The North of SriLanka had its share of leading educationists especially around the 50s.Educational edifices were adorned by principals who were the shining lights of Society. They were the outstanding examples of ‘Simple living and high thinking’. Their shining, clean, hand washed national garb (verti, national and shawl, latter optional) was their distinguishing mark. In the North as Kalki appreciated, you twirl your walking stick at random; it will in all probability touch a school teacher.
Invariably their motto was ‘You look after your wards and your own progeny will prosper on their own’. The teachers of old were nurtured in this hallowed educational tradition of imparting all they had gathered without any reservations or holding back .They never bargained or sold their educational prowess. Moneywise they were not rich, otherwise they were the richest.
The North too was adorned by its educational leaders mostly Principals as well as senior teachers, most of them bi-lingual, some tri-lingual, who were household names. The North had its share of professionals, Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers and so on. Yet the leadership was conceded to the Guru. The leading educational personalities were men and women of the calibre of Veerasingam (Manipay Hindu),
Subramanian(Orator)(Skanthavarothaya),Ambikaipaka(Vaitheswara),Poornampillai(Hartley),Kumaraswamy(P.S.)( and many before him of Jaffna Hindu),Thambiah(Vembadi),Paramasamy(Uduvil),Thurairatnam, Krishnapillai (Union)Jayaratnam(Mahajana),Handy Perinpanayagam (Kokuvil), Selliah, to name a few.
There were numerous teachers who moulded the students more by example than precept.
Mr. A. Panchalingam can be referred to as a true ‘home grown product’, more cosmopolitan in disposition and not at all insular. He was born and bred in Kokuvil; except for his tertiary education and post graduate studies, in the then University of Ceylon, he was in and around his birth place though operating from his adopted home by matrimonial alliance. Commencing his career as a teacher at Kokuvil Hindu College, he reached the pinnacle of the profession as a Principal at a comparatively young age and shepherded the College to become one of the leading colleges in the North. He was later called upon to be the Principal of the leading National School, Jaffna Hindu College.
While being engrossed in his educational chores, he was versatile enough, to get involved in numerous socio-educational activities and continues to do so. His most abiding interest now is Toddlers’ education.
Age has not eroded his perennial charm and youthful appearance, a handsome man with a winning smile. Not only the people of Urumpirai where he lives but also the general public including the educational community not only of the North felicitated his birthday in a fitting manner.
A versatile gentleman with a family of two children, well settled, he deserves to prosper to continue with his service to the community. We can only pray and request the Almighty for more years of healthy existence and useful service to the Community.
R.Suntharalingam
Plantation management: National awards ceremony
The National Institute of Plantation Management will hold its National Awards Ceremony 2010 on Saturday, January 22 from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at its auditorium at Athurugiriya.
The chief guest will be Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.
Muslim Ladies’ Study Circle continues its
work towards the community
The Muslim Ladies’ Study Circle, a social service organization and registered NGO has for the past 40 years rendered a valuable service to the community. They have focused on surveys and studies of women’s issues, provided scholarships for poor university students, counselling, helped in times of national crisis with food and clothing for victims and family education.
They have also concentrated on housing for the poor and needy and completed 201 low cost houses for the displaced families during the war. They were also involved in tsunami relief work in Galle and the Eastern Province.
Their vision is to give women skills so that they could work and gain economic independence.
A Vocational Training Centre was started in Colombo in 2005 for all communities. At present students follow different vocations such as dress making, machine embroidery, hand embroidery, cookery, beauty culture, computer & English etc. Over 3000 girls have been trained up to now.
There are Vocational Training Centres in Kahatovita, Warakapola and Panadura.
Today a Vocational Training Centre for those affected by the tsunami in Thalapitiya, Galle will be declared open. There are about a 1000 tsunami-affected families in the area and the training given at this centre will uplift the living standard of these families.
Presentation of book
Picture shows the author of 'Shells of the Sri Lanka Seashore' Dr. Malik Fernando presenting a copy of the book to Environmental Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga to be handed over to Environment Minister Anura Priyadhrshana Yapa on December 29.
Girl Guides to help flood victims
The Sri Lanka Girl Guides are working to help the flood victims and are appealing for the public to strengthen their helping hand by contributing some of the following items that desperately needed: Dry Rations (tea, sugar, rice, dhal etc.), water bottles, toiletries (soap, tooth-paste, tooth-brushes), Medicine (Panadol, Siddhalepa, band aids, plasters, sanitary pads)
When: At your earliest
Where: Girl Guide Headquarters (10, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7 - opposite the Public Library)
For more details please contact : 2695720 / 2673558
DMC calls for Lankan applicants
The Dhammakaya Media Channel (DMC) in co-operation with DMC Thailand and Buddhist TV, Sri Lanka is looking for Sri Lankans to work at their headquarters in Thailand. The post requires English- Sinhala translation skills, programme production and co-ordination etc.
Walk in interviews will be held at Buddhist TV, Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, Gregory's Road, Colombo 7 on January 17 and 18 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. For more details please contact Tel: 011-2689307, fax" 011-7215288 or email: thebuddhist@sltnet.lk
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