கவனிக்க: இந்த மின்னூலைத் தனிப்பட்ட வாசிப்பு, உசாத்துணைத் தேவைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்தலாம். வேறு பயன்பாடுகளுக்கு ஆசிரியரின்/பதிப்புரிமையாளரின் அனுமதி பெறப்பட வேண்டும்.
இது கூகிள் எழுத்துணரியால் தானியக்கமாக உருவாக்கப்பட்ட கோப்பு. இந்த மின்னூல் மெய்ப்புப் பார்க்கப்படவில்லை.
இந்தப் படைப்பின் நூலகப் பக்கத்தினை பார்வையிட பின்வரும் இணைப்புக்குச் செல்லவும்: Souvenir 80: My Educational Memories

Page 1
My Educati
 


Page 2

SOUVENIR
V. Sivasupramaniam
N យកម្របំបmb

Page 3
Title
Author
Copyright
Edition
Paper
Pages
Copies
Publisher
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Souvenir 80 - My Eduational Memories
V. Sivasupramaniam 17/2. Ayanarkovil Street, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
P.O. Box 932, Seychelles vijaratnamsiva(a)hotmail.com Seychellestamil(a)yahoo.com
The Author
1st Edition, June 2010
70 GSM Maplitho & 130 GSM Ali Paper
272
600
Ulaga Thamizhar Pathippakam 4, Sourashtra Nagar 7th Street Choolaimedu, Chennai - 600 00 Tel: 0091944.411 1951 / 009141 || 55 Mail : eramathi(a)gmail.com utpmathicayahoo.co.in

V. Sivasupramaniam 3
“My Educational Memories” is an attempt to recall from my memory some of the anecdotes and memorable events of educational importance that have happened in the last 46 years of my teaching career in Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Seychelles. I have drawn in detail from my experience with great educators and also from great events with which Some of our educators were involved and Such events are really good lessons for the younger generations to come. It is my fervent hope that these events/information of great educators, could be of great help for our younger generation to know and appreciate the past, understand the part played by the role models to shape the generations of students who passed through their hands and the dedication with which most of them served the cause of education. Most of us, are what we are today, because of the selfless service rendered by the educational community in the various educational institutions and countries.
Since I spent the major part of my educational activity at Jaffna Hindu College - a total of 32 years both as a student and as a teacher - the coverage and the emphasis is on the same institution. During the period of my association with this prestigious educational institution I had been influenced / associated with, about 218 educators and I consider it a great privilege to pay my humble tributes to all of them in this publication. Some of them were my respected teachers who toiled hard to put us on the correct path when We were young, while others were my colleagues or juniors who were of mutual help to enhance the educational standards of our students. I was very much associated with scouting and scouting

Page 4
4. Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
reached very great heights at Jaffna Hindu. Hence, many photographs reflecting scout activities are included in this souvenir,
Although it was my original intention to list all the important landmarks in the development of Jaffna Hindu, for fear of repetition, I had to omit those parts as many of our publications like the college centenary issue and the centenary issues of the OBAs have fully covered those areas by research articles and as list of events. In the preparation of this souvenir, I had to rely entirely on my memory as all the documents about our institution that I preserved over a long period of time were lost due to the situation back home and I crave the indulgence of our old students and readers, if by chance I have made any errors/ missed some persons/events, and bear with me in this noble task.
I am very much obliged to the Souvenir committee who have come forward to organize this project of mine and Very much thankful to all my old students and sincere friends who have readily answered the call of the Souvenir committee to send their appreciation for inclusion in the Souvenir. Finally, my sincere thanks to all those who helped to make this project a reality.
My grateful thanks go to the printers-Ulaga Thamzhar Pathipagam and to Ulaippu Chemmal Era Mathivanan for wonderfully co-ordinating all my printing from far away Indian ocean Island. He has successfully ensured all my “Educational Memories' into a reality to enable all my global old boys & friends to enjoy reading it.
Thank you - one and All.
V. SIVASUPRAMANIAM

JAV)
V. Sivasupramaniam 5
RT, VIGNARAJA High Court Judge, Jaffna.
FOREW ORD
Teaching and practices that were once accepted without question are often now rejected unless evidence and logic are marshaled to give them plausibility. To survive, customs and traditions must bear up under intellectual scrutiny, must prove themselves helpful and immediately usable. There is a pre-eminent need for cogent, comprehensive explanations of the various facts of customs and traditions to answer the sincere questions of Children, Critics and Colleagues all over.
This souvenir 80 seeks to be a bridge between generations of past decades that grew up immersed in a pristine faith culture with Vast communal knowledge available to them and current generations that have little or no access to such knowledge. In those olden times, living in a homogenous society with the faith’s culture and traditions interwoven in every aspect of daily life, one did not need to ask the whys of everything. He only needed to participate. enjoy and absorb the nuances and meanings from the inside out. In today's fragmented Societies, we no longer have such cocoon-like training for children. So teachings must be rearticulated and presented in ways that will make intellectually clear their purpose, relevance and value in competition with the compelling flood of media that youths and adults are subjected to, day after day.
Mr. Sivasupramaniam played a crucial and decisive role in the history of Jaffna Hindu College for 32 years both as a student and as a teacher. For most of his active years he has been a keen and critical observer of national and international events and his interests and concerns have never been confined to the religious and

Page 5
6 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
educational spheres alone. His first hand knowledge of the significant events in our people's history, his part in the scout activities, his wide travels and his contacts with many important national and international personalities make him eminently Suitable to write a Souvenir-his educational memories which in many ways embody his observations, comments and reflections on events, movements and personalities that would have without doubt been not only of immense interest to the present generation but also an inspiring document of our times for generations to come.
There is in this souvenir so much of interest for readers of every possible taste that no one is likely to be disappointed. The ANECDOTES, ROLE MODELS and TRIBUTES represent Mr. Sivasupramaniam's reflections, judgments, critical comments and observations on his time, personalities and events. I am confident that his readers will be many and will remain grateful for the care and effort that went into those writings. They are bound to read them with much pleasure and derive great profit.
I believe it will be hailed as a classic and a venerable souvenir so that many souls may enjoy its warm and meaningful messages.
ർട്
مصر (R.T., Vigna Raja)

V. Sivasupramaniam 7
3ীGurupatam
NALLAITHIRUGNANASAMBANDAR ADHEENAM
Sritasri Swaminatha Desiga Gnanasambhantha
Paramacharya Swamigal Gurumaha Sannithanam - Founder
Srilasri Somasundara Desiga Gnanasambhantha Paramacharya Swamigal
gurumahasanithanan Chief incumbant POINT PEDRO ROAD. NALLUR, JAFFNA, SIRA ANKA
TelePhone: 02-22228.70
V. Siwa - a devoted teacher
Great men are the products of the almighty God. This is a fact in the case of Mr. V. Siva supramaniam. At the age of eighty years, he is trying to publish a book regarding his service in the educational field.
He started his career as a student in 1940 at Jaffna Hindu College and joined as a teacher at Jaffna Hindu College in 1953 and serviced till 1972. In his teaching service at Jaffna Hindu College, he has produced a good number of professionals, now serving all over the world. Following Jaffna Hindu College, he continued his service as principal, in different schools and continued his teaching service in Nigeria and Seychelles.
The idea of this souvenir is to illustrate the services of 218 teachers of the Jaffna Hindu College. It is very pleasing to note that this souvenir is to be published on his 80th birthday and to be released by the Old Boys Association, Colombo on the 26th of June 2010 on the occasion of its centenary celebrations.
In conclusion I bless the function great success. I like to mention that Mr. V. Sivasupramaniam is an admirer of my gurunathar.
Om Shanthi Om
His Holiness

Page 6
8 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
JAFFNA HINDU COLLEGE யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரி
யாழ்ப்பாணம் - இலங்கை Jaffna - Sri Lanka
Phone: 02-222 2431, 021-222.4323, 0215670242 Fax: 021222
Email: principal &jhc. Ik Webpage: www.jhc. Ik
Principal V. GANE SARAJAH
BCom, Dip, in Ed, MEd, SLEAS
It is with great pleasure that I am giving this message to “Souvenir 80’.
The author Mr. V. Sivasupramaniam was my teacher, taught Government during the period from 1971 to 1973 in Jaffna Hindu College where I am the principal now.
He, his son and his father were old boys of Jaffna Hindu College where Mr. Sivasupramaniam was a prominent teacher for a long time. He took great interest in the co-curricular activities of this college and he held responsibilities in directing the Scouts, publishing the “Young Hindu' magazine and organizing the other religious functions.
After leaving Jaffna Hindu College he got his promotion as Principal and held responsibilities as principal of many Schools in Jaffna and other parts of Sri Lanka.
As I know him he has never punished or hurt anyone by his behaviour and he directed all by his kindness.
In the "Souvenir 80” he has recollected most of his past incidents of the places where he had been and the people with whom he had associated.
Though he now lives in Seychelles he has come to his motherland Sri Lanka with great national affection as he is a patriotic gentleman.
I wish the launching of "Souvenir 80" a great success.
W・V・A^ーコ
V. GANESARAJAH
www.jhc.admin www.kerni.com
 
 

88

Page 7

()
V. Sivasupramaniam 11
ANECDOTES
All the anecdotes relate to individuals or events and most are related to the Jaffna Hindu community. Hence, all old students of Jaffna Hindu will be able to enjoy and appreciate them as some of them may be associated / involved or in the know of them.
PUBLIC MEETINGS WITH DIGNITY AND DECORUM
It was in the mid nineteen fifties. The Northern Province Teachers’ Association (NPTA) was a powerful Teacher Trade Union affiliated to the All Ceylon Union of Teachers (ACUT ) which enjoyed a strong clout in the educational horizon of the country. The AGM of the NPTA was a big event when a representative gathering meet to decide on major educational matters. It was held in the Parameshwara College hall ( presently University of Jaffna) which was packed to capacity and was presided over by the veteran educationst of Ceylon - Handy S. Perinbanayagam, Principal of Kokuvil Hindu College. When the meeting started, one member who was on the same staff as the President raised a “point of order.” Seven days notice was required to be given to all the members but the protest was – only three days notice was there according to the post mark on the notice. The President called for the notice, scrutinized the post mark and as a true democrat Handy master was, said “Justice must not only be done, but must appear to be done.” “I declare the meeting null and Void as sufficient notice was not given, The meeting stands adjourned. The next meeting will be announced later.” There was not a hum in the audience. Everybody accepted the ruling from the chair with dignity and decorum and the whole crowd melted away with great respect to the chairman's ruling. It was a wonderful lesson and a worthy experience for young teachers like me who just entered the noble profession.

Page 8
12 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
J.H.C. TEACHERS GUILD A FORERUNNER
The Teachers Guild had a long tradition of looking after the welfare of the teaching community. The unity and the strength of the guild depended on the diversified talents of its composition. The calibre and academic acumen of the staff were not only high but also consisted of leading figures from different political ideologies who never mixed politics with their professional work at school. That was the greatest strength of the guild.
When the National Education Commission called the Wilmot Perera Education Commission (Handy S. Perinbanayagam, the Gandhian - educationist from the North was a member of this commission) sought views to reform the education system, the guild after careful deliberation submitted its memorandum advocating a “diversified national system of education for the country.” This memorandum was totally accepted and fully implemented in the reform of the education system. Ours was the only Teachers’ Guild that Submitted Such a memorandum. The national media hailed it in their banner headlines as “A memorandum far ahead of the times” and " A very progressive memorandum to reform the education system of the country.”
In 1960, when all the Schools in Ceylon were nationalized, Some schools opted to go private and desired to run them on their own funds without state funding. The management of the JHC also opted to have Jaffna Hindu College as a private institution which move was not supported by the Teachers Guild as the management did not have the necessary funds to run it as a private institution. After a prolonged lobbying and discussion the management decided to enter the state system but the administrative hurdles were impediments for its implementation. The Teachers’ Guild stood firm. united and played a major role in all the deliberations having meetings almost daily. From December 1960 to April 1961 – a matter of four months none of the teachers were paid any salary – as the responsibility was not with the government and the management did not have the funds to pay the salaries. But the importance was in the Guild’s decision not to disturb the School Work even Without

V. Sivasupramaniam 13
salaries. The School community felt the impact very much and viewed it with lot of sympathy. Finally a special bill was introduced in Parliament by the late Pieter Keuneman, the popular left parliamentarian to make Jaffna Hindu become a state school. Special provisions were made to pay the four months teachers’ salary but the local Education office could not function due to a satyagraha campaign on the “ Sri" number plate issue. The TULF generously obliged to delay their campaign to enable our salary payment to be made and the five month old struggle ended happily. The whole community had nothing but praise for the JHC Teachers Guild.
“AGREE TO DISAGREE PROMOTES CO-HABITATION IN DEMOCRACY
It was the AGM of the NPTA of the early seventies that was held in the Jaffna Town hall. Normally such trade union meetings generate lot of heat as thorny educational issues were debated for the good of the country. The hall was overflowing and it used to be a full day session with intervals for lunch and tea. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, I being the third Vice-President was unanimously elected the President stealing a march over two of my seniors as the house could not agree on the two for various reasons. By noon while I was in the chair, a heated debate on an important issue cropped up over which the house was sharply divided and I was forced to give a ruling on the issue. When I gave the ruling the majority of the house gracefully accepted the ruling from the chair which is the formal practice. But a dozen of them headed by my Principal Walked out of the meeting as a protest against my ruling. I was firm, stood by my ruling and the meeting continued till late in the evening. Personally, it was an embarrassment for me as to how I could face my Principal on Monday morning. After the meeting in the night, I drove to Manipay to meet our veteran trade unionist Handy Perinbanayagam to verify the correctness of my ruling. As I alighted from my car he rushed to me from his easy chair and congratulated me for the best ruling that I had given on such a thorny issue as he had already got the news. Then he presented me a book “How to conduct meetings which copy I treasure very much to this day. Although I was relieved

Page 9
14 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
of the burden of the correctness of my ruling, the question of meeting my Principal the next morning was heavy in my mind.
Monday morning, when I stepped into the campus the first person in front of me was our Principal. To my great astonishment, he came up to me and holding my hands said “Siva, we are very proud of you; you have kept up the great traditions of our union; although I did not agree with your ruling, it was the best ruling that anyone could have given in such a situation.” These words coming from a seasoned trade unionist and a popular Principal reputed for his disciplined running of a big school reassured in me to continue the good work and how “ agree to disagree “ could promote democratic traditions.
SINNAPPU PRIZE FUNDAT ALAVEDDYARUNODHAYA COLLEGE
When I was requested to assume as the Principal of Arunodhaya College in January 1978, the grandson of the founder, the late S.Sivasubramaniam prevailed on me to give a positive reply as a "challenging job” was awaiting me there. K. Sinnappu, an Alaveddy born - Malaysian resident, who had passed four scores and ten then - a philanthrophist of repute - created a substantial prize fund of 30 scholarships and another 8 memorial prizes for the students of the college. It was diversified in content ranging from subjects, to university scholarships and some were on a rotational basis as was specified by him to the minutest detail. It was to his credit that about 50 different institutions - schools, temples, missions and orphanages in Sri Lanka benefited from his benevolence. My predecessors found it difficult to implement the fund as the sponsor was a difficult task-master, expecting speedy and accurate implementation. The first condition he laid was that the first prize day should be held before March 1978 - three months from my assumption - and that too according to all the details outlined by him. I, of course with the help of the ever co-operative staff and the school community, accepted the challenge. When I was asked to go to Colombo to sign the scholarship fund documents as the Ramakrishna Mission Swamy was the Chief Trustee, I was

t
V. Sivasupramaniam 15
strongly warned by the drawer of the documents - the late Renganathan Q.C., the eminent legal luminary – that I should read and understand each and every word in the draft as otherwise I would end up in deep trouble with the sponsor, if I make a slip in implementing a word as agreed.
There was an unforeseen delay in organizing the prize day and I got a thundering letter from him that if there was any further delay he would transfer all the prize fund to his old school - the JHC to which I replied that in either case I would have to spend the money because here as the Principal and at JHC as the Treasurer of the JHC OBA. He kept silent. The prize giving was well planned and it was a great function. The sponsor not only listed the items to be served but also saw to it whether all the listed items were served by sending a relation of his to attend the function and send a full report of the function. After the function the school sent him a detailed report with all photographs taken and after tallying both the reports he sent a letter congratulating the school community for meticulously planning and holding the prize day according to his plan.
The sponsor was too happy about the implementation of the scholarship fund, so much so, that when we appealed to organize the school library, he readily offered to finance the appointment of the librarian and the library was named " Sinnappu Library.” To honour our sponsor we had his son-in-law N. Manikka Iddaikadar formerly of the FAO) and his grandson Professor Kailasapathy as our chief guests for our two different prize days. The late Sinnappu was a great soul and the scholarship scheme continues to this day unabated.
COMMUNITY PROJECT AT ANURADHAPURA VIVEKANANDA
It was in the year 1976 when according to the new education system implemented then, the students in their first year of the HNCE (presently Advanced Level) had to do a community project stretching for months. Our children enthusiastically selected a very backward village in the Kalathawa area for development. Health

Page 10
16 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
facilities were poor, children were malnourished, no proper toilets, preventive vaccines were unknown and educational facilities were substandard. The people were Sinhala speaking, poor, innocent and well meaning. Initially, we contacted the local Buddhist priest (Hamuduru) the local ayurvedie doctor ( Veda Mahataya ) and the local Headman (Grama Niladhari) who introduced us to the villagers about our good intentions, thus ensuring the fullest cooperation of all concerned. The then MOH there, Dr M. Sivarajah (now WHO consultant with the Jaffna Medical Faculty) gave us all the material and moral Support.
The biggest set back came when at the Regional project Co-ordinating conference, when I mentioned about our project in Kalathawa, the Deputy Director-General of Education George Mendis summarily dismissed the idea of taking school children to that area as it was a notorious criminal area where after a gang murder a complete motor vehicle was hidden beneath the ground and the Ministry would never take the risk of exposing the school children there. I took great pains to push the projectably supported by my former teacher at JHC K.A. Pangaratne, the then Director of Education there. Finally, though not convinced at all, George Mendis, who always understood me and gave all the support to run my schools efficiently said, “the risk is yours : go ahead.” The project worked for months together, our children helped to immunize the babies, built many community toilets, taught the children language, number and music and thanks to the help from the School, local communities and the dedication of our children, the project was a grand Success which earned a place in the national level.
DEDICATED TEACHERS INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE STUDENTS
It is an accepted norm that students draw lot of motivation and inspiration from their teachers and that too at an impressionable age. A teacher could make or mar a child’s life and hence a great responsibility lies on the head of a teacher. Usually children tend to

V. Sivasupramaniam 17
imitate and follow the trends set by their teachers as guidelines to shape their lives. There are numerous examples but for reasons of space, it is limited to two shining examples. The one is that of my Principal, Rajan Alexander of the Government Teachers College, Misau, Bauchi State, Nigeria who is from Kerala. The other is my classmate and later my colleague at JHC T.Srinivasan. Both of them deviated from their subject areas, got involved and dedicated themselves in areas far from their own and in their new fields inspired and motivated their students to reach greater heights.
Rajan Alexander was an able administrator and a superb teacher of chemistry. The school campus with more than one thousand students in the hostel and about forty staff quarters had a terrible problem of water supply. It was estimated to be a huge budget to connect the campus with a network of pipelines. Rajan ventured into this area of plumbing that was his hobby, got sponsors to supply the materials, got the hostellers in different batches every afternoon and under his direction laid the network of pipelines for the campus. He saved about 20,000 Sterling Pounds to the Government and trained the students to be good plumbers - this educational venture earned a name and fame from the State , the community and also was the main news in the electronic and print media.
T.Srinivasan, an arts graduate, an efficient teacher of History in the A/L classes had radio mechanism as his hobby from his School days. This extra talent of his was initially well utilized in our school exhibitions and carnivals and later, he by his dint of hard work and enthusiasm for this area of science passed the professional examinations by his own self-study. While being a teacher at JHC he was appointed a part-time lecturer on radio technology at the Jaffna Polytechnic. Thus, due to his extra interest and dedication he inspired and motivated a large number of his students to take to this profession and many are now shining in this field. Even after his retirement he was offered by the North- East Provincial Education Ministry to be the Advisor on Vocational Education thus helping to create employment opportunities to a large number of students.

Page 11
18 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
TAMIL LEADERS ON THE SAME PLATFORM
It was in the 1969 – 1970 period when there was a " mass transfer” of teachers for the first time from the north to the Other parts of Ceylon which became a highly sensitive issue in the country. The Teachers’ Unions were refused access to the Minister to present their legitimate grievances. The Unions were driven to present their demands through the members of parliament. The NPTA lobbied many, the chief among them were the leaders of the Federal Party and the Tamil Congress. They presented our problem in the parliament too and finally, G.G. Ponnampalam Q.C., got an interview with the Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake and got the transfers cancelled. It was a great achievement for the Unions and the NPTA had to arrange a mass meeting of the NPTA in the Jaffna Town Hall to make this announcement. The impediment Was that the two leaders had never met on a common platform since 1949 when they parted company from the Tamil Congress and S.J.V. Chelvanayagam Q.C formed the Federal Party. It was really a “Herculean Task " to negotiate to bring them together as the NPTA was the prime player. Finally, it was a very successful mass rally presided over by me as the President of the NPTA where both the leaders were together and G.G. Ponnampalam made the announcement.
TEACHERS’ ROLE TO IDENTIFY AND GUIDE CHILDREN
Though there are many examples where children got good guidance and had developed into exemplary citizens, I like to mention three incidents which became turning points on their life
style.
The first concerned was of one of my Scouts at JHC. He was an intelligent student and an enthusiastic Scout but at times there were excesses also. It so happened that when our Principal was driving into the school compound - a novice in driving - the concerned student did a circus trick on his bicycle in front of the car which shocked and made our Principal to loose his balance. The result was that our Principal, in spite of my holding a strong brief

V. Sivasupramaniam 19
for my scout, decided to suspend him from the school. A few minutes later when I met that Scout in the canteen I invited him for tea with me which my Scout never expected. I never opened the topic but on his own he mentioned about the incident to which I very patiently advised him of his mistake and asked him to meet the Principal at once, explain and tender his apologies. The next morning, Principal called me to say that he had forgiven and forgotten that incident. That particular group of Scouts later left school and had gone for higher studies. After a few months, for our Annual Prize Day, the same Principal requested me to invite that group to present an entertainment programme for the prize day to which they responded well. That same group had an innovative item for our scout camp fire named “Dr Kill” which usually gets a top place. It was a “surgery without a patient” which won rounds of applause from the prize day audience. The happiest man was our principal and he always said “never discard a child; every child has his/ her potential and a teacher should identify and guide.” This particular scout is now a highly qualified professional holding an influential position in the USA.
The second happened at Alaveddy Arunodhaya College. There was a small group of AL students who were naughty and created so many problems to teachers and fellow students and the staff and students were prejudiced against them. Since I was new to the school, I could take an impartial attitude. When Italked to them I found them to be intelligent and co-operative. Since they were from the Mathematics group, I requested them to involve themselves in school development by sharing responsibilities to which the response was positive, though some of my staff were not happy with giving them responsibilities. We were planning some building programme for the school and I entrusted to this group the responsibility to Survey the compound and prepare a perfect plan drawing which should be sent to the Education Department for approval. I made it a point that their plan would be final and no corrections would be made. To the utter surprise of the staff they spent all their spare time in the job and came out with a perfect plan which was later approved. When responsibilities are given, children get moulded well and now those students are well off in life.

Page 12
2O Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
The third was at the NYS in Seychelles. I was teaching History for a lower ability group of students who were not at all academically bent but most of them had skills in certain vocations. Naturally there used to be unrest in the class. I found a particular boy, always naughty and disturbance to others but he had a liking for drawing and doing sketches with pencil. In my History class his assignment was to draw a pencil sketch of the new library building of the St Anne two village which won the top ranking in the school exhibition. He was very much enthused by his achievement and I am happy to find that today he is one of the top-most artists in Seychelles.
SCOUTING
Scouting is a global movement for youth development and inculcating human values to children at a young age and Jaffna Hindu has been in the Vanguard from very early days. Although it was the fourth troupe to be organized in the north, there were periods of inactivity during the war period. After it was revived in 1959, it reached greater heights nationally and internationally and continues to grow from strength to strength. A few highlights are worthy of nOte.
THE ISLAND MERIT FLAG: It is a prestigious award in Scouting on a national level. Achievements at all levels of Scouting are considered for this award on a national level. It was around 1964 that for the first time, and again the next year, that Jaffna Hindu won this award and the presentation was made by no less a person than the Governor-General at the Queen's House in Colombo. It was a memorable event for Scouting in the north and it gave a big boost to scouting - specially to the 4th Jaffna Troupe being judged the best troupe in the whole of Ceylon.
SIR ANDREW CALDECOTT CHALLENGE BOWL FOR THE HIGHEST CHIP-A-JOB COLLECTION IN CEYLON: This was another feather on the cap for the 4th Jaffna Troupe. It is during the annual chip - a -job Week, the Value of service to the community and the dignity of labour are emphasized to the young ones and to the

V. Sivasupramaniam 21
community. It also enables them to collect funds through their work to the community for their maintenance. It was during the same period as winning the Island Merit Flag that the troupe earned the prestigious challenge bowl for another record breaking achievement of collecting the highest amount during the chip-a-job week in the whole of Ceylon.
JAMBOREES : Since the revival of scouting in 1959, the dedication and the involvement of the scouts were so high that they were able to win consequently the Rotary Challenge Shield at the Annual Scout Rallies held at the Jaffna Old Park. Another Success came when Jaffna was represented by the Jaffna Hindu - St.Johns joint troupes at the Golden Jubilee Jamboree of Scouting in Ceylon held in Colombo in February 1962. The joint troupe carried a young palmyrah palm to represent Jaffna in the jamboree in a specially arranged railway wagon and this exhibit was the main cynosure of attraction in the jamboree. J.N.Ponniah, scouter of St.Johns played a leading role in this event. The climax was for the World Jamboree held in Idaho, USA in 1967 the 4th Jaffna troupe was represented by three scouts out of the seven that represented the whole of Ceylon and our Scouts did proud to scouting.
SCOUTING INSCRIBED: When the Scout community requested to paint permanently the Scout laws and promise on the roof canopy around the quadrangle, the then Principal C.Sabaretnam readily agreed and this was greatly appreciated by the Chief Scout Commissioner of Ceylon E.W Kannangara who was our chief guest for our first Annual Field Day in 1964. Thus scouting became a living activity and still continues to be the same. (vide Scout photo album)
MURUNIKAN MAHA VIDYALAYAM
After having my entire education and my teaching career in a developed School, it was really a new experience to take charge of a developing School in a rural area and it proved to be a major challenge. I happened to be the first Hindu Principal for a majority Roman Catholic School – a new environment after being brought up in a fully Hindu environment. Although the odds were very heavy.

Page 13
22 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
I decided to adjust myself to the changed environment and it paid very good dividends. It was primarily an agricultural area and my first task was to facilitate the childrens’ education in line with their economic background. My recommendation to have classes from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm as a one session school was gladly accepted by the authorities and warmly welcomed by the school community as it greatly enabled the children to help their parents in the fields in the afternoons.
It was greatly due to the enthusiasm of the staff and the cooperation of the parents that we began developing agricultural studies. The Government Agent. Mannar C. Kathirgamanathan and the Bishop of Jaffna were good enough to allocate enough lands in their possession for our agricultural activities and We succeeded in organizing a school Co-operative Agricultural Society with shares being sold to students. The result was that everybody got involved and we became a model in the district for the promotion of agriculture - a great success in the Food Production Drive.
Although it was a Roman Catholic majority area, we were all very happy there, that we could promote inter - faith amity and harmony in organizing all Catholic and Hindu functions where all got involved and participated as one school unit.
Life in Murunkan had its darker side too. The large tracts of fields and the Giants tank by the side were a wonderful haven for all types of poisonous Snakes to thrive in that area. During my short stay of about two years, there were eight deaths from snakebite and one was the Principal of a neighbouring school. One of my shocking experience is worth recalling. On the second day of my assumption there, it was dusk and I was walking along the main road when I was shaken as if the earth under me was moving. The children in the neighbourhood shouted that I should move away and to my utter shock I found that I unknowingly slipped on a huge ten - foot long python crossing the road. One could very well imagine my plight and that too occurring a day after going there. Some caring parents, to keep me out of fear strongly advised me that to avoid the snakes in the bedroom to crush four onions under the four footings of the hed

V. Sivasupramaniam 23
which ritual I did very religiously until my stay there. It was a very happy spell of duty there, as I got a lot of Satisfaction in seeing the educational and economic development of that area.
PROJECTS IN THE SEYCHELLES N.Y.S.
Project work found a very important place in the educational curriculum of the National Youth Service. Different projects were organized on a weekly basis and the whole afternoon session of a day in a week was set apart for this item. Students had a variety of projects to choose from depending on their tastes, aptitudes, interests and skills. Projects gave an opening for the students to bring out their latent talents, hidden skills, promote their originality and display innovative ideas. Many of these projects gave the young children even to choose their future career. Projects provided the base to promote closer teacher - student relationship and to understand each other in the best possible way.
From time to time I was involved in different kinds of projects such as Scrabble to improve English language skills, create interest in useful hobbies such as collection of stamps and preparing handwritten newspapers and journals. The Outstanding project in which the teacher, students and the community were involved was the project on tourism which later paved the way for many of the students to find meaningful employment in that sector. There were about twenty highly interested and motivated Students in that project which took us one full term to complete. There were lots of outdoor activities which the students enjoyed well and benefited them the most. It took us to the airport to interview the incoming and outgoing tourists, hotels to meet the tourists to get their first hand impressions of the country and random selection of tourists in different places to photograph them and get their views to improve tourism in the country. At the end of the project a photographic dossier was prepared by the project team with lot of statistical data and comments and copies were handed over to the concerned sectors to rectify / improve the tourism image of the country. It was hailed and welcomed by the authorities as a project of national importance. All support and sponsorship for the success of the project was given by

Page 14
24 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
the Ministry of Education, Seychelles Air Port Authority, Berjaya Bay Hotel, parents of the students concerned and Masons Travels. It is a matter of great importance and satisfaction to find that most of the students who did that project are now gainfully employed in the tourism related sectors such as the travel trade, hotels and the air ways. (vide Photo album).
PIONEERING MEDICAL ADMISSION
By the time I assumed charge of the Anuradhapura Vivekananda Tamil Maha Vidyalayam, the Advanced Level classes have been formed but there was a shortage of qualified and experienced teachers to teach in those classes. It was a daunting task for me to identify such teachers and get them transferred to our school. The numerous contacts I had helped to identify some experienced teachers from different districts in the island. The administrative set up in the Ministry of Education and the Regional offices did the extra mile to appreciate my demand and exerted the necessary pressure to transfer such teachers to our school. Within a Very short time our School had an efficient team of teachers competent in their own fields to coach our dedicated students to Success. We pioneered the first batch of two admissions to the Faculty of Medicine from among all the Tamil schools in the region. It was a big boost for our School and we are proud that one such student happens to be one of the five convenors for this publication.
MOTIVATION OF TEACHERS
Among the many factors that motivate students, the motivation given by their teachers play a dominant role in the development of a child. One such teacher, among the many whom We had, was S.Jeyaveerasingam who was our teacher of European and Ceylon History in the Advanced Level class. He was a scholar of no mean repute in History, Pali and Sanskrit and had a prodigious memory. He could rattle paragraphs, pages and any other detail from H.A.L.Fisher and the Mahavamsa with ease. He authored many a book on History that were very popular with students. It was a treat to listen to him when he conducts History lessons. He was the
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 25
Patron of Our Historical & Civic Association winere we were initiated to the art of speaking and learnt to prepare research papers on various historical topics. These research papers were filed for use by all students and teachers. He employed an innovative idea over the years not only to develop in us an interest in History and Political Science but also to continue that trend to the succeeding generations of students. At the beginning of the year, all of us were given different titles of books to be bought by us, master the book over a period of time, exchange with the other students until all the books were read by the whole class. At the end of the year all of us had to donate all our books to the Association library. Thus, his method not only motivated us to take a keen interest in the subject but also helped to build a good library for the future students to use.
GENERAL MANAGER T.MUTTUSAMYPILLAY
When the Assisted school system was there, all the colleges and schools affiliated to the Jaffna Hindu College were managed by the Board of Directors of the J.H.C and Affiliated Schools. There were many leading figures who were General Managers but the last de facto manager was T.Muttusamypillay. He was the Crown Advocate in Jaffna for a long time and was popularly known as “Sando Muttusamy “ because of his imposing personality and physical prowess. He was a good horse rider too. He was always broad minded, liberal in his views and always had the interests of the school and the school community at heart. It is appropriate to recall some interesting events to illustrate his benevolent attitude:-
а) In December 1960, when all the schools were nationalized. the Board of Management of the JHC opted to go private. The Teachers Guild of the JHC had a different opinion as the Board did not have the necessary funds to run the school on its own. During that time the General Manager Muttusamypillay was not in the country and there was a Stalemate in the administration of the school. (Details discussed elsewhere too). On his return, when the situation was brought to his notice, he was willing to meet the delegation from the Guild to have a mutual discussion. There were a series of protracted

Page 15
26
b)
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
deliberations and at the end of it he was too willing to get the final word from the Teachers Guild who mattered the most in the dispute. He kept his doors open and when the delegation met him it was two in the early morning, the decision was taken to hand over the school to the State and he left for Colombo the next morning to finalise the matter to the entire satisfaction of the school community. That was his greatness in times of crisis.
To swell funds for the “Cumaraswamy Hall” project there was a well organized carnival by the JHC OBA in 1960 which ran successfully for more than a month. The whole organization was so streamlined that irrespective of persons or individuals the carnival went on well. The money spinners were the “Games of Skill “ Sections which worked till late in the night. If at all there were any trouble makers they were at ease only very late in the nights and when this was brought to the notice of Muttusamypillay he responded by his physical presence every late night until the stalls were closed and his mere presence solved all the problems of unwanted troubles. He was ready to sacrifice for the good of the school.
During the carnival period, water pipes were temporarily laid all around our playground. When the carnival was over they were to be disconnected. Some young members of the staff who were very active workers for the carnival approached Muttusamypillay through our Vice-Principal C.Sabaretnam requesting to allow some water pipes to remain so that we could organize the new tennis club for the good of the staff and the students. Appreciating the reasonableness of the request the one word reply was "granted.” That speaks volumes for his greatness and soon we had an active tennis court functioning in the school.
PRINCIPAL. A. CUMARASWAMY FOUNTAIN OF INSPIRATION
The first old boy Principal who held office for almost two
decades - bubbled with dynamism and vision for the present glory of

V. Sivasupramaniam 27
the institution, introduced far reaching innovations that stand to this day was a fountain of inspiration for the whole school community. Nurtured in the highest traditions of Cambridge and followed in the noble footsteps of no less a person than Harold Laski, he took a practical approach to further educational standards in the school. He tried his best to expose all the students to the beneficial winds of change in a practical way. He was a our teacher of Political Science (then called Government) and he would call all of us to the library after school and selectbooks written by Harold Laski for each one of us. We have to read and make summary of the different ideas which made us very much conscious of the political trends. His creation was the mock Parliament in school with political parties, Government ministers and a strong opposition where some school matters were debated, voted and submitted to the Principal for implementation. He would give arguments and counter arguments to both the sides and would leave the place but heated debate would continue till late into the evening.
He would encourage us to watch supreme courts proceedings when the courts were in Sessions and when eminent lawyers come down from Colombo for important cases, he would give us letters of introduction to meet them and invite them for lectures at School. During his period We were fortunate to listen to very prominent personalities, politicians of different hues and many parliamentarians in our school fora.
To recall an interesting incident I would mention that he would never let down any of his teachers in front of any outsiders or education officials. Once a high ranking educational official came to our class and gave us a passage for dictation. The papers were corrected by our English teacher who was a senior member of the staff. He did not mark many of the mistakes in our papers which came in for a sharp criticism from the education official. To our utter surprise our Principal told him, “I have asked the teacher not to mark many mistakes because psychologically that would make a negative impact on the child.” The education official could not retort as our Principal was far above him in educational matters and qualifications.

Page 16
28 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
PRINCIPAL ASAIPILLA - THE PERFECT SCHOLAR
V.M.A.saipillai was Vice-Principal for a long time and assumed the Principalship on the Sudden demise of A.Cumara Swamy in November 1952. He was a government scholar at the London Imperial College and a professionally qualified Engineer. A perfectly dressed gentleman, a man of ready wit and quick retort, a man offew words but with deep meaning. He was a man of varied interests and missed his finals in England for a dance debut in Paris because according to him examinations are annual events but such a fine performance happens once in a lifetime. After successfully serving for nearly ten years as Principal he chose premature retirement due to external pressures and at his farewell dinner one of the speakers referred to him as a “Distinguished educationist” to which his retort was not “Distinguished but an Extinguished educationist.”
He had the wonderful knack to quibble with words and phrases and he was a superb conversationalist. In 1961 during the anti-Sri Satyagraha period, the army took over the civil administration of the Jaffna peninsula and large contingents of the forces were sent to Jaffna. Arrangements were made to house the soldiers in the town area school hostels. Ours being one of the largest hostels, the Sri Lankan Army Chief Lt.Col. Udugama and the Education Officer of the region walked into the Principal's office as if to take over the whole School the very moment. Even the official remarked that as the Manager of the School he was ordering the Principal to hand over the School to the army. Principal Asaipillai kept his cool, quibbled with the words to say that as the school was not yet vested with the State, the Principal was yet the boss and not anybody else. Thus he could decide things rather than anybody else. Principal further insisted that the School hostel being run on strict vegetarian menu according to Hindu tradition, he cannot allow the army to cook non-vegetarian food. The Army Commander got his message clear and excused himself and that was the end of lodging the soldiers in the hostel. That was the greatness of Principal Asaipillai.

V. Sivasupramaniam 29
It is interesting to recall another incident about his wonderful memory power. Once there was a magician who could repeat ten or fifteen digits or alphabets written on the board after viewing them once. He challenged many from the audience to do the same and many failed. Principal Asaipillai volunteered to do with more digits / alphabets. The magician wrote more than fifty irregular numbers and rubbed them all at once. To the utter surprise of all, Principal repeated all the fifty odd digits without a single mistake and such was his memory.
TRADITIONS WORTHY TO RECALL AND REMEMBER
Some of the traditions set at Jaffna Hindu are worthy of remembering and are useful for our future generations to cherish.
а) Our Veteran teacher KSS of Mahabaratha fame is one who could be remembered on many fronts. When the OBA went round collecting funds for the “Cumaraswamy Hall” project KSS was leading the team. He boldly put forward a request that four generation of teachers have come to collect funds and for each generation at the rate 250/- he demanded a donation of 1000/- perperson (values were different then) and the response was wonderful. The team consisted of KSS, V.Subramaniam, former Assistant Commissioner of Labour (miler), P.S.Cumarasamy and self- each one was a student of the former.
KSS, being the architect and engineer for this project used all the hostellers when concrete was laid for the flat of the hall
- thus creating a sense of belonging to the hostellers which fact is well cherished by all those who were involved. KSS rewarded the hostellers by permitting them for a film show during a Weekend.
b) Another veteran was KVM whose memory is cherished by all the students who went through the portals of the institution. Discipline, punctuality and neatness were his watchwords that permeated from the top to the bottom of the student

Page 17
30
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
community. When I started my schooling there at the tender age of nine, KVM was our drill master. The first thing he did was to line us up, check our nails and teeth, whether our shirts were buttoned properly and finally pull our pockets to show him that all our hankies were folded and kept. Even to this day, like many of our old boys, I follow these habits very religiously for which I salute his memory. It was mainly due to his efforts and dedication that scouting was revived in 1959 after a long interval and to this day Scouting is flying high at JHC.
There are cherished memories of cricket at JHC. Another of our veteran teacher communist Karthigesan, during his postgraduate diploma course at the University was posted to the Colombo Royal College for his teaching practice.
Normally, as they were new to the schools there used to be some discipline problems. On the very first day the students wanted to know from which school was Karthigesan. His reply was “I come from the school where the opening batsman scored 215 - not out “ was the sharp retort - but he never mentioned the school by name .The students heard it with awe and surprise and from that day Karthigesan became a well respected teacher there because cricket has been a magic word for all Royalists.
HUMOUR IN DISCIPLINE
When I assumed as the Principal of a school in Jaffna, the
main problem appeared to be the late arrival to school of a few teachers. In order to set things right from the beginning I asked the clerk to draw the red line in the signature book at 8.45 sharp. There were some resentment but I never yielded. Within a few days I was happy to find that nobody was there below the red line and it was relaxed later. In one of the farewell functions a senior teacher in a humorous way remarked that the school had different rulers but it was only now that they have "Senkol Adchi" – to mean “rule of the
red line.” It was a remark made in good spirit and all of us enjoyed the worthy remark.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Page 18

V. Sivasupramaniam 33
ROLE MODELS
Principal A. Cumaraswamy, who laid the foundation for the growth of the institution in later years had a noble vision and mission for a broader education for the children. He was the first to welcome the free education Scheme, the SWabasha education system and mooted the idea of founding the Jaffna Hindu Ladies College. The expansion of many sports activities, magazine for the students, Lyceums and the mock Parliament in school were all his brain child, all of which spread their tentacles in later years. Carnivals and exhibitions in a series to collect funds for the building expansion of the school were mooted by him which provided great dividends in later years. Many of his ideals and principles were meticulously followed in the later years for the expansion and glory of the institution.
Principal V.M.A.saipillai was instrumental in reaping the harvests of the previous regime, a smart and decent personality who always measured his words and quick in making decisions. Being a man of few words he could finish the staff meetings within half an hour but covering larger areas of activities. He had clarity of thought and all the programmes whether of his own or for the school were well set and one could set one's Watch by his movements. At the end of the day, at 3.45 before the last bell one could see his office table cleared of all the files for the day except his car key on the table which was a fine lesson to many of his subordinates - whether staff or students.
Principal C. Sabaretnam grew and retired from the same institution, had a hard exterior but always a soft interior. A fine sportsman from his younger days, he always cared for the weakest child in the class and succeeded in improving their lot. Steady and Smart in all his dealings and had a methodical approach whether in teaching or administration. He always practised what he preached

Page 19
34 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
and long before the concept of “recycling" came into wider use, he never allowed any waste Such as stationery which many of his students started practising in their daily life.
Principal N.Sabaratnam kept all his classes “spell-bound” by his humorous approach and successfully managed any audience by his “gift of the gab.” He was an active teacher trade unionist who kept the country's flag very high in many international fora and after retirement was a free lancer in a popular Tamil daily in the north. Being a master of both English and Tamil literature, his highly informative, comparative and sarcastic editorials were keenly awaited every morning by the larger readership. His successful authorship made him a strong link between the earlier generation and the younger generation.
Principal E.Sabalingam was a strong believer in the theory that discipline is a forerunner for good education. Wherever he was in charge there was a high level of discipline and it helped the smooth running of the school. Being an outstanding sportsman himself, he developed all sports activities to make the institution an outstanding one not only in the educational levels but also in the multifarious sports activities. Being an active teacher trade unionist he always looked after the interests of teachers well and in running the school his actions were always child-centered. Jaffna Hindu was raised to the highest possible levels during his stewardship.
K.V.Mylvaganam (KVM) was an institution by himself and was one of the strong pillars of the institution. He belonged to the “old guard" of teachers and had served the institution for well over three decades. Discipline, system, neatness are some of the virtues that he inculcated into each and every student in the school - whether he be in the higher class or the lower class. Apart from class room teaching many extra-curricular activities had the golden touch of KVM which amply enhanced a wholesome education.
KVM was a magic phrase that brought the whole school to order which helped the smooth running of the school for years together.
K.S.Subramaniam ( KSS ) another granite pillar Of the institution for nearly four decades, moulded the lives of thousands

V. Sivasupramaniam 35
of students who had the fortune to pass through the institution. His rendering of the great epics Mahabaratha and Ramayana in his simple and lucid style are evergreen in the minds of his old students. Apart from being an ideal teacher he was the foster father for all the hostellers which was considered as one of the best run hostels in the island with an ideal vegetarian menu. He could be considered as the great builder in the sense that he played a multifarious role in the building projects of the school - architect, planner, builder and Supervisor.
Pundit K.Sellathurai a highly dedicated and involved teacher with a high sense of duty consciousness. He inculcates all the children as his own children and anyone who have studied Tamil literature or Hinduism from him need not go in for any further studies in that subject as his way of teaching makes any student to be thorough in all the areas of the subject. He was always in school at 7.30 in the morning even before the gates are open and starts his work of correcting the work of the students and was commended as one who never takes leave of absence - except one day for the funeral of his mother.
Principal Rajan Alexander of Government Teachers' College, Misau, Bauchi State, Nigeria, man of high principles and one who always had the courage of his convictions to face any odds to vindicate his stand on any matter. A dedicated teacher and a disciplined administrator with a vision who managed well the multicultural staff with great acceptance. He always had the students interest at heart and guided the students on the right path in line with their interests and talents. His minute planning well ahead, kept the students and the institution far above all the others in the State and the students were able to adopt his educational ways for the good of their lives and the community
Education Co-ordinator (Principal) Ms. Soma Rasiah of the National Youth Service in Seychelles, where for a two year course all children lead a hostel life. In addition to academic subjects all are taught vocational as well as other useful skills. She being an able administrator inculcated discipline and system of life to all the children which enabled many of them to follow professional courses later and to shine in the vocations of their choice.

