2 days ago
School students at Erattupetta rekindles career dream of Ranganathan
M. Ranganathan, a native of Theni in Tamil Nadu, was busy cutting a tree on the premises of the Erattupetta Government Higher Secondary School when a sudden downpour disrupted the work. He and his fellow labourers rushed to the school verandah for shelter.
As his co-workers stood watching the rain, Ranganathan's gaze turned inward, observing the way a teacher conducted her lesson and engaged her students. His intense, unwavering attention didn't go unnoticed. Curious, Principal Sheeja Salim approached him and asked what had caught his eye. 'Teacher, the teaching methods here are excellent,' Ranganathan replied.
Moved by his words, she asked more about his background and was astonished by what she heard. A few minutes later, she did something unexpected. She invited him to deliver a motivational talk to the students.
For the past year, Ranganathan has been working in the Pala–Erattupetta region, taking up whatever jobs he could find. But behind those calloused hands lies an academic journey few would ever imagine.
In Tamil
Hailing from Kombai in Uthamapalayam taluk of Theni district, Ranganathan holds an undergraduate degree from American College, Madurai. He went on to complete a postgraduate degree in Tamil, followed by a BEd and an MEd from institutions in Trichy. He even served briefly as a temporary teacher at his alma mater SKP School in Kombai.
But despite his qualifications, financial realities took over. With wages in Kerala offering around ₹300 more per day than in Tamil Nadu, he migrated across the border a year ago. He had taken up the school cleaning job at Erattupetta in the hope of earning enough to pay the application fee for an upcoming job test.
Impressed by his background and humility, the school authorities invited him to speak to the Plus Two students earlier this week. 'I was living my dream when the students and teachers gave me a loud round of applause after hearing my story,' Ranganathan said. 'That moment has given me the motivation to move forward in life.'
Financial burden
Born in 1989 to Murugeshwaran and Saraswathi Amma, Ranganathan lost his mother while he was in Class XI. From then on, he and his sister, Sundari, were raised by their maternal uncle. Though his family supported his education up to the BEd level, he had to shoulder the financial burden of his MEd studies. For six months, he worked at a curry powder manufacturing unit in Perumbavoor to save enough money.
Despite his academic achievements, his dream of becoming a full-time teacher remained unfulfilled. despite the setbacks, Ranganathan continues to dream of pursuing a carrier as a teacher as well as a motivational speaker.
