Chennai: In his 35 years of service at Jawahar Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School at Ashok Nagar,
in the city, M Vaithiyanathan, apart from being the Tamil teacher, has served as NCC officer for 28 years.
Recently, he received the ‘Best Teacher Award’ from CBSE Central Cluster at a function held at Sri Narayana Mission Senior Secondary School, West Mambalam.
Activepoint Business Consultants (P) Ltd chief executive officer Rajasekar Gorantla gave away the award. News Today spoke to Vaithiyanathan about his NCC activities and achievements so far.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: How do you feel about receiving the award?
A: This is the first award I am getting from CBSE that, too, at the fag-end of my teaching career. This fulfils my work satisfication and I will keep serving the students in other capacities.
Q: How would you like to be known as – Tamil teacher or NCC officer?
A: Definitely, NCC officer. It has given me recognition that, too, at the national level. I was commissioned as NCC officer in 1991 and have so far attended 30 camps and received long service medal.
Q: How many students have you trained so far?
A: At Jawahar Vidyalaya NCC 1 TN Medical Unit, class VIII and IX students are allowed to participate in NCC activities. On an average, I have trained 100 students annually. Of them two students – U Vignesh and Manolakshmi Prabakar – have participated in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi in 2001 and 2017. I have also organised more than 100 awareness rallies on social issues.
Q: Tell us about the opportunities for NCC cadets in the Army.
A: The cadets undergo training in map reading, field and battle crafts and weapon handling. The certificates add value at Officers Training Academy. Two of my students are serving in the Army as top brass – Major Vikram and Dr Subramanium.
Q: What are your services apart from being NCC officer?
A: I am a Road Safety Patrol (RSP) coordinator in Tamilnadu Police Traffic Wardens Organisation for the last 26 years and received good performance award. Also, I am active in Lions Club activities.
Q: Who is going to succeed you in the NCC?
A: I am now in the rank of Major and got two extensions. Come June, I will turn 60 and cant continue in NCC. The school has promised that they will recruit a person for the post. Only youngsters below 32 years can take up the post. They have to undergo three months training in the Army. So, it will depend on their passion for training students.
Q: What are you planning ahead?
A: As of now, I have not decided on anything. If the school permits, I will continue as Tamil teacher.
Vaithiyanathan resides at No. 40, Amman Nagar, Circular Road, Nesapakkam. Congratulate him by calling: 98846 37477.