Teacher - My first and foremost teachers

Having born as a son of a teacher ,and as a grandson of two teachers , I respect my real teachers to a great extent. Over this series , I would share my experiences about, the teachers who have impacted my life, the lives of teachers of the past, the challenges faced by teachers of present and future. Possibly, this series could
end by Teacher's day

My first and foremost teachers are my grandfathers and grandmothers, who have bestowed all their knowledge on me. My grandfather has been the sole person who made me believe, that I can write and speak in English. His Grammar is impeccable, and I would have been nothing in English without him. Being a retired school Headmaster, with an experience of 35 years, he is an unmatchable genius, in his own style. Even today, he is most updated with all current affairs and would easily breeze through any B School Interview. He incorporated the system of studying in me in very small age, and is the prime reason for me being a consistent academic performer throughout my life. He is the greatest Encyclopedia regarding post independence Indian history, and he knows how India evolved as a nation. He generated a lot of interest in me to stay updated. Had I done 10 percent of what he told, I would have been a much better person in life.

My grandmother is such an avid reader that she shows keen interest in reading anything from politics to film gossips. She is the person who has been my greatest childhood playing companion. She introduced Rama, Ravana, Krishna, Shiva, Muruga to me. She introduced Cricket, stumps, 4s and 6s. Without her I wouldnt have known Gandhi, Akbar, Babar. All the History lessons I learnt were nothing but a summarised English version of her narrations. The pain she has taken to make me write the Tamil Alphabets is unbelievable. She is a teacher whom I cannot forget.

I am nothing without the best mentors of my life- my parents. I was never questioned. They never doubted my capabilities as a person. They asked me to stay away from home inorder to grow. The pain they took in shaping my character are inexpressible. I would attain the purpose of my life, if I can remain as a responsible and caring son. 

My father took me for every possible place. He made me utilise all the opportunities that a tier-3 city provided. Whatever I know about relations and human behaviour, which made me survive in life, are the knowledge which they made me acquire. 

Thamizhan

We live in a society where pronouncing 'thamizh' as 'tamil' is fancied. Many mothers speak with their kids in English.Taking up civil service after B.E is viewed as foolishness.Whereas getting a M.S from some foreign university and settling in foreign countries is seen as a sign of pride.People have started to forget their motherland and language.

This is a society where elders are treated with the least respect.Old age homes have started increasing.. Our old age homes lodge people who are parents of  the citizens of various countries. A survey says that only 20 % of the Indian students studying  abroad return to India for work. I am reminded of Sujatha writing in "Katradhum Petradhum" about his Diwali celebrations in states with the American grandchildren,born to  his Indian son.

A pension is not merely a money. It is the reward given by the  government for its employees for their work. While accompanying my grandpa to the state treasury for muster, it was destroying to hear this.. "ye. kezhadu. oru thadava sonna puriyadhu!", yelled an officer in treasury at an old man who is 75+. "thedi eduthuko po" , he throwed the register of that retired headmaster on the floor beside him. With shivering hands , a walking stick , he leaned on the floor to pick his register. That register should have contained something , which could savor his self  confidence. He should also be  like my grandfather only. Giving a fifty rupees to his grandson with a feeling of standing in his own legs and saying "Enna venumo vangiko" with a big smile of satisfaction.

Let us be Tamizhans(in your language tamilians) at heart at least.