Had
the wonderful opportunity of being a part of a famed-Corporate-sponsored
programme for students at Velammal Engineering College, Surapet, Chennai. I had
Ms. Lauren (an alumna of Stella Maris), joining me in a day of wonderful
interactions with the Engineering students from Civil, Automobile and CSE
Streams of the College.
About
the College: Surapet is all Velammal. Yes, the place has been literally under
the spell of the Velammal charm. Be it the security personnel, who resemble the
cops in uniforms and mannerisms, or be it the ambience of the campus - we both
were simply astounded at the meticulous attention given to even the finest
detail when it comes to logistic details and administration. Right from the
line marking for car parks, to the highline paint marks with cateyes for the
two-wheelers, any new comer heaves a sigh of great relief when they have a
palpable assurance that their cars or two-wheelers are in safe h(l)ands. The
whole place is CCTV monitored, and that adds to the assurance. Although the
security staff are there in full throttle all through, they do not interfere
with your parking or pester you with their goading and chidings! They just step
in when you violate protocol.
The
College boasts of rich and enviable Language Labs and students get the best of
both worlds. All boys and girls were spick and span in blue coats, and it was a
delight to interact with many bright faces through the day in the Training and
Placement Building of the College.
One
girl was the cynosure of our eyes, and she merited or attracted our attention
with her graceful mannerisms and wonderful way with words. After her wonderful
presentation, we both were so curious, that Lauren was prompted to asked her,
‘Dear
girl, did you by any chance study or reside abroad?’
No
ma’m.
‘I
was curious since, you have a wonderful accent!’
Oh
thank you ma’m.
‘How
did you get this accent?’
She
smiled, and said,
Ha
ha yes ma’m. I am from a village near Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. I took it upon
myself to cultivate the English language, by regular strenuous practice. Daily
after every one goes to sleep, I will open my little collection of good English
reads and start reading it aloud to myself. I also listen to audios and videos
of great/inspirational speeches in English, and try to cultivate the good
accent that these great speakers have! My friend (calls out to her) is also
with me in this, she said. Both of us, we encourage each other, and get back to
our respective rooms and resolve to sweat it out with our English as well as
with our Subjects of study. I’m happy I’ve found a good friend in her’ she
added.
Practice
indeed pays off!
Well,
yes! it pays you richly!!! J
thank you for the post rufus. i enjoy reading all your posts. keep it up.
ReplyDeletehope u remember me... have sent you a mail. pls check ur inbox..
-Kirthika
thank you so much Kirthika. Yes i've checked it and have replied too...
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