About our Forestry training an overview
I had trained as a forester in Tamil Nadu Forestry Training College, Vagai Dam from June 1983 to May 1984. During my training there were 98 forester trainees. Those 98 trainees were coming from all over Tamilnadu. I was a free bird then because I was a bachelor. Except around 15 of us, all of my colleagues are married.
The schedule of the training was heavy, and at 12 months training eight months are class room training and 4 months of practical training in all aspects of forestry, since we had been traveling throughout the state and camp at 4 or 5 days, to a destination. That was a great experience one can not have in his life time. We went to all major cities of the Tamilnadu, all important forests by trekking and had the study of fauna, flora, engineering etc.
In eight months training also we had started by 6.00 AM to 7.00 AM for jogging and physical exercise or parade, 8.30 to 1.00 pm theory classes, 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm field work and 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm sports activity. Initially everyone had problem with purity of water and the meals provided in the mess, which was managed by the trainees itself. Though the food were provided not up to mark, because of the non availability of the experienced cook and other assistants.
There were eleven forestry subject and were taught by eleven instructors, all were post graduates deputed to the training school, in the cadre of Forest Rangers. Initially we faced strict discipline.
CHALLENGE AHEAD
One day my friend Ganapathy and me were going three minutes late for the afternoon 2.30 pm field work. When we had reached the ground, the trainees were just reported and dispersed. One Mr Raja was the instructor in charge for the field work on day. When we had gone there, thinking he will pardon us and allowed for field work, hence he was close to both of us and belonged to our district also.
But Mr Raja, instructor had another thoght, that we three belonging the same district he wanted to show his disparity among the trainees, gave us a severe punishment. Same time some of our fellow trainees keenly watched, what action the instructor would be taken with us. He ordered both of Ganapathy and me to unload a lorry load of earth standing nearby the nursery. Those days I was very thin and unable to do such a heavy work. But my partner Ganapathy in other hand was married and able to challenge any kind of hard work. Finally more than three fourth of earth had unloaded by him and remaining by me. Thanks God for having such a partner. My friends were battered us for another ten days.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
I had turned out by the incident and met the assistant instructor Mr Malayalasamy (later changed his name as Aravarasan) and asked him that instead of field work I will label all the trees in the campus by painting with tin sheets and making banners for all the gathering in the training school . He readily accepted my deal and brought me in front of principal Mr Gurunathan, whom also gave his consent. The required materials were given to me, and I leisurely doing the painting work in the room itself during the field work hours.
FRIENDS GOODWILL
Some of my close friends frequently asked the instructor "sir, Kindly retain him for field work and labeling trees were not necessary, we knew all these thorny species well". But I enjoyed the privileges for months together. But the work was too heavy also. I had done the works as per my promise.
About our Forestry training an overview
I had trained as a forester in Tamil Nadu Forestry Training College, Vagai Dam from June 1983 to May 1984. During my training there were 98 forester trainees. Those 98 trainees were coming from all over Tamilnadu. I was a free bird then because I was a bachelor. Except around 15 of us, all of my colleagues are married. The schedule of the training was heavy, and at 12 months training eight months are class room training and 4 months of practical training in all aspects of forestry, since we had been traveling throughout the state and camp at 4 or 5 days, to a destination. That was a great experience one can not have in his life time. We went to all major cities of the Tamilnadu, all important forests by trekking and had the study of fauna, flora, engineering etc.
In eight months training also we had started by 6.00 AM to 7.00 AM for jogging and physical exercise or parade, 8.30 to 1.00 pm theory classes, 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm field work and 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm sports activity. Initially everyone had problem with purity of water and the meals provided in the mess, which was managed by the trainees itself. Though the food were provided not up to mark, because of the non availability of the experienced cook and other assistants.
There were eleven forestry subject and were taught by eleven instructors, all were post graduates deputed to the training school, in the cadre of Forest Rangers. Initially we faced strict discipline.
CHALLENGE AHEAD
One day my friend Ganapathy and me were going three minutes late for the afternoon 2.30 pm field work. When we had reached the ground, the trainees were just reported and dispersed. One Mr Raja was the instructor in charge for the field work on day. When we had gone there, thinking he will pardon us and allowed for field work, hence he was close to both of us and belonged to our district also. But Mr Raja, instructor had another thoght, that we three belonging the same district he wanted to show his disparity among the trainees, gave us a severe punishment. Same time some of our fellow trainees keenly watched, what action the instructor would be taken with us. He ordered both of Ganapathy and me to unload a lorry load of earth standing nearby the nursery. Those days I was very thin and unable to do such a heavy work. But my partner Ganapathy in other hand was married and able to challenge any kind of hard work. Finally more than three fourth of earth had unloaded by him and remaining by me. Thanks God for having such a partner. My friends were battered us for another ten days.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
I had turned out by the incident and met the assistant instructor Mr Malayalasamy (later changed his name as Aravarasan) and asked him that instead of field work I will label all the trees in the campus by painting with tin sheets and making banners for all the gathering in the training school . He readily accepted my deal and brought me in front of principal Mr Gurunathan, whom also gave his consent. The required materials were given to me, and I leisurely doing the painting work in the room itself during the field work hours.
FRIENDS GOODWILL
Some of my close friends frequently asked the instructor "sir, Kindly retain him for field work and labeling trees were not necessary, we knew all these thorny species well". But I enjoyed the privileges for months together. But the work was too heavy also. I had done the works as per my promise.
