Dr. H Narasimhaih

Many people have fought for freedom of Motherland. Some of them became famous all over the country. Some didn’t become known to everyone in the country even though they have struggled hard for freedom. Dr. H Narasimhaih is one such freedom fighter, physicist, educationist and rationalist. Dr. H Narasimhaih was popular as “Dr. HN”. He was very patriotic and had followed all principles of Mahatma Gandhi. He was a youth freedom fighter at the movement. He was translating Mahatma Gandhi’s speech from Hindi to Kannada. When Gandhi visited the city to give speech to the people to fight for country’s freedom.

He was always following Gandhi’s call when he called for any movement against British. On Aug 9 1942 (HN was just 22) when Mahatma Gandhi called for QUIT INDIA moment HN took a rented cycle from V.V. Puram. When he was moving towards K.R. Road police arrived to the place and stopped him and said him to go back, not to participate in all those things. But HN said “My Motherland’s freedom is important for me. I will fight for my motherland’s freedom.” Police took him to police station at that time. Likewise he had participated in many activities against British.

HN was lived in National College, Basavangudi hostel for more than five decades. He was a simple ideal man. He was always used to wear Khadi dhoti-Jubba and Gandhi topi. He has never used to eat non-vegetarian food even though he was belonged to disadvantaged caste where he was allowed to eat those things. Such an ideal person he was.

His contribution, dedication and services as an educationist are been outstanding. He headed the National Education Society for many years. He has improved Bangalore University when he was vice-chancellor from 1971-77. He introduced psychology, social work, drama, music and dance as subjects. He has served the State Legislative Assembly also.

“Do not accept anything without questioning” (ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸದೆ ಒಪ್ಪಬೇಡಿ) was his way of life. His office is adorned with a question mark signifying a spirit of inquiry. He constituted and chaired The Committee to Investigate Miracles and Other Verifiable Superstitions, to scientifically investigate claims of miracles and paranormal phenomena. The committee challenged the claims of Sathya Sai Baba, one of the most prominent god men of India, once in a seminar sathya sai baba offered an ice cream to Dr. HN. Then HN refused to have it as he was used to eat only uppit (concrete). (Ref: ಹೋರಾಟದ ಹಾದಿ - Auto biography of HN). While living in USA also he didn’t use to eat any other things. Sathya sai baba was materializing gold chain, watch, holy ash, lemon and etc from nothing. So HN asked him to get pumpkin as sai baba can not keep it inside his suit. Sai baba was not able to get him a pumpkin.


Dr. H.Narasimhaiah was conferred the Padma Bhushan, one of the top civilian awards instituted by Government of India for his services in the field of education in 1985. Dr. H Narasimhaih was passed away on Jan 30 2005.