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 product of coconut leaves, together with their dad and mom. In school, the 2 boys needed to put on uniforms solely as soon as every week — a white shirt and pants. So dire was their situation that the older boy, Nellayapan, wore his father’s veshti as a substitute of the pants.
At this time, Nellayapan B has change into a instructor by way of arduous work and focus. He has achieved the place of Officer on Particular Responsibility (OSD) to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and can also be the deputy director of faculty training within the state.
In faculty 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 faculty, 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 quest of a greater life for his household. And he succeeded in his objectives. At this time, he lives in a 2,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home. He additionally supported his three youthful siblings’ training and marriage, making his dad and mom’ lives comfy. He credit all his achievements to his training.
“My father made certain that he gave all of us a great training. 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 due to 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 bear in mind the time earlier than my sister’s wedding ceremony. Folks refused to lend cash. My dad and mom managed the required cash with nice problem. Until the final minute, the moneylenders saved us hanging. I felt so insulted. That’s after I resolved to attain one thing massive in life, so my dad and mom would by no means need to face such a state of affairs once more,” says the 55-year-old.
Nellayapan’s faculty 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 practice ticket. My mom needed to pawn her final piece of jewelry — her nostril ring — which bought us Rs 2,000. I bear in mind the financial institution supervisor’s expression when he noticed the nostril ring, realizing we had no different selection. I felt helpless,” he recollects 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 instructor in Nagaland with a wage of Rs 1,000 monthly. He shares that this cash wasn’t sufficient to cowl his bills as he despatched some a refund dwelling too. “I needed to pay Rs 700 monthly for electrical energy and lease. How may I survive on simply Rs 300?” he provides.
“I began taking tuition for varsity college students to complement my revenue. 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 personal service,” explains the instructor.
This was additionally the time when Nagaland was going through insurgency points. However the instructor didn’t let that hinder his progress.
In 1996, Nellayapan bought a job as a postgraduate instructor in physics on the Authorities Larger 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 change into 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 training
When COVID hit the nation, Nagaland was one of many first states to embrace on-line training and was even recognised by the Organisation for Financial Co-operation and Improvement Schooling (OECD).
In April 2020, the Directorate of Faculty Schooling rolled out a tele/on-line training programme by way of which training was supplied by way of TV (Doordarshan, Kohima) and radio (All India Radio, Kohima). In Could 2020, in addition they supplied academic content material by way of a YouTube channel. This programme was led by C Shanavas — principal director of faculty training — 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 may attain each scholar, regardless of community. We have been additionally the primary state to conduct on-line exams for college students from Courses 5–12,” says Nellayapan, who was awarded the Governor’s commendation certificates for his efforts.
Working with IAS officers like Shanavas was additionally a giant 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 instructor.
Recognising his work and efforts in direction of bettering training within the state, Nellayapan was made the OSD to Chief Minister, Nagaland in April 2023.
The street to right here has not been a straightforward one for him, he shares. He has needed to keep away from his household for greater than three a long time. He credit his spouse for being a giant 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 government within the personal 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 plenty of duty after I got here right here. I had to make sure that my siblings studied effectively and my dad and mom didn’t need to borrow cash. Poverty and duty guided me on the best path,” he provides.
Nellayapan has a message to all younger folks: “There isn’t a substitute for arduous work. You would possibly get the reward late, however hold at it. Hustle for a greater tomorrow with focus. You may be rewarded on your efforts. Simply work arduous and don’t let your thoughts get diverted.”
Again within the day, many individuals helped his father with the loans. Despite the fact that his dad and mom don’t require his help now, this authorities officer is a robust believer in karma. At this time, he helps six college students of their training. “God has blessed me; I’ve to go on the assistance to those that want it,” he says.
Edited by Pranita Bhat
