SAST Wingees

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My husband questions me

In 1982 my dear husband was Professor of English in Raja Serfoji College Thanjavur and myself at Kunthavai Nachiyar College Thanjavur.

The Directorate had ordered for a Seminar for Teaching of English for the Teachers of that Region . The Special Officer for English had come down to Thanjavur. The Teachers of English from nearby colleges also attended.

I was asked to give a Demonstration class to a section of the students of Serfoji College. My subject was the play ” The Merchant of Venice” – part of the then syllabus.

By using multiple choice questions in an interesting way I got the students involved. The class lasted for 45 minutes and the discussion was thrown open to the Teachers. The first person to ask me a question was the Professor of English ….Mr.V.Raju.

When he got up to level his question all the Teachers and the Special Officer were puzzled as they all knew that we were husband and wife.

Mr.Raju asked me calmly ” Madam! is that the only way to get the students involved ? ” All the time that friendly smile I could recognise was visible to me.
I calmly replied “Thank you Sir, it is one of the ways in which students could be interested. You are at liberty to devise other strategies “.

After the session he came and Congratulated me and said “Well Done!”

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My husband questioned me in front of everyone

In 1982 my dear husband was Professor of English in Raja Serfoji College Thanjavur and myself at Kunthavai Nachiyar College Thanjavur.

The Directorate had ordered for a Seminar for Teaching of English for the Teachers of that Region . The Special Officer for English had come down to Thanjavur. The Teachers of English from nearby colleges also attended.

I was asked to give a Demonstration class to a section of the students of Serfoji College. My subject was the play ” The Merchant of Venice” – part of the then syllabus.

By using multiple choice questions in an interesting way I got the students involved. The class lasted for 45 minutes and the discussion was thrown open to the Teachers. The first person to ask me a question was the Professor of English ….Mr.V.Raju.

When he got up to level his question all the Teachers and the Special Officer were puzzled as they all knew that we were husband and wife.

Mr.Raju asked me calmly ” Madam! is that the only way to get the students involved ? ” All the time that friendly smile I could recognise was visible to me.
I calmly replied “Thank you Sir, it is one of the ways in which students could be interested. You are at liberty to devise other strategies “.

After the session he came and Congratulated me and said “Well Done!”

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Gift of the Gods

The day was 14 th February 1963 when I accompanied my Dear parents to the Madurai Medical College to join duty as Assistant Lecturer in English.

I was not happy and I was almost sulking. My Dad was particular that I should be in Government Service. Well, we met the Head of the office in the college I gave the joining report.

He sent for the only other member of the Department…a Gentleman. ..He came, we were introduced to him and he took us to the English Department.

I was almost in tears for I felt lonely. The college where Iwas working for the past six months was a giris’college. When my parents left on that day I felt
utterly lost and miserable.

After a couple of days I told my father that I did not like the college or the other member of the Department. My Dad asked me in a matter of fact way”well, why should you like him. Go and do your duty sincerely.”

In a few weeks’time I understood how good,kind and understanding the other member of the Department was. I slowly observed how responsible and how kind he was.

The only Peon (Sarangapani) always accompanied me (probably because of the instruction of my Colleague). In a few weeks I realised that the Almighty had showed me the man who would travel with me in my life’s journey. Parents of both sides felt the same.

Our marriage took place on the 26th of May 1965.
Because of my Wonderful husband I have had a Happy Happy life…..both personally and officially……

He is the Gift of the Gods!

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Serendipity Stops Spondylosis

Though Principal of a College is usually selected from the Teaching staff, the Principal has more administrative duties than Teaching – only four hours of Teaching in a week. The administrative duties included sitting for long periods of time in a chair, reviewing and signing off a substantial amount of paper work.

Six months after I became the Principal of LRG College Tiruppur, my Husband had the necessity to consult an Ortho in Coimbatore. I accompanied him to the Doctor. After examining my husband the Doctor asked us some questions it was our first Visit. When I told him that I was a Principal recently promoted he asked me permission to examine me …my neck and back. After examining he said that there is the danger of developing Spondylosis both at my neckband & waist. He said that I should use a straight back chair and not a cushioned chair and also not to bend down while signing the files.

After I returned to my office, I found a Straight Backed chair used by one of my Lab assistants. I took that chair and gave him another good Chair.

From the next day onwards I never went in for a cushioned chair .Both in Sree Meenakshi Government Arts College and during my tenure as Joint Director nearly for 14 years I never stopped using a straight backed chair.

My office Superintendents insisted that the file that I was perusing should be placed over two big registers to avoid too much Bending. Thanks to the Doctor and my Superintendent, I never suffered from Spondylossis.

I always had good and kind people around!

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Punctuality

I had a big Department of 21 members when I was transferred to Sree Meenakshi Government Arts College for women Madurai.

That being a big college with many sujects at the Degree level with Special Economics, Special Zoology and also the B.A.English Major.

Invariably the number of sessions on any day and at any time was very heavy. The challenge increased when we had Casual Leave applications from a few staff everyday. It was a great challenge to me and to the Department.

I came up with a plan.

Before the sessions began for the day I had a staff member check and tell whether any one who had applied for Casual leave had a first hour class.

I would inform the staff in charge of making arrangements that I would engage the first hour in the place of the staff on leave.

This inspired my staff to volunteer with ease and grace. It made everyone be very punctual during my entire service.

So wherever possible I lead by example rather than by Teaching and Lecturing.