Our school Devi Academy was hosting the west cluster sahodhaiyo volley ball tournament at jawaharlal Nehru indoor  stadium , As we were in 10th school didn't gave enough  time to practice for the perfection. Days have passed match day came whole school were at stadium running here and there , teachers were busily arranging for the opening speech . We the players practising on our own school style , the other school team players were entering the ground . We got shocked by seeing them especially  the st.joseph international and st.johns international schools all were looking like a giraffe height and giants . Every player slowly stopped practice and our head turns to look at their way practice and jumping , smashing, servicing. My team players were silent we are not even speaking to each other , they called all the team for the lot system , unfortunately our team has to play against Lachatelaine school who were masters in the game at that time we were looking short and tiny compared to other school teams . Match started it has been one way match which is going on Lachatelaine school side , Their smash was hitting us hardly , still remember the blow oon my face and my friend Jana face we almost frightened against that team whenever the ball reaches to their side and expecting a heavy smash against us. 1st set has over , we managed to get around 10 points only . All players came for side change and time break , Thangam mam came to us , she asked us wht happen guys . We kept silent , she easily found we are in afraid and nervous and our p.t sir told everything. She told us " whether winning or losing doesn't matter at least show your full potential and try hard to beat them , if they hit smash u ppl also  hit it no matter whether it goes out of the line or not " when we entered in the court she told us that she will 5rs for each point which we scores. . She shouting and encouraging for each and every point although we lost the second set also but we scored 22 points in the second set . Which is a real success for our team , Thangam knowing the fact that we lose but still encourage the players and motivated the team to score 22 points and gave 110rs . 

Suresh S (2009batch )

when I was in school I'm a average student doing the most naughty things and standing outside the principal room always . Days have been passed school decides to send me out , some teachers stood against me and wanted me to go out bcoz I'm entering into 10th std . I still remember thangam mam alone stood up for me and supported , she even promised to principal nd my parents that I will score a good marks . Even when my parents also left the hope on me , I still remember her words of encouragement " push yourself Suresh no one is going to do it for you , who told you that you are a slow learner and asked me some questions . Why are you most interested in sports ? I told to mam that I love to play and like the games so much nd interesting , Im so keen to win each and every game .Her second question which sport u like it ? I said cricket and she asked me the details of that game , we even discussed about about my fav player . She finally asked me what about your studies suresh , I kept quiet .. she laughed at me , I still remember her face such a graceful smile . . She told me that your studies is also like a cricket " YOU HAVE TO FACE A SIX BALLS IN AN OVER , SAME THING YOU HAVE TO DO IT HERE . 1ST BALL - LANGUAGE SUBJECT , 2ND BALL - SOCIAL , 3RD BALL - MATHS , 4TH BALL - PHYSICS , 5TH BALL - CHEMISTRY , 6TH BALL - BIOLOGY " I kept silent listening to her words then she told me now it's your wish whether to score in each ball or not . I still kept silent , she tactically asked me which ball you feel it as difficult , I told 3rd ball mam . She laughed and asked maths , I said yes and asked me the reason and gave my reason and told it was difficult , she said me that maths is also like a game if u do  step by step u will score in maths and win the game also . Then she gave me a simple maths puzzle book , which I used to solve and show it to her slowly I gained interest in maths , she changed me from puzzle book to 10th maths text book . .Her way of treating a student's and encouragement is different , Mam has the ability to read the students mind in wonderful manner ,I never saw complaining her students to parents in the parent teachers meeting , she even gives motivation to the parents to support their kids . Such a humble and wonderful human being .. we missed you so much mam , because of you I'm standing tall here .

Suresh s ( 2009 batch )

I think i did not meet her after passing out of school (class 10)... even i am not able to recollect anything after i passed class 10 and was in same premises where i did my high school but nothing short of memories for us(me and many friends similar to me) of interaction and days she taught us.

i do not remember if its class 7th or above when she actually started to teach maths for us.It started actually with the different mindset for me where i had to live upto some reputation which my brother had left. He was very good in mathematics and was well known to miss.Unfortunately or fortunately she also knew that i am his younger brother. Banking on the same, i was under impression that i could get away from any mischievious behaviour. But thangam miss is thangam miss!! She was strict initially and i had some terrible experiences where she had scolded me but all for good. She was making sure that i am shown the right path and able to step up on my own. Once i was able to prove myself she was a different teacher to me. Thats what she does with everyone not only me.. to each and every student who studied under her. Providing extra guidance and attention to students who needed. 