Page 20


Page 21

V. Sivasupramaniam 39
TRIBUITES
During my period at the Jaffna Hindu College, I had the rare privilege and pleasure to have interacted with more than two hundred dedicated teachers who successfully shaped the lives of the thousands and thousands of students who passed through the portals of this hallowed National Institution. As old students, it is our bounden duty to recall, remember and respect the selfless services rendered by all of them and it is my great pleasure and satisfaction to pay my humble tributes to those living and the dead.
(The names are arranged in alphabetical order.)
1. Amerasinghe.G who taught the Sinhala language was in the hostel. Apart from teaching he contributed a lot for the welfare of the hostellers and gave the necessary guidance for running the Junior Hostellers literary meetings.
2. Anandasangaree.V then a young firebrand of the left
movement started his teaching career at Jaffna Hindu. His active participation in all school activities made him a popular member of the staff. Due to his active interest in politics his stay in the profession was short. He entered local politics and soon became the Chairman of the local body in Killinochchi. Then he became a parliamentarian representing Killinochchi in the Parliament. A winner of the UNESCO peace award is currently heading the TULF and won a seat in the Jaffna Municipal Council in the 2009 elections.
3. Andy Singho the popular electrician and the plumber for the
school and the hostel, was the mainstay for all the school needs. Ever smiling and helpful to all, served the school community for a long number of years and got settled in the locality.

Page 22
40
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Annamma Ms a Senior teacher who served the institution for decades, successfully coached the first timers at school in the basics of language. Hard in discipline and in extracting work, her systematic coaching laid firm foundations for all the children who came under her influence. We Were a batch of lucky ones who got the benefits of her rigorous training in the early forties when we were in the Lower First year class.
Arirajasingam.K who joined from Kopay Christian College was a mainstay for the Mathematics section. Many of his students did very well in Mathematics which enhanced our admission to the Faculty of Engineering over a long period of time. He authored many books in his favourite subject that are popularly used in many Schools around the country.
Arulanantham.T an old boy and an Arts graduate was a Successful teacher before taking over administrative duties as the Deputy Principal. After a short stint in the new post he opted to migrate to Australia.
Arumugam Vidwan joined in 1972 after his long career at Skandavarodaya College. Teaching of Tamil Language, Literature and Hinduism were his forte and contributed in an immense measure to the development of cultural activities among the student community. He had his retirement from J.H.C.
Arumugasamy. Man old boy and a Science graduate was a teacher for a long time. He was the mainstay for the teaching of Mathematics and Physics in the Advanced Level classes and had been consistently producing good results. He was involved in the hostelliterary activities, Science Association and Scouting. He had a brief stint of teaching in Kano State, Nigeria and migrated to Canada.
Arunasalam.M was a hard Working and dedicated teacher of Geography in the middle forms and also taught Latin in the upper classes during the middle forties. He retired from service during that time.

V. Sivasupramaniam 41
10.
11.
12.
13.
Arunasalam.K an old Anandian joined the staff after his training at the Maharagama Training College. He was an asset to the institution in more ways than one, promoted and maintained good discipline among students and was a talented teacher of Mathematics and English in the middle forms. Apart from teaching he was a cricket fan having represented the staff team, a teacher trade unionist and took a keen interest in reviving and sustaining the staff Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society. It was very unfortunate that he passed away early in life due to an unexpected illness.
Asaipillai.V.M. an Engineer turned pedagogue was VicePrincipal for almost eighteen years and Principal for a decade during which time the stature of the institution reached the highest levels. He was a successful teacher of Physics and Advanced Mathematics in the Advanced Level classes during his entire period and had to go into early retirement due to external factors.( more details elsewhere too )
Atputharatnam.V a product of Jaffna College and almost his entire teaching career was at the J.H.C. A self made man with a critical and an analytical mind, a forceful debater and a good teacher of History. His mature advice and guidance were well sought after not only by his students but also by many of his colleagues who were preparing for higher examinations. Politically he had socialist learings, got interested in many trade union movements including that of Teachers Unions and was one of those involved in after School discussion on many issues political and otherwise in the staff room. It was a treat to listen to his objective presentations on political thought and political issues.
Balasingam.S.V. a History graduate who taught History in the higher classes. Being a resident in the school hostel he contributed a lot to promote literary activities among the hostellers. He was the founder of the Historical and Civic Association and a patron of it for a long period during the early forties. He left early to assume duties as the Principal of

Page 23
42
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Jaffna College which post he held for a long period with great acceptance.
Balasunderam.V an English Trained Teacher of early days Was Versatile in teaching many subjects in the school curriculum but very much enjoyed teaching English and Mathematics. He was our English teacher in the middle forties and his rendering of Shakespeare's plays keep the students spell bound in the class. He retired from service while at the J.H.C.
Buvanendran.Mjoined as a trained teacher. He was an asset to the school for many years in Scout activities. To start with. he was in charge of the school wolfpack which he trained well to strengthen the Scout troupe later. Then as Scout master, organized many successful camps and together with the Scouts attended Scout Jamborees. Later he was in the district scout training team too.
Chandrasegaram.K was the first local teacher to be appointed the music teacher for the school as earlier music teachers were usually appointed from Southern India. He was a popular music teacher having jointly staged school dramas and was a regular radio artiste with Radio Ceylon.
Chithamparanathan.K. was the assistant hostel warden entrusted with the daily routine running of the hostel. He inherited a streamlined system from the well experienced Namasivayam master who attended to all the details of running the hostel well for many years. He got very well involved with the hostel community and could maintain good personal relationship with all concerned.
Chelliah Miss (later Mrs Kandasamy) was one of two lady teachers on the staff for a very long time. She was very much liked by all the students as she was handling almost all the subjects for the students in the first and second years of schooling. The early impressions of her on the young students made an indelible mark in their minds of their teacher.

V. Sivasupramaniam 43
19.
20.
21.
22.
Cook Kandiah was a long standing and experienced cook of the hostel and the fatherly attention he paid to all the hostellers as if they were his own children made all the hostellers to remember him for ever.
Coomaraswamy N the librarian, joined from Ramanathan College. He was the first qualified and experienced librarian appointed to the J.H.C and he had good experience having worked for Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan when he was young. He was cool, collected and perfectly methodical in his work. He overhauled and re-arranged the whole library in the present place, pioneered the introduction of the card index system which made easier for all to access and loan the necessary books. A code of conduct was introduced to all students and staff and the library became a perfectly silent place and the school sustained that system for a long time.
Culasingam.C.M. an efficient and experienced teacher of Chemistry for a longtime from 1920, was wholly responsible for organizing the science laboratories of the school on a well arranged proper footing years ago. In teaching or organizational matters he was meticulously systematic and his approach had always been practical and down to earth. His practical skills were evident during the School carnivals and science exhibitions and such events were never complete without his final touch. Besides Chemistry, he was a good teacher of Geography too and his planning and executing the physical features of Ceylon with hills and rivers flowing made of cement was the cynosure of attraction during the carnival and one could never forget the impact that would have had on the young minds. His retirement from service in 1951 was marked by the publication of the School magazine Young Hindu named as “Culasingam Number”.
Cumarasamy Iyer.P joined us from Puttur Sri Somaskanda College. He was an experienced and talented artist and was our Art master for quite a long time. He always kept a low

Page 24
44
23.
24.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
profile. Later, he went back to his old school and retired from there.
Cumarasamy.P.S. was a student, teacher and finally retired as Principal from J.H.C. From the primary level to his retirement he grew with the School and the lives of both were inter-twined. There is no space or corner in the school that did not have the impact of “PS as he is fondly called by all. On his finishing his degree he was one of those hand picked by our Principal A. Cumaraswamy to teach History in the Advanced Level classes and we were his first batch of students. After a long career as a teacher, he left on being selected to join the Ceylon Education Service and later was Principal of Karainagar Hindu College, Kokuvil Hindu College and Mahajana College before taking over at JHC in 1975. He being an athlete and a scout in his younger days, later as a teacher and as the head of the school, he contributed in no small measure for the wholesome development of all the students under his charge. During his headship, the institution excelled in all fields and Shone as a model national School. It was a great loss to the community that he had to retire before ending his full term in office.
Cumaraswamy. A was the first old boy to become Principal of the school in 1933 and the first Principal to die in harness in November 1952. He was an educationist of no mean repute that the country had produced and gave the necessary lead for many educational reforms in the country. He belonged to Harold Laski’s school of thought and his liberalism was expressed in his advocacy of equal gender education and opportunities, free education for all, importance of instruction in the mother tongue of the child - all of which are a reality in the country now. His liberal ideas on education were far ahead of the times and it was his dynamism and the vision for the future that laid the solid foundation for the glory of Jaffna Hindu in the later years.( more details elsewhere too )

V. Sivasupramaniam 45
25.
26.
27.
28.
Duraisingham. A was the bursar of the school for a longtime and at times worked for the JHC Board office too. He served his entire period under the same management and retired from the same institution.
Ehamparam.P was one of the best sportsmen produced by Jaffna Hindu. He started his career as the Prefect of Games at Mahajana College and later joined JHC in the same capacity, as the assistant to his Guru P.Thiagarajah, until his demise early in life. He was a shining star in the athletic team and reached his climax of sporting career representing the college first eleven soccer team. It was in the mid forties and in the final championship match played in the “cadjan fenced” JSSA grounds at Koddady, the soccer fans were in for a treat by Ehamparam. He was the right extreme of the team and the game was about to close with a nil draw. It was a couple of minutes for the final whistle when Ehamparam took the corner kick and to the surprise of all, the ball swung straight in to the goal deciding the championship in favour of Jaffna Hindu.
Elanganathan.E joined the School as a young man and served in the school support team for a short period.
Erambamoorthy.V a self made man of varied talents was a successful teacher of Tamil Literature, Hinduism and Mathematics. He was my teacher in the primary school when I started schooling and later in the Advanced Level. He is one who could make his teaching of any subject effective and could reach the students at any level. He authored books that created interest in the minds of children on the value of epics. His advice on religious practices was always sought after by the authorities and he was the Patron of the School Y.M.H.A. Many a Principal fell on his support for a refined translation of their prize day addresses in tasty literary Tamil. He ran a popular photographic studio in Jaffna and nobody could forget the imposing architectural edifice he planned and installed at the entrance to the carnival grounds in 1960.

Page 25
46
29.
30.
32.
33.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Fernando.A.L. was in charge of teaching the Sinhala language for a long time. He was the Patron of the Senior Hostellers Union and provided disciplined guidance for the students in the hostel. He organized the first ever Boxing club at school and promoted that sport among the students.
Francis.M.C. an efficient, dedicated and popular teacher of Zoology for the Advanced Level classes had served St.Johns College with great Success for a long period of time. As a person with high principles, with the State take over of schools, he opted to join the State School system and joined J.H.C. He laid the foundation for a large number of medical students ensuring a high percentage of medical and biological entries from both the Schools that he served. His innovative methods were well received by all his students and all his educational publications were a boon to the student community. He retired from J.H.C and migrated to Canada.
Ganeshan Gayithiri Mrs had a short stint at J.H.C before moving to Ramanathan College where she was Principal.
Ganesharatnam.S a self made man, retired from Government service and after serving for a brief spell at Nadeswara College, joined J.H.C. He was a competent teacher of History and English in the higher classes and always had the welfare of the students in all his actions .He involved himself in all religious activities and was the Patron of the Y.M.H.A and also the Historical and Civic Association. A dedicated cricket fan, he never missed any cricket match and was an active batsman for the Staff cricket team.
Gnanaseelan.G. a mathematics trained teacher was a successful teacher in the middle forms. His stay at school was short as he went on transfer.
Gnanapragasam.T did his special degree in Mathematics and taught in many schools outside Jaffna. Towards the tail end of his service he joined the school and was a good
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 47
35.
36.
37.
addition to do Mathematics in the higher classes. He retired from J.H.C.
Gunapalsingam.C entered the University from the J.H.C. and after graduation was appointed to teach Geography in the higher forms. He left, on his appointment as Divisional Land Officer, had a short stint there and again joined the staff of Kokuvil Hindu College. He was there for a long time being a strong back bone for the efficient running of the institution besides being a competent teacher of Geography. He was elevated as the Principal of Sir Waitilingam Duraisamy M.M.V in Velanai and later was Principal at R.K.M. Vaideeswara Vidyalayam from where he retired. He was an active teacher trade unionist in the NPTA, ACUT and the NUT. He was the long time Secretary of the NPTA Examination Council and much credit goes to him for streamlining the examination system to become the perfect model in the country. As an able administrator he had a sharp eye for the minutest of details. Perfection and punctuality were his watch words. Personally, I owe much to him for whatever success I have in my public life.
Guthoos.M.M.H.A. had all his schooling at J.H.C. and was a teacher for a short time. Later he was the Principal at the Osmania College, then shifted to the administration in the Ministry and finally retired as the Director of Education attached to the Tamil section of the Ministry. He was an ideal link between the two communities and involved himself in all the School activities.
Janaka. Kjoined from Nelliaddy M.M. V to teach History in the higher forms. He was an exemplary teacher of European History in the Advanced Level classes and could keep the whole class spell bound for hours together by his skill of oratory and the vivid recall of the historical events as if they were unfolding in front of our eyes. He was an active member of the Communist Party and his discussions in the staff room on public matters were always enlightening and entertaining.

Page 26
48
38.
39.
40.
41.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Jeyaseelan. K.N. was probably our first Zoology teacher in the early forties when the Zoology laboratory was located on the ground near the hostel well. He had a short stay after which he joined the Agricultural Department and held high positions in different capacities. Incidentally, he was a brother of the popular “Doctor Sampanthan “of the Moolai hospital.
Jeyaweerasingham.Sa dedicated old boy and an old student of Principal A.Cumaraswamy was selected by him to man the History Department. The eldest son of a former Principal, M.Sabaratnasinghe, considered to be the "Father of Scouting” in Jaffna, kept the mantle of Scouting glow at Jaffna Hindu by being one of the early Scouters at JHC. Many of us who were fortunate to be his students were able to understand from his teaching, the nuances of the subject in an analytical way. His novel ideas of imparting the subject to his students got many to get involved in historical studies later but his poor health early in life, made him to retire early. (more details elsewhere too)
Joseph.B, the first Handicraft teacher to be appointed to the School in 1953 continued his whole career in the same institution till he retired in 1987. The whole credit goes to him for having organized a well equipped carpentry Workshop for the school which sustains to this day. He got involved with the whole school community and no student will forget his joining the school batch to the annual school festival at the Thiruketheeswaram temple. He contributed a lot for the teachers welfare through the school Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society and for a time helped in the running of the school hostel. He passed away on the 15th of December 2009.
Kanaganayagam.Sjoined the staff in 1948 and continued till his retirement in 1976. He was a successful teacher of English throughout his period and retired as the Vice-Principal having been in that post for five years.

V. Sivasupramaniam 49
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
Kanagaratnam.A.S. joined the staff in the early forties and after a short stay left on being appointed the Principal of Chavakachcheri Hindu College - a branch school. He proved himself to be an able educational administrator and Succeeded in raising the standard of the school to greater heights. Later he moved to J.H.C. where he continued to be an exemplary teacher of English until he retired. Anything he did, he followed a good system which was a good model for his students to follow. Apart from teaching he was a popular teacher trade unionist who had the courage of his conviction to stand up for the cause of the teacher. He was the President of the NPTA and later of the ACUT that wielded great influence in deciding matters educational. He represented Ceylon in many International teacher conferences, organized a number of foreign educational tours for teachers and was the editor of the ACUT journal “The Ceylon Teacher.”
Kanagasabai Yogambihai Miss Our first impression of this great institution was through her as she was our class teacher in the Lower First Year A class in the year 1940 when I joined. Her caring, affection and dedication towards the kids made our stay comfortable to adjust ourselves to the changed environment. Then she left for Matale where she was the Principal of Pakkia Vidyalayam and finally was a popular Principal of Ramanathan College from where she retired.
Kanapathypillay.K Tamil Vidwan joined during the latter part of his service and was teaching Tamil and Hinduism in the middle and upper forms. He was very much involved in many literary, cultural and religious activities and was the patron of the YMHA for some years. His retirement from Service was from J.H.C.
Kanapathypillay, M was the laboratory assistant in the Physics section for a few years before joining the Teacher Training College to become a trained teacher elsewhere.
Kanthapillay.S a resourceful and dedicated arts graduate, joined after serving his alma mater, Kokuvil Hindu College

Page 27
50
47.
48.
49.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
for a long period of time. He taught English in the higher classes and contributed in a large measure for the enrichment of the language skills in many a student. A quiet, soft spoken person with gentlemanly behaviour and attitudes was active in teacher trade unionism.
Kandasamy.K a trained teacher joined in the late sixties and was teaching Tamil, Hinduism and Mathematics in the middle forms. His service was of a short duration.
Kandiah.R of the support staff was an institution by himself. He served the institution for almost half a century starting in 1926 and retiring in 1971. It was to his credit that he served the institution under almost ten principals and there could be no better person than him to recall the growth of the institution.
Karthigesan.M Malayan educated and later was a favourite student of Professor Ludowyk of the English Department of the then University College was shaped by his parents to enter the Ceylon Civil Service. After the University he was an active Communist Party member and was associated with the publication of the party paper “The Peoples Voice.” Despite objections in the management to his political affiliation, Principal A.Cumaraswamy took the bold step of appointing him to the staff in 1946 considering his academic brilliance. He was a man of many parts and his ever fresh pun and humour kept all his classes active and vibrant. He was an excellent teacher of English, Mathematics; a cricketer and a cricket commentator, an ace Scrabble player and edited the school Journal “Young Hindu' for many years. A sincere politician (a rare commodity) who unsuccessfully contested for a parliamentary seat but represented the conservative seat of Vannarponnai as a communist member in the Jaffna Municipal Council. He crowned his career at J.H.C. as acting head for a short time in 1971, later moved on to be the Principal at Kopay Christian College and finally retired from service as Principal of Pandaterruppu Hindu College. He is popularly called as “Communist Karthigesan.'

V. Sivasupramaniam 51
50.
51.
52.
53.
Karthigesu.M was our ground boy who was in service, probably from the year when the playground was opened in 1938. He left in the mid forties and he was succeeded by his brother Somasunderam for a while until he shifted himself to the Biology laboratory in 1947.
Karthigesu.K Vidwan an old boy who joined the staff in 1946, served for quite a long time. He was equally proficient in English and Tamil, taught Hinduism in the higher classes and was the patron of the YMHA. His advice on religious matters was always sought after by the authorities. We were fortunate in being his students to understand the intricacies of Hindu philosophy during his Hinduism classes and a critical and comparative study of English and Tamil poetry in his Literature classes. He later joined Hartley College near his home town and retired from there.
Karunaharar. A joined from one of our branch schools – Vaddukoddai Hindu College. He taught Physics with great acceptance in the Advanced Level classes over the years and succeeded in producing wonderful results. He was so interested and involved in the subject that he published a book on Physics in Tamil for the A/L students and that became the bible for students preparing for higher technical examinations. It was widely used by all students throughout the island. He was a sportsman of a high calibre having represented the St. Patricks College football team during his school days and was a star player of our staff team. Later he was the Vice-Principal and retired from J.H.C.
Kasipillai.K.K. was a teacher in one of the Hindu Board Schools and when he had a confrontation with the management all the teachers' unions rallied round him to vindicate his position. He had a short stint at J.H.C. He taught Tamil, Hinduism and Social Studies in the middle forms. He was an active trade unionist having been in the forefront of many agitations and struggles.

Page 28
52
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Kasiviswanathan.K joined fresh from the Maharagama Training College and bubbled with lot of innovative ideas. He was a successful teacher of English in the middle forms and instilled discipline of a high order in the students at school. As an energetic Secretary of the Teachers’ Guild he brought out a lot of dynamic changes for the welfare of the staff. The school community should be grateful to him for having introduced the game of “scrabble" which greatly improved the language skills in all and provided ample entertainment for both the staff and the students. After a while, he joined Urumparai Hindu College, one of our branch schools. He had a short stint in the Education service of Maldives before migrating to Canada. He passed away in February 2010.
Khem mananda. G.H. Rev. A Buddhist scholar, who taught the Sinhala language in the middle forms and Ceylon History in the Advanced Level class, an authority in the ancient history of the country, enriched the school community by his interesting and enlightening religious talks and discourses. Later, he left to become the Principal of Anuraddha College, Nawalapitiya.
Krishnaswamy.E.S. a popular teacher of Mathematics in the middle and higher forms served the school with great devotion for a long period of time. He retired from Service from the same institution.
Kugathasan.K.S. joined from Nelliaddy M.M.V and taught Biology in the higher forms. He was Principal of the school for a short period (1990-1991) before his retirement from Service.
Kularatnam.C.K. an old boy and a cricketer of his time taught English in the middle forms. He was the wicket keeper for the staff team. Later, he left to join as an Inspector in the Excise Department.
Kumarakulasingam.S third teacher from the “Singhe family” entered the University from here, taught at Sri

V. Sivasupramaniam 53
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
Somaskanda and Skandavarodaya colleges before joining J.H.C. He was a successful teacher of History in the higher classes and had a critical and analytical approach for the teaching of that subject. He was very popular among all the students but ill health at an early age prevented him from continuing in service for long.
Kumarasingham. Ka Trained teacher who taught Tamil and Hinduism in the middle forms was with the School for a short period.
Kurunathan.V an English trained teacher joined the school towards the tail end of his career. As a student of us earlier, he Was very quiet, dedicated and persevering. He had a Successful career and retired from J.H.C.
Mahadeva.E an old boy, popularly known as "DevanYalpanam”, joined us in 1956 after serving at Uduvil Mann's English school and Urumparai Hindu College. As a multifaceted person, his help and guidance were sought after by many in and out of school. Besides being a good teacher in the classroom he was an author, playwright, announcer, commentator and a bi-lingual translator. His dramas and plays staged in many school and public platforms were a big draw in the country during his time. No major event in Jaffna missed his ready-witted voice over the microphone. He was a very agile football referee, an astute scrabble player and a fine editor too. He retired in 1982 after completing a quarter century of Service to his alma mater.
Mahadeva. Man old boy who joined soon after graduation was a good teacher of History in the higher and middle forms. After a few years of teaching he joined Mahajana College as its Vice-Principal, became the Principal there and finally was the Principal at Kokuvil Hindu College from where he retired.
Mahadevan.A. A science graduate who could handle Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with ease for the Advanced Level classes. A dedicated teacher with a high

Page 29
54
65.
66.
67.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
sense of devotion and responsibility and a systematic person who could be relied upon to do a good job of work. He was at Welligama from where he was taken to Anuradhapura Vivevekananda to become the Successful backbone for the newly formed Advanced Level class. The changing situation of the country saw him at J.H.C doing a wonderful job for the Advanced Level classes; but destiny decided otherwise and he passed away early in life.
Mahadevan.Ventered the University from here and joined us in the year 1953 after a short spell at the Kotte Christian College. He was a dedicated teacher of Geography and Government in the Advanced Level classes throughout his service here and was a pillar of support to the school administration. He edited the " Young Hindu " for a long period, kept all school records and statistics up dated and was the Patron of the Geographical Association. He was the king pin behind many School exhibitions and organized quiz contests during our carnivals. He left us for Batticaloa when he was appointed to join the Educational Service and later was Principal of the Columbuthurai Hindu M.V from where he retired. Both of us co-authored the “Civics for Grade 8' in Tamil.
Mahalingasivam. Kan old boy who joined the staff from Sri Somaskanda College. He had a vibrant University career where he was the President of the Tamil Union. He was a successful teacher of History in the higher classes and English in the middle forms. He was an active teacher trade unionist having been the President of the N.P.T.A. His period saw vast changes in the educational field and as President of the Union he successfully faced many challenges. It is unfortunate that he passed away early in life.
Mahendran. P a classmate of mine from the time we joined the School was on the Staff from 1962 until he retired in 1991 - a continuous service in the same school. He was teaching mainly History, Civics and English and involved himself in all

V. Sivasupramaniam 55
68.
69.
70.
71.
the activities of the school. His presence was felt daily in the playground coaching the children in different games at different times. He was for a time involved in the running of the hostel too. At the time of retirement he was the Deputy Principal of the school.
Mahendran.R and arts graduate popularly known as "Chuddar Mahendran' as he edited a student magazine called "Chuddar” during his school days. An active scout while being at school, later held many responsible positions in Scouting. During turbulent times when the school had to function temporarily at Chavakachcheri, he boldly shouldered the responsibility of successfully running the school as its Principal. He has migrated to Canada.
Mahesan. Kjoined from Manipay Hindu College where he served for quite a long time. He was the mainstay for the English section and involved himself in all the curricular and extra-curricular activities of the School. He retired from J.H.C. It is a pity that he passed away in August 2009.
Maheswaran. Pjoined during the early seventies, a dedicated teacher of Mathematics in the higher forms and was very popular among the staff and students. He was the Deputy Principal for a long time and retired very recently. In 2007 he was the chief guest for the annual Kalaiarasi festival organized by the JHC - OBA UK branch.
Mailvaganam. Ma Trained Teacher of early days served the school for over four decades starting from 1919 and retiring in 1960 - except for a short period when he was the head of Vaddukoddai Hindu College. He could teach many subjects but stuck to Tamil, English and Hinduism. He had the last say on all religious matters of the school as he was so knowledgeable and dedicated to all Hindu religious practices. He was the Patron of the YMHA for a long period of time. He was also deeply involved with the editorship of the “Hindu Organ and the Saiva Paripalana Sabhai - the organization

Page 30
56
72.
73.
74.
75.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
that was the backbone for the founding of the Jaffna Hindu College. He played a major role in preserving and maintaining the worthy traditions for which the school was founded.
Mailvaganam.N., a History honours graduate was appointed to do History in the higher classes. A soft spoken, talented individual with a lot of humane qualities was a well - liked teacher of History for us in the higher classes. His stay with us was short as he left the school to join the Labour Department as an Inspector and later rose to be an Assistant Commissioner of Labour.
Mailvakanam.K.S. was a popular teacher of English and Mathematics in the middle and upper forms for a long period of time. He retired early to take up a teaching appointment in one of the Far Eastern countries and finally migrated to Canada from where he passed away.
Mani Iyer.C.S.S. Popularly known as “Mani Bagawathar’ was a part time teacher during the middle thirties and was the mainstay for all the music and drama activities of that time. I could recall his popular drama that he staged in 1938 that was a big draw then – “Savithiri Sathyavan.” As far as I could recall it was he who composed the college song that is in vogue now. Later he became a spiritual leader and his "Kathaprasnagams' were a big draw in the country. He organized the first Hindu Mutt in Jaffna - Nallai Atheenam and he was the first Atheena Muthalvar, which is a forerunner for spiritual and humanitarian activities in the country now.
Manicavasagar.K (Sangeethapooshanam) was a well qualified teacher of music who joined us from the Saraswathy Maha Vidyalayam in Badulla in 1954 and continued for a period of 32 years till his retirement in 1986. He was the longest served music teacher of our school. He was involved with many cultural activities of the school and was responsible for building up a music tradition at school and for producing many talented musicians from among his students.

V. Sivasupramaniam 57
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
After retirement, many students and residents of Colombo got enriched by his musical talents. Later, he was in London and passed away in September 2009.
Manoharan.M was an old boy who joined as English trained teacher and involved himself in all the curricular and extracurricular activities of the School. He, being a son of our veteran teacher “KVM ", was able to maintain and Sustain all the worthy traditions of the institution.
Mariadas.A a popular teacher of Mathematics whose help and guidance was sought after by many students inside and outside the school and was successful in coaching students for public examinations. Credit goes to him for having organized the first Police Cadet Corps in the school and being the first Commandant.
Meenakshisundream.N a science graduate with Chemistry and a B.Sc (Econ) degree taught Chemistry in the ordinary level classes and Government in the Advanced Level class. He was a Successful teacher who left to join the Department of Examinations as an Assistant Superintendent of Examinations and later elevated to higher positions in the same Department.
Murugesu a senior employee of the school hostel having served as a dutiful chief cook for a long number of years was a fatherly figure who was very popular with all the staff and students of the school. He cared well all the children as if they were his own and the affection shown by him to all made the life of the hostellers to feel at home.
Muttucumaran.S.C. one of the grandsons of the co-founder Pasupathy Chettiar served his alma mater loyally in different capacities for a long number of years. He taught English, Tamil and Hinduism in the middle forms and contributed to many extra-curricular activities of the school. His main area of activity was scouting where he was a scout in his student days and later when scouting was revived in 1959 became the

Page 31
58
81.
82.
83.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
king pin of the movement in the school and in the district. He was the master mind behind all of our successful projects and the well acclaimed camp fire items. He was one who had the capacity to make snap decisions that was the tower of strength for our troupe to gain many district awards and national honours. He successfully organized the school Kala Manram which staged many historical dramas and musical items. He passed away in 1997.
Muttucumaraswamy.C. an old boy joined us from Sri Somaskanda College and was a successful science teacher in the middle and upperforms. A soft spoken and a silent worker, his valuable contributions to the religious activities of the school and promoting healthy relationship between the school and the school community were well appreciated by all. Later he retired as the Vice-Principal of the school and spending his retired life in Colombo.
Muttucumarasamy.P was our teacher of music who joined from Kopay. He made his mark in successfully organizing children to participate in many inter-school contests where they excelled in gaining many awards for the school.
Muttulingam .S (Dr.) Professor An old boy and a shining example of a student who started his early education in Tamil but later excelled in the E11glish medium and secured a good class in his science degree offering a rare combination of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. After graduation, he joined his alma mater, successfully preparing students for University admission. After a short stint at school, he joined the Faculty of Education as a Lecturer in Education. After his Doctorate in Education, was elevated as Professor at Peradeniya where his specialty was Psychology of Education. Later he moved on to the University of Colombo from where he retired and migrated to Canada and passed away from there. Besides education, carnatic music was his second love and his recitals were welcomed and enjoyed by all.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 59
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
Mangayatkarasi Navaratnam Mrs. An old student who joined the staff in the late forties, taught English and Mathematics in the middle forms and later left to join our sister institution Jaffna Hindu Ladies College.
Mylvaganam.K.V. an institution by himself and one of the leading pillars of the school spent his entire career of 34 years at J.H.C. A brilliant product of Kingswood College, joined in 1928 and retired in 1962. He was an excellent teacher of English and Latin and was more concerned about the wholesome development of the child placing utmost importance on discipline from an impressionable age of the child. His impact was felt in many areas of school activity such as Scouting, cricket, sports, oratory not excluding nutrition and health of all the children. His dominating influence chartered the course of many a student and even now many of us remember with gratitude his tiny matters which he inculcated in us when we started schooling.( more details elsewhere too)
Nadarajah...A a competent teacher of English and Government in the higher forms had long years of service in two of our branch Schools - Vaddukoddai Hindu and Karainagar Hindu Colleges. He had a short spell of service here before accepting the Principalship of Vaideeswara Vidyalayam from where he retired. Later he was an Education Officer in the Sokoto State of Nigeria before migrating to Sydney in Australia from where he passed away. He played an active role in the teacher trade union movement.
Nadarajah...K.S. from Kokuvil was a Bilingual Trained Teacher of the early years. His competency in Mathematics and Tamil Literature was high and handled both the subjects with ease in the higher forms. He left us on being appointed as a Lecturer in the Government Teacher Training College at Palaly from where he retired from service.
Nagalingam.K a trained teacher joined us from one of our branch schools - Kokuvil Hindu College. He taught Tamil,

Page 32
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Hinduism and Social Studies in the middle forms, got involved in all the extra-curricular activities of the School and was a tower of strength during the school sports meets. His efforts and dedication in the propaganda areas of the teacher trade union cannot be easily forgotten.
Nagalingam.V affectionately called by all as "Shakespeare Nagalingam' for his thorough and motivating handling of the plays of Shakespeare to create an interest to his students in Literature. He was also an excellent teacher of History in the higher forms and some of us were fortunate to be in his History class in the lower forms. His teaching was like narrating a wonderful story which created in us aliking for the study of History at that young age. He left us in the mid forties on being appointed as the Principal of Kokuvil Hindu College from where he retired after a period of yeoman service to that School.
Nalliah.N. an old Johnian joined us as a Mathematics Trained Teacher and was in service for quite a longtime. A resourceful and dedicated teacher whose help and guidance were sought after by many students preparing for public examinations as his coaching methods were down to earth. He took charge of scouting from the early seventies and raised the level of its activities to greater heights. His organizational abilities made the Scout camps popular and meaningful and brought many awards to'the troupe in many competitions. He held many responsible positions in the Jaffna scout district administration. After early retirement, he migrated to Norway where he passed away at a comparatively young age.
Namasivayam.K a loyal, duty conscious employee of the School hostel who served as the assistant hostel warden for a long period of time. He was too careful to the minutest details whether it was accounts or stores or the data of all the hostellers. He was the tower of strength to the successful running of the hostel to be considered the best run school hostel in the country. He worked with the school till his last days.

V. Sivasupramaniam 61
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
Namasivayam.Sjoined us from Kopay Christian College and handled the teaching of Physics for the Ordinary Level classes with great success. He produced good results in the science subjects and served the school for a long time.
Narayana Iyer. P.G. from Trichur in the Kerala State served the School from the mid forties to the late fifties. He was a very effective teacher of Mathematics and English and coached the students to perfection. Many of us who were his students in the middle forms Still remember his knocks and pinches in his dedicated efforts to make us write and speak without grammatical errors. Though his classes were dreaded by most of us then, we are all grateful to him for making us what we are today. The nuances of the language were well drilled into us by him at that tender age and we are all indebted to him for ever. After his tenure of Service he returned to his home country.
Navaratnam.Kof the support staff was attached to the School office from 1959 to 1989 - a period of thirty years. An old boy, dedicated to his duties, had high principles and was an active and involved member of the Communist Party. As from his student days he had a high degree of political awareness and prepared himself to serve the community through the political field. Later he took to active politics and was returned to represent Jaffna in the Parliament of Sri Lanka where he espoused the community’s cause in an effective way. It is unfortunate that he passed away so young.
Navaratnarajah...A. as a young Arts graduate in the early forties was a successful teacher of Literature in the Matriculation and Inter - Arts classes for the London University examinations. He passed away when he was yOung.
Pakkianathan.V.E. Dr. had his entire schooling here and joined the staff in the early fifties. While being a student he acted in many school plays and dramas and also was a

Page 33
62
97.
98.
99.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
member of the Thevaram singing group. He left for higher studies and qualified himself in Library Science in India and the States. On his return he helped to reorganize the Jaffna Public Library and was in charge of it for a short while. Then he was the Chief Librarian of the Jaffna Technical College from where he retired and migrated to Sydney in Australia. He authored many research papers on Hindu faith and library science. He passed away in Australia.
Palanithurai.C joined from one of our branch schools Kokuvil Hindu College. He taught Mathematics in the middle school and participated in many activities of the school. He retired from here.
Panchalingam. A. entered the University from here and after graduation joined the staff of Kokuvil Hindu College where he became Principal later. In 1991 he was appointed Principal here and continued till 1996. His period saw a series of innovations in keeping with modern educational trends to improve learning and teaching skills. Special mention could be made of developing science education and expanded library facilities. It was a trying time to run the school then and he succeeded in facing many of the challenges successfully. He retired from J.H.C.
Pangaratne.K.A. an old boy and a hosteller on completing his Inter Arts in the school was appointed to the staff in 1942. He taught us the Sinhala language and Geography in the 5th Standard in 1943 when we were a mixed School. Later he left to join a school in the south and was the Principal of Anuradhapura Central College in the early seventies. Quite - surprisingly, our relationship got renewed after 35 years in the year 1975 when I took charge of the Anuradhapura Vivivekananda and he was at the helm of affairs as the Chief Education Officer for Anuradhapura. Our teacher - student relationship helped me a lot in my successfully running the School.
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 63
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
Paramanantham.I.S. an old boy joined us after serving Vaddukoddai Hindu College for a longtime. Besides being an effective teacher of Mathematics, English and Geography his services were used in many other fields as he was a master of a variety of skills. His methodical execution and organizational ability helped us a lot in conducting our annual NPTA educational activities such as the oratorical and music competitions to perfection. His fluency in the official language helped many for their translating official documents. After retirement, he served for a while in the Sokoto State in Nigeria and later migrated to Canada.
Parameswaran.S Captain was on the staff for a long period of time and taught English in the middle forms. He was in charge of the cadet platoon and held the rank of Captain for many years. Under his stewardship our platoon did wonderfully well on a national level and won many awards. He represented the staff cricket and football teams and carnatic music was his hobby
Pathirana.C.W. was our teacher of the Sinhala language for a short period of time. Being a resident master in the school hostel, he contributed a lot for the community activities of the hostel life.
Pathmanathan.T was a temporary teacher for a short time after being selected to enter the University in the mid forties. After graduation he joined the Ceylon Civil Service and held many top administrative posts in the Government service.
Pathmanayagam.K an old boy, joined the staff after
graduation to teach Chemistry and Zoology in the higher classes. A dedicated and popular teacher whose services were sought after by all students inside and outside the school. Besides teaching, he took a lively interest in the welfare of the staff and old boys and contributed a lot through the Teachers' Guild. He retired prematurely in 1969 and migrated to the United Kingdom. There also he helped our students in their

Page 34
64
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
educational development and he became the centre figure for all our old boys to rally round for all their activities. It was very unfortunate that he met his tragic end in the early eighties while trying to give a helping hand to someone in distress on the road.
Perera our long standing electrician for the school and the hostel was in active service from the thirties. He sincerely served the School well.
Piyadasa Alwis was a teacher of the Sinhala language and while being in the hostel helped very much to enrich the life of the hostellers. Later, he joined the Apothecaries service.
Ponnambalam.V.A. was an arts graduate who taught Social Studies, Tamil and Hinduism in the middle and upper forms. Later, he by his own self study qualified himself as an accountant and joined the private sector in Colombo.
Ponnambalam.A.K. one of the longest served teachers of the school for over half a century. He joined as a certificated teacher in 1913 and although he retired from the teaching service in 1962, continued his service as a librarian of the school for many more years. He handled a mulitiplicity of subjects in the lower and the middle forms with great acceptance and competence. He was a pillar of strength for the authorities for the smooth running of the school.
Ponnampalam.Sjoined his alma mater in 1960 as a teacher of Chemistry and Zoology for the Advanced Level classes and continued his Service for three decades till 1990 in different capacities, first as Vice-Principal and from 1984 to 1990 as the Principal. It was a trying time to head a school at that time and he successfully hurdled many challenges. The school, inspite of the situation in the country saw many beneficial innovations. In 1990, he went on transfer to head another of his old school, Skandavarodaya College from where he retired and migrated to Sydney in Australia.

V. Sivasupramaniam 65
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
Ponnampalam.S.A. a trained teacher joined us from Kokuvil Hindu College and taught Tamil and Hinduism in the middle and upper classes. While being here he became an arts graduate and was a dedicated and involved teacher in the school. He contributed much to the literary and religious activities of the School.
Ponniah.V. Dr a multifaceted personality and an all rounder in many subject areas, was a teacher from the thirties to the end of the forties. He taught Tamil, Mathematics, Logic and Physics in the higher forms with great acceptance. By about 1950 he became a Lecturer in Tamil in the Government Training College, Maharagama and continued until his retirement. When the medium of instruction was Switched over from English to the national languages, he was appointed to head the Glossary Committee that translated all the technical terms in many subjects from English to Tamil. He was one who promoted the use of pure Tamil in all his translations and they are still followed in the country.
Ponnusamy.K a trained teacher who joined us from Urumparai Hindu College taught Tamil, Hinduism and Mathematics in the Middle forms. A steady and a soft spoken person who enforced strict discipline for his students and was a good support for the School administration.
Pathmawathy Ponnusamy Ms from the College lane was a teacher of English in the middle forms and had a short stint With us.
Poulier Miss was from the Burgher community and was our teacher of English during our formative years in the early forties. We still remember the emphasis she always placed in the correct pronunciation and accent of the English words that we spoke. She left us in the mid forties.
Punnialingam.Sjoined us in the early seventies as a Science Trained Teacher and was a Successful teacher of Science

Page 35
66
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Subjects in the middle forms. By his dint of hard work and devotion he was made the Head of subject for Science. He contributed much to the religious activities at school and headed the YMHA. After retirement from here, he migrated to Canada.
Radhakrishnan. Sri.S. joined us after serving Urumparai Hindu College. He taught English, Tamil and Hinduism in the middle forms and enriched the life of the school community involving himself in almost all the activities of the school. Astrology was his pet topic which earned him name and fame in the country.
Rajadurai.K joined us as an English Trained Teacher and was a dedicated staff member only for a short time as he Succumbed to his illness So early in his life.
Rajaratnam .S was a dedicated laboratory assistant for quite a long time and served the school well until his retirement.
Rajasooriar .C Was a Science graduate who taught Mathematics in the middle forties. Later he joined the Bank of Ceylon and later retired from the World Bank.
Rajendram.P. a quiet and unassuming teacher who taught English, Tamil and Hinduism in the lower and the middle forms. He was on the staff for quite sometime until towards the end of his career when he decided to go on transfer to his home town, Kaitadi.
Rajeswary Kanagasabapthy Mrs. was the daughter of a veteran teacher of the school - S.PR; iah. She was handling the teaching of English in the lower and middle forms with great acceptance.
Ramakrishnan.V joined our staff from Tamil Nadu in the mid forties to teach Zoology in the higher forms. His popularity rose high among the school community when the news spread that he was a teacher to the popular film star Gemini Ganeshan. He was a good example of one who adapted himself well to the new and foreign situation so soon

V. Sivasupramaniam 67
123.
124.
125.
126.
27.
that no body would have believed that he was a foreigner. He was an innovative teacher of his subject and served the School for a long period. Apart from being a successful teacher there was hardly any area of the school activity that did not have the impact of his hands - whether it was cricket, hockey, dinners, oratory, Science exhibitions, public relations or scrabble - he was a man of many parts and a versatile personality. His being on the staff greatly enriched the student community well.
Ramasamy was a veteran support staff member who must have joined in the early twenties and worked in the office and the Science laboratories. He retired in the late forties.
Ramasamy.T was a veteran teacher on the staff for a long period of time. He taught us or rather drilled into us Tamil and Geography in the lower and middle forms. He was always very meticulous in map work and to get his signature for map drawing was a Himalayan task so much so that even to this day all the nuances of map reading and marking are so green in our memories. He was a devoted and dedicated teacher and was also the hostel warden for a short period. He retired in 1954.
Rasanayagam.S joined us from Manipay Hindu College where he served for a long period of time. He was an arts graduate who taught Tamil, English and Hinduism in the higher forms.
Rasiah.S.P. Teachers’ Certificate holder was another veteran teacher of the old brigade who joined in 1915 and retired in 1954 after serving the school for almost four decades. He taught us mainly English and Arithmetic in the lower forms and he is well remembered by all of us for his punctuality and the systematic way of doing things. He was an active Scout master during his time and was the live wire of many sports activities of the School because during his early years there was no prefect of games in the school. He was a House master for a long time, until his retirement.
Rasuppillay.A. from India was our music teacher in the early forties. He was an accommlished and experienced musician

Page 36
68
128.
129.
130.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
who successfully brought out the hidden musical talents in the children - mostly girls as we were a mixed school then. Facilities were not good then and we had our music classes in the old Vairava temple in the college quadrangle. He left us in the middle forties.
Ratnasabapathy.S.S. old boy of Jaffna College and an accomplished sportsman joined us as an English Trained Teacher. He was a dedicated teacher of English in the middle and upper forms. He contributed much to the development of sports in the School, especially Hockey in which he excelled from his student days.
Sabalingam. E an old boy and an experienced teacher for a long time at Kokuvil Hindu College moved to Jaffna Central College as Principal where he proved himself to be an efficient educational administrator. In 1971 he took over the Principalship of his alma mater and continued with great success till his retirement in 1975. He being a great sportsman during his school days and a popular football referee did all in his power to raise the standard of all sports activities at school. He was an active teacher trade unionist having been the President of the A.C.U.T. and had represented the country in many international conferences. He was part of many foreign educational tours organized by teachers unions for the welfare of teachers. After retirement he had a short stint of teaching in the teaching service in the Bauchi State of Nigeria. He passed away while in London.( more details elsewhere
too)
Sabaratnam.N Served his alma mater in different roles at different times - as a teacher, Vice Principal and Principal for a long period of time. He was our teacher of English in the mid forties, then our Vice-Principal from 1962 to 1964 and the Principal till he retired in 1971. He was well versed in comparative literature and Hinduism and all his teaching inter twined with humour were enjoyed well by the dullest to the brightest. His tongue was powerful than his pen and his after

V. Sivasupramaniam 69
131.
132.
133.
dinner speeches were appreciated by all for the pun and
sarcasm that sprouted from him. He was a strong fighter for. the rights of the teachers, was President of the A.C.U.T.,
represented the country in many international conferences
and as the Editor of the “Ceylon Teacher” portrayed the
country to the highest level in the global arena. After
retirement, his pen became the mightiest in the country
reflecting the travails of the people as the Chief Editor of “Eelanadu', the only national newspaper from the north. His
editorials noted for their depth and vision were compiled in
book form by his old students, throw lot of food for thought
for the generations to come. He passed away in November
1992.(more details elsewhere too)
Sabaratnasinghe.M a veteran teacher who was one of the pillars for the growth of the institution during the early years. He was a pioneer in Scouting and was Principal for a short time around 1927 – 1928 before being appointed Principal to our branch School, Vaddukoddai Hindu College.
Sabaretnam.C. joined his alma mater in 1928 after his degree and continued in the same school until his retirement in 1964. He started as a teacher of Mathematics and Physics in the higher forms, was Vice-Principal from 1953 to 1962 and then Principal till 1964. He was a successful teacher of his Subjects and students always appreciated him for his care and attention to raise the level of the weakest in the class. Having captained the University Soccer team, he always had an abiding interest to develop all sports activities among the students and was an active member of the Jaffna United Club and played tennis till his last days. The administration block of the school was named after him. He passed away in the mid seventies.( more details elsewhere too)
Sachchithanandan.K. (Pandit) joined us from Nadeswara College in the late sixties and was a dedicated teacher of Tamil Literature, Hinduism and Mathematics in the higher forms. He authored many books and research papers on

Page 37
7O
134.
135.
136.
137.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Literature and astrology. Later, he left to join the Palaly Government Training College as a Lecturer and retired from there.
Sahadevan.R a Biology graduate joined his alma mater to teach Biology in the higher forms. He was a good cricketer during his school days and represented the College team. After leaving school he migrated to Canada.
Sampanthan.V.T. (Pandit) was our veteran teacher who had a continuous service in the same school for over 33 years from 1913 to 1946. He was one who helped to preserve and nurture the rich traditions and the noble aspirations of the founders of the institution. He was the mainstay for the teaching of Tamil and Hinduism in the school. Apart from teaching, he was the Editor of the Tamil newspaper “Inthusathanam” run by the Saiva Paripalana Sabhai and his name was very familiar in every home in the country by his popular and humorous feature articles“ Ulagam Pala Vitham.” He was our teacher of Tamil in the middle forms and we will never forget his humorous Way of narrating stories.
Sangakkara.S.B. was our teacher of the Sinhala language in the middle forms and in turn he learnt lot of Tamil from his students too. He was there only for a short period and left us later to join a government department.
Sangarapillai.N. a self made veteran teacher who spent almost 32 years in the school from 1918 to 1950. He had the rare competence to teach many subjects like English, Mathematics, Tamil, Latin, and Logic and could talk for hours together on any given subject without any preparation. He was so knowledgeable in many fields, so much so, that he was known as “the walking encyclopedia of the school” We very well enjoyed his classes on General Knowledge in the AL
class. He left us to join Mahajana College closer home and retired from there.

