malla, the life coach, stands as a shining example that there’s no fixed age to pursue one’s dreams.
The lead image on top shows Narahari Malla surrounded by students. (Photo by Devashish Biswal)
Devashish Biswal is a graduate of English journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. He has an eye for stories with the potential to grab people’s attention.
