An
ebullient journalist, eloquent after-dinner
speaker, gentle but robust administrator
Mr. N. Sabaratnam, popularly known
as N. Sab has the rare distinction
of having been a student, Teacher,
Vice-Principal and Principal of the
College. He had a great affinity for
the College, and students alike. He
never distanced himself from the younger
students. For him there was no generation
gap.
Mr. Sabaratnam did not believe
in corporal punishment as a means
of improving discipline. Instead
he preferred the art of persuasion
which proved to be a winning tactic.
Late comers were usually detained
at the entrance and allowed in only
after interrogation by the Prefects.
But if Mr. Sabaratnam happened to
pass by the Advanced Level boys
would heave a sigh of relief for
they would get special treatment
and immediate exoneration. Far from
aloof, in fact unassuming and easily
approachable before and after retirement,
he won the praise and respect of
students and fellow teachers alike.
He detested bureaucracy and red
tape above practically everything
else. He endeavoured to provide
the type of education which balanced
the physical and mental with special
emphasis on self-reliance. His era
saw a large number of inter-school
debates on a wide variety of interesting
subjects. More importantly, Mr.
Sabaratnam has to his credit the
highest number of students around
80 in just one year - entering various
faculties of the universities.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”
could have been Mr. Sabaratnam’s
motto. His love of the environment
and his concern for public health
and well being was always evident
in his style of administration.
He taught these principles to the
students in then simplest form.
Mr. Sabaratnam was a distinguished
leader of our College. A man of
vision, he believed every A/L student
had the potential to become an engineer,
a doctor, a teacher or other professional.
True to his beliefs, his was an
era of academic excellence.
As the College celebrates its centenary
we all join in wishing Mr. Sabaratnam
a happy and healthy life for many
years to come.
T. Ganeshwaran
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