He is the first to do so in State
K.M. Prabhu Monday morning took charge as the principal of Chikkanna Government Arts College, Tiruppur.
He was among a group of people who took charge at various government colleges, but there is a slight twist to his story. He is the first visually impaired person to do so in the State.
Dr. Prabhu, (55), an English Language Teaching expert, had retinitis pigmentosa and his vision deteriorated during his school years. He completely lost sight by the time he finished school. Undeterred, he went on to qualify in English literature from Madras Christian College with flying colours, and then to complete his Ph. D.
He served in Government Arts College, Nandanam, for many years before he was deputed to BPS College, Haryana, to set up language labs for students.
He created six such labs, and says he also managed to get the students to converse fluently in English within six months.
Before taking charge at Tirupur, Dr. Prabhu was Assistant Professor and Head of the Department (in-charge) at Presidency College, Chennai.
He has been technology-savvy right through, starting with the humble tape recorder, then moving on to the computer, and more recently, 3G connectivity on his mobile phone, using them all as enabling devices. Of course, he has received support from colleagues, his family and friends.
“I would like to thank society at large. Every time we open a newspaper, and see reports of corruption, violence and death, we seem to get a feeling that everything is wrong with society. But, I am a symbol of the benevolence of society. But for society, I would not have been what I am today,” Dr. Prabhu says.
Attitude
A person's attitude depends on his/her perspective, he says, quoting his favourite lines from Milton's Paradise Lost. ‘The mind is its own place, and in itself; Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n'. He also thanks Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and the government for making things possible, adding to that his hopes that they would facilitate his elevation to Grade 1.
Offering his wishes to Dr. Prabhu, Nethrodaya founder C. Govindakrishnan says it is the first time that a visually impaired person has taken charge as a principal of a government college.
Congratulations, Prabhu!
Congrats Dr Prabhu on a fantastic achievement. You are a great hope and inspiration to everyone to fight the challenges which Nature bestows time to time and overcome the same with flying colours
People gifted by God with all faculties intact are far more short-sighted than those like Dr.Parabhu who have a 'vision' and 'mission' of their own to serve the community and be in the mainstream of the society, irrespective of the challenge that they face. I adore this great person and get inspired by Dr,P's life achievement.
Hearty congratulations to Dr. Prabhu as he takes charge as the Principal of Chikkanna Govt. Arts College at Tiruppur. When people around are fatigued of hearing the scam and violence stories, such vision-filled stories of Dr. Prabhu are a new ray of hope. I wish to quote the words of Helen Keller "the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, but they must be felt within the heart." Best wishes to Dr. Prabhu and his family.
HATS OFF Dr.Prabhu.You are a bundle of inspiration to all folks who are gifted with eyes but keep complaining about life. May god bestow more blessings on you and your family and friends who are supporting you through your noble venture.
Congrats to him.I would like to say 'KEEP IT UP'.
In an era where every other news item reports corruption, murder or other anti-social activities, it is a refreshing change to see such a positive news item. Congratulations to Dr. Prabhu. I wish him well in his new role and kudos to The Hindu for reporting this.
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