Kottayam: “Teacher, the teaching method here is superb,” said M Ranganathan, a daily wage labourer from Theni, Tamil Nadu, while helping clean the premises of the Government Higher Secondary School in Erattupetta. His compliment caught the attention of headmistress Sheila Salim, who called him aside and asked, “Who are you, really?”

He didn’t flinch at the question. Instead, Ranganathan shared the deeply moving story of his life—one that left a lasting impression on everyone present.

Despite holding multiple academic qualifications, including a postgraduate degree in Tamil and an MEd, Ranganathan couldn’t find a well-paying teaching job in Tamil Nadu. So, a year ago, he came to Kerala—not for a teaching post, but as a manual labourer.

A native of Kombai in the Uthamapalayam Taluk of Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, he studied at RC School in Uthamapalayam and later at SKP Higher Secondary School. He completed his undergraduate degree in Tamil literature at Madurai American College, followed by a postgraduate degree through distance education from Madurai Kamaraj University. He then earned his BEd from St Joseph’s College of Teacher Education in Marthandam, and an MEd from Jeevan College of Education in Trichy.

He briefly worked as a temporary teacher at SKP School in Kombai with a meagre salary of ₹6,000, which was not paid regularly. Unable to support his family, he turned to physical labour and moved to Kerala, first arriving in Perumbavoor. Later, seeking better wages, he shifted to Erattupetta, where he now earns ₹1,100 a day—almost double what he would make in Tamil Nadu.

“I’ve done all kinds of work here—chopped down trees, swept leaves, cleared debris, carried loads on my back,” he says. “It’s painful when I think about how much I’ve studied and where I ended up.”

His honesty and humility moved the teachers at the school. “He never once hesitated to do any kind of labour. And yet, hearing his story was truly heartbreaking,” said teacher Manoj Melukavu.

Proud of his language, harbours no bitterness

Though his struggles are rooted in his inability to find employment despite being highly educated in Tamil, Ranganathan holds no bitterness toward the language. He proudly writes and composes Tamil songs, and has previously worked at a Tamil daily. A gifted speaker, he can mimic Tamil film actors, sing, dance and even perform Silambam—an ancient Tamil martial art.

Impressed by his talents and touched by his story, the headmistress gave him the opportunity to share his life journey with the students. As Ranganathan spoke, many teachers and students were visibly moved to tears.

A man of dreams

Ranganathan is not without dreams. He says he has ideas for compelling stories and hopes to one day write a screenplay. He wants to deliver speeches during election campaigns, conduct motivational sessions in Tamil and perhaps even explore opportunities in film.

His wife, R Selvi, works as a medical lab technician. Their young son Desihan is currently in LKG.