Principal, Professor S.R. Damodarasamy retired yesterday from a service that began in 1977. 

In the morning the faculty hosted tea, during the course of which, encomiums were paid by the Heads of Departments on  his commendable contribution to the development of the college.

• getting accreditation for all courses - U.G. and P.G., except CSE - an accomplishment not seen in any of the other colleges,
• bringing in major reforms in academics by bringing autonomy to the institution and making sure that it got off to a flying start by noticing anamolies, making suggestions for changes to all departments,
• establishing the Digital Library, a state-of-the-art one and ensuring that it is used actively by making journal study compulsory for the post-graduate students,
• creating the language lab right from scratch and making it one of the best in the state,
• rejuvenating the pride of the institution - the Planetarium and effecting major repairs and maintenance,
• installing interactive white boards in all seminar halls,
• facilitating vidoe conferences with experts,
• inviting companies for placement,
• helping to effect the sixth pay commission recommendations for the teaching faculty 
• replacing the antique high rise drawing tables in D1 and D2 halls with modern, comfortable and sturdy drawing tables, installing rotating wall fans to offer respite from the non-rotating old ceiling fans that did not cool any candidate during exams, 
• initiating academic management system for all departments
• introducing steam cookers, chapathi and dosai makers, solar water heaters, a well equipped gym with introduction by a well known trainer in Salem

...these are but some of the notable achievments of Prof.S.R.Damodarasamy, which were highlighted during the farewell hosted by the teaching faculty.

Everyone appreciated his sharpness, his eye for detail, his adherence to the rules and regulations of purchases, his aesthetic sense, his acumen, his ability to arrive at quick but correct decisions, his concern for the welfare of students, his sternness when it came to dealing with indiscipline, his energy and enthusiasm for his work, his perfection and expectation of the same from all around him, his humane attitude in recommending an increase in remuneration paid to part-time teachers to higher authorities and the long hours of work he put in everyday.

Within a short span of two years, this Principal has made a difference to GCE and for that he deserves all appreciation and  praise. We all wished him a very happy and productive post retirement period.

Now I know why a vacation is necessary for a teacher...the frenetic pace at which lessons, tests, assignments, entry of marks (internal and external), setting up question papers, valuation, preparing proposals, quotations, passing bills, coming up with solutions for dya-to-day problems like getting HCL, Numeric, Cooltec, Globearena and Young India Films to get computers, keyboards, monitors, software and other technical glitches working right, monitoring their work, setting up exam schedules, conducting practical examinations, running up and down staircases and floors to meet colleagues, students, electricians, office staff, counselling a few dejected souls, meeting parents, saying goodbye to the final year students who visit the department, writing in their autograph books, stopping to chat with alumni while on the run to the Mechanical Department from the Admin Block, noticing increasing use of plastic in the campus and editing and proof reading theses and papers of friends, verifying stocks, preparing attendance records and all...all these and more demand the athleticism of a long jumper, the stamina of a marathon runner and the strength of a weight-lifter. 

Now, I'm determined to find time to complete my papers, started about a year ago and in various stages of completion, complete the book I've been writing a word in a week, water the plants at home and clean the chimney in the kitchen that is grease stained and say hello to my long neglected neighbours ( before they think that I am the new tenant at my house)...