A VISIT TO TIRUVALAM

 

A VISIT TO TIRUVALAM 

Tiruvalam is a small town situated on the banks of the river Ponnai. It is a gateway to north from Tamilnadu. The Ponnai river bed and the bridges fascinate the onlookers who happen to pass by this town. The town is densely populated by Hindus but Muslims also live in a small proportion. 

Tiruvalam Rajendra Bridge

On December 16th, 2016, Friday, I was returning from Thiruvalluvar University, Serkadu, to Melvisharam. On the way, I came across the famous Tiruvalam Bridge. I knew that the foundation for the 8-decade-old Rajendra Bridge at Tiruvalam had been laid by Janab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib of Melvisharam. Driven by a desire to learn more about his contributions, I entered into Tiruvalam for the first time. After offering the Asar prayer at the town's only mosque, Allah gave me the opportunity to meet Janab Akbar Basha Sahib, a 70-year-old native of Tiruvalam and a retired secondary-grade teacher and assistant headmaster at the Government Higher Secondary School in Lalapettai. 

Mr. Akbar Basha

I asked him, "Is there any other contribution of C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib to this town apart from the foundation of the bridge?" He replied with delight,

"Abdul Hakeem Sahib was the first person to start a school in this town. In 1960, the school was upgraded to a high school. I was in the second S.S.L.C. batch of this school. The school had a large portrait of Abdul Hakeem Sahib and a stone tablet with an inscription in Tamil: இப்பள்ளியின் நன்கொடையாளர் ஜனாப் சி. அப்துல் ஹகீம் சாஹிப் ‘This school was donated by C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib.’ However, in 2003, this building was demolished to construct a new school building, and the stone tablet was thrown away somewhere."

After gathering this information, I left Tiruvalam. However, my thirst for more knowledge grew after receiving these hints from Akbar Basha Sahib. So, during the Half-Yearly Holidays, I visited the school along with my colleague, V. Hussain Ahmed. We met the headmaster and explained the purpose of our visit.  He directed us to meet Mr. Natesanar, a 95-year-old rice mill owner and close associate of prominent political leaders like E.V.R. Periyar, C.N. Annadurai, Mr. Karunanidhi, and Mr. Duraimurugan of Tamil Nadu. He was formerly the general secretary of the DMK party for the Vellore District and an ex-serviceman of the Indian Army. Above all, he was an alumnus of the school (1934-39). We went to his rice mill, where he warmly welcomed us.  

Here, I would like to quote some interesting facts shared by Mr. Natesanar:

Mr. Natesanar

"The educational condition of this town was very poor. Earlier, the town had two primary schools: Subbanna Iyyer Girls’ School and Munirathnam Naidu Aided School, both up to the fourth standard. Along with these, there was a teacher named Mr. Singara Vatiyar, who used to teach students by the side of his house. This was the educational situation in the town during those days. The school you are asking about was actually started by the great philanthropist of that time, Janab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib. Many people do not know that he funded the establishment of this school in Tiruvalam in 1934. The school was named C. Abdul Hakeem Higher Elementary School, and it was a co-educational middle school. Nawab Sahib purchased a building from Mr. Devaraj Mudaliar for Rs. 5,000 and dedicated it to the school. This was the first well-established school in the town. Nawab Sahib was a pioneer in the field of education in this town. We cannot forget his contribution. The strength of the school increased, and in 1970, the school was moved to a new location. The old building was left unattended, and as a result, many tried to encroach upon the land. I took necessary steps to preserve the area, and with the assistance of town elders and government officials, we started a separate school for girls in 2003 at the same location."

Mr. Natesanar continued, "Nawab Sahib was the guest of honour at the Tiruvalam Bridge foundation ceremony. He arrived a day earlier to inspect the arrangements. He was the District Board President of North Arcot District (Old Vellore District) and was accompanied by prominent figures of the time. I spent the whole day with Abdul Hakeem Sahib, and I had the opportunity to serve him. I also drew a portrait of Abdul Hakeem Sahib, and Nawab Sahib rewarded me for my talent. The next morning (23-11-1935), Nawab Sahib went to the site where he would lay the foundation stone. In the presence of a large crowd, the chief engineer of the McKenzie Group, Madras, presented him with a golden scoop to lay the foundation. He also funded generously for the construction of the bridge.”

Foundation Stone

 After sharing these facts, Mr. Natesanar said, "I am truly glad to share this information with you." He then took us to show the foundation stone inscription on the eastern side of the bridge.

Later, he told us, "When I heard the news of Abdul Hakeem Sahib’s death, I walked from Tiruvalam to Kilvisharam to have one last glimpse of such a kind personality." We thanked him for enlightening us about the forgotten services of Nawab Sahib. 

To verify the information provided by Mr. Akbar Basha Sahib and Thiru. Natesanar, I met Mr. Kumarasami Gounder, aged 88, an alumnus of the same school,  studied from 1941 to 1948. He confirmed the details mentioned above as authentic and further added that the school had a large portrait of C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib at the inner entrance, to which he would offer his respect before entering the school. 

Mr. Kumarasami Gounder

The present generation of Tiruvalam and Melvisharam are unaware of Nawab Sahib’s contributions. His services remind us of many things: firstly, his active involvement in establishing schools in small towns, villages, and cities at his own expense; secondly, his generous contributions to public welfare activities. The Holy Prophet once said, "The best among you is the one who benefits people the most." In light of this Hadith, Nawab Sahib’s deeds were truly remarkable. Furthermore, he was impartial and secular in his actions.

Today, Muslims face communal discrimination and numerous humiliations simply because of their religion. In contrast, our elders were generous and unbiased in fulfilling the basic needs of society. Many such contributions have been forgotten, and it is our duty to uncover these facts and present them accurately to foster unity in the nation, especially in an era when history is misused by anti-social elements to create communal violence and unrest.

The primary aim of writing this article is to remind young minds about these forgotten contributions and preserve these facts for future generations. This information sheds light on how our forefathers lived in a  harmonious society that cared for each other’s needs. Hence, this is my humble attempt to preserve the services of our ancestors, who not only preached but also practiced what they believed.

Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib