A Journey
Tell us about yourself- the initial years of your life
(education, career and general incidents)
Take us through the detailed journey of your career
and the education segment
I was fortunate to have born in a lower middle class
family. My father was a Kathakali Artist. Kathakali is a classical Indian Dance .A
"story play" genre of art, but one distinguished by the elaborately
colorful make-up. Performed mainly in Temples during festival seasons. It was a
seasonal program and cannot depend upon livelihood. Hence he used to take up
other jobs .Mother was a home maker who struggled to feed her five children.
Studied in the schools at village, Malayalam medium. During 6th and
7th Classes, most heated subject was Mathematics. It is not that
subject was tough or boring, but it was taught by a teacher who was very rude,
expert in using abusive language. Most of the students hated him and the
subject taught by him.
But situation changed when I was admitted in a high school in
class 8th. “Mr Swamy” was the Mathematics teacher. Very
affectionate, who loved his subject and students. Fortunately he taught us in
classes 8th, 9th and 10th. He made Mathematics most favorite subject for
us. All the students used to wait for him.
In class 10th Mathematics was my top scoring subject.
Teachers can do wonders in creating interest in a subject. The personality of
the teacher, the method adopted by the teacher etc play great role.
I had great desire to study further but the financial
situation of the family didn’t allow. When I was in class 8th,
decided to become a teacher. Have taken
tuition for students of lower class. Being the son of a Kathakali artist
learned Kathakali makeup. I Used to go for kathakali program and made some
earning during my high school days. Very promptly handed over to mother.
Cleared class 10th examination with good
percentage. During 1960s getting a first class was a great achievement. I was a
student of Hindi classes of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha from my 6th
Class onwards. Those days learning Hindi and wearing Khadi were the sign of
patriotism. After 10th I passed Praveen Examination and joined Hindi
Teachers Training “Prachar Diploma” at Trivandrum. It was a ten months course
which will make me eligible to become a Hindi teacher in High School. Kerala,
Hindi was a compulsory subject.
My parents promised that some or other way they will finance
me to complete this diploma. I joined in the month of June 1962. First time
away from the home. Stayed in a hostel with another 6 class mates. On 22nd
of August 1962 morning at 7.30 Principal Sri Veeraraghavan brought a telegram
addressed to me. He called me and handed over it to me. He opened and read it
–“Father serious, start immediately” many thoughts came to my mind. Father was
a very healthy person. No health issue can trouble him. What happened to him?
Not possible to communicate. No phone. Immediately collected some amount from
friends and started. Nearly three and half hours Bus journey. Mind was
searching for an answer .After three hour’s journey, Sri Harindran master got
in to the bus, As soon as he saw me, asked. “How is your father? “ My counter
question was, “What
happened Sir? Don’t you know? He was bitten by a snake.
Next stop I got down and rushed home. My three sisters were
there. From them I came to know that he is admitted in Medical mission Hospital
at Thiruvalla. Immediately came out, waited for a bus. Changed two buses and
reached the hospital. Searching in the general ward. Faraway I noticed my
mother holding my younger brother two years old and maternal uncle. Reached
there to see my father in a very critical condition. The whole body has become
bluish. I sent my mother and brother home assuring that I will take care. Her
presence is required at home. With mental pain and a confused state of mind the
day passed. On 25th August, at midnight, he left the world handing
over to me three daughters, one infant, wife and an aged mother. I couldn’t cry
but prayed the almighty to give me courage to face the world.
Cleared hospital dues
with borrowed money, nearly Rs 170. I arranged a taxi, an ambassador car. Early
morning reached home with a lifeless body which was the life for entire family.
Knocked the door. My mother asked, “Who is that?” I replied, this is your son’.
She asked, “How is father?” I said, “He
is ok, open the door,” I revealed the
bitter truth. The helpless mother cried out. “Oh my God, I don’t have any one
in this life.” I replied “I am there mother “.
“Yes you are there”
she stopped crying. It was very difficult to console my grandmother. She had
only one son – my father.
I removed the body
from the car and brought it home with the help of three to four people and
buried the body at 8am on 25th August 1962. I spent two days at home. Sympathizers came
to console.
“In Bible it is
mentioned that “IF ONE DOOR CLOSES, NINE DOOR WILL OPEN’ My Christian neighbor
consoled me quoting Bible.
Yes nine doors will
open. I informed my mother about the responsibilities and the expected
expenditure in completing the course. “Some or other way I will manage. You
should complete the course” Mother.
Next day I reached my college. All were shocked to see me in
the college. Principal was kind enough to exempt me from paying 2fees. I had to
manage the hostel fees. By the grace of God, I completed the training and
qualified to become a High school Teacher.
Principal got a letter from Defense Authorities “Wanted
trained teachers to teach Indian Jawans. Qualified candidates can apply. Principal Mr Veeraraghavan assisted me in
sending an application. After one month I got a letter for interview at
Bangalore MEG and Center.
In the year 1962 China attacked India at a time we were
shouting slogans –“India China Bhai Bhai” We were unprepared for a war that too
with China. Massive recruitment to army started. Physically fit young boys were
recruited irrespective of their qualification. There was requirement of
teachers to teach these Jawans English, Mathematics and Hindi
With the help of sympathizers left for Bangalore in the year
1963. Reached MEG and Center, Major Rajagopalan of AEC interviewed. Final
result of selection was declared with instruction that will receive appointment
order from Southern Command within a month. Uniform is white pants, shirt, red
tie and black shoes with black socks. Thanked the Almighty and returned to
native place. Within one month got the appointment order, all had a great smile
of happiness including all near and dear ones.
Journey of a teacher started in the year 1963 with a salary
of Rs 116. The post was for a temporary
vacancy. Served Indian Army for three years as a Civilian School Master.
It was in the year 1966, a new Central School started at 18th
Cross Malleswaram, Bangalore. There was requirement for Teachers and DDPI Mr
Desai was kind enough to select me as a Primary Teacher. This appointment was
regularized by the Management Committee under Mrs Kamalam Sethuraman’s
leadership as Principal.
No one can stop a determined and hardworking person. Improved
my qualification by attending evening collage, PUC, BA, Joined Regional College
of Education at Mysore for B.Ed, MA from Bangalore University and MEd from
Tilak Collage of Education Pune.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan was kind enough to promote me
through direct selection from PRT to TGT, TGT to PGT, and PGT to Principal.
Served KVS for forty years and honoured with National Award in the year 2002.
Total three years in Army as Civilian School Master, Forty
years in Kendriya Vidyalaya and fifteen years in BGS NPS
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