V. Sivasupramaniam 71
138.
139.
140.
141.
142.
143.
Shanmugam.V. (Mrs. Yogarajah) one of two lady teachers who served for a long period after the school became a boy’s only one. She taught mainly in the lower and middle forms and her ever caring attitude made her to be loved and adored by all the children. Later she migrated to Great Britain.
Santhiapillai.J. Captain taught in the middle forms and was in charge of the cadet platoon. Our platoon excelled in many areas of its activity under this disciplined direction. He also successfully managed the school hostel for a time with great acceptance. He migrated to Canada and still continues his activities With the School and Was President of the JHC OBA branch in Canada.
Sarawanamuttu. A joined the staff in 1937 and continuously served the school until his retirement in 1970, after 33 years. He was a competent teacher of Physics and Chemistry in the higher forms but in the later years he was a popular teacher of Physics for the Advanced Level classes. He was very much involved in all School activities and for a short time Was a hostel Warden too.
Sarawanamuttu.K Miss was on the staff in the forties and she was our teacher of Arithmetic in the lower forms. She Was an active member of our Staff tennis club. Later she left us and was a popular Principal of a leading Girls College in Vadamarchi - the Vada Hindu Girls College and retired from there.
Sathananthan.E.T. joined the staff as an English Trained Teacher and taught in the middle forms. He was a soft spoken and dedicated teacher and very much loyal to his teachers and to his old school. His attitudes have always been child centered and always promoted the welfare of his students. Later he left to join a school in Colombo.
Sivasubramania Sarma.Sjoined us from Victoria College as a young teacher of Commerce and Accounts in 1972 and had a

Page 38
72
144.
145.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
continuous service here until his retirement in 2003 as the Vice-Principal of the school. He was an all rounder who helped the school community in diverse fields and his public relationship was of a high calibre. He was the mainstay for organizing the commerce Section, inaugurating the Commerce Association and pioneering its journal. He helped to organize the first school branch of the National Savings Bank at JHC and was a tower of strength for the administration of the school. He was a superb record keeper of all events and personalities which helped a long way in the publication of the School magazine, old boys records, and also organizing and scheduling of examinations to the payment of teachers' salaries. Before his joining JHC he was identified as an asset for our NPTA activities which proved a success later. As the Treasurer of the NPTA Benevolent Fund for a long time our fund was made a model for helping the teachers and the whole system was streamlined during his period. It was a time when computers were not in use but Sarma master was a human computer who could recall from memory the membership numbers, balance due and Such other details on his finger tips. His success was due to - speed, accuracy, promptness and the innate attitude to help all in need.
Sathasivam.M. a modest, quiet and an unassuming person joined JHC as an English Certificated Teacher in the late forties. He was teaching English in the lower forms and laid firm foundations in the students for them to excel in English in the higher forms. His way of inculcating the nuances of grammar and the style of handwriting made an indelible mark in the minds of children at that impressionable age. For a few of us who started teaching then, he was our guide to put us on the correct path and we got enriched by his vast experience. He was a highly responsible and dedicated member of the profession and was held in highesteem by the teachers and the taught.
Satkunarajah...K was in charge of our library for a long time. Though not professionally qualified then, by his sheer dint of
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 73
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
hard Work and his deep involvement he sustained the systematic and orderly maintenance of the library. He took interest in many extra activities of the School and was an active Scout master.
Senivasagam.S. a B.Sc. Econ. graduate of the London University was on our staff for a short period before moving on to Kokuvil Hindu College. He was a very knowledgeable
person on current affairs and taught in the higher forms.
Sri Ramanathan.T while awaiting entry to the University was an acting teacher for a short period in the mid forties. Later he became a lawyer in Colombo and was the first Secretary - General of the United Nations Association of Ceylon.
Sellathurai. Man old boy of Jaffna College joined us in the mid forties. He taught General Science in the middle forms and he was our effective science teacher in many classes. His whole teaching career was at JHC.
Sellathurai Miss joined us in the early seventies and at times she was the only lady teacher in the school. She is our music teacher and still continues in service. She already has more than 35 years of service in the same institution.
Sellathurai. Ka London graduate and a Tamil Pundit joined us in 1946 and served for over a quarter century until his retirement in 1972. He taught English, History, Civics and Tamil in the higher forms. He was no match to any others in his exemplary teaching of Tamil Literature and Grammar, especially in the higher examination going classes. We were one of the fortunate batches who had him as Our Guru for Tamil Studies in the OL and AL classes. He was so dedicated to his work, so much so, he was highly commended by higher authorities as one who rarely took leave from School. He was so prompt and methodical that he would never waste a single second in anything other than teaching and always was the

Page 39
74
151.
152.
153.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
first one to arrive at school, at times before the gates were open.( more details elsewhere too)
Selvadurai Nevins whose name was intertwined with the name of the institution, so much so that the school in the earlier days was popularly called the “Selvadurai School.” He was a dominating personality who strived hard to put the school in the educational map of the country. He was Principal from 1892 to 1909 and then after a break at Kandy Trinity College, again held office from 1916 to 1926. He was responsible for organizing the higher classes preparing students for the Indian University examinations and elevating the institution from the status of a school to that of a college. He was an effective teacher of English Literature and after retirement represented the Kayts seat in the country's legislature. There are so many interesting anecdotes about him as told to me by my late father who happened to be his first batch of Students.
Selvaratnam.M.P a Maharagama Trained Teacher who joined his alma mater in the early forties and had a long period of service at JHC. He was an ideal teacher to teach English and Geography in the middle forms and all his classes were well disciplined and orderly. Having represented the school soccer teams during his student days, he later played for the staff team. As for studies his enthusiasm for sports never waned even during his later years. He was the officer in charge for our junior cadet platoon for a long time. Later, he got a transfer to a school nearer home and retired from there.
Selvaretnam.P was a teacher in the middle forms during the forties and later left us to join the Archaeological Department where he continued till his retirement. He was the Curator in the Jaffna Museum from where he did lot of historical research about the settlement of Tamils in the Jaffna peninsula.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 75
154.
155.
Senathirasa.Tjoined his alma mater in 1950 after serving the Meteorological Department for a short while. He did his post graduate studies in the London School of Education and taught Physics, Mathematics for the OL classes and mainly Geography for the AL classes. He was involved in all the activities of the school, Advisor to the Prefects Board, Treasurer of the College OBA and was a strong link between the school and the old boys. He was an outstanding athlete during his days and later a popular football referee for the JSSA and the club matches. He played a leading role in the building activities of the college. He was active in the teacher trade unions and was the Secretary of the NPTA Examinations Council that conducts the J.S.C. examinations in the country. He retired early and joined the teaching service of the Kaduna State in Nigeria. While in service he passed away in Nigeria.
Shanmugam.M was on the clerical staff of the school and also did the school accounts for a longtime. He had long years of service at JHC and he retired from the institution.
Shanmuganathan.E.K. joined us in 1952 from St. Patricks College to teach History in the Advanced Level class. He was our teacher of European and English History and it was a treat to listen to his lectures as they were so simple to understand and so vivid in depth. It was a short lived pleasure for us as he left in a few weeks due to illness. Later he was Principal of Kopay Christian College and took over the Principalship of JHC in 1971 but transferred within a day as Principal of Jaffna Central College where he continued for a long time. Then he was the Director of Education in the Ministry from where he retired and served in the teaching service of the Sokoto State in Nigeria. He passed away in Nigeria.
Shanmuganathan. K.V.S. was a teacher of History and Civics in the middle forms during the late forties and left to join the Law College to do the Advocates course in 1953. My humble self was appointed to fill that particular vacancy. Later he was a successful criminal lawyer practising in the Jaffna bar.

Page 40
76
158.
159.
160.
161.
162.
163.
164.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Shanmuganathan from Suthumalai was an acting teacher in the middle forties while awaiting entry to the University. He taught mainly English in the middle forms.
Shanmuganathan.T was our long standing teacher of Art starting from the thirties and he retired from here after his long service. He was an accomplished artist and had many art exhibitions to his credit. He excelled in sketch drawing and many of his portraits of leading personalities were appreciated by all lovers of Art.
Shanmugarajah who hailed from Vaddukoddai was a popular teacher of Social Studies in the middle forms. His practical approach enthused many children to develop a liking for that subject. After leaving us, he migrated to Canada.
Shanmugasunderam.K joined his old School to teach Physics and Mathematics in the higher forms. He was an active hosteller in his student days participating in many activities including sports. He was a Scout master of the troupe for quite Some time.
Singaravelu.N Miss was a dedicated teacher who excelled in coaching young children in English and Arithmetic in the lower forms. She was our class teacher and subject teacher in our second year of schooling in 1941.
Sinnadurai.P.A. was a Biology graduate who joined in the seventies and taught in the higher forms. Later, he left to join the Department of Examinations as an Assistant Superintendent and continued there till his retirement.
Sinnathamby. M was our Assistant Hostel Warden in the forties. He was a Centralite and won his sports colours from there. He was an active sportsman during his days and continued to be a model tennis player for a long number of years. He and Selvadurai brothers formed a formidable tennis team in the Jaffna United Club. He passed away in Colombo just before his 100th birthday.

V. Sivasupramaniam 77
165.
166.
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
Sittampalam was from our clerical staff and worked in the school office for a long time with great acceptance.
Sivagnanaratnam.M an alumnus of Jaffna College joined the staff as a science graduate in the sixties and had a long teaching career in the School. He was a much sought after teacher of Chemistry and produced excellent results in that Subject in public examinations. His teaching was thorough and exhaustive, so much so that his students developed a high degree of confidence in that subject.
Sivakolunthu.K a long timer at school served for more than 40 years. He was from the clerical staff but held different responsibilities at different times. He was held in highesteem by all Principals for his experienced and mature guidance in all school administrative matters and successfully held his forte during the management days and later in State school system.
Sivalingam.P.Miss a grand daughter of one of the early founders taught English in the middle forms. She was on the staff for only a brief period.
Sivalingam.S entered the University from here and was on the staff as a Science graduate. He taught Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in the higher forms but later left to join a School closer home.
Sivanadiyan.K a well experienced trained teacher who served most of his period in schools in the South of Ceylon. He taught Tamil and Mathematics in the middle forms, a good disciplinarian and successfully coached all his students in these subjects. A soft spoken, well respected, gentlemanly individual had his retirement from JHC.
Sivanesan.R an arts graduate, had a long spell at Union College, then a lecturer in English at the Palaly Training College before joining JHC at the tail end of his career. He was a debater during his school days and as a teacher too he

Page 41
78 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
contributed a lot to train his students in oratory. His dedication and involvement to uplift all under his charge were well appreciated by both the students and the parents. As Education Committee secretary of the NPTA, he put in new blood to enhance the value of the various contests organized for the children of the North. He was an active teacher trade unionist having held key positions in the NPTA and the NUT. His having been in the vanguard of the unions against the selling of Siyawasa lottery tickets by teachers in the mid sixties ended in his punishment transfer to Lindula followed by long litigation and finally in his winning his battle for the teachers. Both of us were classmates and both of us after retirement were in the teaching service of the Bauchi State in Nigeria. Later, he migrated to Canada.
172. Sivanesarajah.R.S. an old boy and an athlete during his school days taught English in the lower and the middle forms. Having been a scout earlier, he was in charge of the wolfpack that was trained by him to perfection that helped to win many awards and later the active Wolves rose up to be very good scouts. After retirement he passed away.
173. Sivarajah.Sa Biology graduate started teaching at Senguntha Hindu College moved on to Vaideeswara Vidyalayam and finally joined his alma mater to teach Biology in the higher classes. Apart from teaching he was a journalist writing feature articles in the national dailies, story writer, a fine composer and even edited small scale journals. At retirement he was the Deputy Principal of the school. Later he passed away in Colombo.
174. Sivaramalingam.K.Dr an old boy who had his entire teaching career in the same school having joined in 1950 and retired in 1985 as the Vice-Principal of the school. While being a hosteller in the early forties, he was one of the very few who survived the “Pannai boat tragedy” that took a heavy toll of lives. He taught Tamil, Hinduism and English from the lower to the higher classes and his impact at School was felt by

V. Sivasupramaniam 79
175.
176.
177.
the entire student community. He took a leading role in the YMHA, Tamil cultural and religious activities and greatly motivated students in public speaking. Many who apprenticed under him as orators in School are holding their own globally. He initiated and gave his patronage till his last days to the now popular “Kamban Kazhagam' and his erstwhile students are managing it as a global entity to promote Tamil values. His academic brilliance earned him a seat in the administration of the University of Jaffna. He was conferred his doctorate posthumously by the University of Jaffna. Although he was incapacitated from the start of his teaching career, he held his own strongly till the last. He passed away just after the Nallur festival in 2005.
Sivarajah.T an old Centralite joined the staff in 1949 and continued till his retirement in 1977. He taught Civics in the higher forms, English and History in the middle forms. When Scouting was revived in 1959, he was our Group Scout Master and held that post for quite some years.
Sokkalingam.K popularly known as “Sokkan joined our staff in the sixties. He was an exemplary teacher of Tamil Literature and Hinduism in the higher forms. He was a self made, hard working dedicated teacher, very much alive to his duties and responsibilities. He was a talented author, playwright, composer, bilingual translator and had staged many dramas and historical plays. His valuable contributions to Tamil culture earned him many national awards including Sahithya Mandala awards. Credit goes to him for the formation of the “Kamban Kazhagam “and the “Sekizhar Manram.” that are continuing to this day. Later, he left us when he was elevated as the Principal of the Kondavil Maha Vidyalayam. He retired from there and passed away in Jaffna.
Somasegarasunderam.V joined us from Sri Somaskanda College. He was in charge of Pure and Applied Mathematics in the Advanced Level classes for a long time. He was a

Page 42
80
78.
179.
180.
18.
182.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
successful teacher of his subjects and soon earned a name for the Mathematics section of the school. He was in many ways helpful for the administration of the school and was in charge of drawing the school time table during his period at school. After retirement, he had a short stint with the education service of the Kaduna State in Nigeria and then he migrated to Canada.
Somasunderam.P joined us in the mid sixties and was our Biology teacher in the higher forms for a long time. His specialty was Botany and his advice and guidance in that particular field was sought after by many students. In the late seventies he joined Arunodhaya College, closer home.
Somasunderam.K Succeeded his brother Karhigesu as the ground boy in the early forties but as from 1947 took up duties as the laboratory assistant in the Botany and the Zoology sections. He was an amiable person and very knowledgeable about men and matters and was well liked by staff and students. He served the School for over 35 years and retired in 1983.
Somas underam. Kan old boy who started his teaching at Sri Somaskanda College joined us in 1962. He was our Art master until his retirement from JHC in the late eighties.
Somasunderam.N. Captain an old boy and a star athlete of his days joined in 1960 as a Special English Trained Teacher and continued in service for more than 25 years. He taught mainly English in many classes and involved himself in almost all the School activities. As a student he was in the CCC and later was the Captain of our Cadet platoon for many years. In addition he was our Prefect of Games and also the hostel warden. Later, he continued his service as the VicePrincipal of the school until his retirement.
Somasunderam. S.C. (Sivanarudchelvar) the youngest of the grandsons of the co-founder Pasupathy Chettiar, a Tamil
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 81
183.
184.
185.
Pulavar joined his old school in 1961 and continued for more than a quarter of a century, until his retirement. He taught Tamil and Hinduism and took an abiding interest in the promotion of all religious activities mainly in the renovation and Sustaining of the Gnana Vairavar temple according to accepted traditions of the school. Politically he was an active member of the left movement of the country. He retired from JHC and later passed away.
Sri Visagarajah.T comes from a sporting family that had long connections with the school. He was an athlete of repute having established a number of records while being a student and pole vault was his forte. He taught English and contributed much for the development of sports specially football. After retirement he migrated to Canada.
Srikumaran. A an old boy and an arts graduate started his teaching career in Nuwara Eliya, moved on to St. Henry's College and then on to Arunodhaya College as its principal in the early nineties. Previously he was our hostel warden for a short period. He assumed duties as Principal in 1997 and continued in that office until his retirement in 2005. During his period the school saw many innovative changes. It could be said to his credit that he was invited as the first functioning Principal to be the chief guest for the London annual “Kalaiarasi” festiVal Of Our OBA branch there.
Srinivasan.T a classmate of mine, a senior member of a sporting family, an all rounder joined our staff in 1957 and continued till his retirement in 1991 - a period of over 33 years. He taught History in the Advanced Level classes and revitalized the activities of the Historical and Civic Association. As a javelin thrower in his school days, he set up new records. In addition to his teaching his subject, he deviated to radio mechanism and contributed much more to many more students in and out of Jaffna. This was his main hobby starting from his school days. (more details elsewhere too)

Page 43
82
186.
187.
188.
189.
190.
191.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Sriskandarajah Mrs. (nee Thiagarajah) was one of the few lady teachers on our staff for a long time. She taught English in the lower and the middle forms. It is to be recalled that the recently opened Principal's quarters by our London OBA branch belonged to them earlier.
Srisgantharajah San arts graduate joined his Alma mater and is now the Vice Principal. He is interested in many activities at School and is one of the active Scouters.
Subbiah Thesigar was our music teacher and he was the last of the two who served the institution from Tamil Nadu. His music classes were then held in the old Vairava temple hall.
Subramaniam .C known as "Orator Subramaniam' for his skill in oratory and his ever enjoyable after dinner speeches. He was an old boy and then a teacher and hostel warden during the early forties until he was hand picked by the popular "Doctor PS “to be the Principal of Skandavarodaya College in 1944. He was a selfmade man, imbibed with a bag full of common sense and common touch which helped him to build Skandavarodaya from a village school to one of a handful of top institutions in the whole island. By his dedication and hard work he made that school to shine in all the activities - from education to sports. He was a Gandhian, a founder member of the "Jaffna Youth Congress' - the forerunner for all political movements that demanded independence for the country and a leading teacher trade union figure. Later he migrated to Britain and passed away there in the mid nineties.
Subramanam our ground boy who served the school for a long period of time during the sixties and seventies.
Subramaniam.K.S. fondly called by all as KSS was a veteran in the school community, joined as a Bilingual Trained Teacher in 1926 and retired in 1963 after completing a continuous service of 37 years. The two great epics and KSS are synonymous and no Hindu old boy can ever forget either

V. Sivasupramaniam 83
192.
193.
194.
195.
of them. In addition to teaching, as an efficient and a model hostel warden he was a father figure in the community. As for the school and the old boys he was a strong bridge and as the fusion of them resulted in the successful completion of the major building projects of the school over the years. Generations of students who passed through the portals of this hallowed institution remember him as a rock like institution from which discipline and precious values of life emanated. (more details elsewhere too)
Subramaniam.V joined the staff with a Grade one special post in 1944 as a specialist teacher of Botany and Chemistry in the Advanced Level classes. He continued for 28 years and retired in 1972 having successfully produced a number specialist teachers in his two subjects to serve many other schools in the country.
Subramaniam.V.S. joined us as a Special Trained Teacher in Mathematics. He was a successful teacher of his subject in the middle forms and coached many students to attain higher grades in the public examinations. He authored many Mathematics exercises for the students to gain practical mastery of that subject. He was also was a scout master of our scout troupe for quite some years. Later he moved on transfer to a School closer home.
Subramaniam.V popularly called as "Miler” during his student days for creating a record in the mile race. He was a teacher in the late thirties and left teaching to join the Labour Department to become an Assistant Commissioner of Labour. During his service in Jaffna he was our Secretary of the OBA who successfully pioneered the collection campaign for the Cumaraswamy Hall building project and the related carnivals. Later he passed away in Jaffna.
Subramaniam.S.V. was a Tamil Pundit who taught Tamil and Hinduism in the middle and higher classes. He was our teacher of Tamil in the middle forms during the mid forties. He retired from the JHC.

Page 44
84
196.
197.
198.
199.
200.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Sunderalingam.K. joined us from Sri Somaskanda College in the sixties and was a popular teacher of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics in the higher forms. He could not continue long as he succumbed to his illness very early in life.
Sunthararasa.V a masterly figure who taught us Arithmetic in the lower forms in the early forties. He was in charge of our Cub pack for a longtime and the pack won many awards in the District competitions during his time. Later he left us to join the Jaffna Co-operative Provincial bank from where he retired.
Sundararajah...K.V. was a very caring teacher for a short time and taught English in the middle forms. He left us to join the Postal Department as an Inspector of Post and Telecommunications and later retired from there.
Suntharathas.V was in the Police Department before joining us. He joined as a Specialist Trained Teacher of English and was a successful teacher of that subject in the middle and higher forms. As a disciplinarian he was a model for many others. He was in charge of our Police Cadets who made a mark in the country during his time. He retired and migrated to Canada where he passed away.
Suppiah.K was a self made man who taught for many years in the Hindu Board Schools. While being a teacher, he was fully conversant with the efficient running of the school administration, so much so, his guidance and advice were always sought after by the school authorities. He was capable of teaching many subjects with competence in many classes and as such was an asset to any School. He was in charge of drawing the school time table for many years. As one interested in the welfare of the teachers as a whole, he was the moving spirit behind the successful functioning of the Northern Province Teachers Provident Society. (NPTPS). He retired while serving as the Vice - Principal of the school.

V. Sivasupramaniam 85
201.
202.
203.
Thampu.P joined in 1927 and continued in service till he retired in 1956 after 29 years in the same school. He was a competent teacher of English, Mathematics, Latin and Geography in the middle and higher forms. He was one of those who initiated the formation of the Northern Province Teachers Provident Society (NPTPS) to promote the savings habit among the teachers. He was an active co-operator who promoted the co-operative movement by organizing many cooperative societies that helped the even supply of essential food items during the Second World War period.
Thanabalasingam an old boy was our school librarian for a long period of time. He managed the library distribution system efficiently to benefit all the library users.
Thiagarajah.S. an old boy was our teacher of Chemistry in the higher classes for a long time. Later he moved on to Kokuvil Hindu College with a Grade one Special post and finally was the Principal of Urumparai Hindu College from where he retired. He passed away in Jaffna.
Thiagarajah.P a Johnian and a star sportsman of that institution joined JHC as its sports master in the year 1938 when the new playground was opened by the side of the school. His name was a byword in the sports circles of Jaffna for well over three decades. He raised the Standard of all the areas of sports and made the college flag fly high on a national level. After his professional training in India, he was the Prefect of Games of the school. He was a popular referee in many a controversial football match and also was a well sought after cricket umpire. When the Cadet Corps was organized for the first time, he was in charge of the Senior Platoon. He also functioned as a part time librarian during the morning sessions of the school. He was considered as one of the few strong pillars of the school. He retired in 1970, after serving for 32 years.

Page 45
86
205.
206.
207.
208.
209.
210.
211
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Thiruchelvam.E.R. an Arts graduate joined us in the seventies and taught English, History and Civics in the middle forms. He was an active worker in the left movement of the country and provided lot of enrichment in our staff discussions.
Thirunavukkarasu. A was an academically well qualified teacher who joined us in the late fifties and continued in service for quite a long time. He taught English, History, Civics and Tamil in the middle forms.
Thiruneelakandasivam.M. an Arts graduate who joined us from Vaddukoddai Hindu College was there for a long time. He taught English, History and Tamil and was actively involved in many activities of the school. He was an active teacher trade unionist having held many key positions and was the secretary of the NPTA Education Committee that organized oratorical and music competitions for all the school children.
Thurairajah.T was our Physics teacher in the Advanced Level classes for a long time. A quiet and modest person, very alive to his responsibilities and was very much liked by his students for his involvement with the progress of his students. Great credit goes to him for organizing and sustaining the first chess club of the school. After leaving us, he migrated to Canada.
Thuraisingam joined us from Kokuvil Hindu College and was our sports master in the seventies. He was responsible for our physical training Squad to win many awards in different competitions. It was unfortunate that he passed away when he Was young.
Vadivelu.T was a Tamil Pulavar when he joined us in the sixties. He taught Tamil and Hinduism in the middle forms and greatly enriched the Tamil section of our school.
Vaidialingam. A was a Mathematics scholar from Cambridge and on his return was a full time worker of the Ceylon
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 87
212.
Communist party. His first appointment was to our school to teach Pure and Applied Mathematics in the Advanced Level classes. He was a popular Mathematics teacher and a highly respected member of the profession. Later he was appointed the Principal of Urumparai Hindu College where he restored order and discipline and raised the standard of the school to a very high level within a short time of his assumption. As an active trade union leader he gave the necessary leadership for the Teachers Unions at district, regional and national levels, His mature advice and guidance were of great help to the NPTA, ACUT, NUT and also to other unions. He unsuccessfully contested for a parliamentary seat on different occasions. He retired as Principal and later passed away in Jaffna.
Vallarasan was a Headmaster of a school in town when he was transferred to our school. He taught Tamil in our middle forms and was in service in the School for a short time.
Varatharajaperumal.V joined his alma mater after his Special Degree in Mathematics to teach in the Advanced Level classes. He did both Pure and Advanced Mathematics in the AL classes for a longtime and there was a draw of students to join his classes from other schools. He was a successful and involved teacher of his subjects and produced record results in University admissions. Later he joined Manipay Hindu College closer home. After his retirement he joined the Mathematics Department of the Jaffna Campus before joining the teaching service of Sokoto State in Nigeria where he passed away.
Velauthapillai.G was a longtime and experienced member of our clerical staff. He served the School for quite a long time. He was a systematic officer who kept all records in perfect order and also punctual and methodical in the execution of his duties and responsibilities. He was someticulous, so much so, that the school authorities always fell back on him for prompt

Page 46
88
215.
216.
217.
218.
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
information or any statistical data. He retired from the same school and spending his retired life in Kokuvil.
Vetharaniyam was an acting teacher after finishing his school in the early forties. He was a hosteller and played a leading role in the School agricultural activities. Later he left to join as an Inspector of Co-operative societies.
Vilavarasa.P was our Commerce Trained Teacher who joined
in the late sixties. He was the mainstay when commercial
subjects were introduced for the first time in the school curriculum.
Vythilingam.M. a self made man joined us from Karainagar Hindu College in the late forties. He was a teacher of English in the higher forms and taught us English and English Literature in the OL class. We were fortunate to be in his class to learn all the bombastic words, high sounding phrases and the idiomatic English that he was very much used to in his teaching literature and that too, for the plays of Shakespeare. He authored two research Volumes on Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan and one could enjoy not only the political history of the country in those works but also the style of the classical English language. Later he was a successful Principal of the Chavakachchri Hindu College and retired from there. He passed away in Jaffna after retirement.
Yogendra Duraiswamy was an acting teacher in the mid forties while awaiting his University admission. He taught us History and Civics in the middle forms. After graduation, he joined the Foreign Service and held several diplomatic positions in different countries, the last being the High Commissioner for Ceylon in India. After retirement, he served as the Government Agent in Jaffna during the late seventies.


Page 47
V. Sivasupramaniam
 

V. Sivasupramaniam

Page 48
V. Sivasupramaniam
JAFFNA HINDU COLLEGE (JHC)
Scout Laws in the quadrangle. Seated S.U. Somasegaram & Vice-Principal N. Sabaratnam
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam
SEYCHELLES RELIGIOCIS E SOCIAL
Temple Tamil class Parents' Day 1986
93

Page 49
94 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memorie
SEYCHELLES RELIGIOCIS & SOCI64
Rajaran of Tamillnadu
 
 

V Sivasupramaniam

Page 50
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
With Deputy Inspector General of Police Addressing the
M.S.M. Nizam "Kalaiarasi Wizha" (Former Student) in the UK in 2003
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 97
SOCIAL CCTORL
Author with his JHC old students in London - Kalaiarasi day 2003

Page 51
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
。酸、魔
Author - Honoured by Dr. V. Ramadoss on the Book Release Day - May 2003
Addressing on the book release 2003
 

Author gets award from the Indian High Commissioner H.E. Malay Mishra
Author - Honoured by Minister of Education Danny Faure

Page 52
1 OO
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SOCIL & C(IT(IRL
Hosting Lena Thamiivanan & Prof. Meiappan at home in Seychelles
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 101
social a cultural
In the company of Prof. A.S. Gnanasambandan's Family in Chennai - 1962
R
". .
இ.
Author as the NPTA President addressing at Urumparai Hindu College 1969

Page 53
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
藏葱
Author as Secretary addressing Saiva Periyar Centenary Day 1978 - Seated L to R: DE Manikavasagar, Pandithamani Kanapathy Pillai, Chidam parapillai, B.A., B.Sc.,
in the company of Principal rajan's Family in Bauchi, Nigeria, 1984 -
 

V. Sivasupramaniam
܂ ac335 ===ܣܛ=P
is all
A - Ahe -2° ==
Author's book release in Colombo Tamil Sangam - 2003
Author's book released in Chennai 2003

Page 54
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SEYCHELLES Nutional Youth Service (NYS)
 
 
 

syasyPramaniam
یغینان
- N SEYCHELLES
National Youth Ser Wic2 tNts]

Page 55
106 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
in the NYS Classroom
Project on Tourism
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 107
SEYCHELLES
Chartered Lions in 2006

Page 56
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
کس |
i
No.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam

Page 57

V. Sivasupramaniam
8 Dedication of the Lions first bus shelter. Lions President, Vice-President Joseph Belmont, Mayor of Victoria Mrs. F. Benstrong and Ln. Ramani
Healthy Children Show : Former President Sir Mancham, Lions President, First Lady, Minister Lloyd, Chief Justice Vivekanand Aliyar and L. Ramani 慧

Page 58
2008 Charter night banquet N. Ramani, V. Sivasupramaniam, Minister Lloyd Pierre and Minister Danny Faure
 

V. Sivasupramaniam

Page 59
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
LIONSCLUB AMPIC
Elders Home presentation. Lions with Minister of Health Vincent Meriton
OF THE SEYCHELLE
L. SCHOOL of Paradise Sey
Inauguration of the Leo Club, Principal Martin Keneddy, LeO President and Leo Advisor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 115

Page 60
Serg
リW "უკუე — ეკლესი
.S.
Sivasupra maniam Block
 
 
 
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam
Audience in the Cumaraswamy Hall

Page 61
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Presentation of AWards
 
 
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam
qkLLLSLLLLLLLL LLL LLLSLLLkLLLSLSSLSSLSStqLLLLLSL
Author addressing on "Seychelles - Land and people" Prof. Balasundaram Pillay presides
Prof. (Dr.) Si Sathiaseelan felicitates

Page 62
120
Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Author at the University of Jaffna 12th March 2010
Mrs Sathiaseelan, Faculty of Education Garlands
Sivasupramaniams
Old Students Of Author Felicitates
Prof. R. Kugabalan Prof. S. Sathiaseelan
Section of the Audience
Prof. Sinnathamby
 
 

Principal's address

Page 63

Sivasupramaniam

Page 64

V Sivasupramaniam 125

Page 65
8 ※ 線
 

OIC Killinochchi Police M.N.M. Nizam, old boy who later retired as Deputy IGP

Page 66
roupe - Seated: niah and Sivasupramaniam
 


Page 67
3. Souvenir 80
130 - My Educational Memories
SCOOAS
Chief Commissioner Kannangara arrives for the 1964 Field DayPrincipal C. Sabaretnam & DE S.U. Somasegaram
Sivalloganathan, Principal P.S. Cumaraswamy and
Scouter V.S. Subramaniam
Former Scout Q.M.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam
SCOUTS
JHC St. Johns Joint Golden Jubilee Jamboree contingent
- in Colombo 1962
Chief Scout decorates a scout

Page 68


Page 69


Page 70


Page 71

V. Sivasupramaniam 139
A RECOLLECTION
Dr.Thanigasalam Arumuganathan West Virginia United States of America
It gives me honor, privilege, and great pleasure to pen this recollection. I feel honored for this opportunity. It is a privilege as Thavabal Annai is a neighbor, relative, well-wisher, and guru to me. It is a pleasure as I can attempt in this small note to show my sincere gratitude to Annai. Through these diverse roles, Annai offered me many valuable teachings about life and rightful living. While I pensively recollect the memories and the relationships I had with Annai and the constructive teachings Annai has offered to me, I do not intend to ignore the services Annai has offered to many others, the community, Hinduism, and the world. It is beyond my comprehension to evaluate these.
First recollection - Respect
My earliest recollection of Thavabal Annai spans to my childhood when I was only about four or five years old. My mother wanted me to get some preserved yogurt (uraimore) from Vijaratnam mama's (Annai's father) house. I went to their house, but the gate was locked. I stood outside the gate and loudly called “Thavabal...Thavabal”. Of course, at that tender age I did not know how to respectfully address elders. Our neighbor Thurai Mami, an
elderly lady, was passing by. She came to me and asked “Who is Thavabal to you?” “Call him Thavabal Annai' and she went. I learned the first lesson of my life-Respect. Since that day I have never addressed Annai as “Thavabal'.

Page 72
140 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Second recollection - Reassurance
From “Kulankarai”, Eliathamby Primary school that we all went at Aiyanarkovilady, the time came for me to go to Jaffna Hindu. While I felt proud of myself, I was extremely anxious and worried. Jaffna Hindu was a big college with lot of strangers, many strict teachers, and an imposing figure, V.M. Asaipillai was the principal of Jaffna Hindu in the year 1962. On the first day of school, I walked with my older brother Ragunathan (Asai Annai), with extensive and fearful thoughts, mixed feelings, and many million butterflies inside my stomach. We reached Thavabal Annai's class-grade six. Annai came out of the class, spoke to my brother briefly, and told "Ragu, take Mugathar (my nickname) to the grounds, fourth grade is in P.T. Annai also looked at my pathetic face and reassured me. “Don’t worry. You will be fine”. These words soothed me greatly. I felt I had at least one protector at Jaffna Hindu.
Third recollection - Right and wrong
In grade six Thavabal Annai became my class teacher. We began writing with dip pens. Needless to say, making enough mess was a common occurrence. Annai was very strict that we clean all mess before the lunch bell. Otherwise we had to stay back and clean. One day Annai was upset with my unclean desk and told me sternly “I am going to tell Kathir about you.” Kathir (Kathirgamanathan - Seeni Anna) is another of my older brothers, was very strict, a teacher, a classmate and friend of Thavabal Annai, and corporal punisher of both me and my immediate brother Panchanathan Whenever We made serious mistakes or scored low in our grades. I felt the need to use the bathroom right there in the classroom. However, Seeni Annai never asked me about this incident despite my anxious anticipation. Later, I realized that Thavabal Annai did not tell my brother though they met daily as both were very good friends. This clearly indicated that Annai only wanted corrective behavior in me rather than punishment. Right and wrong are to be learned and followed from your childhood, Annai reminded me through this experience.

V. Sivasupramaniam 141
During lunchtime, running from home only half eaten, we ended in the grounds for cricket. Students who did not join in this venture were viewed as incapable or as bookworms by us who made this a daily habit. At the first class in the afternoon half the class will be fully drenched in Sweat. Annai will ask all of us to remove our shirts and wait until all the sweat dried up. Though we felt embarrassed, we had no alternative options as playing during lunchtime was such an enjoyment worth this little punishment. Annai continued to do this for the whole year. He reinforced the concept that the mind has to be in a receptive mood for us to fully concentrate and absorb what our teachers offer us. This proves to be true to me even to date. Unless I tune my mind, there is minimal or nothing any spiritual master can do towards my progress.
Fourth recollection - Group work
When Thavabal Annai got married to Thevi Acca, the whole village of Aiyanarkovilady celebrated joyously. It was a rare occurrence for two insiders to get married. I and other village youngsters actively participated in decorations, small chores, and making the "Pandal” perfect for the occasion. This was one of the early events that initiated Service and group effort in me. Group Service with utmost love is the best humans can offer to other humans. This fuelled the rest of the Service activities that I have performed back in Sri Lanka. I began to actively participate in group efforts at the temple, community, and the "Vasikasalai' (local library). Gradually I learnt leadership and independent thinking. These fruitful lessons that I learnt from Annai during my young adulthood, enables me to expand my services today in the United States.
Fifth recollection- Selfless service
Since his marriage, and until Annai left the country, both Annai and I underwent significant progress in our lives. Both Annai and I were at Peradeniya University at the same time, but for different purposes. Annai completed his honors degree, advanced as a college principal, became the treasurer of the National Teachers

Page 73
142 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Union, and began shining as one of the best teachers in the nation. I became a doctor and served in Jaffna twice, before I left the country. During this time whenever we met, Annai would inquire about my wellness and wish me further success in my life. -
The Pilliar Kovil at Aiyanarkovilady is a vital community religious center. It has witnessed many generations of great people and has shaped many of us, the younger generation, from infancy. Temple activities were always an important aspect of our life. They involved dedication, selfless service, and community welfare. Thavabal Annai was an instrumental figure in temple activities, despite his heavy commitments, until he left the country. His actions at the temple reminded all of us, youngsters, the importance of selfless service offered at the feet of the supreme. Today if I am able to appreciate the value of selfless service, it is due to Annai's contribution to us through his example at the temple. The small seed that Annai sawed in my heart nearly forty years ago, did not fail to germinate and grow.
Sixth recollection - Surrender
Since leaving Sri Lanka, Annai and I have kept in contact. Annai has consistently reminded me of several important aspects of life, through his living as an example. Respect for elders, compassion, rightful living, hard work, perseverance, service to other humans, and surrender to the supreme are the ones which I voluntarily or involuntarily gained from Annai. In my childhood days, I involuntarily picked them up as nice things to do. Later on during my young adulthood and later life, I voluntarily decided to follow his footsteps. In summarizing, Annai has been a good teacher, neighbor, leader, and guru to me. I sincerely wish him a happy 80th Birthday and pray to the lord and "Visuvesa Pilliar to extend his life as long as he is able, both physically and mentally, to serve the world community.
Thank you Annai. Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 143
சீரோங்கு புகழோன் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம்
V. Arupillay Retired Teacher, Arunodhaya College
காப்பு எல்லோர்க்கு மினியனாம் ஏதமிலாக் குணமுடையான் நல்லறிஞர் வியக்குமுயர் பேராசான் பல்வளஞ்சேர் சிவசுப்பிர மணியம்தம் சீரோங்கு புகழ்பாட நவசக்தி விநாயகனே துணை. வண்ணைநகர்ச் செம்மல் விஜய ரத்தினந்தம்
வளர்தவத்தின் பெரும்பேறாய் வந்துதித்த எண்ணில்புகழ் பலவாற்றல் ஏற்றமுறக் கொண்டிலங்கும்
எழில்மிகுந்த சிவ சுப்பிர மணியனேநின் கண்ணியம், கடப்பாடு கடமை நிறைவுடனே காரியங்கள் எதிலுமே புதுமை செய்யும் திண்ணிய நெஞ்சழகு கண்டுளம் மகிழ்ந்தோம்
திக்கெல்லாம் நின்னாமம் திகழவே நீடுவாழி
சிந்தனை வளத்தின் மிக்கோன்
செயற்றிறன் உடையான் என்றும் செந்தமிழ் வாணர் போற்றும்
சிறந்தநற் கல்வி மானெம் வந்தனைக் குரியோன் வளர்பெரும்
வழுவிலாப் பொதுச் சேவையாளன்! விந்தைசெய் விநாயகன் அருளினாலே
வளமுடன் பல்லாண்டு வாழிவாழி! தன்னகவை எண்பது நிறையுங்காலை
தன் கல்வி நினைவு மலர் வெளியீடொன்றை தன்கல்வி அநுபவத்தால் ஆக்கி இந்தத்
தரணிக்கு வழங்குதற்கு எண்ணி யுள்ளான் பின்வருமெம் இளையோக்குப் பெருந்துணையாம்
பேசுமொரு கலைமாணி பெருஞ்சான்றிதழுடையோன் என்னென்ன ஆற்றலுண்டோ அவையாவும்
இதயங்கொள் 'சிவா என்றும் வாழிவாழி!

Page 74
144 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
உலகபுகழ் யாழிந்துக் கல்லூரி
உன்னதஞ்சேர் மாணவனாய்க் கல்விகற்றுப் புலமையொடு பல்கலைக் கழகஞ் சென்று
பொருளாதாரக் கலைமாணிப் பட்டம் பெற்று நலமுடைய ஆசிரியப் பணிபுரியவென
நாடினன் இந்துவையே மனமுவந்து நிலைதனைவே உயர்த்துஞ் சேவை
நாட்டினை பத்தொடு ஒன்பதாண்டே
அதிபராய் சேவைதனை ஆற்றுதற்கு
அரசினரின் பணிப்பை ஏற்றே பதிநீங்கி முருங்கன்முதல் அநுராதபுர
மகாவித்தி யாலயங்களில் பணியாறிப் புதுமைசெய அளவெட்டி அருணோதயாக்
கல்லூரி அழைக்கும்பெரு தலைவனானான் அதுவரையில் அருணோதயா கண்டிராத
அதியுயர் வளர்ச்சிகாண உழைத்தனை நீடுவாழி!
என்னுடைய ஆசிரிய சேவைதன்னில்
எத்தனையோ அதிபர்களைச் சந்தித்துள்ளேன் என்னுடைய ஒப்பீட்டு அளவின்படி
இவர் உயர்ந்து நிற்கின்றார் இது உண்மை. தன்னுடைய அர்ப்பணிப்பு, ஆற்றலுடன்
தளராத தவறாத ஆளுமையே
முன்னணியில் நிற்குமொரு அதிபராக்கி
மூன்றுபெரு நாட்டினிலே முதன்மை பெற்றான்.
சாரணர்குழுவின் தனிப்பெரும் பொறுப்பை ஏற்றுச் சாதனைபுரிந்து சாற்றிடும் விருது பெற்றீர். கூரிய கல்வியோங்கக் குடியல் நூலையாக்கி
குறித்திடுஞ் சிறார்களுக்கோர் ஏணியாய் விளங்கினீர்கள் பூரணசேவை நோக்கில் பொதுச்செயலர் தலைவராகி
ஆசிரியர் சங்கமதில் அருந்தொண்டு புரிந்தீர் நன்கு காரியம் எதுவென்றாலும் களைத்திடா துழைத்துயாரும்
பேசிடும் 'சிவா என்ற பேறினைப் பெற்றீர் வாழி!
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 145
ஆசிரியர் சேவையிலே ஆழக் கால்பதித்து
அருந்தொண் டாற்றிவரும் வேளைதனில் பேசரிய உங்கள்புகழ் வெளிநா டறிந்திடவே
விருப்புடனே அழைத்திட்டார் ஆங்கு சென்றீர் நேசமிகு நைஜீரிய நாட்டினர சாங்கம்
நலம்பெறவே நான்கு ஆண்டுகள் ஆங்கே ஆசையுடன் ஆசிரிய கலாசாலை தன்னில்
ஆங்கிலத்தில் விரிவுரைகள் - ஆற்றினீர் வாழிவாழி!
திருவோடு தருகின்ற திருநாடாம் சேசெல்சின்
தனியான புகழோடு தங்கியே வாழ்கின்றீர் குருவாகித் தொண்டுகள் பலசெய்து நின்றாலும்
தமிழ்த்தொண்டுஞ் சிவத்தொண்டும் நனிசிறக்க-உழைக்கின்றீர் உருவாகிநின்றதே நும்உழைப்பினால் அன்றோ
அருள்மிகு நவசக்தி விநாயகர் ஆலயம்தானே. கருவிலே திருவுடைய சிவசுப்பிர மணியனேநின்
சேவைகள் நீண்டிடப் பல்லாண்டு வாழியவே!
சீரோங்கு சேசெல்சு நாட்டின் சிறப்பினையே
பலபடங்கள் விவரணங்கள் கொண்டு நீங்கள் பாரோர்கள் நன்குணர்ந்து வியக்கும் வண்ணம் 'பத்தாண்டு வளர்ச்சி' எனும் நூலையாக்கி நேர்மையுற ஆங்கிலத்தில் தமிழிலுமே வெளியிட்டீர்கள்
நாளேடு பலவற்றில் கட்டுரைகள் வரைகின்றீர்கள் ஊருவரு அறியும்நல் அரிமாக் கழகத்தின்
உயர்ந்த பெருந் தலைவரானீர் நீடுவாழி!
எண்பதாம் ஆண்டு நிறைவு என்பது
உடலுக்கே யன்றி உளத்துக்கு அன்று. பண்பினில் நிறைந்து பன்முக ஆற்றல்
பரவிட நின்றிடும் தங்களின் உள்ளம் என்றுமே இளையது இனிவருங் காலத்தில்
எழுதிடும் நூல்கள் இனியன ஆகுக. ஒன்பது கோள்களும் ஒன்றிணைந்தேசுகம்
தந்திட விநாயகன் அருளொடு வாழியவே!