She did not command respect but she earned it through her acts. She also taught that - "Working diligently and being sincere to what we do will get us through - no matter what". Whenever me and my friends meet, we do not miss a chance to recollect all memories and stories goes on for hours. Thangam miss will be mentioned atleast by someone.

A True inspiration to many students for the way she conducted herself.. We ( students of Devi academy - Past , present and future ) Miss you Mam!!

Adithya ( 2001 batch ) 

 

It was in July of last year that I met her for the last time. Ashwath and I had a chance to visit and since neither of us had seen in her a long time, we decided to visit her at her home. 

She was only too eager to welcome us. I can't recall how much time we spent talking with her. Time flew by fast and we were recounting several things from the past. I think for every single event from years past that we could pull from our memories, she remembered them better than either of us. She gleefully poked fun at both of us - for things that we did back when we were at school. I told her that she was perhaps the single greatest influence in me developing a serious interest in Mathematics. She was happy to hear that.  But, then, it was soon time to leave. We said our goodbyes. Her face then - smiling, waving and wishing us the best and asking to visit again - is still etched in my memory. That is how I will always remember her. 

I learnt that in one of her last acts, she chose to donate her eyes. She also wanted those visiting to pay their last respects to be reminded that they too could make a big difference by choosing to donate their organs. This is her. A most wonderful human being who taught us all by example. 

In the days since her passing, I have had a chance to exchange and recount stories about her with many of my friends, her students. Without exception, every one of them could attest to something unique about her. Everyone had that special connection with her. Everyone felt that she was there for them when they needed help and guidance. Everyone has that one thing (or often many things) that they would have never pursued if it had not been for Thangam Miss.  I hope people write about such memories here.

One of the nicest individuals that I have come across in Devi Academy was Thangam miss. I still remember her handwriting on the black board and her big -wholehearted smile. She was never your stereotypical Math teacher- cane wielding or frowning. She was neither the lady who you would look up to for fashion advice (there were other teachers!).  But my memories of her have always been pleasant. As the principal’s daughter, half the school wants you to fail and the other half would express extreme joy and love. Both of which are problematic. Especially the latter group who are more or less trying to get to your mother by mollycoddling you. Thangam miss was neither. She was strict when it was needed and affectionate most other times.

I was never the brightest bulb in the classroom. There were other students that were smarter than me. But I never felt discouraged. Not by Thangam miss. The last time I visited her was in 2013. I was in India for a brief period. Thangam miss was wrapping her last class for the day. She was excited to see me and her eyes were tearing up with joy. She was eager to know how I was doing in the PhD program and was excited to tell me about her son. Now, she is no more. I have no words to express how I feel or think. As academics, we write (papers) for a living. Give us a topic and we can preach for hours, with or without any content. But today, my keys look unfamiliar. Whatever I say/ write this day will never match the love that she gave us. I hope and pray that her family finds some peace as we search for ours. 

Your student,
Akshaya Sreenivasan  (2003 batch)

One of the nicest individuals that I have come across in Devi Academy was Thangam miss. I still remember her handwriting on the black board and her big -wholehearted smile. She was never your stereotypical Math teacher- cane wielding or frowning. She was neither the lady who you would look up to for fashion advice (there were other teachers!).  But my memories of her have always been pleasant. As the principal’s daughter, half the school wants you to fail and the other half would express extreme joy and love. Both of which are problematic. Especially the latter group who are more or less trying to get to your mother by mollycoddling you. Thangam miss was neither. She was strict when it was needed and affectionate most other times.

I was never the brightest bulb in the classroom. There were other students that were smarter than me. But I never felt discouraged. Not by Thangam miss. The last time I visited her was in 2013. I was in India for a brief period. Thangam miss was wrapping her last class for the day. She was excited to see me and her eyes were tearing up with joy. She was eager to know how I was doing in the PhD program and was excited to tell me about her son. Now, she is no more. I have no words to express how I feel or think. As academics, we write (papers) for a living. Give us a topic and we can preach for hours, with or without any content. But today, my keys look unfamiliar. Whatever I say/ write this day will never match the love that she gave us. I hope and pray that her family finds some peace as we search for ours. 

Your student,
Akshaya Sreenivasan  (2003 batch)