Progressive thinker CH Krishna Shastri Balila passes away, donates body to science

Progressive thinker CH Krishna Shastri Balila passes away, donates body to science

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, February 7, 2016: Former school teacher and progressive thinker CH Krishna Shastri Balila passed away today at a private hospital in the city. He was aged 81 years. He is survived by his wife Saraswati, sons Ravi Narayan and Ravishankar and daughter Bharati. 

He had been hospitalized on 31st January after suffering brain hemorrhage and breathed his last this evening. In deference to his wish, his moral remains will be donated to Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru for use in study and research by medical students.

Hailing from Moodambailu near Adyanadka in Bantwal taluk, Krishna Shastri Balila worked as a teacher of English and social studies at Balila Vidyabodhini School near Bellare in Sullia taluk. After retirement he had been residing in Bejai, Mangaluru.

During his lifetime, Krishna Shastri Balila had emerged as a prominent thinker, educationist and voice of civil society. He was a staunch critic of corporal punishment in education and had mooted the concept of ‘Shikshe Illada Shikshana’ (education without punishment).

He was also a prolific author and his writings frequently appeared in newspaper articles and columns. He is best known for making liberal use of ‘Letters to the Editor’ columns of newspapers as a tool to express his views.

Being a thinker and an intellectual, he opposed orthodoxy. He often played the role of conscience keeper of society, highlighting its merits and condemning its ills. Of late he had been a vocal critic of rising communalism in public life. 

About a decade back, he had been honored with presidentship of Bantwal Taluk Sahitya Sammelana, organized by Kannada Sahitya Parishad.