The inaugural of the platinum jubilee of Government Vocational and Higher Secondary School for the Deaf, Jagathy, recently saw a number of old students and teachers come together to be a part of the celebrations and reminisce about their years here.
The institution holds fond memories for many, and has played a significant role in shaping their journey in life.
Joshi George, a student of the 2010 VHSE batch of the school, is now a contract drawing teacher at his alma mater. Joshi is glad about coming back and working among students who are hearing impaired like him as he feels a kinship with them.
His cousin Anu J. Rajan shares his talent for drawing. A teacher of degree course students at the National Institute of Speech and Hearing here, she dreams of working and being involved with drawing. She has also held three exhibitions of her works. Anu would love to come back to the school to teach, provided she got a permanent job.
Cricket player
Pradeep S. recently returned after taking part in the Usha Deaf IPL 2017 organised by the Punjab Deaf Cricket Association. This all-rounder has also taken part in the Deaf International Cricket Council held in Dubai last year and the T-20 Asia Deaf Cricket Cup 2015 in Pakistan. Pradeep, who studied graphic design and printing technology at the school, however, is yet to land a job.
GSI employee
Another proud alumni of the school is Geological Survey of India employee G. Rajkumar. He had studied at the school in his initial years but went to Chennai with his family in between. He returned when he was in Class 7 because his mother Latha Kumari felt that instead of sign language, it was better he continue to be trained in lip reading.
Jobi S. Shaji, a printing technology student who will pass out of the school this year, is happy about landing a job with Akshara Offset along with two other friends. A resident of Kovalam, he has been studying at the school since his pre-primary days.
His mother Sheeja says cricket is another of Jobi’s passions, and he is always playing the game somewhere. The date when he starts work at the printers is not known yet, but the money will take a huge burden off her shoulders, says Sheeja.
