Bala Bhasker of GIPT, Secunderabad, dies at 67

When a colleague with whom you have worked for nearly three decades, and who is younger than you, passes away, it is all the more devastating. Bala Bhasker, at 67, passed away on 5 April, 2026 due to a heart-related ailment. 

When this writer joined the Government Institute of Printing Technology at Secunderabad, Bala Bhasker was in his final semester and went on to become a diploma holder in the first batch in 1980, after the institute was established in 1977. Within a few months, he joined as a faculty member and rose to the senior lecturer cadre. Sharp and articulate, he could easily endear himself to the students in no time when he literally shifted from desk to dais of the same college.

He used to be quick in grasping ideas and was adept in making eLessons when his senior faculty, including this writer, used to struggle in completing them. He used to get things done out of the way when the situation warranted. He used to work hard and smart while in service. 

He was a successful teacher in a classroom because he knew where the eggs were hatched. He could keep the students spellbound not only by his expertise in the subject but also by when and how to pause to ensure that the audience did not get deflected. He could use his artistic skills to give the students the much-needed relief if the monologue affected their attention span. He was a hero whenever there were organised programmes that took place in the college periodically.

This writer, along with all the staff, was not at all happy when he took voluntary retirement, a clear seven years before his due date of retirement. He had his own reasons to do so. Moreover, he became eligible for a full pension after having put in 25 years of service by that time. 

With colleagues, he was a hit for various reasons, the main ones being that he was a good artist, in addition to his teaching prowess. An excellent singer, ranging from Annamayya Keerthanas to songs from the Amitabh Bachchan movie Don, he could mimic the voices of all top singers of Tollywood and Bollywood. There was a time when he got shortlisted for selection from judges like Sonu Nigam in the 1980s, though he took extra care not to quit a government job considered a godsend during those times. 

He was a good mimic artist too, picking up everyone's voice and body language in no time. Those were the days of the intercom within the college when he mimicked the principal's voice, asking one faculty member to go over to his chamber, only to learn that he never called him at the first instance. 

Bala Bhasker would make you surrender to his magical voice, and the entire faculty looked towards him for much-needed relief, which he never denied. In fact, he willingly kept them happy. He was a hit among all family members and the children of all faculty. He could amalgamate with anyone, particularly children, for all the fun he could generate with his presence. He had that elasticity of adjusting to any person of any age and background. 

There is a saying that good food lovers become good cooks. He is one such person. His hospitality is amazing and feeds the guests wholeheartedly. There were many occasions this writer savoured the tastiest dishes he made and served with full of love and affection. When asked whether he was a pure vegetarian by virtue of his background, he used to jocularly say that he is a pure non-vegetarian. His wit was unsurpassable, and he was adept at creating an aura of celebration even when a few people gathered around him.

His confidence levels and courage were amazing. He knew that during adverse times, he had no choice but to be bold and move forward. Personally, he himself went through physically challenging times with medical conditions he inherited as a family precedent. 

Everyone who precedes his colleagues and friends much earlier than expected leaves behind a pall of gloom and a guilty feeling that perhaps they could have spent more time with him during his final moments. But then destiny doesn't inform up front and simply pops up most unexpectedly. An era of Bala Bhasker being a student, then colleague, and a good friend of mine has ended. May the soul of Bala Bhasker rest in peace.