I am privileged to write a few words in reminiscence of Mrs. Theivanaipillai Selvarajah, affectionately called “Kanadapillai Teacher” by her students. She had been one of those who were instrumental to the growth and success of Vada Hindu Girls College.
Though born and bred in Maviddapuram, Tellipalai she became one among us ever since she joined the teaching staff of Vada Hindu Girls’ College in 1953. She was introduced to Vadamaradchy by the late principal Miss. K.Charavanamuthu who recruited very good teachers to work with her towards the uplift of the college.
Owing to pressing family responsibilities she decided to abandon her studies after passing her Senior school Certificate Examination and join the Government Teachers’ Training College at Kopay. Her excellent work was greatly appreciated by the Principal of the Training College who strongly recommended her to Miss. Charavanamuttu. She became a member of the staff of Vada Hindu Girls’ College on completion of her training in 1953 and continued to serve there till her retirement in 1992.
She never relinquished her desire for learning even after she started teaching. Devoting her leisure hours to studies she was able to gain admission to the Peradeniya Campus to follow a Diploma Course in Tamil conducted by the University of Peradeniya. There she learnt Pali and Sanskrit besides Tamil which subsequently qualified her to sit for the London degree.
After resuming her teaching at the end of her study leave, she concentrated on preparing for the London examination as advised by her lecturers at Peradeniya who were highly impressed by her excellence. She came off with flying colours obtaining a first class at the B.A (London) Examination and was recognised as an honours graduate.
Eventually she was made the head of the College Tamil society. She taught Tamil and Hindu Civilization two of the Arts subjects for the GCE (Advanced Level) Examination. Most of her students did extremely well at the University entrance examination, and successfully graduated at the University.
She was one of the teachers who resided in the College hostel during Miss. Charavanamuttu’s period and there after. She was made the hostel warden to be in charge of the general welfare, discipline and studies of the hostel students. She carried out her extra duties so well that she earned the respect of the hostel students, their parents and the hostel employees. She had to leave the hostel and live in a house at Puloly after her marriage in 1967.
Her husband, Mr. Selvarajah an English teacher was a very amiable and peace loving man. He had been a loving husband and a devoted father. Unfortunately he did not live long. It was very painful to receive the shocking news of his untimely death in 1983. He suffered a heart attack while he was at school in Kurunegelle.
Mrs. Selvarajah was very much devastated by the loss. It took her months to get over the overwhelming grief. However, time had healed her misery. Her strength of character and her natural affinity to service had helped her to overcome her sorrow and devote her time fully on her adorable children and her faithful students.
Mrs. Selvarajah had been a role model to the teachers. Most fittingly she was presented the “Best Teacher” award for the Vadamaradchy Circuit by the Department of Education in 1991. As a teacher, she maintained a very good rapport with her students. She never hesitated to help her students and colleagues. Her selfless nature enabled her to place other people’s problems ahead of her own and make sacrifices of her own pleasures for the sake of others. She had helped her younger sisters to pursue their higher studies and secure successful careers for themselves.
It could be said that she had fulfilled her Life’s mission when she passed away in 2006. Every one that knew her loved her very dearly. But God loved her much more and asked her to return, saying she had achieved far and beyond what was expected and that she had done enough for the world.
We extend our deepest sympathies to her dear children Nimalan and Ramani who were very fortunate to have such a noble woman as their mother.
May She Rest in Peace.
By: Mrs. Selvadevi Devadas
(Past Pupil and Retired teacher VHGC)
Quelle - http://www.vhgcppa.org/
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