On this Teachers' Day, I fondly remember my high school
mathematics teacher (late) Sri Jesumani at Schaffter High School, Tirunelveli
during 1962-63. He was strict and was a terror for most students. Yet, he had
another side to his personality. He had taken me along with a couple of my
co-students along the banks of Nainar Kulam tank in Tirunelveli Town almost every
day before our school final exam to train us for the exam, doing a lot of
mental mathematics. He worked hard for our success without any other
expectations from us. May God bless his soul! I still remember the terrible
blow I received on my back when I declared as soon as I came out of our maths
public exam that I wouldn't be scoring a hundred in maths. He had so much faith
and expectations from me and the other two friends, and I felt sorry to have
disappointed him. I got only 95% in maths and a total of only 419 out of 600,
standing the third in the school and district.
I would be failing in my duty if I don't thank my dear classmate
and friend, Madhavan Yegnanarayanan,
who was a kind of teacher to me, solving some of the tough problems whenever I
had approached him. Some 5 years later, he was chiefly instrumental in
motivating me to join St. Joseph's College, Tiruchi for my M. Sc. A great
friend!
On this occasion, I also fondly remember with gratitude the
great help I received from late Sri Vedasironmani, the then Principal of St.
John's College, Palayamkottai for the excellent support and encouragement I
received from him while studying B. Sc. There was another lecturer Sri P
Subramanian and Sri Seetharaman from the same college for their financial help
during my M. Sc at St. Joseph's. Incidentally, they were both our close family
friends.
Finally, I also owe my gratitude to late Rev. Fr. Casimir, the
Head of the Department of Chemistry and the Rector of St. Joseph's College,
Tiruchi, but for whose support I won't be carrying my M. Sc degree behind my
name. I also owe my gratitude to Rev. Fr. Irudayaraj of the same college for
the excellent support and patronage I received in St. Joseph's at New Hostel.
Incidentally, I should thank Mr. Nambi, a lecturer in the same college for his
kindness and affection he had shown to me.
I had mentioned the names of a few people who had personally
helped me during my studies. Yet, I can't forget the role played by several
other teachers and lecturers who had shaped my interests and I thank all of
them.