Page 75
146 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
நினைவுச் சுவடுகள் பதித்த நினைவுக்குரியவர் K. Arulampalam
Retired Vice Principal Arunodhaya College
மனிதருட் சிலர் மதிப்பால் உயர்ந்தவர்கள். சுட்டிக்காட்டப்பட வேண்டிய பட்டியலுக்குரியவர் கள். அவர்கள் மறக்கப்பட முடியாதவர்கள். நினைவுக்குள் நிலைத்து நிற்பவர்கள். காரணம் அவர்கள் தாம் செல்லும் இடங்கள் தோறும் தமது செயலால் நினைவுச் சுவடுகளைப் பதிவாக்கிச் செல்கிறார்கள். என்னோடு பழகிய அத்தகைய சிலரில் ஒருவர் திருவாளர் விஜயரட்ணம் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் ஆவார். அளவெட்டிக் கிராமத்தோடு அவரது தொடர்பு பல வருடங்கள் இல்லை. சில வருடங்களாக இருந்தபோதும் ஆழமான சுவடுகளைப் பதிவாக்கிச் சென்றுள்ளார். குறிப்பாக அளவெட்டி அருணோதயக் கல்லூரியில், அவர் பதித்த சுவடுகளில் ஒரு சிலவற்றைக் குறிப்பிட்டு வெளிப்படுத்தக் கிடைத்த இச்சந்தர்ப்பத்தைத் தவறவிடாது பயன்படுத்துவதை எனது கடமையாக உணருகின்றேன்.
பிறந்த மண்ணின் மாண்பும் - கல்வி கற்ற சூழலின் ஆதிக்கமும் இவரை மதிப்பால் உயர்ந்த மனிதனாக மாற்றியது. தமிழையும், சைவத்தையும் பேணிக் காத்த ஆறுமுக நாவலரைத் தந்த வண்ணார் பண்ணை மண் இவரைத் தமிழ்ப் பற்றாளராக - சைவாசார ஒழுக்க சீலராக வளர்த்தெடுத்தது. ஒழுக்கத்தையும்-கல்வியையும் கண்களாகப் போற்றும் யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரி இவரை அறிவாளராகவும்-பண்பாளராகவும் ஆளுமை மிக்கவராகவும் அறிமுகப்படுத்தியது. இத்தகைய ஒருவரோடு சில வருடங்கள் அளவெட்டி அருணோதயக் கல்லூரியில் இவரோடு சேர்ந்து-இவரின் கீழ் ஆசிரியனாகக் கடமையாற்றும் பேறு எனக்குக் கிடைத்தது. அந்த நாட்களில் இவரிடம் இருந்து கற்றுக் கொண்டவை கணக்கில பெற்றுக் கொண்ட அனுபவங்கள் பெறுமதி மிக்கன. அந்த நாட்கள் எனது ஆசிரியச் சேவையில் பொன்னான மறக்க முடியாத நாட்கள். அந்த நாட்களின் நினைவு இவர் பதித்த முதலாவது நினைவுச் சுவடாகும்.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 147
அறிவு-ஆற்றல்-பண்பு-ஆளுமை-நிருவாக நுட்பம்-செயல்திறன்தன்துணிவு-தன்னம்பிக்கை- தூரநோக்கு ஆகிய இவை எல்லாம் ஒருங்கு சேர்ந்து குடிபுகுந்த ஒரு கோட்டை இவர் என்பது யதார்த்தத்திற்கு முரணானது அல்ல. ஆழ்ந்து சிந்தித்து ஒட்டை உடைசல் இல்லாது திட்டத்தை வகுத்தல் இவரது திறமை போட்ட திட்டத்தைப் பின்வாங்காது முன்னெடுத்துச் சென்று முடித்தல் இவரது செயல்திறன். ஏற்படும் சிக்கல்களுக்கு முகம் கொடுத்துச் சீர்செய்து வெற்றி காணுதல் இவரது ஆளுமை. மலையே வந்தாலும் தலையே சும என்று கலங்காது நிற்றல் இவரது தன்துணிவு இலக்கைச் சென்றடைவதில் இவர் காட்டும் வேகம் இவரது தன்னம்பிக்கை. 'ஆடிற மாட்டை ஆடிக் கறக்க வேண்டும். பாடிற மாட்டைப் பாடிக் கறக்கவேண்டும்" என்பது இவரது நுட்பமான நிருவாக இரகசியம் 'பாத்திரம் அறிந்து பிச்சை போடு' என்பது போல மனிதனைக் கணித்துப் பொறுப்பைக் கொடுத்தல் இவரது மதிநுட்பம்.
'நெல்லுக் கிறைத்த நீர் வாய்க்கால் வழி ஓடிப் புல்லுக்கும் ஆங்கே பொசியுமாம்' என்பது ஆன்றோர் வாக்கு நெல்லுக்கு இறைத்த நீர் புல்லுக்கும் பொசிவதுபோல், இவரோடு சேர்ந்து பழகியவர்களிடம், இவரது திறமைகள் சிறிதாவது புல்லுக்குப் பொசிந்த நீராகச் சென்று சேர்ந்து செழித்திருத்தல் வியப்புக்குரியது அன்று. 'மலரோடு சேர்ந்த நாரும் மணம் வீசும்' என்பார்கள். நார் மலரைப் போல் மணம் வீச முடியாவிட்டாலும், தான் சார்ந்த மலரின் மணத்தை ஓரளவாவது நுகர்வித்துக் கொண்டே இருக்கும். அதேபோல் இவரோடு சேர்ந்து பழகியவர்கள், தமது நடத்தை மூலம் இவரை ஞாபகப்படுத்திக் கொண்டே இருக்கிறார்கள். இவர்கள் எல்லோரும் இவர்விட்டுச் சென்ற அடுத்த நினைவுச் சுவடுகள் என்பதை மறக்கமுடியாது. அந்தவகையில் அவரால் பயிற்றப்பட்டு, அவரது வாரிசாக அருணோதயக் கல்லூரிக்கு விட்டுச் சென்றவர்களில் நானும் ஒருவன். இவரது காலத்தில் இவரால் என்மீது பொறுப்பிக்கப்பட்ட கல்லூரி பரீட்சைப் பொறுப்பாளர் பதவி, நான் கல்லூரியில் இருந்து சேவை ஒய்வு பெறும் வரை பின்வந்த அதிபர்களால் என்னிடம் இருந்து, பிடுங்கப்படாமை, நான் இவரது வாரிசுதான் என்பதை எனக்கு உணர்த்திக் காட்டத் தவறவில்லை.
அளவெட்டி கிராமத்தில் பல பாடசாலைகள் உள்ளன. மாடிக் கட்டடம் என்ற ஒன்று முதல் முளைத்தது. அருணோதயக் கல்லூரியாகும். முதல் முளைத்த அந்த மாடிக் கட்டடத் திறப்பு விழாவை நடத்தி வைத்தவர் திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் ஆவார். அந்த மாடிக் கட்டடம் காட்சியில் இருந்து மறையும் வரை இவரது நினைவும்

Page 76
148 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
நினைவுச் சுவடாக நிலைத்து நிற்கும். திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களது கைராசிப் பலன் இன்று கல்லூரி வளாகத்தில் பல மாடிக் கட்டடங்கள் கல்லூரியை அழகுபடுத்தி நிற்கின்றன.
அடுத்து மலேசியா சின்னப்பு தம்பதிகளால் கல்லூரிக்கு வழங்கப்பட்ட புலமைப் பரிசில் திட்டத்தைப் பொறுப்பேற்றுக் கல்லூரியின் வருடாந்த நிகழ்ச்சித் திட்டத்தில் பரிசளிப்பு விழா என்ற ஒரு நிகழ்வை ஆரம்பித்து வைத்த பெருமையும் திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களையே சாரும். இவர் நடத்திவைத்த பரிசளிப்பு விழாவைத் தொடர்ந்து இன்றுவரை வருடா வருடம் பரிசளிப்பு விழா என்ற நிகழ்வு விரிவான முறையில் தவறாது கல்லூரியில் நடைபெற்று வருகிறது. நடைபெறும் ஒவ்வொரு பரிசளிப்பு விழாவும் இவரது நினைவுச் சுவடாகவே தோற்றமளித்து வருகிறது.
அருணோதயக் கல்லூரியில் க.பொ.த உயர் தர வகுப்புகள் ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்டுப் பின் ஒரு காலகட்டத்தில் மறைந்து போயின. திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் கல்லூரியைப் பொறுப்பேற்ற காலத்தில், இவரது அயராத முயற்சியால் க.பொ.த. உயர்தர வகுப்புகள் மீண்டும் ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்டன. இவரால் புத்துயிர் ஊட்டப்பட்ட க.பொ.த. உயர்தர வகுப்புப் பகுதி இன்று பல தொகை மாணவருடன் பல பிரிவுகளாக இயங்கி வருகின்றது. இவ்வகுப்புகள் கல்லூரி வரலாற்று ஏடுகளிலே இவர் பதித்த நினைவுச் சுவடாகவே நோக்கப்படும்.
அருணோதயக் கல்லூரியின் வரலாற்றிலே இரு கால கட்டங்கள் கல்லூரியின் பொற்காலங்களாகவே பதிவாகி உள்ளன. ஒன்று ஐம்பதுகளில் கல்லூரியின் அதிபர் பதவியைப் பொறுப்பேற்ற கல்லூரியின் உரிமையாளராக ஒரு காலத்தில் இருந்த திரு. சு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களது காலமாகும். மற்றையது எழுபதுகளில் கல்லூரியின் அதிபர் பதவியைப் பொறுப்பேற்ற இந்நயப்புரைக்குரிய திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களது காலமாகும். இரண்டு பொற்காலங்களுக்கும் உரிமை உடையவர்களாகக் கருதப்படும். இருவரும் ஒரே பெயரை உடையவர்களாகவே அமைந்தமையால் கிராமத்துப் பாடசாலையாக இந்தக் கல்லூரி, நிறைந்த வளங்கள் படைத்த நகரக் கல்லூரிகளுடன் ஒப்பிட்டுப் பேசும் அளவிற்குத் தகைமை பெற்றுத் தரம் உயர்ந்து பிரகாசித்தது. இவர்களது கைராசிப் பலனாக, கல்லூரிக் கீதம் உரத்து ஒலிப்பதற்கு அமைவாக 'வளர்மதியமும் கதிரும்போல வளர்ந்து, கலைகள் பொலிந்து தேங்க' கல்லூரி இன்றும் "மலைவிளக்கென' பிரகாசித்துக் கொண்டே இருக்கிறது. பெயர்களால் இவர்கள் இணைந்ததுபோல, இருவரையும் இணைத்து நினைவுகூரும்
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 149
கருத்தோடு, கல்லூரி வளாகத்தில் புதிதாகக் கட்டப்பட்டு அழகுற நிமிர்ந்து நிற்கும் மாடிக் கட்டடம் 'சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் மண்டபம்' என்ற பெயரைத் தாங்கி நிற்கின்றது. பெயர் பொறிக்கப்பட்ட இம்மண்டபத்தின்மூலம், நினைவால் அழியாத ஒரு நினைவுச் சுவட்டைத் திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் கல்லூரியின் வரலாற்று ஏட்டிலே பதிவாக்கிவிட்டார்.
இவ்வாறு இவரது நினைவுச் சுவடுகளைத் தொடர்ந்து १ நிரல்படுத்திக் கொண்டே போகலாம். அவ்வாறு நான் தொடர முற்பட்டால், திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களைப் பல கோணங்களில் காட்சிப்படுத்தக் காத்திருக்கும் பலருக்குரிய மலரின் தாள்களை நான் கபளிகரம் செய்துவிட்டேன் என்ற கண்டனத்திற்கு உள்ளாகலாம். எனவே, அடக்கத்தோடு அமைதி அடைகின்றேன்.
இறுதியாக யாழ்ப்பாணத்துக் கற்பகத் தருவான பனை 'நட்டாயிரம் கெட்டாயிரம்' எனக் கூறுவார்கள். பனை உயிரோடு இருக்கும்போது, ஆயிரம் வகையாகப் பயன்படும். அதேபோலப் பட்டபின்பும் ஆயிரம் வகையாகப் பயன்படும். ஆனால், உயிரோடு இருக்கும்போது அதன் பயன்பாடுகள் ஒருவகை பட்ட பின் அதன் பயன்பாடுகள் வேறு வகை. திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் எனது சிந்தனைக்கு வரும் பொழுது, பனையின் நினைவுதான் பளிச்சென வருகிறது. திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் கல்விச் சேவையில் இருந்த பொழுது அவரது சேவை ஒருவகை ஆசிரியர்கள், மாணவர்கள், பாடசாலைகள் எனக் கல்விச் சமூகம் என்ற குறுகிய வட்டத்துள் சுழன்று வந்தது. கல்விச் சேவையில் இருந்து விடுபட்ட பின்னர் அவரது சேவை தமிழ்மொழி, இந்துக் கலாச்சாரம், சைவத் தொண்டு-ஆன்மீகம்-சமூகம் என வேறு ஒரு திசையில் வேறு ஒரு வகையில், விரிந்த வட்டத்தில் வலம்வந்து கொண்டு இருக்கிறது.
'ஊருணி நீர்நிறைந் தற்றே உலகவாம்
பேரறி வாளன்திரு' என்பது திருக்குறள்.
ஊரின் நடுவே அமைந்த, நீர் நிறைந்த நன்னீர் ஊற்றும், உலக நடப்பை உணர்ந்த பேரறிவாளன் செல்வமும், இனம், மொழி, நாடு என்ற வேறுபாட்டைக் கடந்து, எல்லோருக்கும் பயன்படுவதுபோல, திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களது எஞ்சிய காலச் சேவையும், ஊருணி போல, பேரறிவாளன் திருபோல இனம், மதம், மொழி, நாடு என்ற வேறுபாட்டைக் கடந்து, இன்றுபோல் தொடர்ந்து என்றும் பரிணமித்து வளர, உடல்பலத்தையும், உளத் திடத்தையும் இறைவன் அவருக்கு நல்(கவானாக என வாழ்த்துவோம்.

Page 77
150 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SIWA NASTER
S.Balasunderam, Chartered Accountant, Singapore
It is indeed a pleasure to learn that the old students of " Siva Master" have come up with an idea to appreciate the Work of Mr. V. Sivasupramaniam of Sri Lanka by bringing out a Souvenir issue on his 80th birth year. It is an honour for me to write about him.
He is popularly known as Siva Master among his students and he is well recognised in many countries, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, London, Germany, Canada, India to name a few besides his own home land.
Having spent his career for the development of students and the teachers community, he should be no less than to be proud. Through his teaching, he brought out many scholars and it is to be appreciated that he continues his service even after his retirement. Starting his career as a teacher and elevated as Principal of a College, contributing to Teachers’ Union, working tirelessly for the development of students, voluntarily involving in social and community activities - nothing was left with any flaw under his leadership.
My association with Siva Master was started in 1985 when he joined the Ministry of Education in the Seychelles. At my first meeting, I was attracted by his unassuming quality. I felt an honour when I had the opportunity to work with him in some community work in the Seychelles during my employment over there. I was captivated by his work discipline, decorum and systematic approach at micro level. He surprised me on many occasions by his
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 151
meticulous work, be it maintaining accounts, minutes and record keeping or follow up of events and getting work done in a cohesive manner. It is everyone's surprise that he continues his contribution to the society of Seychelles and worldwide until to date. He is a popular columnist and freelance Writer for various newspapers and magazines worldwide.
Many of his students, now turned Leaders, Executives, Professors; Professionals have admitted that Master Siva is the role model for their career. The respect he earns from all his students comes from his philosophy of dedicated and selfless service.
Master Siva's wife Madam Sarojini is worth mentioning here. Behind the success of every man, there is a lady. Madam Sarojini has been very supportive to her husband's community work. I enjoyed working with Master Siva in community work where I have seen that he never postpones any job for tomorrow. During my eight years of close association with him during my tenure in the Seychelles, I have seen this couple working together and whole heartedly as a team. I continue to enjoy my association with them regardless of my location. I thank God for giving me an opportunity to know and associate with them. I pray His Almighty to shower on the couple a long and healthy life and happiness in all what they do.
I thank all his former students who gave me the opportunity to submit this write up.
r ר
* Besides his competence in class room work, he has been the live wire of many an extra-curricular activity. Keen and conscientious about any work entrusted to him, he is interested in the developing trends of educational thought and practice. He is in many ways an asset to the administration of the School."
N. SABARATNAM, Principal, Jaffna Hindu College. 12th October 1969.

Page 78
152 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SIVA THE SLENT ACTIVIST
R.Banuthevan, Teacher, St.John's College, Jaffna. 1954-1967.
The 1960s was a period of turmoil in the teaching World. The teaching community in the North had to face some formidable challenges. Among them
Were."
-the problems associated with the switch from the English to Tamil as the medium of instruction in Schools.
- the changes in the status of teachers resulting from the state take-over of Schools.
- an ill-considered governmental directive which demeaned the teachers by ordering them to sell sweep tickets in connection with the Education Centenary Celebrations.
- the deteriorating conditions of teachers in private schools.
The Man
It was during this period of turbulence that Siva held responsible positions in the Northern Province Teachers Association- Committee member, Secretary and President. It was a blessing to the teaching fraternity that a person of the calibre of Siva held office. He possesses boundless energy to sustain himself in the arduous task of mobilising the union members to rise up to the occasion. He is a man of action, not prone to verbosity or rehetoric. When others belly-laugh, he smiles. He is the embodiment of silence- but that silence is more eloquent than the outpouring of fire
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 153
brand militant unionists. He is an epitome of the saying An ounce of action is worth more than a ton of words.
An Achievement
When the management of St. John's College, Jaffna victimised four teachers for engaging in protest activity against discrimination in Salaries, the Northern Province Teachers Association launched a massive campaign demanding their reinstatement. An activating force was an untiring Siva who succeeded in setting up a Joint Committee of several Teachers unions in the North to carry on the struggle. He is an incredible organiser and is brilliantly efficient. The momentum created culminated in a mammoth meeting at the Jaffna Town hall where hundreds from the profession rallied to demonstrate teacher solidarity.
The dispute was raised in the courts of law. A marathon litigation went on for a period of eight long years at the Labour Tribunal and at the Supreme Court. Siva strove hard to find the funds necessary to meet the legal costs. He stood by me during those difficult years. So did many members of the teaching profession.
A Foot-print
In the annals of Teacher Trade unionism, Siva will find a prominent place. He was fortunate to work in a team of dedicated and committed unionists who were not careerists. Further, he had the benefit of unerring advice from experienced veterans in this field. He has left his foot-print on the sands of time.
I like a Teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides home work - Edith Awn
The whole of art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards. – Anatole France

Page 79
154 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
முத்து விழா நாயகர் Brama Sri Baskara Kurukkal Chief Priest Sri Viswesa Pillaiyar Kovil, Vannarpannai
திரு. விஜயரட்ணம் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் யாழ்ப்பாணம் வண்ணார்பண்ணை, ஐயனார் கோவிலடியிலே பிறந்து வளர்ந்து, கல்வி கற்று மேன்மையடைந்து தனது எண்பதாவது அகவையில் எங்கள்முன் தொடர்ந்தும் சமூக சேவைகளுடன் அவர் முத்துவிழா காண்பதைக் கேட்டு நான் பெருமகிழ்ச்சி அடைகிறேன்.
தாய் மண்ணில் சிறுபிராயத்தில் இவர் வாழும்போது தனது பாடசாலைக் கல்வியை யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் கற்று,தொடர்ந்து தனது பட்டப் படிப்பினைப் பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக் கழகத்தில் முடித்துச் சிறந்த கல்விமானாகக் கல்விச் சமூகத்திற்கும் சைவப் பாரம்பரியத்திற்கு தொண்டாற்றி வருவதை நான் அறிவேன்.
சைவத்தின் மீதும் தமிழ் மீதும் மிகுந்த பற்றுக் கொண்டவராக இருந்து தான் பெற்ற கல்விக்கு அமைவாகச் சிறந்த ஒழுங்கும், நேர்மையும் எங்களது தனித்துவமான பண்பாடு என்பவற்றைப் பின்பற்றுகின்ற பண்பாளர் ஆவார். இலங்கையிலே பல பாடசாலைகளில் போதனா ஆசிரியராகவும் அதிபராகவும் இருந்தார். அதேநேரம் இலங்கை ரீதியிலே பல கழகங்களில் உயர்பதவிகளில் இருந்து சமூகத்திற்குப் பணி செய்து பெருமை சேர்த்தவராவார்.
எமது ஆலயமான விசுவேச விநாயகர் ஆலயத்தில் மிகுந்த பக்தியும், ஆலயத்தின் வளர்ச்சியில் ஈடுபாடும் கொண்டவர். இன்று கடல் கடந்து சென்றாலும் அவரது பல அரிய பணிகள் தொடர்ந்த வண்ணம் இருப்பதை நான் அறிவேன்.
அவரது சேவைகள் எமது சமூகத்திற்கு மேன்மேலும் தொடர வேண்டும் என்று எனது நல்லாசிகளையும் பாராட்டுகளையும் கூறி எல்லாம் வல்ல விசுவேச விநாயகரின் பாதங்களைப் பிரார்த்தித்து அமைகிறேன்.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 155
வளங்களைக் கண்டு வாழ்க "Aanmihath Thenral"
Thambi Buvanendran Editor - "Siva Tamil", Germany
பேராசான் திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களின் முத்துவிழாக் குறித்து மகிழ்ந்து வழங்கிய வாழ்த்துப் பா
அன்பும் ஆன்ற அறிவும் அடக்கமும் பண்பும் பார்த்துப் பலரும் போற்றும் ஒழுக்க நடையும் உன்னதக் கொள்கை விழுப்பமும் சான்ற மேன்மைகொள் ஆசான் இலங்கை நைசீரியாசீ செல்சு துலங்கக் கல்வித் தொண்டுகள் தொடர்ந்தும் அழகிய சீசெல்சு நாட்டில் ஆர்வத்துடன் விழுமிய பணிகள் விளங்கச் செய்தும் மிகுபேர் பெறுசிவ சுப்பிர மணியம்
அகவை எண்பதை அடைந்தனர் இந்நாள்
மாயிரு ஞாலத்தில் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்ந்தே ஆயிரம் பிறைகளைக் கண்ட அருந்திறத் தவநலச் சீலர் புவியினர் மேலும் பயன்பெறப் பணிகள் பாங்குற வியற்றி உற்ற துணையும் பெற்ற மக்களும் சுற்றமும் சூழத் துலங்கி மகிழ்ந்து சிவபெரு மானின் திருவருள் கொண்டு
கவினுற வேண்டும் வளங்களைக் கண்டு வாழ்க நன்கே வாழ்க வாழ்க என்றே வாழ்த்துகின் றோமே!

Page 80
156 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SIR SWA THE HISTORIAN
Beryl Pillay Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation
I first met Mr. Sivasupramaniam 20 years ago, during my first year at the National Youth Service (NYS). Our first encounter is still vivid in my mind as if we metyesterday. Sir Siva, as I still call him today, was my History teacher back then. He used to come to class with a smile and so full of energy to teach us the historical facts and events of the World.
Though he had a strong Sri Lankan accent, he had a unique but humble way of passing his knowledge to us and to develop in us a love for that subject. I never loved history, but Sir Siva made it a must that I came out with high marks and it was only he who managed to make me take a history book and my notes for revision. No other history teacher has ever been able to achieve that. So, I firmly believe that the zeal of a teacher also plays an important part of achieving good grades in a subject and not just enjoying a subject and being good at it.
After NYS, Sir Siva has remained my tutor and friend to this date. I say a tutor because he still gives me advice on many issues regarding my work as a journalist and at times also of my news sources (by the way a journalist never reveals its sources). He seems to be one of my fans (if I’m not mistaken) and will proudly introduce me to his friends as one of his students. And from time to time I will seek his advice on just any matter, and somehow he will have a Solution. As a journalist I get to meet him quite often as he is very active in the Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles. A dynamic, enthusiastic and devoted person of his age is rare to find.
To me Sir Siva is of Sri Lankan origin but a Seychellois at heart. He has passed on his experience and knowledge to many young Seychellois and I am proud to have known him. Each time I do my international news reporting on the world Wars, on some historic personalities I remember Sir Siva and now understand why we all need to learn about the historic moments of this world
 
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 157
SR SVA INFLUENCED OUR CAREERS
Joel Frank Camille Barrister and Attorney at Law Seychelles
I came to know Sir Siva as a teacher at the Seychelles National Youth Service in 1992. He taught me History then. As I recall, our group of students became the first group to be introduced with the IGCSE at this level and ours was one of experimentation. An entrance exam was done for History and unfortunately a few handfuls passed. We were disappointed as we were told it was insufficient to make a class. Being the man that he was Sir Siva encouraged us to persevere in achieving our goals.
I cannot but think that he had been instrumental in influencing my career choice as a lawyer. This was indeed the year of career choices and filling of forms. He always harped on us the need to succeed, the virtue of hard work and perseverance. He encouraged us to work hard and to Succeed.
His contribution has most certainly influenced my career choice and made me who I am today, being part of a profession of commitment and excellence. I am ever grateful to him. As he retires and enjoys his long break, I take this opportunity on behalf of all past students from my group and others in Seychelles, wish him good luck and many good returns. Thank you Sir Siva.

Page 81
158 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
மனத்தில் என்றும் நீங்கா அதிபர் M. Cheliah
Retired Teacher, Arunodhaya College
1977 ஆம் ஆண்டு அருணோதயக் கல்லூரி உயர்தர வகுப்பு மாணவர்களும் ஆசிரியர்கள் சிலரும் சுற்றுலா பயணமாக அனுராதபுரம் சென்றோம். அன்று இரவு அனுரதபுரம் விவேகானந்த வித்தியாலயத்தில் தங்க ஏற்பாடாக இருந்தது. எம்மை வரவேற்க வெள்ளை வேட்டி வெள்ளை நாஷனல், கையில் திறப்புக் கோர்வை, குனிந்த நடையுடன் ஒருவர் வந்தார். சரளமான நிதானமான பேச்சு, அவரது ஆளுமை அவரின் தோற்றத்திலும், எம்மோடு நடந்துகொண்ட முறையிலும் GTLd LOTG) அறியக்கூடியதாய் இருந்தது. அன்றுதான் நான் முதல்முதல் அவரைக் காணும் பாக்கியம் கிடைத்தது.
1978 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜனவரி மாதம் எமது அருணோதயக் கல்லூரிக்குத் திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் அதிபராக வருகிறார் என அறிந்ததும் நான் மாத்திரமல்ல என்னோடு சேர்ந்த சக ஆசிரியர்களும் பெருமகிழ்ச்சி அடைந்தோம். அதிபராக வந்த பின்பு நாம் எல்லோரும் அவருக்கு வேண்டிய உதவிகள் மாத்திரமல்ல எமது பூரண ஒத்துழைப்பையும் கொடுத்துக் கல்லூரியை முன்னேற்ற வேண்டுமென ஆர்வத்துடன் உழைத்தோம். திரு. சிவா அவர்கள் சிறந்த சிந்தனையாளர். நிருவாகத் திறமையுள்ளவர், ஆளுமை உள்ளவர். பண்பான குணமுள்ளவர். கண்டிப்பும் உள்ளவர், ஆசிரியர்களோடு அன்பாகப் பழகி வேலை வாங்குபவர். அவர் ஒரு சிறந்த அதிபர் என்பதிற் சந்தேகத்துக்கு இடமில்லை. ஆசிரியர்களுடைய
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 159
திறமைகளை அறிந்து அவர்களுக்கேற்ற பாடங்களை வழங்கி மாணவர்களது முன்னேற்றத்தையே கருப்பொருளாக வைத்து உழைத்தவர். அவருடைய காலத்திலேயே சின்னப்பு பரிசில் நிதித் திட்டம் நடைமுறைப்படுத்தப்பட்டு ஆண்டு தோறும் பரிசளிப்பு விழா நடைபெற்று வருகிறது. அளவெட்டி மக்களாலும், ஆசிரியர்களாலும், கல்லூரி மாணவர்களாலும் நன்கு மதிக்கப்பட்ட அதிபர் திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள். 1980இல் பதவி உயர்வு நிமித்தம் எம்மை விட்டுப் பிரிந்து நைஜிரியா சென்றமை எமது துரதிஷ்டமேயாகும். அவர் எம்மை விட்டுப் பிரிந்தாலும் தம்மோடு ஒத்துழைத்த ஆசிரியர்களை இன்றும் மறக்காது கடிதத் தொடர்பு வைத்திருப்பது அவரது பெரும் தன்மையையும் நற்பண்பையும் எடுத்துக்காட்டி நிற்கிறது. அவர் என் மனத்தில் என்றும் நீங்காத அதிபரும் நண்பரும் ஆவார்.
இவர் ஒரு சிறந்த அதிபர் மாத்திரமல்லர் சிறந்த சமூகத் தொண்டனும் கூட. வட மாகாண ஆசிரிய சங்கத்தின் காரிய தரிசியாக, தலைவராக பணியாற்றியவர், சைவ ஸ்தாபனங்கள் பலவற்றில் பல பதவிகளை வகித்து உழைத்தவர். மாணவர்களுக் கான பாடநூல்களை எழுதி வெளியிட்டவர். சீசெல்ஸ்சின் பத்தாண்டு வளர்ச்சி என்னும் நூலைத் தமிழிலும் ஆங்கிலத்திலும் GT(up;5 வெளியிட்டவர். அங்குள்ள பத்திரிகைகளுக்கு ஆங்கிலத்திலும் தமிழிலும் விடயங்களை எழுதி வருகிறார். அன்னார் பல்லாண்டுக்காலம் வாழ்ந்து சமூகத்துக்கும், சைவத்துக்கும் தமிழுக்கும் தொண்டாற்றி, நோய் நொடியின்றி இன்ப வாழ்வு வாழ எல்லாம் வல்ல இறைவனைப்
பிரார்த்திக்கின்றேன்.
A Teacher takes responsibility for your growth, A Guru makes you responsible for your growth.
A teacher gives you things you do not have and require, A Guru takes away things you have and do not require.

Page 82
160 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
VISION AND SUPPORT
POR THE YOUITH
Jeyan Chelva Kumar. K. Ph.D.,MBA Chairman of the Board of Directors Chief Financial Officer Saint Louise Regional Hospital California, USA.
Mr. Sivasupramaniam, whom I have known as Thavabal mama, is a dear friend of our family. I had known him since as far as I remember, nearly half a century ago. The three things that remain very vividly in my mind are: a) his commitment to his friend, my father b) his vision and support of the youth and c) his phenomenal ability to write.
There was a time in my family's life that we were going through a smear campaign directed against the family. There is a saying, “Friends come in when everyone goes out.” I must have been about 10 years old at that time and was dismayed to find people we considered friends trying to distance themselves from us with filmsy excuses. The disgust and distrust of this little boy did not turn him into a disgruntled adult only because of the true love of his parents and the unwavering support of a few choice friends of the likes of Thavabal mama.
I had always wanted a camera. Growing up in a middle class family in Jaffna in the 50s and 60s, it was quite a luxury to own a camera. My parents somehow managed to get a camera for me from India through a chain of friends. Unfortunately, it needed a battery that was not available anywhere in Ceylon. Seeing my desire for photography and believing in my ability, Thavabal mama gave me his Yachica and asked me to take pictures at the wedding of his
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 161
cousin Dr. Mahendran. It was here that I discovered my abilities in photography. Subsequently I have been blessed with many Sophisticated photographic and video equipment, but the joy of photography this young man experienced with Thavabal mama's Yachica Still remains unmatched.
My parents had always encouraged me to excel in anything that I undertook. When I was in my A-Levels, there was a speech contest organized by the United Nations. The winner of the contest was to be honored with the opportunity to deliver their speech to the United Nations Ambassador in Ceylon. I had written a speech but felt that it lacked the edge which would take it from good to outstanding. My father suggested that I consult Thavabal mama. I knew if anyone could make it better, it would be him. So I jumped on to our ubiquitous cycle and pedaled my way to Aiyanar Kovilady. Thavabal mama sat with me patiently and suggested a few changes. The one change that not only made my speech excellent but also gave me the courage to speak boldly what I believe to be the truth was the title, Wither the UN“?
As I matured I have come to firmly believe that the little things we do for our youth make indelible impressions in their life. for better or for worse. The courage that Thavabal mama gently coaxed out of me to Stand in front of the UN Ambassador and the GA of Jaffna boldly questioning the shortfalls of UN has served me very well in my life. Today, as I sit in the Board rooms of multi-billion dollar corporations I am able to speak with respect, courage and conviction, what I believe to be the Truth because of a number of milestones in my life. One such milestone was laid on that wonderful breezy Jaffna afternoon in Aiyanar Kovilady where this gentle man kindled the courage that was struggling to manifest itself in the heart and mind of an adolescent.
I applaud your efforts to honor Thavabal mama.

Page 83
162 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
சமூகப் பிரக்ஞையுடன் வாழ்ந்து வரும்
E.V. Chelvaratnam (Elankaiyan) CEO Science (Retired), Canada
இவருடன் கடித மூலம் தொடர்பு கொள்ளும் போது பெயர் நீண்டதாய் இருப்பதால் அவரை 'விஎஸ்எஸ்எம்' என்றுதான் அழைப்பேன். அந்தவகையில்தான் இப்பாராட்டுக் கட்டுரையின் தலைப்பில் அவரை 'விஎஸ்எஸ்எம் எனக் கூறியுள்ளேன்.
இவரைச் சென்ற நூற்றாண்டின் ஐம்பதுகளின் ஆரம்பத்தி லிருந்து நான் அறிவேன். அப்பொழுது அவர் தான் படித்த யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் ஆசிரியராகப் பணியாற்றி வந்தார். நான் யாழ் சம்பத்தரிசியார் கல்லூரியில் ஆசிரியராகப் பணியாற்றி வந்தேன். வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்தின் ஒரு கிளையான யாழ் நகர ஆசிரியச் சங்கத்தின் செயலாளராக அன்று அவர் இயங்கி வந்தமையால் GTLD5560) Luigi) அறிமுகமும் பரிச்சயமும் ஏற்பட்டன. இவ்வறிமுகமும் பரிச்சயமும் இன்றுவரை நிலைத்து நிற்கின்றன. அதையிட்டு நானும் சமூகநோக்கு மனித நேயம் உடையவன் என்றரீதியில் பெருமை அடைகின்றேன்.
1961இல் அரச உதவி பெற்ற பாடசாலைகளை அரசு பொறுப்பேற்பதற்கான சட்டமூலம் நாடாளுமன்றத்தில் நிறை வேற்றப்பட்ட பொழுது சம்பத்தரிசியார் கல்லூரியையும் அரசிடம் கையளிக்குமாறு கோரி ஆசிரியர்கள் எல்லோரும் கையெழுத் திட்டு ஒரு மகஜரைப் பாடசாலை முகாமையாளரிடம் சமர்ப் பித்ததன் விளைவாக எங்களில் எண்மர் பணி நீக்கக் கடிதம் பெற்றோம். அவர்களுள் நானும் ஒருவன். இப்பணி நீக்க
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 163
விடயத்தைக் கூட்டாக வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கம் வடமாகாண அதிபர் சங்கம் ஆகியவற்றின் கவனத்திற்கும் கொண்டு வந்தோம். அதன் விளைவாக எங்கள் ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் யாழ் பாடசாலை களில் ஆசிரிய நியமனம் கிடைத்தது. எனக்கு யாழ் வைத்தீஸ் வராக் கல்லூரியில் ஆசிரிய நியமனம் கிடைத்தது. இப்பிரச்சினை எழுந்த பொழுது, மூத்த ஆசிரிய தொழிற்சங்க வாதியான மறைந்த ஏ.எஸ். கனகரத்தினம் அவர்களைச் சந்திக்க யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரிக்குப் போயிருந்தேன். அப்பொழுது தற்செயலாக சிவ சுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களையும் சந்திக்க நேர்ந்தது. உடனே உங்கள் விடயங்கள் எல்லாம் தனக்குத் தெரியும் என்றார். எப்படித் தெரியும் என்று கேட்டேன். அதற்குத் தான் ஆசிரியச் சங்கத்தின் செயற்குழுவில் இருப்பதாகவும் அந்த வகையில் தான் அறிவேன்
என்றார்.
அவருடைய கடமை உணர்வும் கடமையாற்றுந் திறனும் ஆரம்பத்தில் யாழ்நகர் ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்தின் செயலாளராகவும், பின்னர் வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்தின் செயற்குழு உறுப்பின ராகவும், பின்னர் அதன் செயலாளராகவும், தொடர்ந்து அதன் தலைவராகவும், அதைத் தொடர்ந்து 1970-1971 இல் தேசிய ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்தின் பொருளாளராகவும் பணியாற்றுமளவிற்கு ஆசிரியர் தொழிற்சங்கக் களத்தில் வளர்ச்சி பெற்றது மிகப் பாராட்டத்தக்க ஒன்றாகும்.
யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் மறைந்த கொம்யூனிஸ்ற் கார்த்திகேசன், ஏ.எஸ். கனகரத்தினம், என். சபாரத்தினம் போன்ற இடதுசாரி தொழிற்சங்க நோக்குடைய ஆசிரியர்களிடம் கற்றமையும், பின்னர் அதே கல்லூரியில் ஆசிரியப் பணியாற்றி யமையும், அதனுடன் அக்கல்லூரியின் மாணவ சாரணிய இயக்கத் திற்குப் பொறுப்பாசிரியராயிருந்து வழிநடத்தியமையும் இவரின் இவ்வளர்ச்சிக்கான காரணங்கள் என்றே கூறுவேன்.
கொம்யூனிஸ்ற் கார்த்திகேசனிடம் ஆங்கிலம் படித்தமை யால்தான் தான் இன்று இக்கட்டுரையை ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதுவதற் கான தகமையைப் பெற்றிருக்கிறேன் என்று 2002 இல் வெளி வந்த கொம்யூனிஸ்ற் கார்த்திகேசனின் 25ஆவது ஆண்டு நினைவு

Page 84
164 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Loa)(55(5 - 9,1515a),556) "Communist Karthigesan - Our Respected Guru" என்று தலைப்பிட்டு எழுதிய பாராட்டுக் கட்டுரையில் கூறிய பெருமைப்படுகின்றார்.
1965இல் கல்வி அமைச்சின் விஞ்ஞான பாடப்புத்தகப் பிரிவுக்கு மாற்றப்பட்டுப் பின்னர்ப் பாடவிதானப் பிரிவில் 1971 வரைக்கும் இரசாயன பாடத்திற்கான பாடவிதானம் பாடத் திட்டங்களைத் தயாரிக்கும் பிரிவில் பணியாற்றினேன். இந்தக் காலத்தில் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களுடன் எதுவித தொடர்பும் இருக்கவில்லை. 1972 இல் விஞ்ஞானக் கல்வி அதிகாரியாக நியமனம் பெற்று மன்னாருக்கு இடமாற்றம் பெற்றேன். 1972இன் பிற்பகுதியில் ஒரு நாள் கல்வி அலுவலகத்திற்குப் போன பொழுது சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களும் அங்கே வந்தார். அவர் அங்கே வந்தது எனக்கு ஆச்சரியத்தையும் மகிழ்ச்சியையும் தந்தது. நான் உடன் அவரை என்ன இந்தப் பக்கம் என்று விசாரித்தேன். உடனே அவர் முருங்கன் மகா வித்தியாலயத்திற்கு அதிபராக மாற்றம் வந்திருக்கிறது என்றார். நான் உடனே மனக் குதூகலிப்புடன் கைகுலுக்கி அவரை வரவேற்று பிரதம லிகிதரிடம் கூட்டிச்சென்று அறிமுகப்படுத்தினேன். நான் மனங்குதூகலித்த தற்கான காரணங்கள் இரண்டு. ஒன்று அவரைப் பல வருடங்களுக்குப் பின்னர்ச் சந்தித்தமை, மற்றது முருங்கன் மகாவித்தியாலய வளர்ச்சிக்காக மிகவும் பாடுபடக்கூடிய தகுந்த அதிபர் ஒருவர் கிடைத்தமை. இப்பாடசாலையில் 1975 வரையுந்தான் அவர் கடமையாற்றக்கூடியதாயிருந்தது. அதற்கான காரணம் அநுராதபுரம் விவேகானந்தா மகாவித்தியாலய அதிபர் ஜெகநாதன் அவர்கள் ஆபிரிக்க நாடொன்றிற்கு வேலை பெற்றுப்போக இருப்பதால், அன்று அநுராதபுர நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினராயும், அமைச்சராகவும் பதவி வகித்தவரும் அப்பாடசாலையின் வளர்ச்சியில் தனிப்பட்ட முறையில் அக்கறை கொண்டிருந்தவருமாகிய கே.பி. இரத்நாயக்கா அவர்கள் வேண்டிக் கொண்டமையே ஆகும். முருங்கன் மகாவித்தியால யத்தில் அதிபராய் இருந்த காலத்தில் பாடசாலையின் வளர்ச்சிக்கு மாணவரினதும் பெற்றோரினதும் ஆசிரியர்களினதும் முழு ஆதரவைப் பெற்றே கருமம் ஆற்றினார் என்று கூறின் அது
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 165
மிகையாகாது. ஆனால் விவேகானந்தாவில் அவரது துரதிஷ்டமோ என்னவோ 1977 இல் நாட்டில் இடம் பெற்ற இன வன்செயல் களினால் அவரது சேவை விவேகானந்தா மகாவித்தியாலயத்தில் முடிவுக்குவர அளவெட்டி அருணோதயக் கல்லூரிக்கு அதிபராக இடமாற்றம் பெற்றார்.
1980இல் இருவரும் உத்தியோக மொழி அடிப்படையில் ஓய்வு பெற்று நைஜீரியாவின் வவுச்சி எனும் மாநிலத்தில் ஆசிரிய நியமனம் பெற்று மிசெள எனும் பட்டினத்திலுள்ள அரச ஆசிரியர் கல்லூரியில் நான் விஞ்ஞான பாடத்திற்குப் பொறுப்பாயும் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் ஆங்கிலத்திற்குப் பொறுப்பாயும் இருந்து பணி புரிந்தோம். 1984 இல் கேரளாவைச் சேர்ந்த இராஜன் அலெக்சாந்தர் என்பவர் அதிபராய் நியமிக்கப்பட்ட பின்னர்ப் பாடசாலை நிருவாகமும் ஒழுங்கு முறைகளும் சிறப்புற்றன என்றே கூறவேண்டும். இதற்கு வெளிநாட்டு ஆசிரியர்களும் சில உள்நாட்டு ஆசிரியர்களும் உதவுகரமாய் இருந்தார்கள். சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் இலங்கையில் அதிபரா யிருந்து பெற்ற அனுபவங்கள் இராஜன் அலெக்சாந்தருக்கு அலுவலக விடயங்களைச் செவ்வனே ஆற்றுவதற்குப் பயன் பட்டனவென்றே கூறவேண்டும். உள்நாட்டு ஆசிரியர்கள் பலர் அதிபர் கொண்டு வந்த நிருவாக ஒழுக்காற்றுச் சீர்திருத்தங்களை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளாத நிலையில் மாணவர்களிடையே எதிர்ப் பிரச்சாரங்கள் செய்து அவர்களைத் தூண்டிக் கலகத்தை விளைவித்துப் பாடசாலையை ஸ்தம்பிக்கச் செய்தார்கள். இதன் விளைவாக அதிபர் பதவி இறக்கப்பட்டு உதவி ஆசிரியராக வேறொரு பாடசாலைக்கு இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டார். அதனுடன் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களும் அதிபருடன் ஒத்தாசையாய் இருந்து பணியாற்றினார் என்ற குற்றச்சாட்டின் பேரில் வேறொரு பாடசாலைக்கு இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டார். இவைகள் எல்லாம் பாடசாலையில் ஒழுங்கு முறைகளையும் அதன் வளர்ச்சியையும் விரும்பாத உள்நாட்டு ஆசிரியர்கள் சிலர் கல்வி அமைச்சுக்கு இரகசியமாகச் செய்து கொண்ட முறைப்பாடுகளால்தான் ஏற்பட்டன. அதன்பின்னர் 1985 இல் சீசெல்சு சென்று பணி புரிந்தார். அங்கே தென்னிந்தியாவைச் சேர்ந்த தமிழர்கள் நீண்ட காலமாக அந்நாட்டின் நிரந்தரவாசிகளாக வாழ்ந்து வருகிறார்கள்.

