I'm writing this article to make the readers realize that this kind of people (like my tutor) also exist in our society, that too living a successful life, no matter whatever problems they faced or whatever burdens they lifted to keep moving their life to finally reach the current status he attained.

I'm Manu C Nair, from a middle-class family living in Kerala. After my 12th std I planned to join a college in Tamilnadu for my higher studies. Most of us Keralites opt for Tamilnadu to do our higher education as it contains many class-educational institutions with affordable fee structure.

Now on to the story, it was the first day in my college when i saw him for the first time "My tutor" came in for the first class and introduced himself "My name is Maruthamuthu and I'm given the responsibility as your class in-charge". He was very jovial and always encouraged us to discuss general-informative topics or current affairs. His classes were always fun and one would never guess that he is a man who has moved on through all the sufferings and problems in his life.

It was one day when he started to tell his story to us, realizing that we were slightly off-track in our studies.  He said "Why are you misusing the golden opportunity that god has provided to study???". We were stunned by his sudden remark on us. Then he narrated his life story.

The story goes like this - "Our tutor was born in a poor family in outskirts of Dindigul district, Tamilnadu. He lost his father when he was young. It was his mother who went to work in paddy fields for their day-to-day expenditure. My tutor went to nearby Government school and topped the 10th standard examinations in that school. But to go for further education he lacked money and planned to halt his studies. But the good heart of a famous school in Dindigul district who came forward to sponsor my tutor's education up-to 12th standard by seeing his good marks. Things didn't change he studied well and also topped the 12th standard examinations in his school.

Soon after he stopped his studies and searched for jobs to help his mother, who was working hard in paddy fields to make her son's future bright in all possible ways. He then joined in nearby Engineering college, which was newly started at that time as an "Attender" or in other words "a Poen".His salary was Rs.45/day. But he opt this job as he was desperate to help his mother out of her misery. He had immense interest in taking up further studies, but the poor financial condition didn't allow him to continue.

But at last he decided to join evening classes to do BSc.Mathematics as correspondance course (part-time) and somehow managed to pay the fees. He continued working as attender in the college for next 3 years. During his days in college as attender he often stood and watch alongside of various classes and was very depressed that he couldn't afford such quality education. But he didn't lost his enthusiasm to study which resulted in the good marks in his degree. He completed his degree with a first class.

After completion of degree the first thing he did was meeting the bank manager of a nearby bank and there he enquired the chances of getting an education loan for his further studies. The manager was pretty impressed with the enthusiasm of the young lad to study and the certificate which depicts the good performance of him in all examinations. But the manager was doubtful on how tutor could manage to repay the loan. But, finally the loan sanctioned as a result of repeated pleadings and the good heart of that manager.

He then joined for MCA in the same college in which he worked as "Attender" for 3 years. Everyone there was surprised but most of them knew his calibre and encouraged him to do well. This time also, as usual he topped the University and got the gold medal from Anna University as he topped in results. 

Now he is working as a Professor in Software Engineering Department in the same college in which, 3 years ago he was working as an "attender". While typing these words, I got 'goosebumps' as wave of inspiration passes on my body.

It needs huge confidence, attitude and sheer Will power to attain what he have achieved. What i think makes his achievement special to me are:

1. Without the financial support from the family, working as an "attender", when nowadays everyone is running for "white-collar jobs".
2. To pass-out Post Graduation with a gold medal, when nowadays no one cares so much to study well with all the facilities we have such as - computers, laptops, net connection, reference books, extra coaching etc.
3. His enthusiasm to study when someone would have easily get distracted to take up further studies with all financial and family burden on him.

Look what this man has achieved in his life, When we keep on complaining about "What we don't have?" forgetting all the things that "We have!"...

Hey readers, think when a person can rise from "Attender" in a college to "Professor" in the same college, Can't we also make the CHANGE???

• Written by Manu C Nair.
• In category People & Places.
• 11 years ago.

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