MILESTONE -- 2 :

SILVER JUBILEE OF NPA CENTENARY POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

BY P S SUNDAR

The Vice Chairman of University Grants Commission, New Delhi, H Devaraj will usher in an improved infrastructure by inaugurating a new main block at NPA Centenary Polytechnic College in Kotagiri on September 26 to mark the Silver Jubilee of this reputed institution.

“He will also unveil a plaque in honour of the late GTS Pandiaraj, the first correspondent of the college.   Tea Board Executive Director C Paulrasu, College Correspondent Prashant Bhansali, Principal Dr Albert Ebenezer and Vice Chairman of Nilgiris Planters’ Association (NPA) Mohamed Iqbal will address a commemorative conference”, NPA Chairman K C Ponnappa told me.

Looking back, it needs to be recognised that the efforts spearheaded by Nilgiri planters, late M Thangavelu, late GTS Pandiaraj, G G Muthanna, M M Nanjapa and E B Sethna, resulted in the birth of the project to establish a polytechnic to mark NPA’s centenary.  For this purpose, the NPA Centenary Charitable Trust was created.

The college was dedicated to provide technical education with AICTE approval to plantation workers’ wards and poor residents of Nilgiris in 1991. Initially, it was functioning at Belvedere Bungalow but soon, Tamil Nadu Government allotted 20 acres of land on lease at Sakthimalai in Kotagiri.

“With liberal donations from NPA Charitable Trust, plantation companies, Tea Board and philanthropists, buildings spreading to 80,000 square feet were erected and the college moved on to this picturesque campus in 1994.   From 1995-96 academic year, the college is receiving grant-in-aid from Tamil Nadu Government”, Ponnappa disclosed.

Havukal Tea and Produce Co (P) Ltd., United Nilgiri Tea Estates Co Ltd (Chamraj Estates group), Stanes Amalgamated Estates Ltd (Kotada Estates group), BP Foddar Charitable Trust, A P Kothawala Memorial Trust, The Michael Walter Hoare  Memorial Trust, Anthony Hoare and family members of erstwhile planters of Nilgiris district gave liberal donations for buildings and other needs of the college.

Likewise, donations from Badaga Welfare Trust, P T Gnanasironmani (Pandian group), R M Sidambaram Pillai (Tuttapallam Estate) , UPASI Centenary Foundation, Forbes Charitable Trust, Kotagiri Kalyana Mandapam, Carrit Moran and Co P Ltd., J Thomas and Co P Ltd., Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd., Kairbetta Estate Syndicate and Craigmore Plantations (I) P Ltd made significant contributions.

The college benefits from the coaching of 60 teachers spread to Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Automobile Engineering and non-Engineering departments.

A well-stocked library is being used by students and faculty. The College publishes quarterly newsletters and annual magazine.   Several projects have been undertaken with fund-support from AICTE and HADP.

The college’s students have excelled in sports contests at divisional and state levels.  It has good sporting infrastructure.

“By now, 6,132 students have received technical education at this college.  Industrial houses including HCL, TEXMO, Roots India and Tata Institute of Fundamental research, have recruited students through campus interview.  Many past students are working in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Middle East.  As part of Silver Jubilee, we are enhancing employment potentiality with aggressive training in spoken English and soft skills”, he observed.

“The college has won The Best Polytechnic trophy from the Indian Society for Technical Education.   As part of Golden Jubilee, we will be strengthening laboratories with modern equipments that help to hone up our students’ skill for meeting industrial requirements”, he added.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)