I had the privilege of joining Sri Parama Kalyani College
(SPKC) in 1974 for my Pre- University Course (PUC) and went on to do my
graduation in Physics from 1974 to 78 ( B.Sc.). I had later opportunities to
study in National Dairy Research Institute, (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana and in
Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.
1978 to 2016 .. nearly
four decades- have rolled over and I have moved all around India on job as well
as in Africa and South East Asia on various assignments. Have got married,
raised a daughter, got her married and now become a grand- parent too! Looking
back and reminiscing, the values that I have imbibed in my personality during
my four years stay in SPKC have come handy in my personal life as well as professional
career.
Wish to share these thoughts amongst you, so you so that you
can appreciate the rub off effect our college has on all of us which make us to
be good Professionals, Managers and Entrepreneurs.
Mentor…Mentee :- This was a concept in vogue in SPKC. All PUC students
used to be split into groups of ten or twenty and allocated to one mentor. The
Mentor would be responsible for the well being of his mentees. He would talk to
them from time to time, counsel, guide, prod, push and get the best out of
them. Thus a boy from school on entry into the college never feels lost in an
alien atmosphere.
On the contrary his transition is as smooth as transplanting
of paddy. He grows and glows. This concept was very practically adopted by me
whenever new recruits of operators, supervisors are recruited in industry and
gave me wide acclaim!
Walk the talk:- Professors and staff in SPKC were always for
cleanliness . The entire campus used to be in all time glory of cleanliness.
However there was an annual day celebration. Students in their over enthusiasm
were throwing away empty packs of sweet and savory served on the occasion. Some of the professors who were in that
vicinity, without any hesitation started picking the empty packets and started
disposing them in the dust bins located in that area. On seeing this crowd of
students got ashamed on their behaviour and immediately started picking up the
thrash. Within a few minutes the place became clean. So it is always lead by
example for me after wards in my professional career.
Keep plan “B” ready:-
It was an annual day function. The
climate was sunny and bright in the morning which progressed into a nice
evening. Wind was blowing with its usual vigor. Alwarkurichi is known for that.
Invitees and dignitaries were present. Vice Chancellor was the chief guest. He
was being ushered in by the principal to the stage. As the evening progressed there was a cloud
burst and it started pouring. Within seconds all the chairs were shifted to
first floor. Stage was set up and mikes were functional. VIP Guests were moved
and VC as surprised at the spontaneous action of students and staff in shifting
the venue without any confusion. He mentioned that in the address. Therefore
ever since that instance in any corporate events I manage there is always a
contingency plan “B” is kept ready to avert confusions.
Administration:- During
my tenure in SPKC Sri K H Narayanan was the Principal. Apart from being a good
teacher he was a great administrator. The way he used to handle day to day
administration work was something to be watched, be it the daily monitoring of
attendance, handling of general complaints, managing visitors and above all
“Flash Strikes” by students of hostel, Staff (MUTA) gave me great insights into
Management. He used to lead from the front facing challenges. This gave me the
strength and in sights to handle hostile labor, militant trade unions in alien
environments and come out with flying colors !
Love for nature
& efforts to preserve :- SPKC is in a blessed location. With good
breeze,” Saral” from Pothigai
Mountains and invigorating water falls in Coutralam,
what else one needs to enjoy nature ! We
were also taken out on trips to Mundanthurai
wild life sanctuary etc. Thus the stay in SPKC inculcated a sense of
appreciation for nature. Periodic tree planting events in SSL, NSS made us to
be champions for nature conservation!
Leadership :- Despite located in rural surroundings, with
poor connection to city, lack of routine city or town based entertainments like
movie halls, malls, restaurants etc. Alwarkurichi’s
location proved to be a blessing in disguise as everyone was focused towards
the task in hand that of studying and excelling in education. Innumerable
extra- curricular activities like sports, Photography club, ROTRACT, NCC, NSS,
SSL, Physics club ,etc. gave ample scope for widening ones horizon. Thus we
made the best use of them to assimilate and absorb the best from them. This has
come handy to optimize available chances and opportunities in life!
Appearance is
Deceptive:- To end this in a lighter vein…It was 1974. I was just out
of school SSLC pass and got admitted in PUC in SPKC. On the first day to
college we were a bunch of ten or twelve students from Kallidaikurichi waiting
for the local bus to take us to the college in the bus stand. We were all from
same school and knew each other. We were in cloud nine that day, as everyone
was with new dress and all that.
Another unknown student came and he asked our gang leader what
was time then. Our leader in his excitement scolded this person stating that he
had joined a college and did not even have a watch and was asking others to
time etc. Obviously the stranger was a bit upset and moved away. The instance
was forgotten in the morning classes. Afternoon we were to go for Chemistry
practical. We all entered the laboratory. We were waiting for our Demonstrator
to come and start the practical session.
To our utter surprise and shock that day the demonstrator
happened to be the “unknown stranger” who in the morning in the bus stand asked
to know the time from or gang leader.
Since then, I never guess the book by its cover as
appearance is always deceptive!!
Thus the four years spent in Alwarkurichi in SPKC has imparted good values and qualities which
have stood by my side to help me to progress well in my career as well as to
enjoy my family life!!
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