Page 61 - Cherished Memories of Yesteryears - A Collection of Grandparents' Life Experiences

My grandfather was born on
15 July 1947. He has four
sisters and three brothers.
Back in his schooling days,
he was an average student. He
usually scored around 60 to
70 marks in his examinations
except for the Tamil language.
His grades were not good
because he did not study at
home apart from listening to
his teacher in class.

After school, he went out to
play football with his friends.
He loved football so much that
even if he got injured badly,
he still went out to play.
Grandfather found learning
Tamil easy and loved it so
much that he seldom scored
below 90 marks for it. “We should always lend a helping hand
He decided to become a Tamil to the less fortunate whenever we can.”
teacher at a secondary school
where he studied and worked for 30 years till he bicycles. Each stand cost over 5000 Indian rupees.
retired in 2005 at 58. He also gave all the staff a tin of confectioneries
and ordered breakfast and lunch for the students
When he was a teacher, he was very attentive and the staff. Even after retirement, he paid for
towards his students. When students fall sick in ten poor students’ fees, books, uniforms, and
his class, he immediately takes them to the doctor. stationery yearly. He was the first person to
He would also pay for their transport and medical contribute that much to the school after retirement.
bills even if it costs him hundreds. He would
buy them food if they fainted in his class due to Sadly, he passed away around a year ago. I
hunger. There is a big tree outside the classrooms appreciate his efforts and hard work to get where he
in the school compound. It has been there since the was. I look up to him as he was a very responsible,
school was built. Grandfather was the first person well-mannered person who showed confidence in
to suggest holding events below the tree, which his opinions, and I wish to be like him in the future.
provided shade for the students, and they would
feel comfortable, unlike how they felt in their
classrooms. Elavarasi D/O Subbiah Elango
Primary 6.1 (2022)
When he retired, he set up two bicycle stands
separately for the staff and students to park their

Cherished Memories of Yesteryears 57