Magsaysay award winner’s Banbasa town connection

Magsaysay award winner’s Banbasa town connection

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 31

Residents of Banbasa town in Champawat district are feeling proud that Anshu Gupta, who has been given the Magsaysay award for social service, had studied in a local school for two years.

Anshu Gupta passed Class X and XI from Sharda Intermediate College at Banbasa but he had to leave the school after his father was transferred to Dehradun. “Anshu was an extrovert student and good manager of debates,” said Banshidhar Upayadhay, who was the then principal of the school.

Banbasa residents say Anshu took keen interest in extra-curricular activities, besides studies and always stood first in the class. “He used to collect money and clothes from well off students and give these to the needy in Banbasa,” said Kailash Thapliyal, a classmate of Anshu.