Udupi: Former headmaster of Belle Church Higher Primary School and 2003’s National Best Teacher Award winner, Peter Raphael Aranha passed away on October 17 following a tragic accident.
The deceased was on his way to Baliga Hospital, Doddanagudde, near MGM College, on his scooter and was hit by an AKMS bus as he was making a turn. The injured Raphael Master (as he was popularly known) was rushed to a hospital immediately. He had suffered severe head injuries in the accident and unfortunately succumbed to them a few hours after he was brought to the hospital.
Peter Raphael Aranha was born on 8 October 1952 and was one among the three sons and four daughters to his parents. He married Leena Sequeira of Kattingeri in 1977 and together, they had two children.
His qualities as an effective teacher and a good administrator as the headmaster of the primary school at Moodubelle, earned him many accolades and awards. He was chosen as the Best Teacher at the district level in 1998. He was awarded the title of Best Teacher at the Karnataka State level in 2001 and in 2002. He was honoured with the Best Teacher National Award by the Late President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Apart from his work as a teacher, Peter Aranha was also recognised for his contributions to the church and the society. He served in many charitable and other church associations in various capacities.