Page 85
166 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
அந்த வகையில் அவரது சமூக நோக்கு சேவை உணர்வு காரணமாக அம்மக்களிடையே பல சமூகப் பணிகளில் அவர் ஈடுபட்டதன் மூலம் ஒரு சில மாதங்களில் அவர்களிடையே செல்வாக்குப் பெற்றார் என்றே கூறவேண்டும்.
இவர் சீசெல்சில் ஆற்றிய சமூகப் பணிகளில் இவர் ஒரு இந்து சமயப் பக்திமான் என்ற ரீதியில் சீசெல்ஸ் இந்துக் கோவில் சங்கத்தின் செயற்குழு அங்கத்தவராயிருந்து சீசெல்சின் ஒரேயொரு இந்துக் கோவிலைக் கட்டி முடித்ததில் இவருக்கும் பெரும் பங்குண்டு என்றே நான் கருதுகின்றேன். நான் ஒரு பகுத்தறிவாளன் என்று அவருக்குத் தெரிந்தும் கோவிலில் காலத்துக்குக்காலம் இடம்பெறும் விழாக்கள் நிகழ்ச்சிகள் பற்றிய பிரசுரங்களை எனக்கு அனுப்பிவைப்பார்.
1986 இல் நைஜீரிய அரச விடுமுறைக் காலத்தில் இந்தியாவுக்குப் போய்விட்டுத் திரும்புகையில் என் திரும்பு பயணத்தை சீசெல்ஸ்-நைரோபி-லேகோஸ் என மாற்றியமைத்து மும்பாயிலிருந்து சீசெல்ஸ் சென்றேன். அங்கே சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களுடன்தான் தங்கினேன். அப்பொழுதுதான் அவர் அரச பணிக்கு வெளியே ஆற்றி வந்த சமூகப்பணிகளை அறிய வந்தேன். ஈழத்தில் ஆசிரியராகவும் அதிபராகவும் இருந்து எப்படிச் சமூகத்தொடர்புகளை ஏற்படுத்திக் கொண்டாரோ அவ்வாறே இங்கேயும் ஏற்படுத்தியிருந்ததை அவதானிக்கக் கூடியதாகவிருந்தது. இன்று அவர் அரச பணியிலிருந்து ஓய்வு பெற்ற நிலையில் அங்குள்ள நாளந்த வாராந்த, மாதாந்த பத்திரிகைகளுக்கும் ஒரு சுயாதீன எழுதினராயும், லயன்ஸ் கழக உறுப்பினராயும், தமிழ் மக்களிடையே ஒரு சமூகப் பணியாளராகவும் இருந்து தொண்டுகள் புரிந்து வருகின்றார். இவர் எனக்கு அனுப்பும் மின்னஞ்சல்கள் பிரசுரங்களின் எண்ணிக்கையே இவரது சமூகப்பணியின் அளவுகோல் என்றே நான் கூறுவேன்.
அவரது 80ஆவது அகவை நிறைவையொட்டி அவருடன் நீண்ட காலத் தொடர்புடையவன் என்ற வகையில் அவரைப் பற்றிய எனது சில கருத்துகளைக் கூற வாய்ப்பளித்தமைக்காக
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 167
இந்நிகழ்வை ஒழுங்கு செய்யும் அனைவருக்கும் எனது உளப்பூர்வமான நன்றியைக் கூறுவதுடன், இவ்விழா நாயகன் திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் மேலும் பல ஆண்டுகள் வாழ்ந்து மனித நேயத்துடன் தனது சமூகப் பணியைத் தொடர வேண்டுமென்று ஆசித்து வாழ்த்துகின்றேன்.
(Deceased since writing this appreciation)
COMMENT - AN NYS STUDENT
Dearest and Honourable Sir Siva,
You are the most dedicated, loving and faithful teacher I have met. At the end of the year I have great pleasure in expressing my feelings and deep grati
tude towards you. I will never forget the time that I spent with you in class. You should teach at a higher level because in the NYS not many students are in for quest of knowledge that you are giving them. You have made me learn a lot about the world by your day to day announcement of the world news to us before you start our lesson. You were very well organized in our projects. You have the strength, determination and the patience to impart knowledge. Be strong and continue as you have done in the past.
From a loving and faithful student, Terrence Vielle
Anse Aux Pins
Seychelles.

Page 86
168 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
A LEGENDARY TEACHER AND VETERAN COMMUNITY WORKER
T. Ganeshwaran, London
Teaching is arguably the noblest profession in the world, being instrumental in shaping the lives and aspirations of countless future citizens of a country. Those men and women who choose this honourable profession as their career, and do justice to their chosen career, deserve to be afforded the respect and dignity that they epitomise. Mr Sivasupramaniam, popularly known as Sivasub Master, is a teacher who dedicated his entire career to this noble profession.
“Love is God. God is Love. Transform the Love into service, transform the service into worship. That is the highest Sadhana”.
- Bhagawan Sri Sathiya Sai Baba.
To my knowledge, Sivasub master was not a Baba devotee, but throughout the period I have known him, he led the life of a true Samaritan. A teacher during the week, and a community Worker during the weekends. As a Scout Master, he preached universal team spirit and comradeship. Initially, as the General Secretary and President of the Northern Province Teachers’ Association, and then as the Treasurer of the National Union of Teachers, he was a symbol of good leadership. Through his involvement in religious activities he personified embodiment of service. He did it all with a characteristic smile which all who know him will recollect. Naturally, some of us were directly and indirectly influenced by his
 
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 169
way of life, and it formed the basis for the social activities that we undertook in our respective adopted countries.
I was one of the privileged students at Jaffna Hindu College (1958-1969) to have studied in his GCE O/L and A/L classes. He was so organised, methodical and skilful in his teaching that he never missed a lesson despite his various extra-curricular activities. With his masterly counselling skills, he would even approach the worst behaved student in the class and win him overthrough his persuasive logic. Such were his amazing skills and striking personality that he was profoundly involved from planning to executing countless projects at the School. He was a quiet spoken and articulate man, who was held in high esteem both by the students and fellow teachers.
One of the casualties of the civil War in Sri Lanka is the country itself. The brain drain caused by the exodus of such intellectuals as Sivasub master has cost the country not just in financial terms, but in countless others respects.
Those of us in London were fortunate enough to see him in London a few years ago, when he was honoured by the Jaffna Hindu College OBA as the Chief Guest for their annual Cultural Evening programme. I wish him and his better half many more years of happy and healthy life.
A teacher answers your questions, A Guru questions your answers.
A teacher helps you get out of the maze, A Guru destroys the maze,
A teacher requires obedience and discipline from the pupil, A Guru requires trust and humility from the pupil.
A teacher clothes you and prepares you for the outer journey, A Guru strips you naked and prepares you for the inner journey.
A teacher is a guide on the path, A Guru is a pointer to the way.

Page 87
170 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SWA OUR MENTOR
Gerard Mein (NYS – 1990 - 1991) Global Village, DUBAI
I first knew him as a kind gentle person in my neighbourhood. His daughter used to attend the same school as me in Belonie, in 1985.
I moved to Beau-Vallon School in 1988 and 1989 and was re-united with Sir Siva again in 1990 at the National Youth Service on Ste Anne Island where he was a History teacher. Even though I was not in his class for History, we kept in touch and would sometimes visit him during tea break in the staff room seeking his good fatherly advice and help with some of our history assignments.
Later in that same year, we had various projects to work on and Sir Siva was responsible for the tourism project. I joined him and some other students where I was appoinued as the leader for the project.
Our main task was a general Survey on tourism and service delivery in the Seychelles, whereby we had to interview tourists at the airport upon arrival and departure, visited some hospitality establishments with tourists getting information about how they were spending their holidays and rating the various services provided within the industry.
Our team also had the chance to interview Some members of the UK Reggae band UB40 who were doing a show in the Seychelles during that same period, and also signing autographs.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 171
The project was very successful and after compiling the information, we sent our recommendations to the Ministry of Tourism, and the other bodies involved in the project.
I believe by far Sir Siva was the key person behind the success of this project. He was very co - operative, patient, understanding as there were times we had to be at various locations as a group collecting data and sometimes having to meet up together at very early hours of the day specially if we had to be at the airport.
Today I feel very proud to have chosen a career in Tourism and I have never regretted doing so. Thanks to his great encouragement and support all the Way, to-day I Want to pass on my sincere gratitude for all the good things he has done and for having been an excellent teacher and mentor to thousands of Seychellois Students.
On behalf of my colleagues, we wish him all the very best on his retirement and may he live long to cherish all the happy memories We have shared.....
s "I was highly impressed with the very good results Mr V. Sivasupramaniam has been able to achieve under the school Agricultural programme, from the limited cultivable land available to the School. I believe it is his achievements in the field of Agriculture and qualities of good leadership that has caused the G.A. Mannar to select Murunkan Maha Vidyalayam of which Mr. Sivasupra maniam is the Principal as a seed and plant distributing centre for the area. He, as the Supervisor of the Adult Education Centre, has been able to get the full co-operation of a large number of residents and the leaders of different religious organizations in the area, to organize a very useful and active programme for the school leavers.”
W.M.M.B.GODIGAMUWA, Adult Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Malay Street, Colombo-2 10th January 1975

Page 88
172 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
இந்துவின் ஏற்றம் மிகு ஏந்தல் Kambavarithi E. Jayaraj Kamban Kazhagam, Colombo
உலகம் இறைவனின் படைப்பு, அவ்வுலகினுள் இறைவன் படைத்த உயிர்கள் LIG)6) TLib. அவை ஒவ்வொன்றும் ஒவ்வொரு விதம், வெறுக்க வைக்கும் உயிர்கள் சில விழைய வைக்கும் உயிர்கள் சில வியக்க வைக்கும் உயிர்கள் சில இம்மூன்றாம் வரிசையில் வருபவரே, வணங்கத்தக்க என் ஆசிரியர் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள். தனக்கு ஒப்பாய்க் குடும்பத்தை நேசிப்பவரைக் கண்டிருக்கிறேன். தனக்கு ஒப்பாய்த் தேசத்தை நேசிப்பவரைக் கண்டிருக்கிறேன். ஆச்சரியமாக ஒரு கல்லூரியையும் அக்கல்லூரிச் சமூகத்தையும், தனக்கு ஒப்பாய் நேசிக்கும் மாமனிதராய், நான் முதன் முதலில் கண்டது ஆசிரியர் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களையே! யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரி ஓர் ஆலவிருட்சம் என்பதில் எவர்க்கும் ஐயமில்லை - மகாத்மா காந்தி, விவேகானந்தர் போன்ற பல மகான்களின், கால்பட்ட மகிமை கொண்டது அக்கல்லூரி. முன்பு இலங்கை முழுவதும் பரவியிருந்த அவ் ஆலவிருட்சத்தின் விழுதுகள்,
இன்று உலகம் முழுவதும் விரிந்தபடி அங்ங்ணம் அவ்விருட்சம் வியப்புற்று விரிய வேராய் இருந்த ஒரு சிலருள், எங்கள் ஆசிரியரின் பெயரும் அழுந்திப் பதிந்திருக்கிறது. கல்லூரியை விட்டு அவர் பிரிந்து பல தசாப்தங்கள் கடந்தபின், சீசெல்ஸ் நாட்டில் அவரை மீண்டும் சந்திக்கும் வாய்ப்புப் பெற்றேன்.
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 173
இந்துக் கல்லூரியின், அவர் கால, பிற்கால ஆசிரிய, மாணவ வரலாறு முழுவதையும், விரல்நுனியில் வைத்திருந்து வியப்பூட்டினார். தேசங் கடந்ததும் மண்ணில் நேசங் கடக்கும் மனிதர் பலரைக் கண்ட எனக்கு,
அவர் போக்கு வியப்பூட்டியது. அவரோடு பேசப் பேச மேலும் வியந்து போனேன். எண்ணம் இந்துக்கல்லூரியின் உயர்வுக்காய்! பேச்சு இந்துக் கல்லூரியின் உயர்வுக்காய்! செயல் இந்துக் கல்லூரியின் உயர்வுக்காய்! திரிகரணமும் இந்துக் கல்லூரியைச் சுற்றிச் சுற்றி வர இயங்கும், அம்மனிதரைக் கண்டு நெஞ்சுருகிப் போனேன். இன்றைய பொருளுலகில், உணர்வுச் சிதைவை அதிர்வின்றி உள்வாங்கி வாழ்வோர் மத்தியில், சிவசுப்பிரமணிய மாஸ்ரர் இந்துக்கல்லூரி என்ற எல்லையையே தன் உலகாக்கி, உணர்வாக்கி வாழ்கிறார்
எங்கு வாழ்ந்தாலும் அவர் இதயம் ஈழத்தையும் இந்துக்கல்லூரியையுமே சுற்றிச் சுற்றி வருகிறது. இந்து மாணவன் ஒருவன் உலகில் எங்கு, எத்துறையில் சாதனை செய்தாலும், அச்சாதனையைத் தன் பிள்ளை செய்த சாதனையாய் நினைந்து பேருவகையுறும் இத்தகு விந்தை மனிதர் வேறெவரையும் நான் இதுவரை சந்தித்ததில்லை அவர் அன்பு நெஞ்சம் இந்துக்கல்லூரியின் காவல் தெய்வமாய் விளங்குகிறது. அந் நல்லார் தொடர்பு எனக்குக் கிடைத்த முன்னைத் தவப்பேறு அவர் இன்னும் பல்லாண்டு பல்லாண்டு வாழ இறையைப் போற்றிப் பணிகிறேன் அவரது பவளவிழா இந்துக்கல்லூரிச் சமூகத்தின் ஏற்றம் உரைக்கும் விழா
விழாச் சிறக்க இச்சிறியேனது வாழ்த்துகள்!

Page 89
174 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
ROLE MODEL FORSCOUTS
Captain N. Jayasriskandarajah
It is in fact a real privilege and pleasure to have this opportunity to pen a few words appreciating Mr. V. Sivasupramaniam.
He was my teacher and Scout master at my Alma mater-the prestigious Institution - Jaffna Hindu College. Today, as Master in charge, I am commanding one of the largest ships that sails all over the world crossing all the Oceans. This would not have been possible without the proper foundations laid in us during our college days as young SCOutS.
The required basics of Seamanship, accepting the challenges, completing difficult tasks, taking instant and appropriate decisions - the requirements for my profession – are some rare traits that we learnt as Scouts at a young age. Sivasupramaniam master was the role model for all our Scouts and almost all our Scouts continue to maintain the scout spirit in our daily life. I joined scouting just for the fun of it without realizing that it would shape the future of my life. Master taught us to handle many facts of life during our short stay in camps and jamborees. There are lot of students like myself who have benefitted from the selfless guidance by Sivasupramaniam master. We are proud and happy about his venture to write his “Educational Memories' paying special tributes to all our past teachers who have shaped the lives of thousands of students.
We wish him and his Venture all Success.
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 175
A GREAT GURU
K.Kanagarajah EX — President JHC ASSociation Canada.
First, I am extremely happy to wish our beloved teacher who is turning an octogenarian this year. Secondly, I am equally pleased to pay our tribute for his work in portraying the teachers of the former era in a Souvenir. That era presented the dedicated and willing teachers who felt there is only one way to live - that is to teach. With so much care those teachers imparted their knowledge to the younger generation. This collective wisdom is now added and multiplied and spread all around the world by their students. To recognise, recall and appreciate the work of those many dedicated teachers, Sivasupramaniam master has written approximately about Two Hundred and eighteen teachers in his “Educational Memories” and it is being released as “SOUVENIR 80'.
Sivasupramaniam master is the most suited for this task as he genuinely live by this profession – teaching and education. We learnt to respect the teachers from him the way he respected his teachers. An event, he described in one of his articles with so much pride Some time ago, comes to my mind. He was the youngest in the team of four teachers who were each students of the previous person, starting with our school patriarch K.S.Subramaniam (KSS) - V.Subramaniam (Miler) - P.S. Cumaraswamy - and ending with the youngest V.Sivasupramaniam. Four generations of teachers as well as students of JHC teamed up, a rare possibility in terms of probability, to raise funds to his and our Alma Mater - Jaffna Hindu College's (JHC) carnival for the Cumaraswamy hall building fund. It

Page 90
176 - Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
is impossible not to notice that the name "Subramaniam' is in three
of the four people, a fete that indicate how much the Thamils loved Lord Murugan. Cumara -(Kumaran) in Cumaraswamy is another name for the same Deity.
Sivasupramaniam master is a great GURU who commands
respect from both students and teachers. He spent a great part of his
life at JHC as a student first and then as a Teacher. It was there I met
him first and the contact lasts to date. Unfortunately, I did not have him as a teacher for any subjects but his net is cast far and wide in the School activities that most of the students fell under his influence. He was a Scout Master, Teacher in charge of the Young Hindu
Magazine and Prize days to mention a few. He is very devoted and
extremely helpful to the students. He does not believe in the cane. If you did something wrong, his face will reflect his displeasure and he will say something that will go to your core and shake your conscience that you will not make the same mistake again. That was his most powerful weapon. I say this from my experience which I do not have to elaborate here. He left a positive and lasting impression on his students.
Sivasupramaniam master had an illustrious career as a teacher par excellence and Principal in many other schools in Sri Lanka, then in Nigeria and finally in Seychelles. Most people at his age would prefer to keep an easy life but he takes on community and social work for the sake of the fellow human beings. He is doing an enormous service in religious and cultural areas through the Navasakthi Vinayagar temple and social services as President of the Lions Club in Seychelles.
We are very proud of him and congratulate him on the “fete accompli” of this great piece of work that is all written from his memory at this age. We wish him and his family all success and good health. -
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 177
MY DEAR FRIEND SIVA
Mohammed L. Kante Lecturer in French, School of Advanced Level Studies, Seychelles
There is a start for everything! And it is always a moment that all are created for men. Is it by chance that in an educational village in 1985, I had the pleasure to meet this enthusiastic teacher and I resolved in deploying his rich experience to all the youths! As the years passed by, they taught me a lesson in seeing this man retain jealously the qualities of humanism and professionalism. We can be sure that time has not changed him. In other words this man has not endured neither corruption of the soul nor that of the flesh.
Coming from a land from the south east of India, agitated at that time by violent internal strife, Siva had known other regions of the world apart from his native Sri Lanka. He had curiously gone through the most populated state of Africa that had gone through the Biafra war followed by the removal from power of Yakubu Gowon in 1975.
He has accumulated a lot of important experiences in pedagogy, politics, human, intellectual and social areas. It is in this department of social sciences of the National Youth Service that I had the opportunity to know and to work with such a dedicated and serious man. We can talk about him with all the religious and theological virtues of charity, courage, justice, prudence, temperament, hope and faith.
Furthermore, he possesses modesty with an exceptional rare pedagogical quality. After having done his time at Port Launay and Saint Anne 11 villages of the NYS for more than a decade and a half, he had to go in for retirement due to administrative compulsions. For Siva to be removed from an aclive life is purely and simply an administrative act. It is the time for him to diversify

Page 91
178 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
his centers of activity. He teaches History part time. He contributes articles for public as well as governmental organizations. In 2006 he was elected to head the leading charity club - the Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles.
He was a pioneer for the construction of the first Hindu temple in 1992, in the capital of Victoria. Knowing the international characters of the French language he encouraged and persuaded some of his compatriots of the Indian sub-continent to attend the French classes that I gave . Is the admiration and desire for this language extraordinary 2 We say no! The high states of the imposed Francophone et Francophonie of the ex — President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Kumaratunga has played a lot. The undisputed model of success and becoming fluent in both French and English enabled her to hang around Sorbonne and the prestigious Anglo Saxon Universities. Our wisdom proved his passion for the French language by being the regular viewer of the TV5. He knows the diffused programs and also the animators and presenters like David Pujadas, Simonin and Julien Lepers.
This brave man's loyal friendship started at a time when the information technology was not that much developed as of today. It was he who proposed the idea to rent a common post box for us at Victoria. The box 644 was shared for more than two decades among Traore, Kante and Siva.
During my infancy in the 1960s in my native Gangan, I was very much influenced by Indian films and my dream to visit Indian soil is still alive in me. Since Siva knew about it, he introduced me to all his Indian compatriots as well as his brothers. My relationship within this community soon made me understand his deep religious belief his name depicting the 3rd divinity of the Trimurthi in the Hindu reinforces or consolidates his sincere humanism.
This man knows enough and that is why he knows how to live. He has seen and retains a lot. That is why we say that he does not see the day only through the narrow windows and his simplicity portrays his personality well.
“Does he need to have an arrow to search for a bow, or a man without a bow, does he has to search for arrows?”
May your road be purified by the wind

V. Sivasupramaniam 179
LION SIWA
A. Karunakarar Retired Deputy Principal. Jaffna Hindu College.
I am very happy to write an appreciation of my long standing friend and colleague Mr V.Sivasupramaniam for his 80th year publication extolling his services to the Society at large in the field of teaching and education. The sponsors of this souvenir are his former students and well wishers. He was born in Ayanarkovilady , Vannarponnai in June 1931. He had his entire education at Jaffna Hindu College, an institution dedicated for the propagation and instilling in the minds of students the importance of the codes and ethics of Saivaism. He himself is a Saivaite brought up in a traditional Saiva environment. After completing his education at Jaffna Hindu, the Management of the Board of Directors of the Jaffna Hindu College and Affiliated schools appointed him as a teacher to serve his Alma Mater with a Sense of devotion and dedication. The normal appointment of teachers was in the hands of this board and preference was given to the old boys of the school who normally were well versed with the traditions of the school. It was the sine qua non of the Board of Management in the appointment of teachers.
He was a colleague of mine as a teacher in the School and I pen this appreciation with great pleasure. He is a mild gentleman with sober habits. He was an active teacher trade unionist, was President of the Northern Province Teachers Association and held offices in the National Union of Teachers. Besides, he contributed to many of the extra-curricular activities of the school, the primary one being Scouting. The Jaffna Hindu Scout troupe during his stewardship was

Page 92
18O Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
the best one in the whole island having won the All Island Merit Flag and the Sir Andrew Caldecott Bowl for the highest chip-a-job collection and won the Rotary shield among the Northern schools on successive occasions. His temperament is such that he could work well with any person - be he be modest, or violent. He could calm anybody when they become vociferous in the teacher trade union meetings. He was not an active sportsman but to compensate he was an enthusiastic spectator. He never missed a cricket or football match. One could always see him in the spectators' gallery.
He left Jaffna Hindu to assume duties as Principal of Anuradhapura Vivekananda College and then in the same capacity to Alaveddy Arunodhaya College. After his retirement from the Educational service of Sri Lanka, he was a lecturer in a Government Teachers College in the Bauchi State of Nigeria where he got encomiums from the students. Principal and the general public. He cannot be swerved by anybody, be he afoe or friend in making any decision and always stands by his own convictions.
In Seychelles too, he continues his social and community activities and was an active member with other dignitaries in building the first ever Hindu temple in that country. In recognition of his meritorious community service he was made the Charter President of the Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles which he richly deserves and he is addressed as Lion Sivasupramaniam - a title that aptly fits him.
For his forward march in life his wife is the person behind him for his progress. She is instrumental for all his progress and is an ace host in welcoming and entertaining visitors. Last but not the least, Mr Sivasupramaniam is always prompt and punctual -a noble characteristic to be admired. May GOD bless him with long life to do his best to society.

V. Sivasupramaniam 181
RESPECTED TEACHER
S. Markandan Canada Retired Regional Administrative Officer (Postal), Jaffna
RetiredIt gives me pride and pleasure in writing an article on the 80th Birth day of Mr. V. Sivasupramaniam who has taught in three countries namely Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Seychelles. Forty six years of teaching in recognised schools itself, is an achievement which one can look back with pride.
During my infancy when I was living at Ayanarkovilady Vannarponnai, down a lane which is now known as fiscal lane” he was my neighbour. His father Vijaratnam was a retired government officer. I can recollect his mother too who predeceased his father at a
comparatively early age.
Even as a youngster he was quiet, soft spoken, unassuming and most of all disciplined These qualities never changed in him even as he grew up.
He joined Jaffna Hindu College in 1940 and was later a teacher from 1953 until the early 1972.
As a teacher he was associated with scouting in the School.
Along with veteran scout teachers Sivarajah and Muttucumaran, he
promoted scouting. Besides many other achievements during their period, the greatest was the selection of three scouts from Jaffna Hindu College out of the seven scouts selected from the entire island to the contingent which participated in the 12th world Jamboree held at IDAHO USA in August 1967.

Page 93
182 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Apart from serving the Jaffna educational division he has served in another large division which was Anuradhapura as Principal of Vivekananda College. I am sure that only a few teachers from Jaffna would have served in a school in the Anuradhapura town division. As principal, this certainly would have given him varied experience in a predominantly Sinhala area.
In the year 1960 a request was made by certain teachers and students to the then vice Principal C. Sabaretnam to set up a tennis court in the college grounds. The vice principal gave due consideration to the request and obtained the approval of the management and a Tennis court was born.
It may be recalled that C. Sabaretnam himself was a veteran tennis player and was an active member of the united club which conducted annual tennis tournaments.
A few teachers and students made use of the tennis court. Mr. Sivasupramaniam while playing regular tennis encouraged more students to take part. Some students attained such high standard to join leading tennis clubs in Jaffna.
In the year 1960, he was a member of the cash collection team which consisted of senior teachers, which set out on its mission every Sunday and the response was excellent.
He was also elected Treasurer of the OBA for two consecutive years in 1970 and 1971.
A person to whom any responsible job could be entrusted and one could be certain that he would perform the duties entrusted, with dedication.
Let it be said that a teacher who taught students to say “she sells sea shells at the sea shore” has now made “seychelles' his home.
At a time when our respected teacher joins the "octugenerian” group of the old boys of Jaffna Hindu College, I sincerely wish that he lives for many more years to relive the 1940 - 1972 era of Jaffna Hindu College and the educational set up in Jaffna.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 183
AN ODE TO A UNIVERSAL TEACHER
His Excellency Malay Mishra High Commissioner for India in Trinidad and Tobago
Shri V Sivasupramaniam, whom I knew during my days in Seychelles when I headed the Indian Mission from June 2001 for three years, was a man of sterling qualities. A frail body enveloping a magnificent soul, his humility spoke legions. Always softspoken, yet extremely erudite and articulate, Shri Siva blurred the distinctions of language, affinities and nationality and come across as a teacher determined to contribute his knowledge for the good of the society around him.
I had always felt at home in his company, elevated in his presence, with our vibrations giving expression to well constructed thoughts that were to find meaning in several experimentations in knowledge formation. The most significant of them was “Samudra Manthan where his ideas, material contributions and myriad suggestions enlivened the pages of the journal adding to it an abiding value.
He was to do many more projects and we have remained in touch, concerned about each other's progression in life. Even after my departure from Seychelles, I find that advance age has not retarded his manifold activities, on the contrary has blossomed his values into new expressions, forever caring and sharing.
As he touches the 80th year of his life, I pray to God that He continues to give him the energy, strength and support for Shri Siva to enlighten the world and be a repository of wisdom for the benefit of humanity.

Page 94
184 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
A TALENTED MAN WHO ALWAYS GIVES HIS BEST
K.Muthukumarasamy, Retired Teacher, London
I know Siva as a dedicated teacher and a man of high principles from 1962 onwards when I was transferred to Vaddukoddai Hindu College. He is a nice, simple and very sincere person. Whatever he undertakes, he does it to the best of his ability. He can be trusted with any work, once he agreeᏚ.
I knew him as a fine teacher, a good Scout Master and a good Trade Unionist.
I have seen him as a Scouter at the Annual Scout camps in the Old Park in the Jaffna Kachcheri grounds. In the Teachers’ Trade Unions, he did his duty very efficiently as Secretary and later as President of the Northern Province Teachers’ Association (NPTA). I was for a few years in the NPTA committee and I appreciated the way he conducted the meetings.
I too was with him in the NPTA Benevolent Fund and the NPTA Education Council. His active participation there with meaningful and useful suggestions were always welcomed.
When he was promoted as Principal, he left his name behind in the schools he served by doing immense work there.
His teaching career continued in overseas too. As an educationist, he held responsible positions in the Bauchi State. Nigeria. From Nigeria, he went to Seychelles as a teacher and has
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 185
established himself there not only in Education but also in local community work and cultural activities. He identifies himself as one among them and he is very much liked by the local people. I am in touch with him through e-mails and I receive some of the journals and publications he edits. I am proud of him for all the wonderful work he is doing there. Siva is a very friendly and helpful person. Most of the Sri Lankans who go to Seychelles and come in contact with Siva are warmly welcomed and their stay made comfortable by him. He is blessed with a very helpful loving wife, intelligent children, and gifted grand children. His wife and he have become part of Seychelles. They have been helpful in building a Hindu Temple, reviving and promoting Tamil cultural activities there.
Siva is a good social worker and by his sincere hard Work has won the hearts and respect of the local people and dignitaries there. He has organized the Lion Club of Seychelles. The Lions there are a Very active group and are doing good social work. Siva was the Charter President of the club and by his foresight and leadership, the Club has become the best in their region.
Siva is energetic and readily wants to give his best to the Welfare and happiness of the people and all concerned.
My wife joins me in wishing Siva and his family health, happiness, prosperity and long life.
“Ullathil Nalla Ullam Urankathenpathu
ValluVan Vakuth thathada”
- ר “I must congratulate the Principal Mr V. Sivasupramaniam for the good work done. I am sure that he will bring up the school to a very high standard not second to any other well established school in the district .The organization of the Adult Education centre speaks well of the interest and enthusiasm taken by the Principal in the community around the school.
G. WICKRAMARATNE Director of Education, Northern Region. 19 November 1974

Page 95
186 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
TEACHER SIWA VERY WELL RESPECTED GENTLEMAN
Dr A. Paneer Selvam, Personal Physician to the President of the Republic of Seychelles
It is my proud privilege to be his family doctor for years. He always listens to me and I always listen to him to learn more about new things. He is really a very good teacher who thinks very practically in line with his strict principles. He will not, at any cost, give up his principles. His basic ideas of life started with character building organizations like Scouts, St. John's Ambulance Brigade, Red Cross and mostly NGOs. He always does what he preaches to others . He is always of the strong belief that good and basic principles for students start from the parents and the teachers to shape them for a wholesome life.
He wrote a text book in Civics for the students in the Sri Lankan education system which was very much appreciated. This is a very good example for his keenness for character building process for the students to catch them young to be trained to become good patriotic citizens.
Whatever job or service that he accepts responsibility is always done in a very meticulous and perfect manner. 'Learning is a continuous process for everybody” is a good lesson that I learned from him, which should be followed by all for the betterment of life. Even at his age he is as keen as a young student to learn many new and changing areas of knowledge and impart them to others. His entire family is an unique example for their dedication in
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 187
public life. He is always very simple, very humble and very modest with lot of humility
He is a guiding example for implementing many noble ideas for excellent community oriented services not only in Sri Lanka but also in Seychelles. He, as a Charter President of our Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles, helped very much to make our Lions gain the first place from its inception in the multiple district of 411A. This award continues with us since the inception till now. He is a role model for any organizational development and Sustainable growth. Every one should follow his approach in public life as demonstrated by him very well in the respective fields that he espoused. Being a Lions Club Paradise Seychelles Charter President - a unique privilege, he is regarded very well for his contribution to the community in Paradise. He is a source of inspiration for many not only in his own country of birth but also in the country where he lives now.
I pray and wish him a happy, healthy and wealthy life for ᎾᏙᎾᏝ.
In the dialogue of the drama of“Weera Pandiya Katta Pomman” this question was posed “Who tapped and awoke the Tamils who were in deep slumber'?" (Thamilarai Thatti eluppiyaVaryaar) Our teacher M. Karthigesan, ... ready witted humorous teacher of a rare breed, a die heard communist, founder member of the Ceylon Communist Party, who sacrificed his life by not accepting state jobs lived rigidly to the very principles and policies and the noble concepts of the party said it was the Sinhalese (passengers) who boarded the train at Anuradhapura at mid night when the train touched the station, the passengers invariably Tamils till Such time stretch their limbs sleep and snore with utter nonchalance to the fellow passengers who keep standing until the Sinhalese passengers who boarded at Apura awoke them!

Page 96
188 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
மனிதருள் ஒரு மாணிக்கம்
S. Paranirupasingam Retired Teacher
Arunodhaya College (Canada)
திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் 1978-80 காலப் பகுதியில் அளவெட்டி அருணோதயக் கல்லூரியில் அதிபரா யிருந்தார். நான் அங்கே ஒரு ஆசிரியராயிருந்தேன். அப்பொழுது இருவருக்கும் இடையில் மிக அன்பான நட்பு வளர்ந்தது. அவர் மனிதருள் ஒரு மாணிக்கம். அதிபர் ஆசிரியர் என்ற தொடர்பிற்கு மேல் அவர் என்னுடன் மிக நெருக்கமாகவே பழகினார். வண்ணார்பண்ணையிலுள்ள தனது வீட்டிற்கு என்னை அழைத்துச் சென்று உபசரித்தார். இவருடைய மனைவி இவருக்கு ஒத்த குணநலன்கள் உடையவராய் இருக்கிறார். இவருடைய பிள்ளைகள், மாமன், மாமி, மைத்துனர் ஆகிய சகலரும் விருந்தோம்பும் பண்புள்ளவர்களாகவே காணப்பட்டனர். 1987 ஆம் ஆண்டு நானும் மகனும் இந்தியா சென்றபோது சென்னையில் இவருடைய மைத்துனர் வீட்டில் இரண்டு நாள் தங்கவேண்டிவந்தது. அப்போது மாமன் மாமியும் அங்கே இருந்தார்கள். அன்பாக உபசரித்தார்கள்.
சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் குடும்பத்துடன் சீசெல்சுக்குப் போனபின்பும் எமது நட்பு வளர்ந்துகொண்டேயிருக்கிறது. எந்தக் கருமத்தை எடுத்தாலும், அதைத் திறம்படச் செய்யும் ஆற்றல் இவருக்குண்டு. அவரைப் பற்றி எவ்வளவோ எழுத இருக்கிறது. எழுதலாம், தொடர்ந்து எழுத முடியாமல் வயோதிபம் தடுக்கிறது.
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 189
SIMPLICTY IN SIVA
V. J. Patel Vijay Construction Ltd. Seychelles
I came to know Sivasupramaniam in late eighties when we started construction of the first Hindu Temple in Seychelles. He was introduced to me by my friend Deenu as one of the executive members of Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam. His religious devotion Was the starting point of our friendship. Though not very close initially, I somehow had a liking and respect for this elderly man. With time we began to know each other a bit better and had opportunities to share his wisdom.
Though a bit late, I learnt about his devotion in teaching which is a noble profession by all standards. The admiration and respect from his students were seen and noticed during many interactions in the Society. His writings in local newspapers are very informative and certainly enriching the minds of the readers. With all these achievements, the simplicity that he carries is a rare quality to be seen and experienced.
My heartiest congratulations on his way to his 80th birthday !
A teacher sends you on the road to success, A Guru sends you on the road to freedom.
A teacher explains the world and its nature to you, A Guru explains yourself and your nature to you.
A teacher makes you understand how to move about in the world A Guru shows you where you stand in relation to the world.

Page 97
190 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
A GREAT SPRITED TEACHER
Jimmy Pillay Barclays Bank Seychelles
A great spirited teacher who has devoted many years of his life in shaping many of our young leaders through a sense of caring and enthusiasm showing a selfless attitude and pride in educating many of us. My years as a student of Mr. Siva at the then National Youth Service (NYS) was one where my best recollection was when the bell goes off to signal-the end of the class session and our friends move outside to change subject class; however, Mr. Siva still remains busy explaining and teaching going on about his history, making sure by the time we stepped out of the classroom, at least everyone would have learnt something he/she did not know before entering the class. Such was his patience and devotion to his students that earned him the great respect even long after we have parted ways. Another memorable experience was the tourism project that he undertook with us and which involved Working mostly outside the normal hours of duty and did turn out to be a very successful venture.
Even after he had retired, this devoted and energized individual had not let age kept him down or slowed him. He could still be seen in various scenes making a positive impact on our Society most notably the Lions Club of Seychelles.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Siva for all his achievements throughout the years and his long career in teaching in the various countries he has been through. He has indeed transformed many of
U.S.
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 191
நான் அறிந்த ஆசிரியர் திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம்
Kali. Deenadayalu (K.D. Pilay) Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Seychelles
அண்ணாச்சி திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களைக் கடந்த இருபது ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாக அறிமுகம். அவர்தம் துணைவியார் சரோஜினி அம்மையார் அவர்களும் இணைந்து இந்து சமயத்திற்குத் தளராது தொண்டு செய்து வருவதை யாராலும் மறுக்கவோ, மறைக்கவோ முடியாது. திரு. சிவா அவர்கள் நாற்பத்தி ஆறு வருடம் ஆசிரியர் பணி செய்து வந்துள்ளார்கள் என்பதைப் பாராட்டாமல் இருக்க முடியாது. அந்தக் காலகட்டத்தின் நினைவுகளை நூலாக வெளியிடும் முயற்சி
மிகவும் சிறந்ததாகும்.
அவர்கள் நினைவுகள், அனுபவங்கள் அனைவருக்கும் பயனுள்ளதாகவும், படிப்பினையாகவும் அமையும் என்பதில் ஐயமில்லை. குறிப்பாக வருங்காலச் சந்ததியினருக்கு ஒரு வழிகாட்டியாக அமையும். திரு. சிவா அவர்கள் ஆசிரியர் மட்டுமல்லாது அனைத்துத் துறைகளிலும் நாட்டுப்பற்று, மொழிப் பற்று, சமயப்பற்று அனைத்திலும் ஈடுபாடாகவும், அறிவுத்திறன் உள்ளவர் என்பது என் மேலான கருத்து. எதையும் சிறப்பாகவும், முறையாகவும். மற்றும் பண்பாகவும் செய்யும் உள்ளம் என்பது நான் கண்ட உண்மை. அவரது முயற்சி வெற்றியடைய இன்னும் பல நூல்களைத் தொகுத்து வழங்க பூரீ நவசக்தி விநாயகரை வேண்டி வணங்குகிறேன்.

Page 98
192 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SWA
A RESPECTED TEACHER
His Excellency Patrick Pillay Former Minister, High Commissioner for Seychelles in London
I have known Mr Siva when I was the Principal Secretary and subsequently the Minister of Education. Mr Siva is a well respected retired teacher who has contributed much to the young Seychellois. Many of his past students today, hold key professional positions in Government. I remember him as a teacher who showed utmost devotion to his duties and his students. His dedication and commitment were always appreciated by both students and Education Administrators. Mr Siva has contributed many articles in the local media which reflects his keen interest in research and his desire to enrich the professional academic circle in Seychelles. I wish him God's Blessings on his 80th birthday.
All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth. - Artistotle
Ecuation is the most powerful Weapon which you can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela
The man who can make hard things easy is the educator.
- Ralph W. Emerson
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 193
Sir Siwa A Fatherly Figure
Pierre Prosper, (Shipping, Trade and Finance) Shipping Manager, Seychelles Petroleum Company Ltd.
Mr Sivasupramanianm was known to us as Sir Siva at the National Youth Service in 1987 - 1988. I remember Sir Siva as being a strong but charismatic character beloved by all the students. He was one of those influencing figures that instilled the value of education in us. He loved teaching and loved his students. He was in other ways more of a father figure than a teacher. He always comes with a welcoming smile on his face. I value and will always cherish Mr Siva's influence and just being present at that time in my life.
I wish him the best of health and many more years amongstus.
“I checked a few classes in the Murunkan Maha Vidyalayam and found that the class-work is done on a plan. The Principal Mr V.Sivasupramaniam, very enthusiastic to improve the school according to the latest educational trends is doing a good job and is an asset to the school community.”
GEORGE MENDIS, Director of Education, School Administration, Ministry of Education, Colombo.2
10th January 1975

Page 99
194 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SWA A VETERAN TEACHER
C.S. Poolokasingham Sri Lankan Foreign Service (Retired)
Mr. Vijaratnam Sivasupramaniam of Iyanarkovilladdy in Vannarponnai Jaffna is known to every one in our area as Sivasupramania Master since his days he was attached to Jaffna Hindu College. More than his family name he was well known by his pet name Thavapalan Master. Everyone always fondly remembers his soft manners and the gentle smile with which he conducted himself not only as a teacher but also as a Scout Master.
The colours won by the Jaffna Hindu Scout troupe during the period of over six years 59–65 under Master's leadership will be always remembered in the Scout history of the northern province of Sri Lanka.
The solid foundation he had at Jaffna Hindu as a student and then as a teacher made him to climb up the ladder in the field of education and made him as principal for Schools in Anuradhapura, Mannar and in Jaffna. Master’s Services in the field of education was not only appreciated in our own island but also '' name for him through his teaching career in Nigeria and in Seychelles as well. As he was brought up in a Hindu environment the spiritual believe which was his strength made him as a peace making human and a religious leader in Nigeria and Seychelles.
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 195
While we are celebrating his 80th year of birth, almost 46 years over half of his life time has been spent for the upliftment of the younger generation through education.
I am indeed happy to convey my best wishes for a continued healthy life on his 80th birthday as a student, as a relation and as well as a good friend for a respected teacher.
I hope and pray that Master will continue many more years of his services particularly to the Hindu community in Seychelles as he is deeply involved at present. In this context the powerful use of the pen by Master through his religious publications in Seychelles as well as Teacher in charge for our college magazine “The young Hindu” should be remembered and appreciated.
“As part of the Centenary celebrations we planned to conduct an island wide contest among school children in Saivaism, and the entire task was entrusted to Mr Sivasupramaniam. He accepted the task with pleasure, knowing full well the immensity of the job and the heavy responsibility involved. He spared no pains in planning the work to the minutest detail and completed the undertaking most efficiently. More than 4000 students in 200 schools island wide participated. It is indeed difficult to imagine how one individual could have managed to do so much - everything according to plan with scientific precision."
S.CHIDAMBARAPILLAI, B.A.B.Sc., (Lond.) President,
Saiva Periyar Centenary Society,
Alaveddy.
29th January, 1979

Page 100
196 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
A PLUS PERSONALITY
T.N. Punjaksharam Retired Teacher of English, Neervely
It gives me distinct pleasure to contribute to the SOUVENIR - 80 to felicitate Mr.Vijaratnam Sivasupramaniam on his 80th year by a galaxy of his old students, friends and well -wishers, now spread far and wide. That indeed is a splendid act something that is enjoyed only by that glittering cream of teachers of a by-gone era, a tribe now on the wane. The very fact that his old students have chosen upon themselves this laudable task speak in trumpet tones to the love and esteem they have for their Guru which is an expression of a custom that age cannot rust nor time discard. This in itself speaks volumes of the worth and value of dedicated professionals as Mr.V.Sivasupramaniam, a three - dimensional personality with a vision, mission and mandate of a committed Vedhanti.
I have known Mr. Sivasupramaniam from the early fifties of the last century when he had the rare privilege to serve at Jaffna Hindu, a premier Hindu comprehensive institution in the company of Principals of the stature of Asaipillai, The Sabaratnams and Masters of the calibre of M.Karthigesan, A.S.Kanagaratnam, Vidwan Karthigesu, Sivaramalingam, Mylvaganam, Thevan, Selvaratnam, The Subramaniams and a few others whose names my failing memory is unable to recall. That was an august group and it was no wonder that the then young Mr. Sivasupramaniam had well become one like them - talented and mature, possessing the high water-mark of a teacher, friend and philosopher.
Wherever Mr. Sivasupramaniam had served in Sri Lanka or Overseas, he had imprinted his stamp of distinction with his
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 197
characteristic missionary zeal. His diverse activities and contributions educationally, socially and culturally have endeared him to all. Currently, his splendidactivities in far off Seychelles in a muticultural society among nationals and migrants exemplifying the doctrine of “Unity in diversity” for the social, cultural and religious rejuvenation and regeneration of humanity have endeared him to all. His pioneering effort in collaboration with his like-minded persons in establishing a temple in Seychelles dedicated to GOD GANAPATHI, an up- hill task, is a manifestation of Olympic proportions.
Mysterile pen and stunted mind can no further go to catalogue his many merits. He is, indeed, a plus personality! I heartily congratulate the organisers of this occasion for providing me an opportunity to share in some way in the celebration - of course in - absentia!
May he and his family flourish and prosper and enjoy all the excellence of life with summer’s abundance and winter’s supply. Surely Mr. Sivasupramaniam has many, many miles to go and many many promises to keep By Bhagavan's Grace!
Shan T.hayalan of Jaffna Hindu College 1969-1978 ר
First ever Captain of the Sri Lankan National Soccer team from Jaffna.
One and only sportsman to win all five colours in the History of Jaffna Hindu College so far:
Athletics 1975 1976 1977 1978
Soccer 1975 1976 1977 Cricket 1975 1976 1977
Hockey - 1976 1977 -
Basket Ball 1975 1976 1977
Courtesy. Sports Meet Edition February 2009.
V ابر

Page 101
198 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
A GREAT TEACHER
Dr Puvaneswary Vamadevan Swansea United Kingdom
Mr Sivasupramaniam more popularly known and affectionately referred to as 'Sivasupramaniam Master was a man who belonged to a breed of teachers that is fast dying out. He was a well known teacher, principal, a strict disciplinarian and did his utmost to direct his students on the correct path. He had noble qualities and was always held in highesteem by his teachers and students.
He was not the Specialist teacher of the type we have today who confines himself to the Subject he teaches and the classroom only. We could see Sivasupramaniam sir, walking all over the school during the breaks and after classes interacting with the students. We always had the impression that we were under his watchful eye at all times and this contributed to ensuring good behaviour of the Students Outside the School.
He was our principal when I was attending Vivekananda Tamil Maha Vidyalayam, Anuradhapura from where I entered the medical faculty along with another student and I still value the discipline that he instilled into me which has held me in later years. The students who passed out during his tenure are holding responsible positions bringing honour and credit to their alma mater. Not only with the students and teachers but also he made it a point to keep in touch with our parents as most of us lived closer to the school and Sivasupramaniam Sir found the time to drop in occasionally at one of our homes. In this way he was intimately involved with the lives of the students and wonderful relationship existed between him and our parents who greatly respected him as our guru.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 199
After a brilliant and promising school career at Jaffna Hindu College he chose the noble profession as a teacher at Jaffna Hindu College and moved on to Mannar, Anuradhapura and back to Jaffna and served as principal Arunodhaya College before he left for Nigeria and Seychelles. Duty came first to him. It became amply evident in this instance beside his domain of teaching he functioned as a working committee member of the All Ceylon Union of Teachers. He was an all-rounder in every respect; not only teaching and Supervising the activities of the teachers and school, but also instructing, inculcating and impressing on everyone of us the principles of discipline.
I can remember at Vivekananda School he maintained the highest traditions of Jaffna's true culture which included respect for all religions, languages and customs. He belongs to the diminishing clan of faithful teachers the backbone of Jaffna society until the political upheavals and their fallouts. Sivasupramaniam sir with the pious and highly accomplished Mrs Sarojini Sivasupramaniam is a bridge between school and home, Tamil and Sinhala, Saivaism and Buddhism, past and present.
After retirement he and his wife devote their attention to serve religion and religious courses in temples and Societies and maintain a fine rapport and relationship with the students and teachers with whom he served as an honorary teacher. He and his wife tirelessly worked in building the first Hindu Navasakthi Vinayahar Temple in Seychelles and greatly involved in social services and charities. He has the exemplary ability to keep himself well-informed on current affairs and the prevailing political situation in Sri Lanka.
He was a teacher, principal and a man whom I will always remember with affection and gratitude.
May this gentle-yet strong soul live the span that is intended for him, in the company of loved ones, with the knowledge and guidance that has given.

