In our lives, we meet a number of teachers; those who taught us how to walk, those who taught us how to ride a bike, those who taught us why an apple falls down, those who us taught how to handle a dinner set and finally those who taught us where god is. Culturally we see our teachers as gurus. Guru’s role is different from modern-day professional teachers, while guru’s make you realize, teachers teach. And yes, most of our teachers tend to hold the role of a guru and not just a professional teacher. Though we meet variety of teachers in our life, the school teachers are special, since they are attached with our school memories. I am honored to share my experiences with one of my guru, Miss.Veluppillai.
We like our teachers, we like them for various reasons.
We like some of them because they are smart;
we like some of them because they are attractive;
we like some of them because they are caring, and
we like some of them because they can teach well.
Most of all, we like some of them because they practice what they preach.
Some teachers got the capacity to inspire; as a result you end up admiring them. Miss.Veluppillai is someone whom I admire for all of the reasons listed above - she is smart, attractive, caring, and a good teacher who inspires by her actions. I am sure there will plenty of students to talk about Miss.Veluppillai’s commitment to her job, her teaching style, tuition policy, knowledge in chemistry, the guts to say ‘I need to refer’ when we ask silly questions, and the support extended by her for students in various extracurricular/co-curricular activities.
But I am not going to emphasize those traits of our (former) vice principal in this article. I want to bring out the qualities I learnt from her, through an indirect learning. As an active, studious kid who likes to take in charge of ‘stuffs’, I kept seeking of individuals who are successful in carrying themselves positively and effectively. I once met her at Wellawatta market while shopping with my mom, she was walking calmly but with confident, with a neatly dressed saree, nice big sun glasses and a warm smile as always. I learnt my first lesson --style--, you become stylish by the way you carry yourself not by your color and physics - ‘The look’. From that day, I always remember the bahrathi’s lyrics “Nimirntha nan nadai neer konda paarvai….” whenever I see her walking.
Once in our 12 D, A/L Math class 2001, she was teaching organic chemistry, and a curious friend of mine raised a question. I don’t remember the exact question, but I remember that it was so specific, requiring the exact temperature at which some chemicals would react (I think it was about carbon and chlorine). She did not hesitate to answer that she needs to refer books to be precise. According to syllabus all we need to know is that, this reaction will be feasible at a very high temperature. She could have bluffed to defend her ego, or replied with the popular answer “it is not necessary for you at this level” and that is what I would have done with my level of maturity. I learnt another valuable lesson – “to say I don’t know when I don't know”.
I am sure that, she must have inspired most my fellow Hindu college brothers, through her leadership in helping the school administration, the way she managed school events ranging from annual prize giving to 50th jubilee celebration. As I said before, some teachers got the capacity to inspire; as a result you end up admiring them. While some inspire by words, only very few can inspire by action. Miss.Veluppillai did inspire me and continues to do so by her action and kind words. I am blessed to be her loving student and really proud for this opportunity to share a few experience about her. Miss will be a lost to Hindu college for sure.
Hindu College is arranging a farewell party on 10.02.12 to honor her service. If you are interested in contributing please contact Dr.Prasanna Varun (HP 2005). I can share his contact if you request.
R.T.Uthayasanker
H.P 2000/2001
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