COLLEGE DAYS (2)
After doing my Pre Uuniversity at Raja Serfoji Govt. College, Thanjavur, I was preparing for I.I.T Entrance Examination. While I was busy preparing, Sh. Thiruvanlluvan, my Tutor in English and a friend of my elder brother Sh. K.Somasundaram, dropped in at our home on a casual visit. Having seen me busy, he advised me to take up English Literature as it would enable me to get a job immediately after my college studies. That was the turning point in my career.
During my under graduate days, I represented my college at university level oratorical contests in English. I was also the Chairman of the Literary and Debating Society of my college-Sri Pushpam College, Poondi during 1969-70.
Certificate of Prof. Sharma |
Even during my undergraduate days, going by the advice of my brother Sh. Somasundaram (who was preparing for lot of competitive examinations by browsing through various books including Completion Master), I appeared for various competitive examinations for the post of clerk in nationalized banks.
I also appeared for interviews for the posts of clerk in Thanjairur Head Post office and Thanjavur Municipal office. I was selected for both. I chose to work in Thanjavur Municipal Office drawing a monthly emolument of Rs. 269. In May, 1970, I applied for M.A English Literature much against the advise of my elders. I was lucky to do P.G in Sh. Joseph’s College, Tirichirupalli under the guidance of Prof. (Rev) Fr. Lawrence Sundaram. I pursued my studies staying in New Hostel of the College. I had nice time with my hostel mates.
On a week end in February 1972, I had gone home and returned to the hostel at around 4 pm (on a Saturday). On arrival, I was informed of a debate organized by the Literary Association of the Hostel at 6 PM. The topic was “Are we (India) justified in fighting Indo-Bangladesh war 1971?” My friends prevailed upon me to participate. As I always kept abreast of what was happening around, I could easily defend the stand of Indian Govt in this regard and got the second prize.
Certificate |
