Final Year

As we entered the Final year some of our friends had started to think what next. Job opportunities were limited and there were more scopes in PWD (Public Works Department). As we were in Semester system, some thought it is okay to carry arrears and get out of the College, their main aim is to clear the oldest arrears (arrears can be kept for 3 years).

During second semester [of Final year] I was looking for job advertisements in newspapers. It was from ISRO's Sriharikota Range (SHAR). It had requested application from 'those appearing for final year examination also'. But we had our own doubts.

So I approached one of our lecturer who immediately said 'apply. what for you are waiting'. So application was sent and forgotten. Examinations were over and the unknown wait began.

It was not long - and the call for interview from SHAR has come. Since I had no idea about SHAR and its location (the interview letter contained details of how to reach etc.), I contacted some relatives who were in ISRO and got details of the accommodation, etc.

So my first job search expedition (and the only one also) began.

The stay was in Sullurpeta, the nearest railway station for SHAR. I stayed in the better hotel in Sullurpeta - in a hall with other few interview candidates, slept in a mat, shared the bathroom. The travel to SHAR was by the departmental bus. There was quite a good amount of aspirants.

The wait never disturbed me, and no tensions, though the interview was around evening only. It was a barren land with only two or three buildings. The interview went well for over 45 minutes and I had to wait again for results.  At around 6 pm some 10 of us were asked to go for medical examination (with a clause, that it does not assure you are offered the job, but only that you are shortlisted). After completing all, and dinner I was walking in the congested street aimlessly. New place, not so big a place to explore. 

At some location, one senior person called me and enquired about my visit. After hearing it was interview, he requested that we go to a temple and came with me. It was a little long walk but he was briefing the details of the deity Chengaalamman 

( my mind was not fully on this) who is more powerful. [** We used to come to this temple almost during every of our launch I am a part, after our task is completed]. It was a very small temple under a big tree We did a simple praying and returned back. He assured that I will come here again and we will meet again.

I left in the morning , reached Chennai and visited my friend Muthiah who was staying in a mansion in Triplicane. That day night I left for Madurai. And all are forgotten.

High School..2

Every year end, last day, the caution deposit paid (2 rupees) will be refunded to the students. there used to be long queue of the students. But I will be taken inside by the teacher and paid first as I had to return home before darkness sets in.

Around 8th Standard beginning, there was a shuffling of the students between sections. My class teacher was on leave and another teacher came and took me to his (boys only) class. Few days went and my previous class teacher returned. Since he could not locate me in his section, came to me and asked why I am here. I told the things happened. He straight away took my bag and had taken me to his class. the other teacher could not do anything.

But after that all things changed. After eighth standard, there was a new class teacher - Mr Sethuramalingam cannot continue based on qualifications. A separate girls high school (Sithalakshmi Girls High School) had come all the girls were shifted there.

Whatsoever I missed the competitions. There were two girls  - Parimala and Fatima, both daughters of some government officers, against whom I was fielded by the class teacher to get good marks. And there was one Devaki who wanted me to score high marks since she did not like them. And there were two more - Rajathi and Mangayarkarasi - both from Bala Bhavan , a hostel for the poor.

I had a competitor Krishnaswamy who was the son of some officer, proficient in English.  He used to mimic the cricket commentary in English [the game itself we were not knowing]. Once when I was correcting the essay test papers [ usually I was given the task], I circled a new word in his essay and returned as error. His father came the next day and made a big issue on this and complained to HM also. My class teacher was very cool and said let him do what I teach and anything extra can be outside the class. Somehow it got cooled down.

Further years we had tough studies. I was prepared by another teacher for school elocution (within the school) and drama acting. Teachers changed, class mates changed, subjects became tougher and more concentration was demanded.

So, to avoid the travel time , and to have better surrounding for studying (there was no electricity in our village), I thought of staying in the Government Hostel of the school. I told the teacher who was co-ordinating in preparing the list..

After few days, one gentle man visited our house. I was entering the house from outside and he just wished me and enquired about my studies. Confused, I just answered in one word 'okay'. My father told he is the MLA, Chinnakkaruppa Thevar and also the Correspondence of the school. After some pausing my father told about my application for hostel. Then the Correspondence explained many things and requested to say no to the teacher for hostel accommodation. Also anything else I feel as shortcoming can be set right. I just mentioned two items to him. Surprisingly, they were cleared in a month - one construction of a rest room for lady staff and second better toilet arrangements.

And I continued to go to school from home daily till the last year.