Page 102
200 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
A TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED GURU
Lion S. Raghavan, MJF, Past District Governor,
Lions Clubs International, President, JHC OBA (Colombo)
It was in the year 1961 I joined Jaffna Hindu after studying four years at Fatima College, Kalmunai. Although we practised our religion at home, I must admit that my knowledge about our religion was poor at that time due to my education in a Catholic Institution. It was then I first met Sivasupramaniam Master as our teacher for Hinduism. Although we both are from the same locality in Jaffna, I didn't know him at that time. It was the way he introduced the subject and explained that made me to develop a liking towards it and understand better For the next three years till my G.C.E. (Ordinary Level), he was my teacher for religion and believe me and I am sure that he will still remember that I always got the highest marks and ended up getting a distinction in Hinduism for my O/L He was a perfect teacher...I have never seen him raising his voice or reprimanding any student but still for all he always had the full control of the class. I always admired these qualities in him. He is one among the few teachers from our college who provided us an all round knowledge to make us a complete person. I have heard students who have done Scouting praising him as their Scout Master. For any function in school he will be behind the scene meticulously
planning and going through every minute details. In those days,
rarely you find teachers equally competent to teach Tamil, English and Religion. He wins the hearts of all the people by his pleasing qualities. I can remember the celebration we had when he completed
taught, we also learnt the good qualities in life from him. That is why
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 201
I always say that he made us a full personality. From Jaffna Hindu, progressively he rose to become the Principal of Arunodhaya College. During his period as Principal, it wasn't a difficult task for him to take the school to greater heights.
Now, Seychelles is getting the best of his services not only in the educational field but also in the social and cultural development of that country especially for the Tamils living there. We both belong to the greatest service organization “The International Association of Lions Clubs' and I am aware of the important role played by him to introduce Lionism to that country thereby rendering great services and inaugurating many welfare programs through the organization. His contributions in his own inimitable style towards his family, friends and the society are commendable. He is one of the very few teachers who still maintains regular contacts with us, talk about the school, follow carefully the news items and he will be one of the first few to compliment from abroad whenever he hears some good news about us. As a concluding remark what can I write rather than saying that he is more than a guru, mentor, guide and now a true friend immaterial of the age gap. I pray to God Almighty to grant him long, healthy and happy life. May he continue the much needed service to our Community.
A teacher gives yои knowledge and boosts your ego, A Guru takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego.
A teacher instructs you, A Guru constructs you
A teacher sharpens your mind, A Guru opens your mind.
A teacher shows you the way to prosperity, A Guru shows the way to serenity.
A teacher reaches your mind, A Guru touches your soul.

Page 103
2O2 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SIWA - MY FRIEND
S. Rajasingam Retired Teacher Skandavarodaya College.
“Brevity is the soul of wit”, it is said and hence this “appreciation” shall of necessity be brief.
I first beheld Siva as a bridegroom when he wedded Sarojini Devi (Thevy to us), a second cousin of my wife. This provided me with the chance to be acquainted with him.
Since we were both teachers, we had many common interests. But what brought us really together was the Northern Province Teachers’ Association. (NPTA) We later became members of the Executive Committee, he as General Secretary and later President, and me as Secretary of the Education Committee, with R.Sivanesan as President.
The NPTA, besides being a Trade Union, also conducted examinations - the Junior School Certificate Examination and the Annual Elocution and Musical contests and later the NPTA Benevolent Fund.
It is in the affairs of the Education Committee that Siva and I came to work closely. It so happened that I had to travel to Colombo about two days before the contests. Meanwhile, we had already done the spade work.
When I returned, I found everything in perfect order. My absence made no difference. The contests were worked out as was customary with the NPTA, very efficiently and concluded on a note of triumph. This would not have been possible without the
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 203
cooperation, co-ordination and comradeship of the members of the Ex.Co., and notably , the General Secretary - Mr V. Siva supramaniam.
The other major event was the "Banuthevan Affair.” Banuthevan, a teacher at St.John's was discontinued from service on what in Trade Union circles was considered a trivial matter. Senior members of the NPTA, including past presidents ( of the NPTA) pleaded with the Principal and the Board of Management of St.John's to reconsider the case and arrive at a just settlement. The Principal and the Board were adamant. Banuthevan was compelled to take his case to the Labour Tribunal, where he won his case. The NPTA Ex. Co. and the General Secretary (Mr.V.Sivasupramaniam) worked and provided Banuthevan with all the help that could possibly be given, including financial assistance. Banuthevan's success was due to his counsel as well as to the efforts of the NPTA. I was privileged to have played a small part in the “ affair.”
I would doft my hat to Siva any day for his disciplined mind, organizing capacity, penchant for hard work and above all for his personal relationship. He is a master of public relations. (PR)
When I read his CV, I was awestruck, and like the villagers in Oliver Goldsmith's poem, "The Village Schoolmaster”, “wondered and wondered how his little head could contain so much'.
Siva, may you and Thevy be blessed by NAVASAKTHY VINAYAGAR.
A teacher gives you knowledge, A Guru makes you wise.
A teacher gives you maturity, A Guru returns you to innocence.
A teacher instructs you on how to solve problems, A Guru shows you how to resolve issues.

Page 104
204 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
THRU SVA AVERSATLE PERSONALITY
S. Rajasundaram, Attorney at Law & Notary Public Seychelles
If in the dictionary of people who knows Thiru Sivasupramaniam, hereinafter referred to Thiru Siva, including myself would nothesitate to mention that he is the “synonym to the word “perfection”. I have known Thiru V Siva for the last 20 years at least, during my legal career in the Republic of Seychelles and on many occasions I used to and even now, Wonder as to his busy life schedule at all times with perfection. Normally, one will be a perfectionist limited to himselfor herself but Thiru Siva will during the course of his interaction, cause others to be perfectionists and this is his style.
In one's life, an individual will happen to come across other individuals in many perspectives and will have impact in one way or other. I happen to come across Thiru Siva relatively, in his advanced age but he is always an exemplary to other youngsters interms of his life. My two sons who are 19 and 15 respectively are soccer fans, specially to their own favourite clubs in English Premier League, namely Manchester United and Chelsea. Thiru Siva every time he chats with my children always discusses the latest trend of the game, highlights of the goals, change over with the players and the list is endless. He does not spare other faculties in sports such as Tennis. I always wonder how Thiru Siva used to have time for all these Sports. At the same time he never misses his contribution to other aspects of community life such as services as Lion Member in the “Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles' and has got the privilege of “Charter President’, thus placing himself in the International Lions
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 205
Map”. One will now be able to assess how Thiru Siva does not have any gap in terms of age of the people he interacts with in his routine life and his contacts are a wide spectrum. In other words, he is th person who is able to interact with a teenager also at the same time carries on his life even with the people of right age. It is not only the age of any people that he is comfortable with, but the “favourite topics” of every person that such person is familiarized.
It is amazing to me the way Thiru Siva plans his life and allocated time to every aspect. As I know him for the last 20 years, I have observed his constant, untiring contribution to the first ever Hindu temple in the Republic of Seychelles. It would be unfair on my part to mention everything he has contributed to the temple, in this article but I would feel honoured to mention that his own book titled “A decade of Growth” of Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam in the Seychelles is a classic piece that everyone must read, where any reader would be able to assess his contribution to this religious body and the temple.
At the same time, I must mention here that his contribution to the temple was during his tenure as a teacher in the “National Youth Service” at Port Launay, a tail end of Mahe. How did he manage himself to contribute his time in the midst of tight schedule of his teaching career? This in my considered opinion; it is nothing but the devotion he has got and the time management that he slots in for every aspect of his life.
As stated in my preceding paragraphs of this article howevery single individual admires Thiru Siva's interaction, I must point out here that I am also personally touched with his interest in the legal profession. Whereverthere is any important ruling, judgment in any part of the world, Thiru Siva never missed himself to forward the information to me with no delay. Thus, he keeps abreast of himself in every field. Perhaps, Thiru Siva would have lost his opportunity to be a lawyer due to certain factors which we are not aware of When I mention as to his forwarding information, it is very crucial for me to emphasize here that his forwarding information is through “DIGITAL MEDIA” Even at this age he browses his computer for

Page 105
2O6 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
his mails, news and other articles he writes about. Thiru Siva has albeit entered into the computer media relatively at a very late stage and age, he is up to date in the computer discipline.
Writing Articles!!!!!. Thiru V. Siva is a known coloumnist here in the Republic of Seychelles. In the national newspaper “NATION” the whole media group knows Thiru Siva through his Write ups and he is also famous for having been chosen to print his articles in the centre spread which is very difficult to find a place in. There used to be a time in the Seychelles where any souvenirs, magazines and other books that need to be printed at community level, Thiru Siva was the one who was sought after by everyone for compiling the magazine. It is not only compiling a magazine of any Sort, he contributes photographs corresponding to the events. He is a good collector and custodian of many photographs of the past.
I am really convinced myself as to his interest and knowledge in the current affairs and this is why in lighter moments during any community gatherings, I always, of course humbly address Thiru. Siva as “mobile encyclopedia”. Organisations such as Tamil Mandram, Tamil Cultural Development Centre release magazines every year where Thriu Siva's hand as Editor shines and even the Indian High Commission in the Seychelles used to release magazines periodically and Thiru Siva used to be the Editor for the said magazines. He does not stop himself with the completion of the editorial work but is always keen to send the magazines to all his friends, wide contacts all around the world, thus his “follow-up” quality is that everyone should adopt in their life.
A very senior business entrepreneur Mr. V.J. Patel in the Republic of Seychelles has created an educational trust through which he sends Seychellois students for overseas studies for the last few years. Our Thiru Siva remains in the trustees’ panel that selects and chooses the students, thus Thiru Siva being an educationist accomplishes his educational mission and also helps fellow community men.
In essence. Thiru Siva is a combination of various virtues that one needs to follow in life.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 2O7
Now, readers would tend to accept as to why I chose the topic * Versatile Personality” and I thank the committee of this Souvenir 80 for providing an opportunity to share my feelings and views about Thiru Siva. It is rather a privilege to the Seychellois community to have Thiru Siva with us while he has got a large net work of his former students in every part of the world.
I wish and pray Lord Navasakthi Vinayagar to continue to shower HIS Blessings on Thiru Siva and his family. My family and I wish him a very prosperous and healthy long life.
“I have found him to be a very capable and energetic Principal who had endeared himself to all children, teachers, parents and to the community and had raised the status of this village School to that of a leading college in the Mannar District by organizing Advanced Level classes, Adult Education Centre, Girl Guides, Scouting, well knit Parents Teachers Association, Kala Manram for the promotion of music and drama and above all running them with expertise, skill and efficiency. He had successfully organized the Food Production Drive in my Division in which he had set an example to all other schools by cultivating paddy and subsidiary food crops in the school land of five acres. This has been personally commended by the Hon’ble K.B.Ratnayake, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Sports and the District Political Authority for Mannar.”
V. SOCKALINGAM, C.A.S., Assistant Government Agent, Nanaddan.
29th October 1974

Page 106
208 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SVA MASTER
Ravindran Subramaniam University of Alberta, Canada.
It gives me immense pleasure to write an appreciation of Mr.Vijaratnam Sivasupra maniam (Siva), who has devoted himself for more than fifty years to educational development and community work in three different countries. My first encounter with Siva was in September 1990 in the Staff room of the then National Youth Service, Port Launay, Seychelles. As a new teacher of agricultural science, I was curious to learn about the landscape of Seychelles and Siva came to my rescue. He started supplying reading materials about Seychelles and from time to time useful tips to adapt to the new working environment. At the end of one week, Siva came with his is son Sitsabesan to the hotel room where I stayed with my family (Manresa-Anse Etoile) and took us to his house for dinner. During our conversation, he explained about the activities of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam (SHKS) with greatenthusiasm. He gave me a number of souvenirs and magazines from his library about the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam. It was a coincidence that most of my school principals in Sri Lanka were known to Siva and as a result we had some common topics to discuss during our initial interactions. I have known Siva for more than eighteen years now and one of the things that I admire in him is his memory power. When he explains a past incident or event he always makes sure that he gives accurate information about the time, the place, the day and the year. Hence it came as no surprise that he was a History teacher.
His involvement with the SHKS in the 90’s and his responsibilities as the Charter President of the Lions Club of
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 209
Paradise Seychelles from 2006-2007 are worthy of mention in this note of appreciation. Siva served as an executive member of SHKS from 1985-1999. All image building activities of the SHKS in the early period of the SHKS's history had the valuable contribution of Siva and his wife Sarojini Devi. I have personally witnessed the contribution that he had made to the SHKS from its inception and the challenges that he faced in the SHKS during the period 19901999.
Siva had a great passion for promoting the activities of the SHKS locally and internationally. In fact, I came to know about the SHKS while I was working in Sri Lanka in the then Office of the State Minister of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs through some beautiful magazines that we received from the SHKS, Seychelles. Once I arrived in Seychelles, I realized that it was Siva who had been sending those magazines to various countries. Siva writes informative articles in many fields in the local newspapers. I have personally enjoyed reading his articles about various Hindu festivals that coincide with the SHKS calendar of activities. In fact those articles made a good impact on the members of the multi-cultural society of Seychelles.
In 2006, he became the charter president of the Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles. I was not in Seychelles for the entire period of 2006 to personally witness his work that year. Nevertheless, he used to forward all the information in connection with the activities of the club through e mail and I have gone through all the articles about the activities of the club through the Seychelles news papers via the internet. It was amazing the way Siva operated during his tenure as the Charter President. I believe Siva had used all his knowledge, skills and experience that he gained as a teacher, Scout Master, principal and community worker to design various innovative projects to promote the Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles.
I found out that Siva worked with quite a number of active youth groups in the lions club. Moreover Siva used his friends, colleagues, civil servants, business people and other community members to actively participate in the various community projects

Page 107
210 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
for the club. I was very much pleased to see that Siva had laid the foundation for two global organizations, the Lions club and the Boys Scouts to work in collaboration for the Welfare and empowerment of the youth in Seychelles. Siva retired from the Seychelles school system in 1999. While retirement ended his career in formal education, it did not diminish or extinguish his life long interests and instincts as an educator.
I personally witnessed Siva involving in guiding, nurturing and mentoring a number of community members and leaders in Seychelles in their own personal exploration and discovery. I am very proud to mention that I am one of such members. I wish I could Write more about Siva. However, I should restrict my Writing to allow others to write about Siva. Therefore, I conclude by saying that I am very fortunate to have listened to Siva's inspiring life experiences and I am looking forward to interacting with him in the years to come. I wish Siva and his family all the best for their health and in all their future endeavours.
“I have observed that his experience has given him. encouragement to organize the school to promote not only the standard of education but also to provide facilities for the participation of extra-curricular activities by the students in scouting, Girl Guides and Wolfpacks. He has made use of the large number of students at school for the purpose of organizing cultural Societies, Adult Education Centre and Agricultural Potting project apart from the teaching of vocational subjects such as clay work, Home Science and Needle work. He has taken keen interest in food production campaign by cultivating five acres of paddy land obtaining a nett profit of two thousand rupees for the School students co-operative agricultural Society."
S.A.RAHIM, Member of Parliament for Mannar, National State Assembly.
4th November 1974.
أص ܢ

V. Sivasupramaniam 211
SVA-THE FREELANCER
Denis Rose Principal Secretary, Department of Youth, Sports and Culture. Seychelles
I first met Mr. Siva (as I call him affectionately) in the late 1990s while he was working as a teacher and head of the History subject at the Seychelles National Youth Service.
I met him through another Sri Lankan teacher, whose name I have forgotten, who was providing a weekly column on cricket for Nation, Seychelles only daily newspaper. At that time I was the Editor of the newspaper.
From my first conversation with him, I realized that Mr Siva was a man who was knowledgeable not only about History but he had a wide perspective on life in general. We spoke about a wide range of subjects ranging from matters related to children and the environment, the role, purpose and effectiveness of international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Tourism Organization and others.
I knew instantly that I could use Mr Siva's across-the-board knowledge of local and world matters to enrich the columns of the newspaper. I offered him the opportunity to write analysis, comments, features on matters in the news and this is how our friendship developed.
Because of his workload and his involvement in other organizations such as the Hindu Kovil Sangam, instead of going for a permanent weekly column we agreed that his contributions should

Page 108
212 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
be from time to time whenever there was the necessity to take an indepth look at an issue that was troubling Seychelles, the World or could become a potential threat.
During his time as a freelance writer Mr Siva has written about almost every subject of interest to the public and academics. His well thought out arguments, ability to analyze complex issues made him a household name among Seychelles Nation readers.
His expertise also helped me a lot as Editor as we frequently exchanged views on articles and features I was editing.
I can say without doubt that Mr Siva is one of those people who have contributed immensely in the development of my career as a journalist and I wish to thank him sincerely for that.
Mr Siva will always remain a good friend and confidant.
Today, in my current position as Principal Secretary for the Department of Youth, Sports and Culture, a position I assumed in 2006, and because Mr Siva is retired, we do not meet as often as We used to. But whenever we do we still find time for some useful exchanges on the topics of the day.
Mr Siva still has a lot to share with the younger generation to help them become better citizens.
Congratulations Mr Siva. We really appreciate all that you have given to us and what you will continue to give.
Thank you immensely.

V. Sivasupramaniam 213
பன்முக மதிப்பீடு S. Sivasubramania Sarma Retired Deputy Principal JHC
நேரிய பார்வை, கூர்மையான கண்கள், இனிமையான பேச்சு, அதே பொழுதில் அது அழுத்திக் கூறியதாகவும் அமையும்.
சுருங்கக் கூறி விளங்க வைக்கும் ஆற்றல் கைவரப் பெற்றவர்.
உரையாடும் காலை உச்சரிக்கும் ஒவ்வொரு சொற்களும் உருண்டு ஓடுவது போன்று இருக்கும். அந்த அளவுக்கு, எடுத்தாளும் பொருள்களில், இறுக்கமான அல்லது தெளிந்த
தன்மை.
இது, ஆசிரியர் திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் பற்றிய ஒரு வகையான குறுக்கு வெட்டு மதிப்பீடு.
திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் தான் சார்ந்த சில சம்பவங்களைப் பெருமையுடன் - பெருமை என்ற சொல் அப்பட்டமாகப் பொருந்தும் எடுத்துக் கூறுவார்.
மூன்று பரம்பரையைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள் நாம், இப்பொழுது யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரியின் ஆசிரியர் பீடத்தில் அமர்ந்திருக் கின்றோம்.
அது, அமரர் க. சிவராமலிங்கம், அவர்தம் மாணவன் அமரர் பி.எஸ். குமாரசுவாமி, இவர்தம் மாணவன் நான் (வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம்) என்று கூறி முடிப்பார்.

Page 109
214 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
இதனை, அவர் எத்தனை தடவைகள் கூறியிருப்பாரோ தெரியவில்லை. கூறுகின்ற ஒவ்வொரு தடவையும் மகிழ்ச்சி யுடனும், பெருமையுடனும், முதல் தடவை கூறுவது போன்ற ஒரு சூழ்நிலையை உருவாக்கிக் கூறுவார்.
மூவரும் பட்டாதரிகள், அதிலும் கலைப் பட்டதாரிகள், ஆங்கிலம், தமிழ் இரு மொழிகளிலும் நல்ல ஆளுமை Ð LGOL Lu JG JT35GT.
திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களை 1969 ஆம் ஆண்டு முதல் முதலாகச் சந்தித்தேன்.
நான், அவரைச் சந்திக்கும் காலை அவர் வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கத் தலைவராக இருந்தார்.
நாற்பது ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்திய இந்த முதற் சந்திப்பு என் உள்ளத்தில் பசுமையாக உள்ளது.
இருவரும் வட மாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்திலும், வட
மாகாண ஆசிரிய சங்கச் சகாய நிதியிலும் தொடர்ந்து பணியாற்றினோம்.
அறிமுகமும், அதன்பால் ஏற்பட்ட நட்பும், இறுக்கமாகியது. 1970 ஆம் ஆண்டு புதிதாக ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்ட வட மாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கக் கல்விச் சபையின் முதலாவது செயலாளராக நான் தெரிவு செய்யப்பெற்றேன்.
1972 ஆம் ஆண்டு நாம் இருவரும் யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் ஒன்றாக ஆசிரியராகச் சேவையாற்றும் வாய்ப்புக் கிடைத்தது.
திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் விரும்பிய பணியில் இறுக்கமாக நிற்பார்.
சம காலத்தில் நல்ல ஆசான், நல்ல தொழிற்சங்கவாதி, நிறைந்த ஞானம் உடையவர் என்ற கணிப்பு பலருக்கும் இவர் மீது ஏற்பட்டது.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 215
இவர்தம் மகன் குழந்தைப் பருவத்தில் தந்தை சிவசுப்பிர மணியம் அவர்களைப் பார்த்து "NPTA வேண்டாம்' என்று கூறும் அளவிற்கு அவரது பொதுப்பணி இருந்தது.
ஆசிரியர் அதிபரானார். முருங்கன் மகா வித்தியாலயம், அநுராதபுரம் விவேகானந்தா தமிழ் மகா வித்தியாலயம், அளவெட்டி அருணோதயக் கல்லூரி ஆகியவற்றில் இவர் அதிபராகப் பணியாற்றினார்.
அந்த நாளைய ஆசிரிய வேதனம் விதந்து கூறும் அளவிற்கு இல்லை.
இவர்தம் தந்தையார், தனது ஓய்வூதியத்தின் அரைப் பங்குகூட ஆசிரியர்களுக்கு வேதனமாக வழங்கப் பெறவில்லை என்று கூறியமையை இவர் எப்பொழுதும் நினைவுகூர்வார். அதன் விளைவு தான் அவரது தொழிற்சங்க ஈடுபாடாக அமைந்ததோ என்று கூறத் தோன்றுகின்றது.
சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் சிறந்த சாரணர், தொழிற் சங்கவாதி, ஆன்மிகச் சிந்தனையாளர், நல்ல ஆசிரியர் - பின் நல்ல அதிபர்.
சுமார் நாற்பது ஆண்டுகளாக வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களுடன் நான் பழகி வருகின்றேன். அவர் தொட்ட துறை அனைத்திலும் சோபித்து விளங்குகின்றார். இதற்கான காரணத்தை ஆராய்ந்து பார்த்தேன். அவர் எட்டாம் எண்ணின் ஆதிக்கம் உடையவராக இருக்கின்றார்.
அவர் பிறந்த திகதி 10 பெயரின் கூட்டிலக்கம் 53 வீட்டு ga)55th (Door Number) 17. 96, D5 NPTABF 2 DJL fligold
இலக்கம் 71 வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கத் தலைவரானது 1970 ஆம் ஆண்டு வ.மா.ஆச உறுப்பினராகச் சேர்ந்த ஆண்டு 1952.
முரண்பட்ட தோற்றங்களையும், பணியையும் ஒருங்கே ஆற்றிச் சிறப்புப் பெற்றவர், இவர்.

Page 110
216 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
ஆசிரியப் பெருந்தகை சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள்
Professor Dr. S. Sathiaseelan Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies University of Jaffna
பேராசான் விஜயரட்ணம் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக்கல்லூரியில் எமக்கு அரசியல் பாடத்தை உயர்தர வகுப்பில் சிறப்புறப் போதித்த நல்லாசான் ஆவார். 1966-1969 காலப்பகுதியில் எமக்கு அரசியலை மட்டுமல்ல நல்ல சிந்தனைகளை, மனித நேயத்தை ஆளுமையை, ஆசிரியரின் மகத்துவத்தை, மதிப்பை, உலக விவகாரங்களை, 9D 6)55 அனுபவங்களை இப்படிப் பல்துறை அறிவினைத் தாய் போலிருந்து ஊட்டிய பெருமைக்குரியவர். சுமார் ஐம்பது ஆண்டுக் கால ஆசிரியப் பணியை ஆற்றிய எம் ஆசான் பல்துறை சார்ந்த ஆற்றல்களைத் தன்னகத்தே கொண்டவர். தனது ஆற்றலினாலும், ஆளுமைப் பண்புகளினாலும் மாணவர் உள்ளங்களைக் கொள்ளை கொண்டவர்.
நல்ல ஆசிரியனாக, சாரணியத்தைப் பயிற்றுவித்தவராக, ஆசிரியர் சங்கத் தொழிற்சங்கவாதியாக, புகழ் பூத்த அதிபராக, சமூகசேவையாளனாக, சைவப் பெரியார் சிவபாதசுந்தரனார், திரு. ஹன்டி பேரின்பநாயகம் போன்றோரின் நூற்றாண்டு விழாக் குழுவின் இணைச் செயலாளராக, நூலாசிரியராக, பத்திரிகை பத்தி எழுத்தாளராக, மனித நேயமுள்ளவராக எம் ஆசிரியப் பெருந் தகையை அடையாளம் காணலாம். இலங்கையில் மட்டுமல்லாது நைஜீரியா, சீசெல்ஸ் போன்ற நாடுகளிலும் ஆசிரியப் பணியை மேற்கொண்டு அங்கெல்லாம் தனது திறமையை, சேவையை வெளிக்காட்டியவர்.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 217
பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக் கழகத்தின் பொருளியல் பட்டதாரியான எம் ஆசிரியர் நான் அங்குப் படித்த காலத்தில் பட்டப்பின் கல்வி டிப்ளோமாவைக் கற்று வந்தவர். கடந்த 45 வருடங்களாக எம் நலனில் என்றும் அக்கறையோடு இயங்குபவர். வகுப்பறைகளில் நல்ல போதனையை மட்டும் ஆற்றாது தன் வாழ்க்கை அநுபவங்களையும், முன்னேறுவதற்கான ஆர்வத்தையும், வழிவகைகளையும் குறிப்பிட்டு, வகுப்பை எப்போதுமே கலகலப்பாக வைத்திருப்பவர். தனியே ஆசிரியர் வகிபாகத்தை மட்டும் வகிக்காமல் நெருங்கிய நல்ல தோழனாக, என்றும் மலர்ந்த முகத்துடன், அன்பொழுக, கண்ணும் உதடும் (ëLIJ.Lb, சிரிக்கும் கமலக்கண்ணனாகக் கணிர் என்ற குரலில் தனது கருத்துகளைக் கேட்போர் கணிக்கும் தகையதாக எடுத்துக் கூறுவதில் வல்லவர்.
எம் ஆசானின் கற்பிக்கும் ஆற்றல் தனித்துவமானது. இன்றைய கல்வி உலகில் சிறப்பித்துப் பேசப்படும் இரு வழி உறவினை, ஊடாட்டத்தை, ஆசிரியர் - மாணவர் இடைவினை உறவை வலுப்படுத்தும் தன்மை கொண்டன. ஒரு வழிப் போதனையாக அல்லது வகுப்பில் எங்கள் எல்லோரையும் கலந்து கொள்ளும் வகையிலான கற்பித்தல் முறைமை அவருடையது. தூண்டல், துலங்கல் வாயிலாக மாணவரின் ஆளுமையை மேம்படுத்தும் பணியை அவர் அப்போதே மேற்கொண்டார். யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரியின் சரித்திர குடிமையியற் சங்கத்தை இயக்குவித்து, வெள்ளிவிழாக் கொண்டாடி அந்தச் சங்கத்தின் மூலம் எமது ஆளுமைத் திறனை வளர்ச்சிப்படுத்த உதவியவர்.
எங்கிருந்தாலும் யாழ் இந்து அன்னையை மறவாது துடிப்புமிக்க பழைய மாணவனாகத் தனது பணியை ஆற்றுபவர். யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரி நூற்றாண்டு மலரின் ஆசிரியராக நான் இருந்த வேளை அம்மலர் சிறப்புற ஆலோசனைகளையும், யாழ் இந்துவின் பின்னோக்கிய பார்வை என்ற தலைப்பில் ஒரு ஆங்கிலக் கட்டுரையையும், யாழ் இந்துவின் சாரணியம் தொடர்பாகத் தன்னிடமிருந்த முக்கியப் புகைப்படங்கள்

Page 111
218 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
சிலவற்றையும் சீசெல்சிலிருந்து அனுப்பி அம்மலர் சிறப்புறச் செய்தவர். யாழ் இந்து பழைய மாணவர் சங்க நூற்றாண்டு மலரிலே பழைய மாணவர் சங்கத்தின் நூற்றாண்டுக்காலச் சாதனைகள் என்ற ஆங்கிலக் கட்டுரையை எழுதியவர். மிக வலுவான ஞாபக சக்தியையும், தனது மாணவர்கள் அனைவரது பெயர்கள், அவர் தம் பின்னணி என்பனவற்றை நினைவில் வைத்திருக்கும் வியத்தகு மனிதர். தம் மாணவர்கள் வாழ்க்கையில் உயர்வடையும் போதெல்லாம் தனது வாழ்த்துகளையும், மகிழ்ச்சியையும் எங்கிருந்தாலும் வெளிப்படுத்தி அவர்களை
ஊக்குவிக்கும் உய ர்ந்த பண்பாளர்.
1980 இல் பின்பாக வெளிநாடுகளுக்கு ஆசிரியப் பணியை ஆற்றச் சென்றுவிட்டதால் அவரைச் சந்திக்கும் வாய்ப்புக் கிட்டாது போயிற்று. 1985 என்று எண்ணுகின்றேன். சென்னைப் பல்கலைக் கழகத்தில் எனது கலாநிதிப் பட்ட ஆய்வை மேற்கொண்டிருந்த காலை ஒரு மாலைப் பொழுதில் சென்னை எழும்பூர் புகையிரத நிலையம் அருகில் என் துணைவியாருடன் அவரையும் அவர் மகனையும் தற்செயலாகக் கண்டேன். பல வருடங்கள் காணாத குறை, மிக்க மகிழ்வுடன் பக்கத்தில் இருந்த உணவகத்துக்கு அழைத்து விருந்துபசாரம் செய்தமை, கலந்துரையாடியமை இன்றும் மனக்கண்ணில் எழுகிறது.
2003 ஆண்டு நடுப்பகுதியில் எனது ஆய்வுப் பணிக்காக இலண்டன் மாநகரம் சென்றிருந்தபோது யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரி பழைய மாணவர் தினம் அங்குள்ள பெரு மண்டபமொன்றில் நடைபெறவிருப்பதாகவும், அதற்குப் பிரதம விருந்தினராக எமது அன்பிற்கும் மதிப்பிற்குமுரிய ஆசான் வருகை தருவதாகவும் நண்பர்கள் மூலம் அறிந்தேன். ஆசானைக் காணும் அவாவில் நண்பர் விசாகன், வரதகுமாருடன் சென்றிருந்தேன். பெருமளவு இந்துக் கல்லூரி ஆதரவாளர்கள் கொண்ட அந்த மண்டபத்தில் என்னை ஆரத்தழுவி தனது அன்புக்குரிய மாணவன் என அறிமுகம் செய்து பாராட்டிப் பேசியதை இன்றும் எண்ணிப் பூரிப்படைகின்றேன். 2007 ஆம் ஆண்டு யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரியின் பரிசளிப்பு விழா நிகழ்வில்

V. Sivasupramaniam 219
பிரதம விருந்தினராகக் கலந்து கொண்ட போது இந்த இனிமையான நிகழ்வினை ஞாபகப்படுத்தி, எனது ஆசிரியரின் பெருமையையும், அப்போதிருந்த ஆசிரியர் மாணவர் உறவின் நெருக்கத்தையும் எடுத்துக்காட்டியிருந்தேன்.
எமது ஆசான் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் பற்றி நிறையவே எழுதலாம். வகுப்பில் அவர் கூறிய ஒரு சம்பவத்தை நினைவு படுத்தி இக்குறிப்பை நிறைவு செய்யலாம் என்றெண்ணுகிறேன். யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரியின் புகழ்பூத்த ஆசிரியர்களில் ஒருவர் கர்மவீரர் பண்டிதர் செல்லத்துரை அவர்கள், அவர் எமக்கும் ஆசிரியர். எம் ஆசிரியர் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களுக்கும் ஆசிரியர். பண்டிதர் இளைப்பாற்றுச் சம்பளம் பெறுவதிலே கால தாமதம், தனது மாணவர் சிவசுப்பிரமணியத்திடம் சொல்லி யிருந்தார். அவர் அப்போது வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்தின் பொதுச் செயலாளராக இருந்த சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் கல்வி அமைச்சின் சிரேஷ்ட செயலாளருடன் நேரடியாகச் சென்று தனது மதிப்பிற்குரிய ஆசிரியருக்கு இளைப்பாற்றுச் சம்பளம் பெறுவதில் காலதாமதம் ஏற்பட்ட விடயத்தைத் தெரிவித்து உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கும்படி வேண்டியதாகவும், குருபக்தி கொண்ட கல்வியமைச்சின் சிரேஷ்ட செயலாளர் உடனடியாகவே இளைப்பாற்றுச் சம்பளம் கிடைக்க நடவடிக்கை மேற் கொண்டதுடன் திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் காட்டிய குரு பக்தியை விதந்து பாராட்டியதாகவும் அச்சம்பவத்தை எமக்குக் கூறியிருந்தார். அவர் கூறிய போது எமது ஆசானிடம் மட்டுமல்ல எம் அனைவர் கண்ணிலும் கண்ணீர் துளிர்த்தன.
இத்தகு ஆளுமைப் பண்பும், மனித நேயமும், தோழமைப் பண்பும், தாயுள்ளமும் கொண்ட எம் பேராசான் 'நல்லாசிரியர்' விருது பெறப் பூரண தகைமை உடையவர். அவரின் அன்புக்குரிய பழைய மாணவர்களால் வெளியிடப்படும் 80 ஆம் ஆண்டு சிறப்பு மலர் வெளியீடு வெற்றிகரமாக அமையவும், ஆசான் நீண்டகாலம் நல்ல ஆரோக்கியத்துடன் குடும்ப சமேதராக, அனைத்து வளங்களும் பெற்று வாழவும் எல்லாம் வல்ல இறைவனை வேண்டுகின்றேன்.

Page 112
220
MY MEMORIES OF THE SCOUIT MOVIEMENT AT JAFFNA HINDU COLLEGE
Nadesapillai Selvarajasingam Chartered Civil Engineer, London
錢
I am very pleased when I was invited to write about my early childhood memories of our scout troupe activities at Jaffna Hindu College. I joined the College in 1956 after my primary education at Chavakachcheri Hindu College. I was in 6th Standard Form D then and Mr. Muthucumaran was my class master. Next year I was promoted to 7th Standard Form A where Mr. Sivasupramaniam was my class master. I believe that it was during those years that the Scout movement at Jaffna Hindu College was revived.
As we being the first scout batch, we were all much excited with its activities. We received efficient guidance from both Mr. Muthucumaran and Mr. Sivasupramaniam, who were the Scout masters and have given us the sense of respect and the value of citizenship. I must say here that it was our master's untiring efforts and hard work that made the Scout movement at Jaffna Hindu College to prosper. It was they who taught us many important life Saving techniques.
We were assigned various tasks and were given badges of commendation that carried various points. This could only be received if you can complete the set tasks successfully. Through these activities and being youngsters we learnt various aspects of life and how important they are related to our daily lives.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 221
During summer months we visit various houses in the locality to carry out, what was then known as “chip-a-job week”. We were normally offered tasks by the home owners, either to wash their cars and / or to tidy their gardens. At the end of these tasks we were normally given some money and of course were always provided with some refreshments. The money we collect went into the common fund of the movement.
I recall the week we went out of Jaffna for a camping exercise at Kilinochchi sports grounds which was the area in front of the old bus stand. All arrangements were made for the camp by our old boy M.N.M.Nizam, Inspector in charge of the police station, who later rose up as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police and now retired. (Photo in the Scout album) During this week, among other life saving exercises, we were taught how to cook for our patrol. This was the first experience for me to learn as to how to cook as I had been a boarder right through out my school life from the age of eight and never had a chance to look before.
Those days we all looked forward to the annual Jamboree which was always held at the Old Park behind the old Jaffna Kachcheri. I recall during one annual competition we went ahead and built a foot bridge at a very high level between two massive mahogany trees. We built this bridge with ropes and this became the highlight of the show and earned the first prize in the competition. I left the Scouts when I moved on to A/L studies.
Our Troupe leader was the late Dr. Rajasundaram (photo in Scout album) and once he left the College then it was Mr.N. Sivapathasundaram who is now in the UK. I have made many life long friends through the scouts. To name a few, Balakumar and Prabachandran of USA; Mahendrarajah of Australia; Dr Janakarajah, and many more here in the UK and around the World. Although I am still in contact with most of them, have lost contact with many others. I only hope that the scout movement is still going strong at college and provides the youngsters of today to learn discipline, values of life and respect for others.

Page 113
222 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
I left the College in 1965 after gaining admission to the University of Katubedde, Colombo where I completed the National Diploma in Technology (Civil Engineering). After working at Mahaweli River Diversion Scheme Project in Sri-Lanka, I left the country in 1974 and since then I am settled in the UK.
I appreciate and congratulate the efforts of our beloved master in publishing his "Educational Memories".
நீடூழி வாழியவே!
இராசையா பூரீதரன்
கண்ணியமும் காருணியமும் நிறைந்த நல்லாசான்!
கல்வியறிவு தந்த ஒரு சிறந்த கருத்துக் கலசம் புண்ணியமே செய்திட்ட புருஷோத்தமர் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் பூவுலகில் புகழ் பெற்று வாழ சிறியேன் வாழ்த்துகிறேன்! எண்ணிலாக் கருத்துக்களை எனக்களித்த அறிவுப் பெட்டகம்
எரம்பனருளால் இன்னும் பல்லாண்டு காலம் வாழ்ந்து மண்ணிலே நல்ல மாண்புடன் திகழ்ந்து சிறப்புற
மனமார வாழ்த்துகின்றேன்! நீடூழி வாழியவே!
வாழ்க வளமுடன் இன்னும் பல்லாண்டு காலம்! தங்கள் அன்பு மாணவன்
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 223
SWA A VENERATED TEACHER
The Hon ble Bernard Shamlaye, Minister of Education Republic of Seychelles
I first met Mr Sivasupramaniam in the mid-1980s when we were both working in the National Youth Service. He was already in his fifties but his quiet energy and his knowledge and many interests made him a most valuable member of staff for the NYS with its wide-ranging curriculum. His ability to get on with everybody, his commitment to the education of young people and his long experience earned him the respect, love and co-operation of students and fellow workers
His retirement from formal teaching did not diminish his interest in education or his characteristic desire to impart knowledge. He continued to write articles for the Seychelles Nation on many subjects including the environment, international affairs and, unsurprisingly, education. To this day, he never fails to promote Seychelles and its values and beauty - natural and human.
The creation of a local chapter of the Lions Club in 2006 provided Mr Sivasupramaniam with fresh opportunities to practise his community-mindedness and his organisational and leadership skills as well as to promote Seychelles. I do not know for sure, but I would not be surprised if he had something to do with the choice of “Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles” as the official name of the local chapter of that international organisation. I certainly have no doubt that the success of the Club in implementing several community projects has been due in no little part to his foresight, commitment and sense of duty to others.
As Mr Sivasupraniam approaches the venerable age of 80 years, it is with respect and gratitude that I Salute him and offer him my heartiest congratulations for a lifetime of achievements; achieve ments that will continue to bear fruit for long years to come because they are an investment in knowledge and in people.

Page 114
224 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
தமிழர் உயர உழைத்தவர் Nalliah Shanmugapprabhu
President, Dramman Hindu Kalachara Mandram, Norway
என்றும் எங்கள் மனத்தில் வாழ்ந்து மகிழ்வு தருபவர்
இனிய கல்வி பலவும் தந்து அறிவு ஊட்டி மகிழ்ந்தவர் அன்றும் இன்றும் தமிழர் வாழ்வு உலகில் உயர உழைத்தவர்
அருமையான ஆசிரியர் அன்புடன் கண்டிப்பாய் உயர்வு தந்தவர் சென்றகாலம் எல்லாம் நினைவுகூர்ந்து பலரை நினைப்பவர்.
சேயாய்ச் சென்ற மாணவரை அறிவில் பெரியவனாய் ஆக்கியவர் வென்று தமிழர் உலகம் எல்லாம் வெற்றிக் கொடிநாட்டிட
வேலை செய்து, ஆசிரியர் பணிக்கே பெருமை சேர்த்தவர்.
சின்னஞ்சிறு மாணவனாய்க் கல்லூரி சென்ற என்னைச்
செந்தமிழும், ஆங்கிலமும், விஞ்ஞானம், கணிதமுமே என்னமாகக் கற்கச் செய்து எந்தளவு அறிவு பெற்று
எங்கு எங்குச் சென்றிடினும் அங்கெல்லாம் உயர்வுபெறத் தன்னையே அர்ப்பணித்துக் கருணையுடன், உழைத்திட்டீர்ஐயா!
தமிழ், தமிழர் தமிழ் உலகும் வாழ்ந்திடவே பணி செய்தீர்வாழி! மன்னவனும் நீரோ தமிழ் உலகும் உம்மதே நீர் நீடு வாழி
மன்னுலகில் நீர் கண்ட மாணவர் தான் எத்தனை? வாழி!
எம்மவர் ஒற்றுமையும், சுதந்திரமும் அறிவும் வளர்ச்சியும்!
எங்கும் ஒலிக்கவும், ஒளிதரவும், புகழ் பெறவும் உழைத்திட்டீர்! நம்மவர் நம் தாயகத்தில் விடிவு பெற உம்பணியைச் செய்திட்டீர்!
நலம் பெற்று, நயம் பேணி, நல்லவரால் வல்லவராய் வாழ வழி
தந்தீர்! செம்மொழியாம் தமிழ் மொழியைச் சேயாகப் போற்றிட்டீர் வாழி!
செருக்கற்றுப் பண்பாயும், அன்பாயும் சகலரையும் மதித்திட்டீர்! நம் தமிழகத்தில் 'ஒரு நோர்வே தமிழரின் அருமையான அனுபவங்கள்'
எனும் என்நூலைச் சிறப்பாய்ப் பெற்று வாழ்த்திட்டீர் ஐயா நீர்
நீடுவாழி!
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 225
எனது அன்பிற்கும் மதிப்பிற்குமுரிய ஆசிரியர் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம்
Prof. K. Sivagurunatha Pillai Goldsmith's College, London
80 ஆண்டு நிறைவு வாழ்த்துக்கள்
விக்கினங்கள் வேரறுக்கும் விக்கின விநாயகா பக்தர்களின் கோவே! பார்வதியாள் சேயே! எம் பக்கத்துணையாசான் சிவசுப்ரமணியனை - உம் பாதத்தில் வைத்திட்டோம் கார்
வாழ்த்துப்பா
சங்கத் தமிழெடுத்துத் தகுந்த நல்ல சொல்லெடுத்து சந்தக் கவி யெழுத தகுந்தவனோ! நான் உமக்கு மந்தமின்றிப் பாடவரம் நாமகளை கேட்டு நல்ல வாழ்த்துரைத்தேன் வண்ணமனம் நிறைந்து.
பற்பலரும் போற்றப் பதினாறும் கண்டுயந்தீர் சிற்பங்கள் நிறைந்தசிவத் தொண்டரே நீவிரன்று கற்றவர் நிறைந்த சபை வாழ்த்தி நின்று புகழ் சிறந்து எண்பத்து ஆண்டில் உம்மை வாழ்த்துகின்றேன் வாயார.
திரு நிறையும் சீர்நிறையும் கொண்டு தொண்டு பல செய்து குருதெய்வம் எனப்போற்ற ஆசானாய்ப் பணி ஆற்றி அருந்தவத்தால் நானுன்மை ஆசானாய் அடையப்பெற்று ஆண்டு நிறை எண்பதில் வாழ்த்தி நின்றேன் வாழி! வாழி!

