15th July 2008
MR.S.THANAPALAN
Born
09/08/1943
Entered Glory
15/08/2006
Hello Johnians & Others!
I, Akshayan write this article in order to share my sad unforgettable experiences with you all. Sometimes it may be a boring one. Please read it fully. It’s all about our most respectable principal Thanapalan sir’s last days at St John’s and in the earth.
Our Principal Sir gave his whole life in service of the college and the community around St John’s. He was associated with the school for over fifty years as student, prefect, teacher, hostel master, vice principal and principal. He was efficient and dedicated educationalist and a friendly and humble servant of God. His love for school was limitless. He is still remembered by many Johnians for the excellent standards maintained in discipline, sports and studies. He was held in high esteem, and respected and loved by a wide cross section of people in the island.
In this article I am not going to write much about Thanapalan sir’s career goals because most Johnians know about his achievements.
These are the four unforgettable last days which I had with my Principal Sir.
On the 8th of August 2006
On that day my DSP and I went to hospital to see our lovable principal sir who was admitted there. There were the wife of our principal sir (Prema madam) & Muruganantham anna with our principal sir. Our sir could understand who both of us were but he hardly talked that day because of his decease. After some moments both of us were introduced to him that we were the SP & DSP. When he heard that news he felt a lot and cried. I don’t know what he actually thought at that moment. But I think he may have realized that we should have been awarded by him. Due to his illness, unfortunately, we were appointed by our vice principal sir.
On the 9th of August 2006 (63rd Birth day of our principal sir)
This was the last day in which I saw my respectable principal sir. I didn’t see him after that day. We, Prefects & Monitors went to our principal sir’s bungalow even though it was a public holiday in Sri Lanka. We were invited there by Prema madam and Mr.P.Sriharan who is the current Vice Principal of St John’s. When we enter the room where our principal sir was resting, he shook his head and asked us to sit down. How could we sit there while our mentor was struggling by his disease? Then he said nothing and he smiled at each of us. He could understand why we were there. Then we talked with his wife and Sriharan sir and left the bungalow. While we were leaving he started crying again. We couldn’t stop crying too. I remember that some of our guys also came out from the bungalow with tears. While I was leaving his room I said “Wish your happy birth day sir; Get well soon”. I strongly believed that our principal sir could be with us again at his office.
On the 15th of August 2006
This was the saddest day for all the Johnians and the community around St John’s. At 11.45 a.m one of my friends (R.Thuwaragan) came to my home and said that our principal sir had passed away. I couldn’t believe that news. I wanted to go to St John’s immediately but I couldn’t make it. Because of the local war we were not allowed to go out after 12 noon. So I sent him back to his home and informed our guild members and friends about that sad incident. On the other day, 16th August 2006, The Sri Lankan army forces didn’t release the curfew all the day as we couldn’t go to school. So we couldn’t do anything much regarding his funeral.
On the 17th of August 2006
That day we all went to our college at 11 a.m as the army forces allowed us to go. We took part in the whole funeral service. We, Prefects carried the coffin in the college compound and gave our last respect (not the last one; we will always respect him) to our memorable principal sir. Even though I was one of the Johnians who came home last from school, I didn’t see my principal sir’s face on that day. I thought that God didn’t want me to see my respectable principal as a dead body in the coffin. Yeah, I also don’t want to see my principal as a dead person.
After a few days we attended all the services, 31st day remembrance and our principal sir’s 1st year death anniversary too. We know we have lost a brilliant Johnian. What can we do? I don’t think we will be able to get a TRUE JOHNIAN like him.
We shall miss our memorable principal sir’s smiling and welcoming personality at our college. I feel we are unlucky to miss him in the rest of our lives. I thank the god for gave me the opportunity to be with his great personality.
May his soul rest in peace
Wish him for his 65th Birthday which comes on the 9th of August 2008
Happy Birthday sir,
You are always remembered in our hearts. We will never forget you.
Thanks for reading this article.
This is just a dedication to our principal sir.
