Turning Point

The determination to join engineering course never faded even after completing the 1st year BSc in Vivekananda College. One day, during the summer holidays in 1962, Rangan’s father told him “Ranga ! Your brother Parthasarathy is working in Nepal. We are to send him Puli Kachchal Powder in a sealed container by post. Go and meet my friend Subramany Iyer in Ayya Pillai Street. He is a Senior Draftsman and colleague, also working in PWD, Chepauk. He will help you in sealing, as he had sealing wax and expert in packing”. Rangan went to the home of Subramani Iyer and requested him. As he was sealing with dedication, Rangan became bold. He thought for a while and told Subramani Iyer “Sir. My father is ready to meet the Director of Technical Education for helping me in admission to Engineering College, if you are ready to accompany my father”. Subramani Iyer said with a smile “Rangan! I will be very happy to go with your father for a good cause, if he is willing to take me along”.   The Director of Technical was knowing both of them, though they never had a chance to meet and were working in the same premises, in Chepauk. Rangan thanked Subramani Iyer and returned home. While handing over the sealed container, Rangan told his father “Appa ! While sealing, Subramani Iyer expressed his willingness to accompany you to meet the Director of Technical Education for my admission, if you are ready to take him along.” Father replied “Ranga! If Subramani Iyer is ready, I will go with him and we shall meet the Director of Technical Education”. The three met and Rangan was instructed to apply for Engineering College Admission as a domicile of Tanjore District. Rangan’s happiness knew no bounds, when he got the Engineering College admission letter in Dr Alagappa College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikudi, after attending the interview at Madras.