Page 115
226 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
மன்னே நீ வளமாக மகிழ்வெய்தி வாழியவே!
V. Candavanam Canada
முத்துவிழாக் காணுகின்ற முழுநிலவுக் குரியமகன் சித்தநலச் சைவமகன் திரு. சிவசுப் பிரமணியம்! புத்தறிவை மாணவர்க்குப் புகட்டியருங் கல்விகலை வித்தைகளை மூன்றுநாட்டில் விளங்கவைத்த முத்துமகன்!
எந்நாட்டில் எப்பதவி எப்பணிகள் புரிந்தாலும் தன்னார்வத் தாலவற்றைச் சரிவரவே செய்திடுவார்! பொன்னான மனமுடையார் பூங்காவின் குணமுடையார் மன்னேநீ வளமாக மகிழ்வெய்தி வாழியவே!
எழுதெழுதுன் கல்விகலை நினைவுகளை இதமுறவே எழுதிவரும் விழுதுகளுக் கேற்றபரிசு ஆக்குகவே! விழுமியவுன் வாழ்க்கையிலே விளைந்தவைகள் ஏராளம் அழகுறவே அறுவடைசெய் தளித்திடுவாய் பயனுறவே!
தூங்காமை துணிவுடைமை தொண்டுமனம் இம்மூன்றும் நீங்காதார் நிலவுலகில் நீடுவாழ்வர் நீயறிவாய்! ஆங்காரம் அணுவுமில்லா அருநண்பா உனைக்காக்க ஓங்கார மூர்த்தியினை உளமார வேண்டுவனே!
பண்பான மனைவியொடும் பாங்கான மக்களொடும் நண்பகல்போல் ஒளியேற்றி நற்றமிழ்போற் சுவையூட்டி தொண்ணுறுக் கப்பாலும் தொடர்ந்தாண்டு நூறினையும் நண்பாநீ காண்கவென நானுவந்து வாழ்த்துவனே!
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 227
A TUTOR, MENTOR
AND AN EDUCATOR
S. Sivanandan Retired Commissioner of Excise Sri Lanka
Siva Supramamania Master was our Geography teacher who opened us the gate way to the World in the Atlas. Alas, at that time with G nibs and inkwells we did not have an inkling that at last, we will be scattered around the globe. He himself wouldn't have had an iota of thought that geographically he would be far away isolated from his Ayanarkovlady clan.
In a nutshell, away from Sri-Lankan shores in Seychelles, free from shell shocks and artillery barrages, he has virtually made the country his second home, if I am correct even after retirement. He was a superb teacher and the scout master as powerful as Baden Powell, affectionately called as “Siva Supar'by his favourite scout troupers now with his superannuation leading a supreme life doing “Siva Thondu', a passport to the paradise perhaps after obtaining the VISA from SIVA Peruman or Visaka Peruma.
I have a faint memory of him going to school as a student; we call him to date as “Thavabal' Annai'. His father Vijaratna mama virtually kept him in his nest within his wings under constant vigilance and surveillance. I can remember him playing “Paddle Tennis” at Pillayarkovil side courtyard while we played soft ball cricket as tiny brats in the front courtyard. He was well within the security cordon of his father who would be watching him playing from the Community Center. He later took to tennis and kept him fit

Page 116
228 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
playing tennis daily, he once bought one of my father's tennis racquets, he also got his guidance and technical know how when he learned tennis.
His father Vijaratnam and my maternal grand father Duraisamy were virtually the kingpins in the temple management and nicknamed Captain and Colonel respectively by the younger generation, at that time when there was no military presence at all and they were neighbours too. By virtue of the fact my grandfather was elder than him he called him "Annachchi'
He was the one and only attachment to his father, so his dad was extremely fond of him. In the good old days there was a concept that parents wanted their children to remain in their respective villages or towns with them and never wanted them to go out for jobs or even pursue higher studies. Siva supramania master was not an exception. He was very loyal to his father and his up bringing was such that he was a model and cut an exemplary figure.
He inherited lot of wealth and therefore there was no necessity for him to toil hard and earn money. He, to his liking of his father took up teaching which was considered a noble profession and served with full dedication and devotion to his Alma Mater, the prestigious Jaffna Hindu College which was managed by the Hindu Board then. He was by all means temperamentally suited for the profession and was held in highesteem by students of all types, you know what I mean, who were categorized as good and bad that was his strength and plus point for his popularity
Somewhere with the demise of his father the Govt. took over the schools and teachers became transferable. He later became elevated to the rank of a Principal and had a stint at Anuradhapura as principal. Later he pitched his tent at Seychelles this time not a Scouting one but seeking greener pastures, probably as a learned man he had the premonition that things were not going to be rosy in Sri Lanka.
He meanwhile married Thevi Acca who again is a close relative of mine. It was a perfect match and she was modest and

V. Sivasupramaniam 229
moulded in the traditional Hindu style by her father an orthodox Hindu, Vernacular school teacher, who owned a press and was a publisher, a very reserved unassuming simple gentleman minding his machine and mentoring his children. Thevi Acca's brother Satchi Annan an eminent marine Zoologist, entomologist turned etymologist and a scholar who has contributed a lot to the Tamil Language and Tamils at hours of crisis and continues to contribute to the welfare of Tamils.
His son Sitsabesan is the chip of the old block, a professional and a scholar in Tamil, true to the saying of much respected revered poet Bahrathiaris spreading the mellowed Sweet voice of Thamil the
world over in high frequency, he is down to earth, a beacon and an
icon of the Ayanarkovilady soil
All who know Sir's degree and pedigree will never disagree with me!
*ELUTHUARIVITHAVAN IRAIVANAVAN”
" He was ever willing to help the youngsters in his charge - thus earning the love and esteem of the pupils and colleagues alike. Besides his academic work, he was interested in most of the extra-mural activities of the college and took real pride and pleasure in executing whatever task that was assigned to him. Due to his selfless untiring devotion to duty and high sense of responsibility our Scouts won the much coveted “ Island Merit Flag" in 1964 and became the best scout troupe in the whole island."
C. SABARETNAM, Principal Emertius, Jaffna Hindu College. 17th January 1966

Page 117
230 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
வண்ணைச் செம்மல் திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியனார் வாழ்க வளத்துடன் Sinniah Sivanesan Principal (Retired)
Kopay Christian College, Canada
ஆதி சைவப் பரம்பரையின் ஆல்போல் வந்துதித்த சோதி வடிவானவரைச் சுப்பிரமணிய னாரை அகவை எண்பதை அடைந்த இவ்வேளையிலே அகமகிழ்ந்தே அடியேனும் அனுப்புகிறேன் இவ் வாழ்த்து.
நாளும் பொழுதும் நல்லா சானாய் நானிலம் போற்ற வாழ்ந்த அதிபராய் ஆங்கிலப் புலமையும் அழகு தமிழும் ஓங்கியே பெற்றார் ஒன்றாப் புகழுடன் நாட்டுப் பற்றும் நற்றமிழ்ப் பற்றும் கூட்டாய்க் கொண்டே குலாவி வாழ்கிறார் பிறந்த நாட்டிலும் புகுந்த நாட்டிலும் சிறந்த சைவராய்ச் சீரிய பணிகள் மறந்தா ரில்லை மன்பதை வாழ்வில் துறந்தா ரில்லைத் தூய வாழ்வைப் புன்சிரிப்பும் என்றும் பூரித்தமுகமும் இன்சொல் வார்த்தையும் இனிய நட்பும் அன்புசால் மனைவியும் அழகிய மக்களும் நன்றே பெற்றார் நாமெல்லாம் வியக்க.
வடமாகாண அதிபர் சங்கத்தில் என்னோடு கூடப் பணிசெய்த குறைவிலாப் பாங்கும் அகில இலங்கை ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்தில் ஆர்வமாய் உழைத்த உத்தம வாழ்வும்
 
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 231
மனத்தை விட்டகலா மாண்புச் சுவடுகள் எனதரும் வாழ்வின் மங்காப் பதிவுகள்
வண்ணைச் செம்மல் சுப்பிரமணி யனார் மண்ணில் என்றும் மங்காப் புகழுடன் எண்பதோ டெண்பதாய் என்றும் வாழ நல்லூர் முருகன் நற்றுணை புரிய சீசெல்சு விநாயகர் சிறப்பாய்க் காக்க தொரொன்ரோ வாழும் நண்பர் யாவரும் தோத்திரம் பாடி வாழ்த்து கின்றோமே.
வாழ்க வாழ்க வாழ்க பல்லாண்டு.
The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life. - Plato
I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the mankind; yet, Strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers.
- Kahlil Gibran
Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than parents, for these only gave life, those
the art of living well. - Aristotle
المص
k You don't have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.
k Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the
present.
Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Page 118
232 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
OUR SCOUT MASTER
N. Sivapathasunderam Scout Troupe Leader (1958 – 1963) - London
I first met Mr V.Sivasupramaniam in *୯ 1956 when I was a student at Jaffna Hindu College. He was the scout master of the school
at that time.
Mr Sivasupramaniam's relationship with Jaffna Hindu College started from an early age, as he himself had also been a pupil there. His posting as a teacher was at the school from 1953 to 1972. He then moved on to Anuradhapura Vivekananda as Principal and later became Principal at Arunodhaya College in Alaveddy, Jaffna.
During his time at Jaffna Hindu, he and Mr T. Sivarajah revived the school's Scout Movement in 1959 with only 20 students. I was one of those 20 pupils. I had already taken the Scout promise in 1956 at Attiar Hindu College, Neervely. Being the only pupil who had done so at Jaffna Hindu, I became the school's first troupe leader.
Mr Sivasupramaniam was very enthusiastic from the outset. He attended training sessions himself which he hoped would help him to further develop the troupe that he had revived. His calm and assuring manners made him an excellent leader who inspired his students well.
In those initial meetings, the focus was on ensuring that all members made the requirements necessary to take the scout promise. Soon after that, Mr S.C. Muttukumaranjoined the troupe as Scout Master. In 1959, we attended our first rally at Old Park.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 233
Jaffna. As we were an inexperienced troop, our initial performance was unfortunately disappointing. However, over the following years with determination and under the guidance of both Mr Muttukumaran and Mr Sivasupramaniam we flourished and were able to reach the first place in the rally on 3 occasions that I can recall. Our Success continued and in 1964. We received the All Island Merit Flag for being the best scout troupe in Sri Lanka. This was an incredible achievement that would not have been possible had it not been for the complitment of both Mr Sivasupramaniam and Mr Muttukumaran. They were dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate about the Scout movement and these traits filtered down the ranks. Under their leadership, we were able to attend the National Golden Jubilee Jamboree at the Race course in Colombo in 1962 and also the World Jamboree in Allahabad, India in 1963
During all this time, we were very privileged to have had the full moral and financial support of the school's Principal Mr C Sabaretnam. Mr Sivasupramaniam even managed to convince the principal to paint all the scout laws on to the canopy of the classrooms permanently. (vide photo) This gesture demonstrated how much the Principal recognised and valued the work that Mr Sivasupramaniam did for the school.
It was a pleasure and honour to have known Mr Sivasupramiam during that time. The skills and experience I gained during my time in the Jaffna Hindu Scout Movement have remained with me throughout my life. I have to thank Mr Sivasupramaniam for this and I wish him all the best in future.
It is thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.
-Robert G Ingersoll
Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail. What you gain at one end you lose at the other. It's like feeding a dog on his own tail. It won't fatten the dog. - Mark Twain
He who opens a school door, closes a prison. – Victor Hugo

Page 119
234 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
ஆசிரிய தத்துவ விழுமியங்கள் Dr. K. Somas undaram
Assistant Director - General (Retired) N.I.E. Maharagama
உயர்திரு சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் என்றும் நினைவில் நிற்கும் தனித்துவமான கல்வியாளர். அவர் ஆசிரியத்துவத்தைத் தனது வாழ்நாட் பணியாக விரும்பி ஏற்றுக் கொண்டவர். ஆசிரியப் பணி 'மனித ஆக்கம்' நோக்கிய பணி என்பதை நன்குணர்ந்த அவர், சமூகத்திற்கு மிகச் சிறந்ததும், ஆக்கபூர்வமானதும் ஆன சேவையை ஆற்றுவதற்கு ஆசிரியத்துவமே மிக நலம் வாய்ந்தது எனக் கொண்டார். அதனால் அப்பணியை, செவ்வையாகவும் பயன்தரும் வகையிலும் ஆற்றுவதற்கு வேண்டிய கல்வித் தகைமைகளையும் பயிற்சிகளையும் உளமாட்சியையும் விழுமியங்களையும் வளர்க்கலானார். என்றும் தொடர்ந்து கற்றுக் கொண்டிருப்பவரே நல்லாசிரியர் ஆவார். கற்க மறுப்பவன் ஆசிரியனாக வாழ மறுக்கிறான் என்பர். திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் தொடர்ந்து கற்றுக் கொண்டும், கற்றவற்றைத் தெளிந்து கொண்டும், தெளிந்தவற்றைப் பிறருடன் பகிர்ந்து கொண்டும், எழுத்துகள் மூலம் பதிவு செய்து வெளிப்படுத்திக் கொண்டும் இருக்கும் ஆசிரியப் பண்பினை நன்கு உணர்ந்து செயற்படுத்தி வருகிறார். நல்லாசிரியர் இலக்கணத்திற்கு அமைய திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களின் ஆசிரியத்துவ வாழ்வு, இலக்கியமாக விளங்குகிறது என்றால் அது மிகையாகாது.
கல்வி அறிவை வளர்ப்பது ஆற்றலை வளர்ப்பது: உணர்ச்சிகளைப் பண்படுத்தி முறைப்படுத்துவது மக்களை வாழ்க்கைக்கு ஆயத்தம் செய்வது; மனிதரின் சமூக நடத்தைகளை
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 235
நன்முறைப் பாங்கானவையாக மாற்றியமைப்பது; மனிதனுள் ஆழ்ந்து கிடக்கும் ஆன்மிக விழுமியங்களை வெளிப்படுத்துவது எனக் கல்வித் தத்துவ ஞானிகள் கூறுவர். கல்வி மனித குலத்திற்குக் கிடைக்கப் பெற்ற பெருஞ்செல்வம் ஆகும். கல்விக்குப் பயன் அறிவு அறிவுக்குப் பயன் நல்லொழுக்கம் என்பார், நாவலர் பெருமான்.
"கல்வி என்பது கற்போனில் உள்ளார்ந்து காணப்படும் முழுமையை அல்லது பூரணத்துவத்தை வெளிப்படுத்துவது', எனச் சுவாமி விவேகானந்தர், கல்விக்கு வரைவிலக்கணம் தந்துள்ளார். கல்வி மனித அடிப்படை உரிமைகளுள் ஒன்று. கல்வி மறுக்கப்படுதல், அடிப்படை உரிமை மீறல் ஆகும். எனவே கல்வி, எல்லோருக்கும், எப்போதும், எங்கும், எந்நிலையிலும் கிடைக்க வழி செய்யப்படுதல் வேண்டும். கல்வி, உடல், உள ஒழுக்க, ஆன்மிக, விவேக, சமூக, பண்பாட்டு வளர்ச்சிகளுக்கும் பொருளாதார வளர்ச்சிக்கும் இணைந்த கருவியாகும் எனக் கல்வி நெறியாளர்கள் வலியுறுத்துகின்றனர். ஆளுமை விருத்திக்கும், சமூக பொருளாதார உயர்வுக்கும் கல்வியின் பங்களிப்பு இன்றி யமையாதது. அறிவு, திறன்கள், மனப்பாங்கு விழுமியங்களை மாணவரில் விருத்தி செய்கின்ற கல்வியை வழங்கும் பணிகள் பெரிதும் பாடசாலைகளிலேயே நடைபெறுகின்றன. இதனை முறை சார்ந்த கல்வி என்பர். வேறு சமூக நிறுவனங்கள், தனியாள்கள், வழங்கும் கல்வியை முறைசாராக் கல்வி எனக் குறிப்பிடுவர். இவ்விரண்டு முறைமைகளிலும் கல்வியை வழங்குபவர்கள், ஆசிரியர்களே, பணி, ஆசிரியப் பணியே
யாகும்.
பாடசாலையைப் பள்ளிக்கூடம் என அழைக்கப்படும் மரபு எம்மிடையே இருந்து வருகிறது. பள்ளி என்ற சொல்லிற்குக் கோயில், அறச்சாலை, கல்விச் சாலை, வித்தியாசாலை, வித்தியாலயம் எனப் பல பொருள்கள் உள்ளன. அறிவைப் பரப்புவதன்மூலம் உலகினைச் செம்மையாகப் பரிபாலித்து வரும் மையங்கள் அவை. "அறிவு அற்றங் காக்கும் கருவி' என்பது வள்ளுவர் 6) J [Tu U 60) LD மொழி, அறிவைப் பரப்புவோர் ஆசிரியர்கள். அறிவினை விளக்கும் பாடசாலையின் உள்ளீடும்

Page 120
236 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
வெளியீடும் மாணவர்கள். மாணவரும், சமுதாயமும், நாடும் வேண்டி நிற்கும் அறிவுத் திறன்களையும் விழுமியங்களையும் பள்ளிக் கூடம் வழங்க வேண்டும். இவ்வழங்கலைப் பொறுப்புடன் நிறைவேற்றுபவர்கள் ஆசிரியர்கள். 'தானங்கள் எல்லாவற்றிலும் தலைசிறந்தது வித்தியா தானம்' என நாவலர் பெருமான் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார். ஆசிரியர்கள் வித்தியா தானம் செய்பவர்கள். கல்வியை ஈகை செய்பவர்கள். 'ஈதல் அறம்' என்கிறார் ஒளவையார். ஆசிரியர்கள் அறிவர்கள் மட்டுமல்லர், அறவோர்களும்கூட அவர்கள் அந்தணர்கள். எவ்வுயிர்க்கும் செந்தண்மை பூண்டு ஒழுகுபவர்கள். அருளுள்ளம் படைத்தவர்கள். பிறரின் ஈடேற்றம், நலன் பேணல், நல்வாழ்வு என்பன - அவர்களின் குறிக்கோள்கள். 'எழுத்தறிவித்தவன் இறைவன் ஆவான்' என ஆசிரியனை விதந்து உரைப்பது தமிழ் மரபு.
எல்லாத் தொழில்களுள்ளும் கண்ணியம், மேன்மை, உயர்வு, உன்னதம் மிக்கது ஆசிரியத்துவம். எனவே, அது கடமை, கண்ணியம், கட்டுப்பாடு, ஒழுக்கம் பேணி ஆற்றப்பட வேண்டியது இன்றியமையாததாகும்.
ஆசிரியர்களின் தகுந்த நெறிப்படுத்தலில்தான், பாடசாலை மாணவர்கள், தாம் பின்னர் நல்ல குடிமக்களாகச் சமுதாயத்தில் கடமை, கண்ணியம், ஒழுக்கம், கட்டுப்பாட்டுடன் நல்ல வண்ணம் வாழ்வதற்கும்; சமூக விழுமியங்கள், சட்டம், பண்பாடு, வினைதிறன் பேணிச் சமூகத்துடன் பொருந்தியும் இணைந்தும் இசைவாக்கம் பெற்றும் வாழ்வதற்கும் பொருத்தமான வாழ்க்கைத் தொழிலைத் தேர்ந்தெடுத்து, அதன்மூலம் நியாயமான வருவாயும் வளமும் பெற்று மகிழ்ச்சியும் திருப்தியும் நிறைந்த வாழ்க்கையை நலமாக வாழ்வதற்கும் வேண்டிய அறிவு, ஆற்றல், மனப்பாங்கு, அனுபவம், பயிற்சிகள் என்பனவற்றைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்கின்றனர். பாடங்களை முறையாகக் கற்பித்தலுடன் மாணவரின் கற்றலுக்கு வாய்ப்பான சூழலையும், அமைத்துக் கொடுப்பவர் ஆசிரியரே. இணைப்பாட விதான நிகழ்ச்சிகள், செயற்பாடுகள் ஆகிய வற்றிலும் மாணவர்களை ஈடுபடுத்தி, அவர்கள், ஆளுமை நிறைந்தவர்களாக உருவாவதற்கு ஊக்கமும் ஆக்கமும் அனுசரணையும் வழங்குபவர் ஆசிரியர்களே. அவற்றுடன்,

V. Sivasupramaniam 237
ஆசிரியர்கள் தங்கள் சீரான நடை, உடை, பாவனை, நல்லொழுக்கப் பண்பாடு என்பவற்றில் முன்னுதாரணமாக வாழ்ந்து காட்டுவதன்மூலம் மாணவர்களை நல்வழிப்படுத்துபவர் களாக அமைகின்றனர்.
தமிழ் மரபு கல்விமுறைமையில் 'ஆசிரியர்' கற்கப்படுபவர் எனவும் ’‘LDT6ÖÖTG) UT” ஆசிரியரைக் கற்பவர் எனவும் கொள்ளப்பட்டனர். ஆசிரியனே பாடப்பொருள், பாட நூல், பாடத்தை வழங்குபவன் இவ்வாறு கொள்வது தமிழ் மரபு. இதன் தாற்பரியம் என்னவெனில், ஆசிரியர் தாம் கற்றவாறு வாழ்க்கையில் வாழ்ந்து காட்ட வேண்டும் என்பதேயாகும். ஒரு நாணயத்திற்கு இரு பக்கங்கள் இருப்பதுபோல, ஆசிரியருக்குக் கற்றல், நிற்றல் என இரு நிலைகள் உள்ளன. நாணயத்தின் ஒரு பக்கம் சிதைந்து பழுதுபட்டாலும், அது அதன் மதிப்பை இழந்து விடுகின்றது. ஆசிரியனும் கற்றல், நிற்றல் ஆகிய இரண்டு நிலைகளில் ஒன்றிலிருந்து விலகியிருப்பினும், ஆசிரியன் மதிப்பிறக்கம் பெற்றவன் ஆகிவிடுகின்றான். எனவே, மாணவர் ஆசிரியனைக் கற்கின்றனர்; அதனால் அதற்கு ஏற்ற விதத்தில் தாம் தம்மைத் தயார்ப்படுத்திக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்னும் உணர்வு ஒவ்வொரு ஆசிரியரிடத்தும் இருத்தல் இன்றியமையாததாகும்.
ஆசிரியர் மாணவர்களினதும் சமூகத்தவரினதும் மதிப்பிற்கும் மரியாதைக்கும் உரியவராக இருத்தல் வேண்டும். மதிப்பையும் மரியாதையையும் ஒருவர் உழைத்துப் பெற வேண்டும்; அவற்றைக் கேட்டோ, நிர்ப்பந்தப்படுத்தியோ பெறுவதில்லை.
ஆசிரியப் பணியானது மனித மேம்பாட்டுப் பணி, ஆன்மிகப் பணி, சமூகப் பணி ஆகும். அதனைச் சரிவர ஆற்றுவதற்கு இறையருள், சமூகத்தின் அங்கீகாரம், தன்னம்பிக்கை என்பன தேவை. சமூகம் அவரின் தலைமையையும், வழிகாட்டலையும் ஏற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். மனம், மொழி, செயல் ஆகியவற்றில் தூய்மையும்; அன்பு, அமைதி, அருள், ஒழுக்கம், உண்மை, நீதி, நடுவுநிலைமை என்பனவும் ஆசிரியர் களிடம் இருக்கும்போது, அவரைச் சமூகம் ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளும்.

Page 121
238 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
ஆசு + இரியர் என்பதே ஆசிரியர் ஆனது. குற்றத்தை நீக்குபவர் என்பதே ஆசிரியர் என்பதன் பொருள். குரு என்பதும் அதே பொருளையே தருகின்றது. குற்றத்தை நீக்குபவர் குற்றமற்றவராக இருத்தல் அவசியம். அப்பொழுதுதான், 'விரைந்து தொழில் கேட்கும் ஞாலம்' என்னும் வள்ளுவர் வாய்மொழிக்கிணங்க, ஆசிரியரின் சொல் கேட்டும், அவரின் பணிப்புரை, அறிவுரை, அன்புக் கட்டளை என்பனவற்றிற்குச் செவிசாய்த்தும், ஏற்று விரைந்து செயல்படுவர் இவ்வுலகத்தினர். சுருங்கக் கூறின், நல்லொழுக்கமே ஆசிரியரின் மூலதனம், முதலீடு, உள்ளீடு, வெளியீடு, இலாபம், காரிய சித்தி, பெறுபேறு, உயர்வு அனைத்துமாகும்.
கல்வி, ஆசிரியத்துவம், அவற்றின் மேன்மை மற்றும் இலட்சணங்கள் பற்றி இதுவரை கண்ட நாம், அவற்றின் அடித்தளத்தில் நின்று உயர்திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களின் பன்முகப்படும் கல்விப் பணிகளையும் ஆளுமை யையும் நோக்குவோம்.
உயர்திரு விஜயரத்தினம் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் கல்விக் கற்று, அதே கல்லூரியில், 1953 லிருந்து 1972 வரை ஆசிரியராகக் கல்வி கற்பிக்கும் வாய்ப்பையும் பெற்றுள்ளார். தான் கற்ற கல்லூரியில் ஆசிரியப் பணிபுரிய, அதிலும் தன்னைக் கற்பித்த ஆசிரியர்களுடன் இணைந்து பணிபுரியக் கிடைக்கப் பெற்ற வாய்ப்பு ஓர் அரிய பேறாகும். அதனால் தன்னை ஆசிரியப் பணியில் (p(L960)LDUJIT5 அர்ப்பணித்துச் செயற்பட்டார். வெறுமனே வகுப்பறைக் கற்பித்தலுடன் தன்னை மட்டுப்படுத்திக் கொள்ளாமல், கல்லூரியின் இணைப்பாட விதான மற்றும் புறப்பாடவிதான முயற்சிகள், செயற்பாடுகள் என்பவற்றிலும் முழுமனத்தோடு ஈடுபாடு கொள்ளலானார். மாணவர்களுக்கு ஊக்கமளித்துப் பல்வேறு நிகழ்ச்சிகளில் அவர்களைப் பங்குபெறச் செய்து, அவர்களின் ஆளுமை வளர்ச்சிக்குத் துணை செய்தார்.
இணைப்பாடவிதான, புறப்பாடவிதான முயற்சிகளிலும் மற்றும் சமய, சமூக சேவைகளிலும் மாணவர்களை ஈடுபடுத்து வதன் மூலம் சீரிய சமூக விழுமியங்கள், ஆரோக்கியமான

V. Sivasupramaniam 239
குணநலப் பண்புகள், உயர்வான சிந்தனைகள், நல்ல பழக்க வழக்கங்கள், பரந்த மனப்பான்மை, தலைமைத்துவம், சேவை என்பன அவர்களில் விருத்தி பெறுகின்றன. மாணவர் களிடம் புலப்படாது மறைந்துகிடக்கும் நிபுணத்துவத்திறன்கள் மற்றும் விசேட ஆற்றல்கள் என்பவற்றைக் கண்டுகொள்ளவும், வெளிப் படுத்தி வளர்க்கவும் இத்தகைய செயற்பாடுகள் வாய்ப்பு களை நல்குகின்றன; இவற்றையெல்லாம் இளவயதினரான சிவசுப்பிர மணியம் நன்கு அறிந்திருந்தார். செயற்பட்டு மாணவர் மனங்களில் நீங்கா இடம் பெற்றுக் கொண்டார். அவருடைய ஆளுமை, மற்றும் தலைமைத்துவம் என்பவற்றின் வளர்ச்சிக்கும் யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரி களம் அமைத்துக் கொடுத்தது.
யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரி சாரணர் இயக்கத்தின் பொறுப் பாசிரியராக 1959-1965 காலப்பகுதியில் கடமையாற்றினார். அவரின் சிறப்பான வழிநடத்தலின் விளைவாகப் பல சிறப்பு விருதுகளைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்ளுமளவிற்குச் சாரணர் இயக்கம் வளர்ச்சி கண்டது. மாணவர் மன்றம், மற்றும் பல்வேறு நிகழ்ச்சித் திட்டங்களின் செயற்பாடுகளுக்கும் உந்துசக்தியாக விளங்கினார்.
யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரியின் "இளம் இந்து" - "Young Hindu" சஞ்சிகையின் பொறுப்பாசிரியராக விளங்கியவர். பல மாணவர் களின் எழுத்தாற்றல், வாசிப்பு ஆற்றல்களை வெளிக்கொணர உந்துசக்தியாக விளங்கினார். இவ்வாறு தன் மாணாக்கர்களை, அவரவர் துறைகளில் உயர்நிலைக்கு உய்விப்பானே சிறந்த ஆசிரியன் ஆவான்.
ஆசிரியத்துவம் ஊதியம் குறைந்த ஒரு தொழிலாக இருக்கலாம். ஆனால் அது கண்ணியம் மிக்க உன்னதமான ஒன்றாகும். அதில் ஈடுபவர்கள் உள்ளுவதெல்லாம் உயர்வுள்ளல் ஆகவும், செய்வன வெல்லாம் உயர்வுடையனவாகவும் இருத்தல் வேண்டும். இந்நியதிகளுக்கு அமைய, சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் ஆசிரியப் பணிகளை ஆற்றி உயர்வு பெற்றார் என்பதை யாவரும் அறிவர். இது உண்மை, வெறும் புகழ்ச்சியில்லை.
இவ்வாறு யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் ஆசிரியப் பணிபுரிந்து கொண்டிருக்கும் காலப் பகுதியில், அவருடைய கல்விப் பணி,

Page 122
240 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
கல்லூரிக்கு வெளியேயும் விரிவாக்கம் பெற்றமை குறிப்பிடத் தக்கது. வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கத்தின் பொதுச் செயலாள ராகவும் (1965-66) பின்னர் அதன் தலைவராகவும் (1969-70) பதவி வகித்து, ஆசிரியர்களின் நலனுக்காகவும், துறைசார்ந்த விருத்திக்காகவும் பல வேலைத் திட்டங்களை உருவாக்கி வெற்றி கரமாக நிறைவேற்றுவதற்குக் காரண கர்த்தாவாக விளங்கினர். ஆசிரியர்களின் உரிமைகள் பாதுகாக்கப்படும்போதே, அவர்கள் ஆற்றுகின்ற ஆசிரியத் தொழிலில் அவர்களுக்குத் திருப்தியும் நிறைவும் ஏற்படுகின்றன. அதன் வழி அவர்களின் கற்பித்தல் தர உயர்வு பெறுகின்றது. விளைவு மாணவர்களின் கற்றல் சிறக்கின்றது. கல்வித் தரம் உயர்நிலை எய்துகிறது.
ஆசிரியர் தொழிற்சங்கங்கள், ஆசிரியர்களின் உரிமை களைப் பேணுவதில் கண்ணுங் கருத்துமாக இருப்பதுடன், ஆசிரியர் கல்வி விருத்தி, மாணவர் கல்வி விருத்தி என்ப வற்றிலும் சிரத்தை கொள்ளவேண்டும். வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கம் அஞ்ஞான்று, கருத்தரங்குகள் பாட ரீதியான செயலமர்வு கள் மற்றும் மாணவர்களுக்கான எட்டாந்தர இறுதிப் பொதுப் பரீட்சை போன்ற பல வேலைத் திட்டங்களைச் செயற் படுத்தியது. அப்போது ஆசிரியராக இருந்த எனக்கும், திரு. சிவசுப்பிர மணியத்திற்குமிடையிலான நட்புறவினை, முதன் முதலாக இச்செயற்பாடுகளில் பங்குபற்றக் கிடைத்த வாய்ப்பே ஏற்படுத்தி யது எனலாம். ஆற்றுப்படுத்துவதில் வல்லவராகக் காணப்பட்டார். தேசிய மட்டத்திலான ஆசிரிய சங்கங்களின் ஒன்றியத்தின் பொருளாளராகத் (1970-1971) தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப் பட்டார். நேர்மை, நாணயம், கடின உழைப்பு, தலைமைத்துவத் திறன், மனிதநேயம் என்பன அவரின் பணிகளில் செறிந் திருந்தமை வெற்றிக்கு உதவின.
1972 இல், பொது இடமாற்றத் திட்டத்தின் கீழ், யாழ்ப் பாணக் குடா நாட்டுக்கு வெளியே, அற்றைவரை தங்கள் சொந்த ஊர்ப் பாடசாலைகளிலேயே சேவையாற்றிக் கொண்டிருந்த சிரேட்ட ஆசிரியர்களும் பலர், இடமாற்றம் பெற்றனர். திரு. சிவசுப்பிர மணியம் அவர்களும் இடமாற்றம் பெற்றவர்களில் ஒருவர் ஆவார். LD66T60TITs, மாவட்டத்திலுள்ள முருங்கன் LD595 TT

V. Sivasupramaniam 241
வித்தியாலய அதிபர் ஆக நியமனம் பெற்றார். அதனைப் பின்தங்கிய பிரதேசத்தில் கல்விப் பணியாற்றுவதற்குத் தமக்குக் கிடைத்த அரிய வாய்ப்பாக மகிழ்ச்சியுடன் ஏற்று நான்கு ஆண்டுகள் சிறப்பாகப் பணியாற்றியமை குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. அதன் பின்னர் 1975-1977 காலப் பகுதியில், அநுராதபுரம் விவேகானந்த தமிழ் மகாவித்தியாலய அதிபர் பொறுப்பினை ஏற்று மிகத் திறம்படப் பணியாற்றினார். அவரின் தன்னலமற்ற சேவை, பின்தங்கிய பிரதேசங்களில் வாழ்ந்த, வசதியற்ற குடும்பங்களைச் சேர்ந்த பல மாணவர்களின் கல்வித் தரத்தையும் அதன்வழி வாழ்க்கைத் தரத்தையும் உயர்த்தியது. அவர் கல்விப் பணியை ஆன்மிகப் பணியாகவே கொண்டார்.
1978-1980 காலப் பகுதியில் யாழ் அளவெட்டி அருணோதயாக் கல்லூரியின் அதிபர் பொறுப்பினை ஏற்று, மிகத் திறம்படப் பணியாற்றினார். கல்வியதிகாரி என்ற வகையில் அழைப்பின் பேரிலும், திடீர் மேற்பார்வைக் குழுவின் உறுப் பினராகவும் அக் கல்லூரிக்குச் சென்றுள்ளேன். கல்விச் செயற்பாடு களிலும் இணைப்பாட விதான முயற்சிகளிலும், சமூகத்திற்கும் பாடசாலைக்குமிடையே உள்ள நல்லுறவிலும் மிகச் சிறந்த அபிவிருத்தியைக் கண்டு பாராட்டியுள்ளோம்.
அவரின் சமய, சமூகப் பணிகளும் அக்காலத்தில் ஓங்கி யிருந்தன. குறிப்பாக வண்ணை, ஐயனார் கோயிலடி அருள்மிகு விசுவேசப் பிள்ளையார் ஆலயப் பரிபாலன சபைச் செயலாளராக அரும்பணியாற்றியுள்ளார். சைவப் பெரியார் சிவபாதசுந்தரனார் நூற்றாண்டு விழாக் குழுவின் இணைச் செயலாளராகவும், ஹான்டி பேரின்பநாயகம் நினைவு விழாக் குழுவின் உறுப்பினராகவும் அவர் செய்த சேவை நினைவிற் கொள்ளற்பாலது.
1980 இல், நைஜீரியா நாட்டில் கல்விப் பணிபுரியச் சென்றார். ஆப்பிரிக்கா, 'இருட்கண்டம்' என்று அழைக்கப்பட்ட காலம் அறியாமை என்னும் இருள் மக்களில் நிறைந்திருந்தது. அங்கு ஆசிரியர் பயிற்சிக் கல்லூரியில், விரிவுரையாளராகவும், ஆங்கில மொழித் துறைத் தலைவராகவும் நான்கு ஆண்டுகள் பணியாற்றினார். ஞான விளக்குகளை ஏற்றிவைத்தார்.

Page 123
242 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
ஆசிரியர்கள் ஞான விளக்குகள் என நாவலர் பெருமான் கூறியுள்ளார். ஒவ்வொரு விளக்கிலிருந்தும் பல விளக்குகள் ஏற்றப்படல் மூலம் அறியாமை இருள் நீங்கி அறிவு ஒளி பிரகாசிக்கும்.
1985 இலிருந்து சீசெல்சு நாட்டில் அவரது ஆசிரியப் பணியும் மற்றும் சமய, சமூகப் பணிகளும் எழுத்துப் பணிகளும் மிக உன்னதமாக வளர்ச்சி பெற்று வருவதைக் கேள்வியுற்று மிகுந்த மகிழ்ச்சி அடைகின்றோம். அவருடைய பாரியாகும் விநாயகப் பெருமான் மீது பாமாலை புனைந்துள்ளார். ஆன்மிகம் நிறைந்தவர். மகன் சிற்சபேசன், பொறியியலாளர் எழுத்து, பேச்சு, ஒலிபரப்புத் துறைகளிலும் பிரகாசிக்கிறார். மகளும் நல்ல வாழ்க்கையைப் பெற்றுள்ளார். யாவும் இறைவன் கொடுத்த வரம் ஆகும். கடந்த இரண்டு ஆண்டுகளிலும், சிதம்பரத்திலும் சென்னையிலும், இரு தடவைகள் காத்திராப் பிரகாரமாக அவர் குடும்பமும் எம் குடும்பமும் சந்தித்து அளவளாவியமை, எங்கள் மனங்களில் நீங்காத நினைவாக, பசுமையாக உள்ளது.
'தக்கார் தகவிலர் என்பது அவரவர்
எச்சத்தாற் காணப் படும்' - திருக்குறள் (//4)
'உள்ளத்தால் பொய்யா தொழுகின் உலகத்தார்
உள்ளத்து ளெல்லாம் உளன்' - திருக்குறள் (294)
வாழ்க வளமுடன் வாழ்க வையகம்! வளர்க நும் பணிகள்

V. Sivasupramaniam 243
ALL THE BEST AT JHC WITH SIVA
T. Srinivasan Formerly of the Staff of Jaffna Hindu College
Eighty years is a long period in a person's life-span. Mr V. Sivasupramaniam a long standing colleague of mine, has been acquainted with me for almost sixty years. The most active part of a student's career is in the School, where the student is independent, playful, carefree, thought free, friendly, obedient, mischievous and at times amusing - all at the expense of the magnanimity of the Alma Mater. While felicitating Siva on this occasion for becoming an octogenarian, I recall to mind, the finest moments I shared with him at JHC.
I joined JHC in 1942 as a student in Grade 4, then known as Lower First Year. From then onwards my love to JHC and acquaintance with both teachers and batch mates grew gradually. Although my love to JHC still grows unabated, and I hope that it will exist with my soul, only because JHC is amorphous and eternal. I should like to point out that most of my acquaintances have departed from this world, except a few; and of them, one who is interested in JHC and one who is interested in all those who are in the JHC, is Mr V.Sivasupramaniam one of the oldest of the old boys. He is now an octogenarian, and it is fitting that he releases a souvenir on behalf of his Alma Mater.
Siva is an ardent Hindu and this was prominent by the holy ash on his forehead and the rosary with a large pendant bead that dangled around his neck. We called him Thavabal, perhaps that was how he was called at home. When both of us were in the University

Page 124
244 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Entrance class, our Principal A. Cumaraswamy taught us Political Science, (later N.Meenakshisunderam) Pundit K.Sellathurai Tamil, P.S. Cumarasamy Ceylon History and K. Janaka European History. We had brilliant students with us like Thananjeyarajasingam who was later Professor of Tamil at the Peradeniya University, V. Sabanayagam who was later Deputy Director – General of Education, N. Sachithanandan, P. Kamalendran, S. Nadarajah and many others whose names I forgot with the passage of time.
Our then Principal A. Cumaraswamy was an educationist and a barrister too. His way of teaching was quite different and he always had a practical approach. He chartered a practical way to teach us about local and central government institutions, legal system and the working of a court of law. He got the permission from the presiding Supreme court judge, Justice H.W.Thambiah, a colleague of his and enabled us to watch the entire proceedings of the supreme courts - thus encouraging us to get a first hand knowledge of the working of the court system.
At school, both the Science and the Arts students were made to participate in a mock Parliament, where students were made to talk. Every week the parliament was in sessions - there was talk and cross-talk, parry and thrust, repartee and character assassination, sometimes filibustering too. Our Principal watched and amused himself while directing the proceedings. It should be mentioned in passing that the Senior Prefect was elected in this assembly. If not for this August body, we would not have become as talkative as we are today.
As a student, I underwent the rough and tumble of school life - more interested in the extra-mural activities, DIY, exhibitions, excursions and sports activities. Siva on the other hand was calm, cool and calculated, not impulsive but active - more interested in association work, administration and social service. Both of us were dedicated and committed as far as JHC is concerned.
I joined JHC as an assistant teacher in 1957, whereas Siva had already become a teacher before me. In 1960 there was another

V. Sivasupramaniam 245
carnival and exhibition and my contribution was a minor one as an organizer of the Historical and Civic Association exhibition and the Radio Club show and Siva was in charge of finance and the Games of Skill. The carnival was a grand success. As teachers in the University Entrance class Siva taught Political Science and I taught Ceylon and Indian History. - -
Siva was interested in the welfare of teachers and was an active member of the NPTA, ACUT and the NUT and was the President of the NPTA too. I still remember the days of transition when our school became a government school. Siva took an active part in fighting for the change. Finally before he left Sri Lanka he was the Principal of the Alaveddy Arunodhaya College.
I confined my activities to the school and my interests were varied - the same as they were during my school days. With the help of E.Mahadevan two plays were staged under the auspices of the Hisorical and Civic Association. The funds collected Were used for the School Gnanavairava temple and for taking the AL students for All Ceylon tours. My hobby enabled me to start the Radio Club at JHC and the Audio-Visual club was a subsidiary of the Radio Club.
Siva never lost sight of the fact, that the JHC needed to collect all the written documents aboutJHC and preserve them for posterity. This he says is a vital need because it is these documents which speak volumes about the pride and glory of the JHC. Another of our teachers Mr V.Mahadevan also used to stress this fact. I request Siva to initiate a campaign to collect all the print outs, articles, souvenirs, write-ups in newspapers, all issues of the “Young Hindu" and all the publications of our global OBAs. These could be sent to a central pool where copies could be made and these could be made available to all the OBAs and the school where they could be preserved for purposes of easy reference.
So far, no individual has released a souvenir about JHC on his own volition which shows how much Siva adores his Alma Mater. It is a matter of great satisfaction for every Hinduite that such a Venture as Siva's should wake up all the old boys who are in oblivion

Page 125
246 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
and make them realize that there is an institution for their education, enlightenment and elucidation. I must congratulate Siva for his worthwhile souvenir and hope that he will launch another one when he is a centenarian. -
It is gratifying to note that Siva communicates with me, even though he is as far away as in Seychelles. His communication is mostly about JHC. His activities and interests are of a spiritual and community based nature and that is one reason that keeps him fit and ready at all times. In my appreciation, I have recalled a few episodes that came to my memory and there are many more that I am unable to recall from memory. Whatever little that I have recalled here, should bring to light the past glories of JHC. Let us study the present in the light of the past for the best of the future.
k Cry with someone. -
It's more healing than crying alone.
k It's OK to get angry with God.
He can take it.
k Save for retirement starting with your first pay
check.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
k It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
But the Second one is up to you and no one else.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Forgive everyone everything.

