Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
FAREWELL TO PUBLIC SERVICE
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Today is my 55th birthday. Last day in public service. Many ask me why an early retirement. Some where I came across a saying “The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before others do.”
Yesterday the past pupils from the first batch of trainees at the School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Peradeniya; organized a reunion to coinside with my retirement. What a pleasant experience! The young men and women who came to learn their future career at a non existing institute in 1991; meeting after 18 years at the same location, but at a well developed professional training centre as established professionals, to express their gratitude to a retiring teacher! It is great to feel that, whom you had served, appreciate your services. What more you would expect as a teacher?
I’m beginning to feel ashamed whether we have done enough to appreciate our teachers.
I'm contented of my professional life of 35 years. Did much more than some others, who had worked over40 years. Abraham Lincoln once said “ In the end it is not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years.”
I’m happy the way our parents brought us up. I’m sure they too would be happy, if they could see us from where ever they are.
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Today is my 55th birthday. Last day in public service. Many ask me why an early retirement. Some where I came across a saying “The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before others do.”
Yesterday the past pupils from the first batch of trainees at the School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Peradeniya; organized a reunion to coinside with my retirement. What a pleasant experience! The young men and women who came to learn their future career at a non existing institute in 1991; meeting after 18 years at the same location, but at a well developed professional training centre as established professionals, to express their gratitude to a retiring teacher! It is great to feel that, whom you had served, appreciate your services. What more you would expect as a teacher?
I’m beginning to feel ashamed whether we have done enough to appreciate our teachers.
I'm contented of my professional life of 35 years. Did much more than some others, who had worked over40 years. Abraham Lincoln once said “ In the end it is not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years.”
I’m happy the way our parents brought us up. I’m sure they too would be happy, if they could see us from where ever they are.
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Friday, January 30, 2009
IRONY
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Only one week for the retirement day; ie February 6. Many ask me why I choose to retire at the early age of 55 . In my own will I have opted to retire early; expecting a change.
Age has not made changes in human feelings. Anxiety, excitement and uncertainty mingle together just like in childhood and youth. I had similar feelings at earlier occasions. Just before joining “Maliyadeva College” for my secondary education; before joining MLT School at Medical Research Institute for the professional training; before leaving for U.K. on a fellowship; at the verge of commencing married life; at the time of achieving parental responsibility were some of those instances.
Today “Wadi” informed me that the staff and the students of the school organized a farewell function on February 3. He hinted that the Director and some others from the hospital too would join it. Jokingly I asked him whether they didn’t want me to continue until my due date.
Whether one likes it or not, he has to face these social formalities!
Knowing very well that ‘Sene’ did not like it ‘Wadi’ and I manipulated a function at his retirement two years ago. Ironically now I’m at the focus and to face the same harassment.
It is difficult to keep away from such events unless you want to be a complete outsider to this society. Just can’t decide where to draw the line but you got to draw that line somewhere.
Only one week for the retirement day; ie February 6. Many ask me why I choose to retire at the early age of 55 . In my own will I have opted to retire early; expecting a change.
Age has not made changes in human feelings. Anxiety, excitement and uncertainty mingle together just like in childhood and youth. I had similar feelings at earlier occasions. Just before joining “Maliyadeva College” for my secondary education; before joining MLT School at Medical Research Institute for the professional training; before leaving for U.K. on a fellowship; at the verge of commencing married life; at the time of achieving parental responsibility were some of those instances.
Today “Wadi” informed me that the staff and the students of the school organized a farewell function on February 3. He hinted that the Director and some others from the hospital too would join it. Jokingly I asked him whether they didn’t want me to continue until my due date.
Whether one likes it or not, he has to face these social formalities!
Knowing very well that ‘Sene’ did not like it ‘Wadi’ and I manipulated a function at his retirement two years ago. Ironically now I’m at the focus and to face the same harassment.
It is difficult to keep away from such events unless you want to be a complete outsider to this society. Just can’t decide where to draw the line but you got to draw that line somewhere.
Friday, January 9, 2009
GOOD LIFE
Once I came across the following saying; probably anonymous;
"Good life begins, when you stop wanting a better life."
How true it is?
All animals born to this world have basic "needs”; mainly air, water and food.
As human beings in a civilized society our basic needs go beyond these. Clothes, shelter, family, friends, education, are some of them. Vocation or some other mode to obtain the basic “needs” is another necessity.
Then there are "wants".
“Wants” are different from the "needs". Your needs can be kept to a minimum, but there will no limit for "wants". When you get hold of something you want, human greed will make you crave for a better thing. It may be money, power, position or comfort.
If one can keeps his/her “wants” as close as possible to the “needs” , he/she will be a happy and contented person. An average person can easily achieve or obtain the little extra things he/she wants. If you do not want any thing more; no doubt you lead a good life.
What else we need in this short life span?
"Good life begins, when you stop wanting a better life."
How true it is?
All animals born to this world have basic "needs”; mainly air, water and food.
As human beings in a civilized society our basic needs go beyond these. Clothes, shelter, family, friends, education, are some of them. Vocation or some other mode to obtain the basic “needs” is another necessity.
Then there are "wants".
“Wants” are different from the "needs". Your needs can be kept to a minimum, but there will no limit for "wants". When you get hold of something you want, human greed will make you crave for a better thing. It may be money, power, position or comfort.
If one can keeps his/her “wants” as close as possible to the “needs” , he/she will be a happy and contented person. An average person can easily achieve or obtain the little extra things he/she wants. If you do not want any thing more; no doubt you lead a good life.
What else we need in this short life span?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
At the verge of retirement
I am at the verge of retirement.
In one month’s time from today I shall join the pensioners group. After serving 35 years continuously in state sector, I have taken the decision to bid farewell having 5 more years to serve. Two years as a trainee in biomedical laboratory science, 16 years involved in diagnostic and research fields in medical virology. Last 17 years in teaching; out of which 7 years as the head of a School of Medical Laboratory Technology. I have nothing to regret. I believe that I have given some thing back to my country and the society in which I was brought up.
When I put forward the idea of retiring six months ago Sandhya and Kavinda (my wife and son) did not object. At that time my son had just begun his career in financial management. I trust that now he is capable of standing on his own foot without my support.
No solid plans for the future. Hope to take life as it comes.
My niece Buddhini who suggested me to start a blogg just to express myself and keep occupied.
In one month’s time from today I shall join the pensioners group. After serving 35 years continuously in state sector, I have taken the decision to bid farewell having 5 more years to serve. Two years as a trainee in biomedical laboratory science, 16 years involved in diagnostic and research fields in medical virology. Last 17 years in teaching; out of which 7 years as the head of a School of Medical Laboratory Technology. I have nothing to regret. I believe that I have given some thing back to my country and the society in which I was brought up.
When I put forward the idea of retiring six months ago Sandhya and Kavinda (my wife and son) did not object. At that time my son had just begun his career in financial management. I trust that now he is capable of standing on his own foot without my support.
No solid plans for the future. Hope to take life as it comes.
My niece Buddhini who suggested me to start a blogg just to express myself and keep occupied.
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