The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : An arresting replay of college campus days

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Friday, Jul 11, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

An arresting replay of college campus days

S. Vijay Kumar

“After taking over as Commissioner, I said Pachaiyappa’s will be the first college I will visit…I kept my word,”

R.Sekar

CHENNAI: It was a happy homecoming for Additional Director-General of Police and Commissioner, R. Sekar, when he came to the Pachaiyappa’s College here on Thursday. After decades, he met old friends and teachers who recalled his association with them on the campus during the 1970s.

The occasion was the inauguration of the Historical Studies Association and a function to felicitate him as an old student of the college.

Mr. Sekar accepted the standing ovation by a large number of students and staff with a salute. He said everytime he entered the college, it made him feel younger. The Tiruvalluvar Hall, where the function was held, was once a mini-hospital where students injured in police clashes were treated.

“On many occasions when I saw a handful of students standing out of their college in the name of strike, I used to tell them that was not the way to do it. I even offered to teach them how to organise a strike,” he said as the audience burst into laughter.

Recalling the frequent strikes in the college, he said every agitation was for a social cause.

Students should set aside the myth that only professional courses would pave the way for a bright future.

“It is not so…if hard work is put in, any course will take you to greater heights. Merit and hard work will never go unrecognised.”

Mr. Sekar honoured many of his old teachers and friends.

The college management, teachers and students also adorned him with a shawl.

It was a nostalgic event for the old student of the college who took photographs with a couple of friends after a gap of 35 years.

“After taking over as Commissioner of Police, I said Pachaiyappa’s will be the first college I would visit…I kept my word,” he added.

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