From 1980–85, all 5 youngsters from the Baskaran household went to high school in Lekshmipuram, Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu. They lived in a 250-square-foot home with a roof made from coconut leaves, together with their dad and mom. In school, the 2 boys needed to put on uniforms solely as soon as per week — a white shirt and pants. So dire was their situation that the older boy, Nellayapan, wore his father’s veshti as an alternative of the pants.
At this time, Nellayapan B has turn out to be a trainer by means of laborious work and focus. He has achieved the place of Officer on Particular Obligation (OSD) to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and can be the deputy director of college schooling within the state.
In school life, Nellayapan had a busy schedule. He awakened at 4 am to assist his dad and mom at their snack/tea store. After getting back from school, he labored on the store until 11 pm.
Initially from a small village within the southernmost a part of India, he moved to the Northeastern state in the hunt for a greater life for his household. And he succeeded in his targets. At this time, he lives in a 2,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home. He additionally supported his three youthful siblings’ schooling and marriage, making his dad and mom’ lives comfy. He credit all his achievements to his schooling.
“My father made certain that he gave all of us a very good schooling. He went to nice lengths to teach us and managed to pay all our charges by borrowing cash and mortgaging jewelry. Three of my siblings are postgraduates and one has accomplished her doctorate. All of us are in good positions because of my father’s insistence on getting us educated,” says Nellayapan to The Higher India.
From humble beginnings to deputy director
In 1990, Nellayapan had simply accomplished an MSc in physics. His older sister was getting married, for which his dad and mom, who ran a tea/snack stall, needed to borrow cash from others.
“I keep in mind the time earlier than my sister’s marriage ceremony. Individuals refused to lend cash. My dad and mom managed the required cash with nice issue. Until the final minute, the moneylenders saved us hanging. I felt so insulted. That’s after I resolved to realize one thing huge in life, so my dad and mom would by no means should face such a scenario once more,” says the 55-year-old.
Nellayapan’s school senior, who was working in Nagaland, apprised him in regards to the alternatives there. And the then 23-year-old left for Nagaland with Rs 2,000 in his pocket and massive goals in his eyes.
“It took me 4 days to achieve Nagaland. My dad and mom couldn’t afford the prepare ticket. My mom needed to pawn her final piece of jewelry — her nostril ring — which bought us Rs 2,000. I keep in mind the financial institution supervisor’s expression when he noticed the nostril ring, understanding we had no different alternative. I felt helpless,” he remembers including that the quantity helped him with meals and lodging for a couple of days.
In 1991, he began his profession as a personal faculty trainer in Nagaland with a wage of Rs 1,000 per thirty days. He shares that this cash wasn’t sufficient to cowl his bills as he despatched some a refund house too. “I needed to pay Rs 700 per thirty days for electrical energy and hire. How may I survive on simply Rs 300?” he provides.
“I began taking tuition for college college students to complement my earnings. I used to tutor from 6 am to 10 am, then attend faculty till 4 pm, and return to tutor once more till 6 pm. That’s how I managed for the primary six years in non-public service,” explains the trainer.
This was additionally the time when Nagaland was going through insurgency points. However the trainer didn’t let that hinder his progress.
In 1996, Nellayapan bought a job as a postgraduate trainer in physics on the Authorities Greater Secondary Faculty in Dimapur. In 1999, he bought married and remembers how they then put an asbestos roof on their home. “The burden of duty is commonly a blessing. I needed to transfer up,” he shares.
Later, he went on to turn out to be the college principal in 2012 and continued working there until 2017. Then, in 2018, he was appointed because the assistant director on the Directorate of Faculty Schooling in Nagaland, and in 2022, he was promoted to the position of deputy director.
A trailblazer in schooling
When COVID hit the nation, Nagaland was one of many first states to embrace on-line schooling and was even recognised by the Organisation for Financial Co-operation and Growth Schooling (OECD).
In April 2020, the Directorate of Faculty Schooling rolled out a tele/on-line schooling programme by means of which schooling was provided by means of TV (Doordarshan, Kohima) and radio (All India Radio, Kohima). In Might 2020, in addition they provided instructional content material by means of a YouTube channel. This programme was led by C Shanavas — principal director of college schooling — and supported by Nellayapan.
Heartiest congratulations to the awardees of Governor’s Gold Medal and Governor’s Commendation Certificates on the event of #74th_IndependenceDay. pic.twitter.com/qdEbUZl7OP— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) August 15, 2020
“Many hilly areas within the state face community points. So we ironed out a plan that will attain each pupil, no matter community. We had been additionally the primary state to conduct on-line exams for college kids from Lessons 5–12,” says Nellayapan, who was awarded the Governor’s commendation certificates for his efforts.
Working with IAS officers like Shanavas was additionally an enormous motivation for Nellayapan. “I’ve had the privilege of working with many IAS officers. They’re an inspiration for me and I want to work like them,” provides the physics trainer.
Recognising his work and efforts in direction of enhancing schooling within the state, Nellayapan was made the OSD to Chief Minister, Nagaland in April 2023.
The street to right here has not been a simple one for him, he shares. He has needed to avoid his household for greater than three many years. He credit his spouse for being an enormous purpose for his success. “My spouse is my rock. She supported me for the reason that day we bought married. She additionally helped my youthful sister get married. At this time, my spouse is a profitable govt within the non-public sector,” provides Nellayapan.
In 2006, his spouse and kids moved to Trivandrum due to his spouse’s job. He proudly mentions that his son is now a health care provider, and his daughter is in Class 11.
Reminiscing the previous, he provides, “I used to pay attention solely on work as a result of I had a whole lot of duty after I got here right here. I had to make sure that my siblings studied properly and my dad and mom didn’t should borrow cash. Poverty and duty guided me on the proper path,” he provides.
Nellayapan has a message to all younger folks: “There isn’t a substitute for laborious work. You may get the reward late, however preserve at it. Hustle for a greater tomorrow with focus. You can be rewarded on your efforts. Simply work laborious and don’t let your thoughts get diverted.”
Again within the day, many individuals helped his father with the loans. Though his dad and mom don’t require his help now, this authorities officer is a powerful believer in karma. At this time, he helps six college students of their schooling. “God has blessed me; I’ve to move on the assistance to those that want it,” he says.
Edited by Pranita Bhat
Sources
OECD
