Occupation: Runs a typewriting and short-hand institute
“I do not remember when exactly I started Krishna Commercial Institute on Gandhi Road, but it definitely over 30 years ago. The other day, a former student asked how old the institute was and I said 30. He told me, ‘I studied here 32 years ago!’ Yes, so I have been here for over three decades. I was working as an accountant with a private firm before I opened this institute. I changed my job as I wanted to do something on my own. If you are an employee, you cannot grow.
When I started out, typewriting and short-hand were in great demand. Besides, I would also take tuitions in accounting. Of course, the job I held earlier, that of the accountant, helped me immensely and I could blend practical with theory. Quite a few students who studied here went on to become chartered accountants.
At one point, the classes here were full and there would be no place for students to sit. Typewriting and short-hand were courses whch could fetch jobs. Those days, I used to get a monthly fee of Rs. 4 from each student. Students would clear their typewriting lower and higher levels and mostly land a job. With the advent of computers, the number of students who want to learn the typewriter has declined steadily. But I wouldn’t say the typewriter is useless now. I still have students; it is just that they do not come in regularly. Even in a computerised world, the typewriter has its place. One who is adept on the typewriter is very quick on the computer too. These days, most students learn the typewriter so that they type quickly on the computer. Ideally, it takes one about six months to be proficient on the typewriter. I have 12 typewriters here which I bought from various dealers in the city.
Short-hand, on the other hand, I think is the best medicine to improve your English. The stenographer’s job had many takers in the past. These days, children have an array of choices and subjects to learn; so not many come to learn short-hand.
It is not that I did not give a thought to learning the computer when it was becoming popular. It is just that I was too busy then. I am 80 and at this age, I do not want to move onto something new. Change is inevitable and I know that. But I still do not think the typewriter is totally out of the picture.
I open the institute at 7 a.m. and I am here till about 4.30 - 5 p.m. Coming here is a habit. Even on days when I am not expecting anyone, I come and sit here. Mostly, I open on Sundays too as there are students who are not free on any other days.”
A column on the men and women who make Kozhikode what it is.
