#655
Next month, (June) marks a remarkable milestone – the Diamond Jubilee (75 years) of my alma mater, Dr. Alagappa Chettiar Model Higher Secondary School, Karaikudi. As a proud student from 1973 to 1980, covering my journey from Grade 6 to Grade 12, this celebration brings a rush of nostalgia and immense gratitude.
Looking back, I owe a large part of who I am today—both personally and professionally—to the firm foundation laid at this school. The discipline, hygiene, neatness, dressing sense, and overall personal upkeep that became second nature to me were deeply instilled under the watchful leadership of our revered Headmaster, Late Dr. T.R. Radhakrishnan. He took over as Headmaster when I entered Grade 7, and his impact on my life has been lasting and profound. His insistence on discipline was not just about rules, but about building character, responsibility, and self-respect.
On the academic front, we were blessed with teachers whose dedication was unparalleled. Simply attending their classes was enough to grasp the subjects and clear examinations. Back then, my aim was simple: pass the exams. I never obsessed over scores—whether 36% or 99%, it mattered little to me, as I believed (and still do) that real success in life depends on how you perform when it truly matters, not on a marksheet. Exams were a tool, not the destination.
The spacious classrooms, the vast playgrounds, the clean, inspiring environment, and the holistic development offered to every student reflected the grand vision of Dr. Alagappa Chettiar, the doyen philanthropist and educationist who was closely associated with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. Thanks to his vision, Karaikudi, and later Madras, became centres of education with institutions covering almost every field—except medicine—under the Alagappa umbrella.
Our teachers taught us more than just textbooks—they introduced us to the larger world: snippets of English literature, global affairs, quizzing, and personality development beyond the curriculum. Those influences remain etched in my mind even today.
75 years is not just a number; it is a legacy of transformation, of thousands of lives shaped with care and conviction. As I reflect on my journey, I wish my beloved school continued success, growth, and glory.
I shall forever remain thankful for everything the institution gave me — values, opportunities, and the humble wisdom to navigate life.
A special mention too for my Elementary Schooling at Dr. Ramanathan Chettiar School (1970–1973), another gem from the Chettiar lineage, which today proudly figures among the top 20 schools in Tamil Nadu, with admissions being super-premium!
To the past, present, and future students — may we all uphold the rich legacy entrusted to us.
Long live Dr. Alagappa Chettiar Model Higher Secondary School, Karaikudi!
Happy Diamond Jubilee!
Karthik
29/4/25
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