S S L C - The final year

As we entered the S S L C year, final year of High School studies, I had one issue to sort out.

Minimum age for appearing for the SSLC exam was 15, and I was one year short. So the options were to wait for one year or obtain a Medical Certificate for my fitness for exam. We chose the second option and obtained a medical certificate, certifying my mental and physical strength to face the examination pressures.

Next another major issue started - the Anti Hindi Agitation. The schools remained closed and teaching got disturbed.

Many of the students enjoyed the so called holidays.

One thing one of the elder showed to me was really informative.

I was in Madurai in the morning with him, for some works. It was near a Cinema theatre. We could see many students in the queue for the ticket. The elder showed me another set of students - they were walking with books and note books. he told, either they will be going for a group study (preparing for the Public exam) or going for a tuition.

This clearly showed the interest and respect some people give for education. When exam date was announced, like today people were murmuring about incomplete portion, short notice et., but exam was conducted as per the schedule.

Examinations were over and it was like the present day election result. The wait is always a period for planning. those who had experiences planned which course to apply for in which College. But for me there was nothing in mind and nobody to guide.

When the result came I had a pass in First Class.

At that time only I started to think - what next?