The pathfinder

The interview was unexpectedly short. It started around 10.15 am before a panel of three distinguished looking men. They were gracious. They asked only a few questions. He answered them correctly. In just about ten minutes it was all over. When he walked out of the immaculate room with hanging maps he was brimful of a sweet feeling of success.

D P L W Silva

It was a Monday morning in March. Sinnathamby as usual was in no mood for school. The time was 7 am and he was still in his home wear. His father, Rasalingam, seeing him said,

“It's time for school. Get ready.”

“I have stopped my education, appa,” he said boldly.

A bit shaken, Rasa stared incredulously at him, and then said: “Are you fooling or what?” “No, I am serious. It's purposeless learning further, appa. A pass in Grade 6 is enough education. All the boys in Vavuniya town are jobless. I would rather learn a trade than be a worthless educated unemployed,” he went on. Rasa listened silently. Then said sternly, “Remember you are still a child. Your education is my responsibility. You either go to school or stay out of my house.”

Sinnathamby was adamant. He quietly slipped out of the house through the back door into the wilderness.

The squabble disturbed Heen Menika, his mother. She was afraid. “You should not have been so harsh, aiya. Neighbours say children are disappearing these days.”

“But I have to correct him, Heenamma. I suspect he is being misled by those crazy boys in town.”

Sinna was their only child. Rasa was very particular about his education. He was depending on him to bring some social status to their obscure family. Rasa, a failure in life, could not afford to lose him.

He was now worried that Sinna would not return. Heen Menika's ominous words rang in his mind. He felt he had over-reacted. Sinna was not that stupid to run away. He returned late in the evening. Mother and father were immensely relieved to see him. Father now relented. He asked no questions and thought it better to allow him find his way in life.

While he was seated pensively Sinna came to him timidly. He had something to tell him. “Appa, about two miles from here a survey is going on. I was there watching. What is it for,” he asked him curiously. “Another colony probably, like ours here in Puliyakulam.

Now the survey camp became his second home. He was there daily. Everyone liked him. Surveyor Tennakoon found him bright and useful. He also learned that he was a school dropout. Nevertheless he was kindly tolerated.

The Surveyor's work fascinated him. It was the ideal profession for him, he thought. He was very keen to learn it. One evening he asked Tennakoon aiya whether he could learn the work.

“Why not, you can. You get back to school and complete your education first and contact me. I shall help you. He also told him a bit about the importance of a secondary education to a child.

Sinna listened attentively. He realised that he had acted unwisely and dedicated to get back to school. He trusted Tennakoon.

The crisis ended. That day he left the site with a heavy heart for the last time. He would not see Tennakoon aiya or the labourers again. On the way home his feelings for his parents also changed. He repented for hurting them. At home, he told his father remorsefully that he wanted to continue his education and also about Tennakoon aiya. His parents were delighted. Tennakoon aiya, whoever he was, had done his son great good, thought his father. He decided to go and thank him sometime later.

Now, Rasa did not waste time. His son was an unpredictable type. He promptly contacted his relatives in Jaffna and this time sent him there to continue his studies.

Driven by his vision, the ensuing five years saw Sinna studying furiously. In the end his effort bore fruit. The result was a distinction in Mathematics, the important subject, and very good grades in the others.

His father pleased with his performance conveyed it proudly to Tennakoon aiya, now stationed in Badulla. Now Sinna was back home from Jaffna. His objective had been achieved. He was nineteen. A calm, self-assured youth, blessed with his mother's olive complexion, sharp features and father's sturdy physique, he was uncommonly attractive. He was waiting for Tennakoon aiya's letter.

One morning the letter was delivered. It stated that the examination for the recruitment of surveyor students would be gazetted soon. He should apply when it appeared. Eventually it appeared, he applied, sat and passed the examination. He had now only the interview to face in Colombo for the final selection.

He was scared stiff of these confrontations. Besides, he was a Tamil. Also, his friends has told him that there was rank discrimination against his race. He would stand no chance of being selected. He was worried.

The scheduled date of the interview was August 5, 19... Sinna had to be accompanied as he had not been to Colombo before. Mother also joined the happy entourage. They started a day early.

At 5 am the propitious hour, they started the mile long trek to the Vavuniya railway station. It was a wonderful dawn.

The east wind was cold. From the tall palu trees came the drowsy cackle of hornbills. Sinna in informal wear with his bag full of his interview kit and files, led the way. Mother was dressed in Kandyan wear and father, in ‘Verti’ and banion.

The two were barefoot. At 6.20 am the ‘Yal Devi’ from Kankasanturai roared in and they were off.

The interview was unexpectedly short. It started around 10.15 am before a panel of three distinguished looking men. They were gracious. They asked only a few questions. He answered them correctly. In just about ten minutes it was all over. When he walked out of the immaculate room with hanging maps he was brimful of a sweet feeling of success.

In the premises by the road he met his anxious parents. “How did you fare son,” basked his excited father and he said, “Very well.” Then drawing a bit closer, he asked softly, “Were there any of our people on the interview board.” Sinna answered indifferently that he could not identify anybody.

Two weeks after their arrival at home, Sinna received a letter from the Surveyor General. It stated that he had been selected. The letter brought an end to the fears and doubts that tortured him all these days like a cancer. The relief was immeasurable. He was exulted. So were his parents.