The School closed

The school in our village was closed (or recognition withdrawn)by the  Government. This was an unaided school, run by some well wishers. The teacher (I have a lot to say about the this Teacher, later) was not paid by the Government.

The building ( a small , tiled , single hall) was given by the owner free for schooling, on some lease type.

The Teacher, a bachelor (unmarried) was taken care by few well to do people, including my father. He also did some additional works with a land lord. he was satisfied with all that.

The few students who were coming to school, enjoyed it and went for free roaming. But the Teacher did not want to leave at that. He could manage to admit the children in another school,  about 3 km away.

We had to walk that distance across almost barren, dry land. This deterred the few and finally only I was left.

He used to carry my bags to school, take care during lunch time, wait till school is over and take me back. During this 'walking trips' he used to tell me stories, some useful informations which helped me at a later date.

This became critical when the rain started. But he never gave up. My father had also faith on the Teacher and allowed me to go with him whatever was the condition. If it rains, the Teacher will carry me (since I cannot walk fast enough), with my books and hold the umbrella, mostly for me.

During this period, our village people presented the case again to the educational authorities, and got the clearance to run the school.

So the one year ordeal came to an end. We were back to our own school

High School .1

Moving from a single hall school to one room for each section was a thrilling one. More rooms, more teachers and much more students, is a new thing for me at that time. More so was when we see different teachers for different subjects.

I had to walk ( no road or transport) 5 KM and it was a good exercise. At times I used to run most of the distance. Half the distance is through cultivable lands. So it will be a challenge during rainy and cultivation times. We have to walk on the varambu ( elevated boundaries of the individual plot). During cultivation times, this will be trimmed and covered with mud. It becomes additional task to clean the mud at the last possible location. But it was enjoyable to walk and do circus (balance).

It was a co-education school. Each standard (6th to 11th) had two sections, one only boys and the other mixed. I was put in that section. Out of 40 students (8 benches) only one bench had boys - 5 persons.

The teacher created competition between boys and girls so there was a good chance to score marks.

Here too I had a good class teacher Mr Sethuramalingam. He always comes in white shirt and dhoti, soft spoken but strict. My village background and sincerity in the studies might have  brought the class teacher closer to me.

During the school days one thing I could not understand was the influence / respect my father had with the teachers. While many parents used to be called by the school administration, my father was not called. But one day around 10 AM, I got a message from school office that my father has to come on that day itself.

I immediately started for home, asked my father to get ready and  to come to school with my father. Sensing something may be wrong he also got ready and we returned in the hot sun.

As we entered the school, my class teacher was waiting for us and he was very apologetic to my father for the disturbance. We all went to the office and the class teacher banged the clerk who gave the message to me, and complained to the Head Master also. He gave instructions that  anything required with me shall be informed to him first. He instructed me also that I should inform him any office requirements.

Any fee payment, certificate charges etc., only the teacher will tell (mostly he will pay first) me to bring.

My Teacher

His name is KARUPPIAH.

He was single and had determination in the living. He served as a dedicated teacher in the unaided school in our village. For his subsistence there were people supporting him

A land lord in the next village had some lands in our area. There was a big well and a high power pump installed in that. The operation of the pump was entrusted to the teacher. So the teacher stayed in the pump room as well as in the school. He got his lunch from the landlord as well as some money.

His breakfast was from my house. After some time dinner was also from my house. He insisted in some sort of  a tuition in lieu of this.

So this helped me in getting more attention and teaching from him. Not just the school book type but more of a general knowledge. States of India, Districts of Tamilnadu, Mathematical Table, many riddles and English alphabets. In those days the English came into teaching only from 6th standard. But when I went to the Higher Secondary School for 6th Standard, I can read, write English alphabets and few words also. All these things kept me a step above others, those have come from higher status family also.

He used to tell stories on honesty, straight forwardness. He took me to the movie 'Veera Pandiya Kattabomman', at Madurai. While returning he explained the sequences ( since I could not have understood fully) and appraised of the courageous ruling of the earlier Kings.

On my completion of 5th standard in that School, he took me to the Muthu Thevar Mukkulathor Higher Secondary School ( MMHS as it is called) in Thirunagar, Madurai and ensured I am admitted for the 6th Standard.

He has done more than a teacher. Without him there, probably, I would have been a 'nobody' today. What I am today is more from his caring.

After one or two years he left this school, and was absorbed in Government service and was working in a School at Villapuram. Though I could not see him , heard, he got married and had children.

On hearing about teachers' way functioning today, he was a person nobody can reach his status.