Farewell address on the Retirement of Dr. Mrs. Mythili Padmanabhan,
Head, Department of Commerce, Fatima College, Madurai
A UNIQUE PERSONALITY
This word ‘unique’ motivated me
to discover and bring out the unique qualities in her.
1. Her academic achievement is unique:
When
Commerce education was pursued only by boys she boldly stepped into this course
in Annamalai University despite the position of being
the only girl student in her class. One of her classmates Dr. K. Natarajan,
Principal, SVN College, jokingly commented that she
followed LIFO policy ie., last in and first out of the class. She is the first
lady in the whole of Tamilnadu to acquire a PG degree in Commerce in the
regular course.
After
her PG she entered teaching profession but left it to continue her CA course.
She is the first lady CA in Madurai.
She
is the one with the maximum number of degrees in our college. She is the fellow
of 2 professional bodies, Institute of
CA and Institute of CWA.
She has cleared inter in Company Secretaryship and holds M.Phil and Ph.D degrees
in Commerce.
She
is a rank holder in B.Com-3rd rank, M.Com-6th rank and her
greatest achievement is acquiring 46th rank in the All India Inter
exams of CA, with distinction in Accountancy.
Her
topic for doctoral research is unique – MIS – treated well and of very high
standard under the guideship of Dr. Amarchand, a renowned professor of Madras University.
2. Her thirst for knowledge is unique:
She
continuously updates her knowledge. She is a voracious reader. Her reading is
multifarious.
She
is interested to learn anything and everything new. The efforts she took to
learn Tally and SPSS package vividly display her unquenchable thirst for
knowledge.
3. Her sincerity in work is unique:
She
takes utmost care in every work she performs. In teaching she gives the maximum
to the students. In problem papers, she does not conform to problems from one
or two books. She sincerely works out all problems in hand to pass the maximum
content to the students. Once I met some of our students who were pursuing CA
after B.Com. They were so happy that they were able to learn the papers in CA
since they had been trained well by madam.
As
per Government norms the work load of a HOD is only 12 contact hours but to my
knowledge her minimum work load has been 15 contact hours.
She
takes extra time and care in checking marks as she is particular that the marks
and achievements of students are not affected in any way due to carelessness.
Sr. Marie Pierre and Dr. Mahima will vouch for this quality of madam.
4. Her humility is unique:
She
is a down to earth personality. In her words ‘window dressing’ is not her
portion. She downplays all her achievements and her unique features. She does
not yield to vanity in dressing and adornment.
She
greets everyone in the campus and treats everyone with respect. This nature of
her reminds me of a Bible verse ‘Honor one another above yourselves’. She
addresses everyone including the students in a respectful manner as ‘neenga,
vaanga etc., She remembers and recognizes the non-teaching staff by their
names.
5. Her humanitarian concern is unique:
She
is concerned about the welfare of everyone around, be it a student, a co-worker
or even any of our community sisters. She is always ready to lend a helping
hand to any one who needs help. She willingly visits any one in distress to
console them.
She
is highly sensitive to the feelings and difficulties of others. A recent event
is evidence to this quality. One of our students had been caught red handedly
by Sr. Principal who asked her to bring her parents. When madam came to know the
fact that the student did not have parents, she immediately rushed to
Principal’s room and she started to cry. Principal was baffled. On the basis of
the request of madam, sister called the student and talked to her.
She
is very concerned about our health. Whenever anyone of us or our family members
fall sick, she will contact us so many times and enquire us which definitely smoothens
our tensed minds.
6. Her value system is unique:
She
is a noble and a generous person. She accepts everyone as they are.
She
is ready to appreciate every skill and talent in others. She had been generous
in her appreciation for my little talent in music and writing.
She
is very religious and respects the religious sentiments of all. She never discriminates
anyone on the basis of caste, creed, religion or status. Her role model is her
teacher, Dr. M.O. Mathews of Annamalai
University.
She
maintains a friendly atmosphere in the department. She had been a mother to us
by caring for us and giving us advises in very many situations, had been a
sister by lending herself for sharing our joys and sorrows, had been a friend
to us by joining in our pranks, had been a companion to us by partaking in all
the works but…. She had never been our BOSS.
7. Her retirement is unique:
Though
many have resigned and left our department she is the first person to retire.
This unique experience is painful. I thank the God for giving me the wonderful
opportunity of working under the guidance of this towering personality for a
long time of 25 years.
Madam, this song is for you……
Be not dismayed what-ev’r betide, God will take care of you,
Be not dismayed what-ev’r betide, God will take care of you,
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you,
God will take care of you, through
everyday, o’er all the way,
He will take care of you; God will
take care of you
No
matter what may be the test, God will take care of you,
Lean
weary one upon His breast, God will take care of you
Dr.
Mrs. Jacqueline Gigi Vijayakumar