V. Sivasupramaniam 247
அன்பும் அறிவும் நிரம்பிய ஆசான் A. Srikumaran
Principal Emeritus (1997-2005), Jaffna Hindu College
திரு. விஜயரட்ணம் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் வண்ணார் பண்ணை வடமேற்கு ஐயனார் கோவிலடியை பிறப்பிடமாகவும், நீண்டகாலம் வசிப்பிடமாகவும் கொண்டு வாழ்க்கை நடத்தியவர். நானும் அதே ஊர்வாசி.
1955 ஆம் ஆண்டு சனவரி மாதம் யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் தரம் 5 பி வகுப்பு மாணவனாக, எமக்கு ஆங்கிலபாட ஆசிரியராக முதன்முதலாக அறிமுகமானார். எனினும் எனது குடும்பத்தினருக்கு நன்கு அறிமுகமானவர். எனக்கு அப்போது வயது 10. ஆரம்பக் கல்வி பயிலும் சிறிய மாணவன் யான். குறும்புகள் அதிகம் கொண்ட பருவம்.
இளமைத் துடிப்பும், வசீகரமும் கொண்ட திரு. சிவசுப்பிர மணியம் ஆசிரியர் அன்பும் கண்டிப்பும் மிக்க ஆசான். ஆங்கில பாடத்தில் விருப்பினையும் ஊட்டியவர். இரண்டு நேரப் பாடசாலை. முற்பகலில் 5 பாடவேளைகள். மதிய போசன இடை (SG) 1606IT 12.55-1.45 LG.L. LOTGOGD (56) GOGIT 5 L JITL (56) GOGITG56T 1.45-3.45 பி.ப, பெரும்பாலும் 6வது பாட வேளை ஆங்கில பாடம் நடைபெறும். மதிய போசனத்திற்கு வீடு சென்று வருவது மாணவர் அனேகரினது வழக்கம். அவ்வாறே யானும் சென்று வருவதுண்டு.
சில சந்தர்ப்பங்களில் மாலை வேளை பாடசாலை ஆரம்பிக்கும் மணி அடித்த பின்பும் வகுப்பறையில் நுழைவது வழக்கம். அப்போது ஆசிரியர் எமக்கு அனுமதி வழங்குமுன், ിണ്ഡ

Page 126
248 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
அறிவுரை வழங்குவார். எப்படி வகுப்புக்குள் நுழைவு பெறுவது முதலில் "Please excuse me Sir" என விழிக்கும்படி கூறுவார். பின்பு "May | come in Sir" எனக் கேட்கும்படி பணித்துள்ளார். சாப்படு "Late எனக் கூறினால் இரண்டு பிரம்படி தந்து உள்ளே அனுமதிப்பார். இவை எனது வாழ்வில் ஆசிரியரோடு கொண்ட ஈடுபாடு. நீண்ட கதை. சுருங்கக் கூறியுள்ளேன். அதன்பின் அவரிடம் பாடசாலையில் கற்கும் வாய்ப்புக் கிட்டவில்லை.
எனினும் யா.இ.க. மாணவனாக 1954-1966 வரை கல்வி பயின்றேன். க.பொ.த. (உ/த) பரீட்சை 1965 ஆம் ஆண்டு தோற்றிய பின்னர் பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக் கழகம் செல்வதற்கு இடைப்பட்ட காலத்தில் எனது அண்ணா முத்துக்கிருஷ்ணன் ஆங்கிலம் கற்க அவரது வீட்டிற்கு அழைத்துச் சென்றார். அவரும் மறுக்காமல் எதுவித ஊதியம் பெறாமல் எனக்கு ஆங்கிலம் சொல்லித் தந்தார். இது எனது பல்கலைக் கழகப் படிப்பிற்கு மிகவும் உதவியாக இருந்தமையை குறிப்பிட்டே ஆகவேண்டும்.
1969- 1970.g@†]ါ) பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக்கழக விடுமுறைகளின்போது யாழ்ப்பாணம் வருவது வழக்கம். அக்காலப் பகுதியில் ஆசிரியர் யா.இ.க. வில் க.பொத.த. (உத) வகுப்பு மாணவருக்கு அரசியல் (Government) பாடத்தினை கற்பித்தார் பரீட்சை விடைத்தாள் திருத்தும் பணியினை எனக்கு ஒப்படைத்திருந்தார். யான் அரசியல் ஒரு பாடமாக கற்றேன். ஒவ்வொரு விடையிலும் தவறவிடப்பட்ட முக்கிய குறிப்புகளை சிவப்பு பேனாவினால் குறிக்கும்படி பணித்தார்.
பின்பு என்னை அழைத்து மாணவர்கள் விட்ட தவறுகளை சுட்டிக்காட்டி பல்கலைக் கழக மட்டத்தில் எதிர்பார்க்கப்படும் முக்கிய விடயங்களை விளக்கும்படி கேட்டுக் கொண்டார்.
கற்றல்-கற்பித்தலில் மிக்க ஈடுபாடு கொண்ட ஒர் ஆசிரியர் சமகால எதிர்பார்ப்புகளை மாணவருக்கு வழங்க வேண்டும் என்ற பெரு வியப்பு அவரிடம் யான் கண்டு கொண்டேன்.
க.பொ.த. (சா/த) பரீட்சைக் கடமை பிரதம மேற்பார்வை யாளராக ஆசிரியர் செல்வது வழக்கம். யான் உதவியாளராகக் கூடச் செல்வேன். நாளொன்றிற்கு ரூபா 5/- சம்பளம்

V. Sivasupramaniam 249
அக்காலத்தில் 1970களில் அது பெரிய காசு. நல்ல சுவையான தாவர மதிய போசனம் தருவார். அந்த நாட்கள் இனிமை யானவை. மறக்க முடியாதவை. அன்பின் வெளிப்பாடு. சொல்லில் வழங்க இயலாது.
ஐயனார் கோவிலடி பூரீ விசுவேச விநாயகர் ஆலய மகோற்சவ காலத்தில் திருவிழா என்றால் ஆசிரியர் வருவார். பயமும் பக்தியும் நிரம்பிய நாட்கள் இரவுத் திருவிழா சுவாமி தூக்க எல்லாம் உதவுவார். பிள்ளையார் மீது ஆராதபற்றுக் கொண்டவர். அருட்கடாட்சம் பெற்றவர்.
1978-1980 காலப்பகுதியில் அருணோதயாக் கல்லூரியின் அதிபராகக் கடமை புரிந்தார். 1992-1997 காலப் பகுதியில் யான் அதே கல்லூரி அதிபராக கடமை ஆற்றியுள்ளேன். எதிர்பாராத அனுபவம். அவரது நாமம் என்றும் வாழ்கிறது.
கல்விப்பணி, சமயப்பணி, சமூகப்பணி என அவரது வாழ்க்கையை மூன்று கூறுகளாகப் பார்க்கலாம்.
சேசெல்சு நாட்டில் 1985களில் இருந்து அவரது கல்விப் பணி, சமயப்பணி, சமூகப்பணி விரிவடைந்து பல்தேசிய உணர்வுடன் கூடியதாக மிளிர்கிறது.
தான் பிறந்த நாட்டிற்கு மட்டுமன்றி தான் சென்ற இடமெல்லாம் பணி செய்து வருகின்றார். அவருடன் அவரது துணைவியாரும் அவருக்கு பக்க பலமாக இருந்து வழிநடத்து கின்றார் என்றால் மிகையாகாது.
அறிவு, மதிநுட்பம், அன்பு, அரவணைக்கும் பண்பு, தொடர் பாடல் ஆகிய சிறந்த நற்பண்புகள் நிரம்பப் பெற்ற ஆளுமைமிக்க எனது ஆசான் எனது நெஞ்சில் நிறைந்தவர். பாராட்டுக்கள் பல. அகவை '80' சிறப்புற,
வாழ்க வளமுடன்

Page 127
250 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
வாழ்த்துரை Hon'ble Justice K. Sripavan Judge of the Supreme Court, Sri Lanka
ஒரு ஆசிரியராகத் தனது தொழிலை இலங்கையில் ஆரம்பித்துப் பின்னர் அதிபராக, கல்விச் சிந்தனையாளராக, விரிவுரையாளராக நைஜீரியா, சீசெல்சு ஆகிய நாடுகளில் பல
பரிமாண ஆளுமைகளை எடுத்துக் காட்டிய திரு. விஜயரத்தினம் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் 46 வருடங்களுக்கும் மேலான தமது "கல்விக் கால நினைவலைகளை ஒரு நூலாக வெளியிட எண்ணியிருப்பதையிட்டு அகமகிழ்வுடன் அவருக்கு என் வாழ்த்துகளைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கின்றேன்.
மண்ணில் நல்ல வண்ணம் வாழவேண்டும்; வாழும்வகை அறிந்து வாழவேண்டும். இத்தகைய நிறைவான வாழ்வினை மாணவர்கள் வாழ்வதற்குச் சரியான முறையில் வழிகாட்டியாகத் திகழ்ந்தவர் திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள். நான் யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் கல்வி கற்ற காலப் பகுதியில், அதாவது 1961ஆம் ஆண்டிலிருந்து 1971ஆம் ஆண்டு வரை கல்லூரியிலே ஒரு ஆசிரியராக அவர் பணியாற்றினார். மிக அருமையாகக் கடமையாற்றும் திறன், அறிவு, அன்பு, பணிவின் உயர்ச்சி, உன்னத முயற்சி, ஆளுமை, தலைமைத்துவம் என்னும் பல்வேறு பண்புகளை அவர் பெற்றிருந்ததை நான் நன்கறிவேன். கல்லூரியின் வளர்ச்சியிலே தனது முழு நேரத்தையும் செலவிட்டுக் காலமெல்லாம் கல்விக்கு உயிர்கொடுத்துக் காலை முதல் மாலை வரை கல்லூரியிலிருந்து அரும்பணியாற்றியதுடன் ஆசிரியர் களோடும் மாணவர்களோடும் அன்பாகப் பழகி அவர்களின் திறமைகளை ஊக்குவித்தார். ஒரு கல்விமானாகச் சிறந்த
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 251
நிருவாகியாக, அதைவிட தமிழ்ச் சமூகத்தின்மீது அக்கறையுள்ள மனிதராக எல்லோரிடமும் சிரித்த முகத்துடனும் அதேவேளை கண்டிப்புடனும் பழகும் ஆசான். தனது 46 வருடகால அனுபவத்தின் மூலம் அவரால் வெளியிடப்படும் இந்நூல் எமது வருங்கால மாணவர்களுக்கு மட்டுமல்லாது கல்வித்துறை சார்ந்த ஏனையோருக்கும் பயனுள்ளதாகவிருக்குமென்பதில் மாறுபட்ட வேறு கருத்துகள் இருக்க முடியாது.
திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களின் ஆக்கம் சிறப்பாக வெளிவர வாழ்த்துவதோடு மட்டுமன்றி அவரின் ஆற்றல்மிக்க சேவை தமிழ் பேசும் சமூகத்திற்கு நீண்ட காலம் கிடைக்க அவருக்கு நீண்ட ஆயுளையும், தேக ஆரோக்கியத்தையும் தன் இனியகுடும்பத்துடன் இன்புற்று வாழ திருவருள் வேண்டி நல்லைக் கந்தன் மலர்ப் பாதங்களை இறைஞ்சி நிற்கின்றேன்.
k What other people think of you is none of your
business.
Time heals almost everything. Give time. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
★
Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it
IYOW.
Growing old beats the alternative - dying young. Your children get only one childhood. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
★
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw every
one else's, we’d grab ours back.

Page 128
252 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
எனது சாரணிய
வழிகாட்டியும் குருவும் R THAVAGOPAL
Former JHC Scout
/ ཉ १. * Assistant Rover Scout Leader, Jaffna
繆
靴 யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் 1961ஆம் ஆண்டு நான்காம் வகுப்பில் சேர்த்துக் கொள்ளப்பெற்றேன். அப்பொழுது கல்லூரியில் குருளைச் சாரணர் குழுவும் இருந்தது. சாரணர் குழுவும் இருந்தது. 1962 ஆம் ஆண்டு குருளைச் சாரணர் குழுவில் சேர்த்துக் கொள்ளப் பெற்றேன். அக்குழுவின் பொறுப்பாசிரியர் அமரராகிவிட்ட ஆர். சிவனேசராசா இருந்தார். எமக்கு சின்னம் சூட்டப்படவில்லை. 1963 ஆம் ஆண்டு சாரணர் குழுவின் தலைவராக இருந்த திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களிடம் சாரணராகச் சின்னம் சூட்டப்பெற்றேன். அப்பொழுது குமாரசாமி மண்டபம் கட்டப் பெற்றுக் கொண்டிருந்தது. எங்களது வகுப்பு கீழ் மாடியில் நடைபெற்றுக் கொண்டிருந்தது.
திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் எங்களது வகுப்பாசிரியரும் ஆக இருந்தார். அக்காலத்தில் காலை, மதியம் ஆக இரு நேர வகுப்பு மத்தியானம் சாப்பாடு கொண்டு வந்து சாப்பிட்ட பின் விளையாட்டு மைதானம் சென்று விளையாடி மணி அடித்ததும் வேர்க்க வேர்க்க வகுப்பிற்குள் வந்து விடுவோம். மத்தியானம் முதல் வகுப்பு ஆசிரியர் வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களின் பாடமாக இருந்தால் கண்டிப்பாகப் பேச்சு விழும்.
குமாரசாமி மண்டபத்தின் கீழ் மாடியில் உள்ள கடைசி அறைதான் சாரணர் அறை. அதற்குள்தான் சாரணர் குழுவிற்கான தடிகள், கயிறுகள், பாசறைக் கூடாரங்கள் அணிகளுக்கான தனித்தனி அணி மூலைகள் யாவும் அடங்கியிருக்கும்.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 253
திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் சாரணத் தலைவராக இருந்த காலத்தில் அகில இலங்கை ரீதியில் கூலிக்கு வேலை வாரத்தில் யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரி முதலாம் இடம் பெற்று அப்பொழுது சனாதிபதியாக இருந்த மாண்புமிகு வில்லியம் கோபல்லவா அவர்களிடமிருந்து வெற்றிக் கிண்ணத்தைப் பெற்றுக் கொண்டது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் சாரணத் தலைவராக இருந்த காலத்தில் யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் சாரணர் ஆண்டு விழா வருடந்தோறும் கொண்டாடப்பெற்று வந்ததுடன் சாரணர் விழா மலர் புத்தகமும் அச்சடித்துச் சாரணர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் வினியோகிக்கப் பெற்று வந்தது. அவ்வைபவம் பல காலம் தொடர்ந்து வருடந்தோறும் நடைபெற்று வந்தது. போர்க்காலச் சூழலில் தற்போது தடைபெற்றுப் போய்விட்டது மீண்டும் கல்லூரியில் இனிமேல் தொடரும் என எதிர்பார்க்கலாம்.
நான் கல்லூரி சாரணர் குழுவிலிருந்த விலகிய பின்னர் திரிசாரணர் குழுவில் சேர்ந்து உதவி மாவட்ட திரிசாரணர் குழுத் தலைவராகவும் (A.R.S.L.) பின்னர் மாவட்ட திரிசாரணத் தலைவராகவும் செய்யப்பெற்றேன். அக்காலத்தில் ஏனைய மாவட்டங்களில் உள்ளது போன்று யாழ். மாவட்டத்தில் திரிசாரணர் வளர்ச்சி பெறவில்லை. ஏனைய மாவட்டங்களில் நடைபெறும் வருடாந்த திரிசாரணர் ஜம்போறி (Rover Moot) யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் உள்ள சிரேஷ்ட சாரணர்களைத்தான் கூட்டிச் செல்வோம்.
அதன்பின் 1980ஆம் ஆண்டு யாழ். மாவட்டம் நான்கு மாவட்ட அலகாகப்பிரிக்கப் பெற்றது. அதனால் யாழ் மாவட்டத்திற்கு உதவி மாவட்ட ஆணையாள (நிருவாகம்) ராக என்னைத் தெரிவு செய்தனர். அந்நேரம் மாவட்ட ஆணையாளராக இருந்தவர். அமரர் எஸ். கந்தமூர்த்தி அவர்கள். அந்த ஆண்டு மீரிகமையில் நடைபெறற தருசின்னப் பயிற்சி (Wood Badge) பங்கு பற்றித் தருசின்னமும் பெற்றுக் கொண்டேன். அதன்பின் யாழ் மாவட்டத்தில் சாரணர் ஆசிரியருக்கான தலைமைத்துவப் பயிற்சிகளை நடாத்திச் சாரணியத்தை வளர்த்தெடுத்தோம்.

Page 129
254 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரி சாரணர் குழு வைரவிழா 14-5-76, 15-5-76 ஆகிய இரு நாட்களும் கொண்டாடப் பெற்றது. சாரணியத்தின் ஓர் எழுச்சியாக விழிப்புணர்வாக இருந்தமை குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
சாரணர் கண்காட்சி சாரணர் கலைக் கதம்பம் நிலைக்காட்சி
திடற்காட்சி வைரவிழா மலர் வெளியீடு விருது வழங்கல்
7. பரிசில்கள் வழங்கல்
போன்ற பல்வேறுபட்ட நிகழ்ச்சிகள் விழாவில் நடைபெற்றன. இந்நிகழ்வுக்குப் பிரதம விருந்தினராகத் தேசிய சாரணர் பயிற்சி பதில் ஆணையாளராகவிருந்த திரு. எச். இரத்தினகுரியா கொழும்பிலிருந்து வந்து பங்கு பற்றிச் சிறப்பித்தமை குறிப்பிடத் தககது.
யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரியில் 12-11-1977ஆம் ஆண்டு மரம் நாட்டு விழா நடாத்தப் பெற்றமையுடன் விழாவில் பங்கு பற்றிய பாடசாலை சாரணர்களுக்கு இலவசமாக மில்க்வைற் நிறுவனம் மூலம் மரக்கன்றுகள் வழங்கியதுடன் தொடர்ந்தும் பல வருடங்களாக இப்பணி நடைபெறுவது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
நல்லூர்க் கந்தசாமி கோவில் உற்சவத்தின்போது யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரி சாரணர்கள் வருடந்தோறும் சிறப்பாகப் பணியாற்றி வருகின்றார்கள்.
1979ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜூலை மாதம் 5ஆம் திகதி முதல் 9 ஆம் திகதி வரை மாங்குளத்திலிருந்து முல்லைத் தீவிற்குச் செல்லும் வழியில் 7 1/4 மைல் தொலைவிலுள்ள மணவான்பட்ட முறிப்பு என்னும் இடத்திலுள்ள காட்டில் யாழ் இந்துக் கல்லூரி சாரணர்கள் 55 பேர் குழுத் தலைவர் திரு. மா. புவனேந்திரன் தலைமையில் பாசறை அமைத்துப் பயிற்சி பெற்றதுடன் இறுதிநாள் மாங்குளம் வைத்திய சாலையில் சிரமதானப்

V. Sivasupramaniam 255
பணிமூலம் துப்பரவு செய்துள்ளார்கள். இப்பயிற்சிப் பாசறையில் பங்குபற்றிய அனைத்துச் சாரணர்கட்கும் சான்றிதழ் வழங்கப் பெற்றன.
யாழ். சாரணர்
25-2-81ஆம் நாள் யாழ்ப்பாணம் பத்திரிகை 'ஈழநாடு' இல் ஒரு பக்கம் முழுவதும் சாரணர்களுக்கனே செய்திகளும் பயிற்சிகளும், விவரங்களும் வெளியிடப் பெற்று வந்தது. ஒவ்வொரு புதன்கிழமைப் பத்திரிகையில் இதற்கென ஒரு பக்கம் ஒதுக்கப் பெற்றது. இதன் ஆசிரியராக யா.இ. கல்லூரியில் காரண ஆசிரியராகவும், உதவி மாவட்ட ஆணையாளராகவும் (பயிற்சி) A.D.C.(T), LT ஆகவும் இருந்தவர் அமரர் நா. நல்லையா ஆகும். உதவியாசிரியராக நான் கடமையாற்றினேன்.
நான் உதவி மாவட்ட ஆணையாளராகவும் A.D.C. உதவிப் பயிற்றுநர் தலைவராகவும் வளர்ச்சியடைந்து சாரணியத்தில் சேவையாற்றும் வாய்ப்பைப் பெற்றது. யா.இ.க. சாரணனாகச் சின்னம் சூட்டிய திரு. வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் ஆசிரியரது கைராசியே ஆகும். அவருக்கு இந்நேரத்தில் எனது மனமார்ந்த நன்றியைத் தெரிவிப்பதில் மனமகிழ்ச்சியடைகின்றேன். அவரது பணி தொடரட்டும். வாழ்க சாரணியம். வளர்க சேவை.
Life isn't fair, but it's still good. When in doubt, just take the next small step. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
:
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
The best is yet to come. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.” Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.
:
Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

Page 130
256 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
அபூர்வமான ஆசான் S. Thillai Nadarajah Assistant Secretary (Retired), Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka
கிராமத்துக் கல்லூரியில் க.பொ.த. (சாத) கல்வியைப் பூர்த்தி செய்து உயர்தரப் படிப்புக்காக 44 வருடங்களுக்கு முன் யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரி சென்ற ஆரம்பகால நினைவுகள் பல இன்னும் என் நெஞ்சில் பசுமரத்தாணியாகப் பதிந்துள்ளது. அவற்றில் சில எனக்குப் பாடம் சொல்லித் தந்து வழிகாட்டிய ஆசிரியர்கள் தொடர்பானவை. ஆசிரியர்களுள் ஒருவரான திருமிகு, வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியத்தின் தொடர்பு - கல்லூரியை விட்டு வெளியேறி நாற்பத்திரண்டு ஆண்டுகள் கழிந்த பின்னும் தொடர்வது மகிழ்வாகவும் வியப்பாகவும் உள்ளது. ஆம்!
1965ன் நடுப்பகுதியில் க.பொ.த (உத) அரசியல் பாட ஆசிரியர் திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியத்தின் கம்பீரமான தோற்றமும் கனிவான பார்வையும் முதல் பார்வையிலேயே அவர் மேல் அலாதியான மதிப்பை ஏற்படுத்தியது. இந்துவில் காலடி வைத்த இரு வாரத்தில் கல்லூரி வைர விழாக் கொண்டாட்டங்களின் ஒரு பகுதியாக ஆசிரியர் மகாதேவா (தேவன்-யாழ்ப்பாணம்) தயாரித்த நாடகம், அதில் நானும் ஒரு பாத்திரம். ஒப்பனை யாளரின் திறமையால் என்னை மேடையில் அடையாளம் காண்பது சகபாடிகளுக்கும் முடியாமல் போனது. ஆசிரியர்கள் மத்தியில் ஒரு கேள்வி? - 'யார் இந்த மாணவர்?"
'போன கிழமை ஏ. எல்லுக்கு வந்த அட்மிஷன் தில்லை நடராசா' - திரு. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் இந்தத் தகவலை வழங்கிய தாக வகுப்பாசிரியர் திரு. சேனாதிராஜா சொல்லித் தெரிந்து
கொண்டேன்.
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 257
'சிவா' சேரின் மாணவராகிய சில தினங்களிலேயே பாடங்களை ஆழமாகக் கற்பிக்கும் ஆற்றலையும் அவரிடமுள்ள அருமையான திறமைகளையும் அறிந்து கொண்டேன். உயர்வகுப்புகளில் சினம் கொள்ளும் வாலிபப் பருவத்து மாணவர்களையும் புன்சிரிப்பால் வசீகரித்துக் கற்றல் செயற்பாடுகளில் ஈடுபடுத்தக்கூடிய இணையற்ற ஆளுமையை அவர்பால் இருப்பதை உணர முடிந்தது. பல்கலைக் கழகக் கனவுகளோடு, வாழும் கல்லூரி மாணவர்கள் பல கோணங்களில் வினாவெழுப்பி ஆசிரியர்களைச் சங்கடங்களை ஏற்படுத்தும் வேளை - ஆசிரியர் சிவா மாணவர்களின் மனங்களைத் திருப்திப் படுத்தும்-தகவற் களஞ்சியமாகவும், எதையும் சமாளித்துச் சகலரையும் சந்தோஷம் கொள்ள வைக்கும் பல்துறை ஆற்றல் நிரம்பியவராகவும் இருந்தார்.
சாரணிய ஆசிரியராகவும், கல்லூரி வெளியீடாகிய இந்து இளைஞன்` சஞ்சிகையின் பொறுப்பாசிரியராகவும், பணிபுரிந்த அதே வேளை, வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கப் பொதுச் செயலாளராகவும் தலைவராகவும் பொறுப்புடன் ஆற்றிய பணிகளும் பல. இலங்கைச் சாரணர் பெறும் உயர்கெளரவமான சிறப்புக் கொடியை "Island Mert Flag யாழ். இந்துக் கல்லூரி இரண்டு வருடங்கள் பெற்றுக் கொண்டதும் ஆசிரியர் சிவாவின் காலத்தில் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
வடமாகாண ஆசிரியர் சங்கம் கல்லூரி மாணவர்களிடையே எழுத்து, நாவன்மை, LJITL 6) போன்ற போட்டிகளை நடாத்தியபோது, பொதுச் செயலாளராகக் கடமையாற்றிய ஆசிரியர் சிவாவின் பக்கச் சார்பற்ற பணிகளைப் பலரும் பாராட்டியதை நன்கு அறிவேன். மிகவும் சிறப்பான வகையில் திட்டமிட்டு நேர ஒழுங்கின் பிரகாரம் திறமைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே இடம் கொடுத்துக் கண்டிப்பும் கண்ணியமும் நேர்மையும் மிக்க நிருவாகி என்ற பாராட்டையும் பெற்றுக் கொண்டவர் ஆசிரியர்
ിഖT
மாணவர்களின் திறமைகளை அடையாளம் கண்டு, அதற்கேற்பத் தொழில் துறைகளைத் தேர்ந்து கொள்ளத்தக்க

Page 131
258 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
வகையில் கல்வியைத் தொடர வழிகாட்டிய சிறப்புக்கும் உரியவர் நமது ஆசிரியர். அதனால் அவரது மாணவர்கள் குறைவில்லா வகையில் நிறைவான வாழ்க்கை நடாத்துவதையும் குறிப்பிட்டுச் சொல்லலாம்.
ஒரு தடவை எனது விடயம் ஒன்று இலண்டன் பத்திரிகையொன்றில் சிறப்பான முறையில் பிரசுரமாகியிருந்தது. அதைப் பார்வையிட்டுப் பாராட்டிக் கடிதம் எழுதிய ஆசிரியர் சிவாவிடம் அப்பத்திரிகை என் பார்வைக்குக் கிடைக்காததைக் குறிப்பிட்டுக் கடிதம் எழுதியிருந்தேன். என்ன ஆச்சரியம் அப்பத்திரிகையைப் பக்குவமாக எனக்குச் சேர்ப்பித்திருந்தார்.
நான் அவுஸ்திரேலியா செல்வதாக அறிந்து, அவரது மகன் சிற்சபேசனுடன் தொடர்பு ஏற்படுத்தித் தந்தார். இடங்களைப் பார்வையிட நிகழ்வுகளில் கலந்து கொள்ள அந்தத் தொடர்பும் வாய்ப்பாக அமைந்தது.
என்னுடன் பழகும் சிலரோடு உரையாடிய வேளையில் ஆசிரியர் 'சிவா அநேகமாக எல்லோருடனும் தொடர்புகளைத் தொடர்ந்தும் பேணி வருவதாகவும் அவர்களின் நலன்களில் அக்கறையுடன் செயற்படுவதாகவும் அறிய முடிந்தது.
அபூர்வமான எங்கள் ஆசான் திருமிகு சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் பல்லாண்டு வாழ - பயன்மிகு பணியாற்ற வாழ்த்தி அவரும் அவர் குடும்பத்தினரும் எல்லா நலமும் பெற இறைவனைப் பிரார்த்திப்போம்.

V. Sivasupramaniam 259
SWA A KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON
(Dr.) Carl Vadivella Belle Inaugural Hindu Chaplain, Flinders University Adelaide, Australia
It gives me great pleasure to contribute to the Souvenir Publication in honour of Sri Vijaratnam Siva Supramaniam.
I first had the honour of communicating with Sri Siva supramaniam when I was undertaking my Ph.D. thesis. I was interested in the genesis of Hinduism in the Seychelles, and I wrote to Sri Siva supramaniam to request assistance. The response was instantaneous. Sri Sivasupramaniam forwarded materials, and offered advice, much of which found its way into my thesis. Later, Sri Sivasupramaniam reviewed my work. His review was erudite, informed and knowledgeable. Over the years of communicating with Sri Siva supramaniam, I have found him to be generous with his time, and selflessly devoted to the service of others. I have learned that this service forms part of his ethos, and is indeed inspired by the deepest philosophies of Saivite Hinduism... that service to others is service to God.
Sri Sivasupramaniam has extended this notion of devotion and service into many fields. He has held an exemplary record in teaching, both as a Principal of many schools and in the field of administration. He has shown yeoman service in the cause of community work, including Scouts and youth organizations, in more recent years he has been a leading figure in the promotion of Hinduism in the Seychelles and the construction of the first Hindu temple in the islands. His record is one which extends from his native Sri Lanka to Nigeria and thence to his home in the Seychelles. But his writing, research, and activities in promoting Tamil culture have a world wide audience.
This appreciation thus honours a distinguished soul who has laboured tirelessly in the service of others. In these modern times when people seem too busy to think of anything but their own immediate concerns, Sri Sivasupramaniam's life serves as an outstanding example of sacrifice and productivity for the benefit of others, and thus, by extension, society as a whole.

Page 132
260 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
SWA A LOVEABLE TEACHER
Ms. Veronqiue Laporte CEO-SPTC, Seychelles
I have been very fortunate to have met and to have been taught by Mr. Siva supramaniam, known to us as Mr. Siva, at the National Youth Service (NYS) during the years 1993-1994. He was (and remains today) a very enthusiastic person, dedicated and always ready to e. end a helping hand to his students - even on matters outside History, which was the main subject Mr. Siva was teaching at the NYS.
He was loved and respected by all the students. This was principally because of his ability to get on well with us all and his valuable advice which served to guide us through our NYS experiences during the then delicate times of our life. To this day, Mr. Siva, never fails to enquire about his students and he is always ready to have the time to exchange conversation whenever we meet him (even if for a short while) to update himself on our achievements and career plans.
It is with utmost respect that I express to Mr. Siva my sincere gratitude for all his dedication and commitment to the education system in the Seychelles and to his time and experiences that he has shared with us all. I am positive that his contributions will remain valuable for us all for many years to come. Thank you, Mr. Sival
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 261
ஆசிரியப் பெருந்தகை வி. சிவசுப்பிரமணியம்
Hon'ble Justice J. Viswanathan Appellate Court N.R., Vavuniya
ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனுடைய வாழ்விலும்
இனிமையானதும் பசுமையானதுமான நினைவுகளை மனத்தில் ஆழமாகப் பதிக்க வல்லது அவனது பள்ளிப் பருவமாகும். ஒருவன் கல்வி கற்ற கல்லூரி ஆங்கிலத்தில் "Ama Mater" எனப்படும். அத்தகைய கல்லூரியில் பல ஆசிரியர்கள் பல பாடங்களைக் கற்பிக்கின்றனர். அவர்கள் அனைவரும் மறக்க முடியாதவர்கள்தாம். இருப்பினும் சில ஆசிரியர்களின் நினைவுகள் என்றுமே மறக்க முடியாதவை. பழைய மாணவர்கள் ஒன்றுகூடிக் கதைக்கும்போது தங்களை முழுமையாகக் கல்வித்துறைக்கு அர்ப்பணித்துக் கற்பித்தலை ஒரு வேள்விபோல், தவம்போல் இயற்றியவர்களைப்பற்றி நினைவு கூரும்போது நேரம் போவதே தெரிவதில்லை. அவர்கள் எம் வாழ்வின் ஏணிப்படிகள், நாங்கள் இன்று சமூகத்தில் மதிப்புடனும் கெளரவத்துடனும் வாழ வழிசமைத்தவர்கள் அத்தகைய தலைசிறந்த ஆசிரியர்களில் ஒருவரே பெரியார் வி. சிவசுப்பிர
மணியம் அவர்கள்.
நான் யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரியின் பழைய மாணவன். முதலாம் வகுப்பிலிருந்து நான்காம் வகுப்புவரை யாழ்ப்பாணம் கஸ்தூரியார் வீதியிலுள்ள யாழ். இந்து கனிஷ்ட ஆரம்ப பாடசாலையில் கல்வி கற்றேன். ஐந்தாம் வகுப்பிலிருந்து கல்வி பொதுத் தராதர உயர்தர வகுப்புவரை யாழ் இந்துவில் கற்றேன். யாழ் இந்துவில் நான் சேரும்போது அதன் அதிபராக இருந்தவர் ஆசைப்பிள்ளை அவர்கள். விலகும்போது அதிபராக இருந்தவர் ந. சபாரத்தினம் அவர்கள்.

Page 133
262 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
நான் யாழ்ப்பாணம், வண்ணார்பண்ணை, ஐயனார் கோயிலடியை வசிப்பிடமாகக் கொண்டிருந்தேன். சிவசுப்பிர மணியம் மாஸ்டரும் அதே இடத்தவர். அவரின் மாணவனாக ஆகுமுன்னரே ஐயனார் கோயிலடி விசுவேச விநாயகர் கோயில் நித்திய பூசைகளின்போது சந்தித்துக் கொள்வோம். அந்த விநாயகர் வழிபாட்டின் ஆழ்மனப் பதிவுகளே பிற்காலத்தில் அவரைச் சீசெல்சில் அருள்மிகு நவசக்தி விநாயகர் கோயிலின் வளர்ச்சியில் முழு மூச்சுடன் திருப்பணி செய்ய ஊக்குவித்தது.
சீசெல்சு நாட்டில் ஆங்கில மொழியிலும் தமிழ் மொழியிலும் பல நூல்கள், சஞ்சிகைகள் அவர் வெளியிட்டுள்ளார். சீசெல்சு நவசக்தி விநாயகர் கோயில் வரலாறு தொடர்பாக "Decade of Growth" என்ற நூலை 2003ஆம் ஆண்டில் வெளியிட்டார். அதில் அவரது எழுத்தாற்றலின் ஆழமான பரிமாணத்தை அறியமுடிகிறது.
சீசெல்சு நாட்டில் சர்வதேச லயன்சு கழக நடவடிக்கையிலும் சுறுசுறுப்பாக ஈடுபட்டு அளப்பரிய சமூகப் பணியாற்றியுள்ளார். தான் வாழும் சமுதாயத்துடன் ஒன்றிணைந்து, முரண்பாடுகளை நீக்கி, உலக நடையினை அறிந்து 'ஒத்தது அறிவான் உயிர் வாழ்வான்' என்ற குறள் வரிகளுக்கு ஏற்ப வாழும் ஒருவர் அவர். இதனையே இன்னொரு குறளில் 'உலகத்தோடு ஒட்ட ஒழுகல்"
என வள்ளுவர் உரைத்துள்ளார்.
அவரின் ஆசிரியப்பணி இலங்கையிலும், நைஜீரியாவிலும், சீசெல்சிலும் தொடர்ந்தது. யாழ் இந்துவில் எங்களுக்கு ஆங்கிலப் பாடம் படிப்பித்தார். அவர் கற்பிக்கும் போது விட்ட மூச்சு விடாமல் ஆர்வமாகக் கேட்போம். "Puss in Boots" என்ற கதையை ஆங்கிலத்தில் வாசித்து விளங்கப்படுத்தியபோது அச்சொட்டாக பூனையைப் போலவும், இராஜகுமாரனைப் போலவும், அரக்கனைப் போலவும் நடித்தே காண்பித்துவிடுவார். வீட்டில் ஆங்கிலச் சொற்களின் Spellingsஐ மனனம் செய்யும்படி கூறி, அடுத்தநாள் Dictation பரீட்சை நடத்துவார். யாழ் இந்துவின் புகழ்பூத்த ஆங்கில ஆசிரியர்களாக விளங்கிய K.V. மயில்வாகனம், கொமியுனிஸ்ட் கார்த்திகேயன், A.S, கனகரத்தினம், பூரீநிவாசன், N. சபாரத்தினம்.

V. Sivasupramaniam 263
கணேசரத்தினம் ஆகியோரின் வரிசையில் நிச்சயம் ஆசிரியர் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்களுக்குத் தனியிடமுண்டு.
மகாகவி பாரதியாரின் சொற்களில்,
"இன்னறுங்கனிச் சோலைகள் செய்தல் இனிய நீர்த் தண்சுனைகள் இயற்றல் அன்னசத்திரம் ஆயிரம் வைத்தல் ஆலயம் பதினாயிரம் நாட்டல் பின்னர் உள்ள தருமங்கள் யாவும் பெயர் விளங்கி ஒளிர நிறுத்தல் அன்ன யாவினும் புண்ணியங் கோடி ஆங்கோர் ஏழைக்கு எழுத்தறி வித்தல்" என்பது 'எழுத்தறிவித்தவன் இறைவனாவான்' என்பதை இயம்புகின்றது.
இதேபோல் நாலடியாரில்
"குஞ்சி யழகும் கொடுந்தானைக் கோட்டழகும் மஞ்சள் அழகும் அழகல்ல - நெஞ்சத்து நல்லம்யாம் என்னும் நடுவு நிலைமையாற் கல்வி யழகே யழகு" என்பதற்கிணங்க எண்ணற்ற மாணவர்களை அர்ப்பணிப்பு உணர்வோடு கல்வி கற்கவைத்து அவர்களை அறிஞர்களாக்கி உலகில் பல்வேறு நாடுகளில் அவர்கள் பெருமையோடும், பேரோடும், புகழோடும் வாழ வழிகாட்டிய நல்லாசான் சிவசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் தீர்க்க ஆயுளுடனும், தேக சுகத்துடனும் பல்லாண்டு வாழ எல்லாம் வல்ல இறைவனை வேண்டுகிறேன்.

Page 134
264 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES
S. Yoganathan Veterinary Surgeon Winchester, USA
It is with great pleasure and an immense Satisfaction that, I wish to pen some thoughts and memories of our respected teacher, Mr.V.Sivasupramaniam.
When I came to the hostel at the tender age of 9 years, it was a tremendous change, from the petted home life to hostel life. But, I was not fully lost in the hostel life, as I had two of my elder brothers in the hostel to guide me through and the change was fairly smooth, I should say. Apart from the sibling support, in a way, rather unexpectedly, I received additional strength from many of the teachers. Sivasupramaniam Master was one of those and I cannot easily forget the role he played during those early years.
As time rolled by, with the moving out of my siblings, I had to seek guidance from mentors like him and he was always there to give a helping hand. A person, with very easy going demeanor, who earned the respect of all through his soft spoken mannerisms. Yet, his guidance, vision and teachings were of the utmost quality; one cannot easily match or forget. Though we had our eternal fear to our Boarding Master, late KSS, we also had the “fear”, may be I should say “respect” to teachers like Sivasupramaniam Master. In my words, I would call them the “Silent Achievers' who instilled in us, the needed discipline and the values of early education. Because of the closeness of age, we were very comfortable to approach him for any advice and guidance, something we needed all the time. He was
 

V. Sivasupramaniam 265
ever Willing with that easy going smile and it was a very valuable experience.
Apart from being an old boy of Jaffna Hindu College and a teacher for almost 20 years, he has left a long lasting imprint along the halls and corridors of the school. In addition to being a Scout Master, he led a stream of youths teaching the essentials of discipline and dedication. He also extended his arms in the literary area, being in charge of the College Magazine, “The Young Hindu' and I am sure that it will bring, great unforgettable memories to us, even now, when we get a chance to flip through the pages of that journal.
Time does bring change in everyone's life and we all are no exception to that. Higher education, employment, family life etc. bring in changes, sometimes taking us to different geographical locations. Since leaving Hindu College, getting employed in the government sector, followed by higher education etc. it took many of us in different directions. Obviously, I lost contact with him soon after leaving College.
Little did I realize that our paths will cross in another
continent, almost 20 years later?
Yes, we did meet in Nigeria, in early eighties. Soon after that, I left Nigeria and again almost 26 years later, I receive an email from him, reconnecting the link. What does that tell me? If you are a student or a teacher from Jaffna Hindu College, you are permanently bonded to that institution; our colleagues including the staff, we are all a very big happy family forever.
Strangely though, he got my e mail from the journal that was dedicated to our late KSS, our boarding master, in the year 2006, organized by the old boys in United Kingdom. That tells us one thing: Written medium is a powerful one and it never fades or dies and I am happy to be part of the same medium to express my sincere feelings. It is with that thought in mind; I would like to wind up by
Saying:

Page 135
266 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
Dear Master - It has been great knowing you and we are all thankful to have had the opportunity to be part of a great learning institution, The Jaffna Hindu College, the common bond that brought us together and it is that bond that will keep us together wherever we are, for ever and ever.
I salute you and will remember you, for your class room teachings and outside mentoring and the memories that go with it, till we become amnesic due to old age.
All the best to you and your family.
A teacher is a systematic thinker, A Guru is a lateral thinker.
A teacher will punish you with a stick, A Guru will punish you with compassion.
A teacher is to pupil what a father is to son, A Guru is to pupil what mother is to her child.
One can always find a teacher, But a Guru will appear if and when you are ready.
A teacher leads you by the hand, A Guru leads you by example.
When a teacher finishes with you, you graduate, When a Guru finishes with you, you celebrate.
When the course is over you are thankful to the teacher, When the discourse is over you are grateful to the Gurul

V. Sivasupramaniam 267
SWA THE AOTIVE TITOR
Juliette Pascal NYS 1990 - 1991 Cargo Supervisor / Freight Services Air Seychelles
I came to know Mr. Sivasupramaniam during my time at the National Youth Service 1990 to 1991. He was my instructor for History. To begin with I wasn't too eager to learn about it and thought that it was not too appealing but with my tutor Mr. Sivasupramaniam he showed me the true meaning for studying History and made me learn to appreciate it so much that I chose to do “O Level History after my year at the service and came out with an excellent grade. He was someone who was very friendly and ready to assist you in any way he can where studies were concerned. He was one active tutor who did his duty with true passion and enthusiasm. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him from the bottom of my heart for all his hard work and all that he has done for me. Once again a big thank you. God bless him.

Page 136
268 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
/ー
கல்லூரிக் கீதம்
வாழிய யாழ்நகர் இந்துக் கல்லூரி வையகம் புகழ்ந்திட என்றும் (வாழி)
இலங்கை மணித்திரு நாட்டினில் எங்கும் இந்து மதத்தவர் உள்ளம் இலங்கிடும் ஒருபெருங் கலையகம் இதுவே! இளைஞர்கள் உள மகிழ்ந் தென்றும்
கலைபயில் கழகமும் இதுவே - பல கலைமலி கழகமும் இதுவே - தமிழர் தலைநிமிர் கழகமும் இதுவே!
எவ்விட மேகினும் எத்துயர் நேரினும் எம்மன்னை நின்னலம் மறவோம்! என்றுமே என்றுமே என்றும் இன்புற வாழிய நன்றே! இறைவன் தருள் கொடு நன்றே!
ஆங்கிலம் அருந்தமிழ் ஆரியம் சிங்களம் அவைபயில் கழகமும் இதுவே! ஓங்குநல் லறிஞர்கள் உவப்பொடு காத்திடும் ஒருபெருங் கழகமும் இதுவே! ஒளிர்மிகு கழகமும் இதுவே! உயர்வுறு கழகமும் இதுவே! உயிரனக் கழகமும் இதுவே!
தமிழரெம் வாழ்வினில் தாயென மிளிரும் தனிப் பெரும் கலையகம் வாழ்க! வாழ்க! வாழ்க! வாழ்க!
தன்னிகர் இன்றியே நீடு தரணி யில் வாழிய நீடு
S 二。

V. Sivasupramaniam
269
代
65) LLA)35[T6O30) ஆசிரியர் சங்கம்
தேசிய ஆசிரியர் சங்க உத்தியோகத்தர்கள்
சிவநேசன் - சந்தியாபிள்ளை இடமாற்றம்
சிவநேசல செய்திட்ட பிழைகள்தாம் என்ன? அவரை மாற்றிடல் அநீதிக்கு உதாரணம். சந்தியாப் பிள்ளைக்கு வந்ததேன் மாற்றம்? எந்தப் பிழைக்கு இந்தத் தண்டனை?
உன்னத குருப்பணிக்கு உகந்த பரிசிலோ? சன்னதங் கொள்ளாது சற்றே எண்ணுக.
அரசினர் கொள்கையை மீறினர் என்றுநீர் உரைப்பதை விளக்கிடல் உடனடித் தேவை.
'சியவச' சீட்டுக்கள் விற்பதற் கெதிர்ப்பில்லை பலவந்தத் திணிப்பையே பலமாக எதிர்க்கிறோம்.
சடுதியில் மாற்றம் கெடுதியைப் பயக்கும் நடுநிலை விசாரணை நன்மையைப் பயக்கும்.
தொழிற்சங்க உரிமைக்கு அடிகோலல் குற்றமா? நீதியைக் கோருதல் நியாயமற்ற செய்கையா?
அடிப்படை உரிமையை மறுத்திடல் முறையோ ஆசிரியர் வாயில்லா ஊமைகள் தாமோ?
கேட்கிறோம் நீதி யாசிக்க வில்லை உரிமையும் கடமையும் தெரிந்து செய்க.
ܓܠܐ
A leaflet by the NPTA in 1969
ク

Page 137
270 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
/戸
TC, FP LEADERS ON ONE PLATFORM
The Tamil Congress leader Mr. G.G. Ponnambalam and the Federal party leader, Mr. S.J.V. Chelvanayakam appeared on the same platform at a public meeting organized by the Northern Province Teachers' Association to protest against the transfer of two teachers Messrs Sivanesan and Santhyapillai, who are said to have campaigned against the sale of Siyawasa tickets by school children.
Earlier, a demonstration of teachers marched from the NPTA office to the Jaffna Town Hall, where the meeting was held.
Mr. V. Sivasupramaniam presided. Mr. Ponnambalam urged the Tamils to unite and fight to have the two transfers cancelled. He said that an Education Service Commission should be appointed on the lines of the Public Service Commission to handle appointments dismissals and transfers of teachers, in order to ensure the smooth working of the Education Department.
The transfer of teachers was not only a hindrance to teachers but also to the education of the children. He condemned the transfer of teachers without consulting the principals and headmasters of the schools.
Senator Nadaraja said that the standard of education had deteriorated with the Government take over of Schools.
Mr. L.M. Perera President of the NUT said that the Government was using its powers to wreck trade unions.
Ceylon Daily News - July 1969

V. Sivasupramaniam
271
SOUVENIR COMMITTEE
Mrs. Samiya Govinden
Dr. (Mrs) Puvaneswary Vamadevan
Kambavaruthi E.Jeyaraj
N.Shanmugappirabu
Prof. Dr. S.Sathiaseelan
MagistrateCourts complex, Victoria, Seychelles
Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
“Kambakoittam” Wellawatte,Colombo-6. Sri Lanka
Sarvadesa Tamilar Centre, Drammen, Norway.
Dean,
Faculty of Graduate Studies University of Jaffna

Page 138
272 Souvenir 80 - My Educational Memories
GRATEFUL THANKS
TO
The Convenors
The Contributors
The Printers
Principal & Staff, JHC
JHC - OBA - COlombo & Jaffna
- The Author


Page 139