VRPM1/4 First in Tamil
Channel: 50FACES
Date: 28/02/2015

There are those who love the Tamil Language and then there is Mr VRP Manickam. He not only has an immense love for the language, he strongly feels the need to spread that love far and wide. 

Mr VRP Manickam grew up immersed in the Tamil language. Inspired by the mentors in his life, he dedicated all his adult life to this love. But it was what he did to spread that love which makes Mr Manickam stand out as an outstanding educator. 

Reaching the shores of Singapore in 1952, Manickam joined the Vivekananda Tamil school. He had the good fortune of pursuing Higher Tamil under one his favourite teachers - Mr Pavadaisamy at the newly launched Umar Pulavar Tamil Language center. His teacher was a great influence, imbuing the love for the language in young Manickam and motivating him to pursue a career as a Tamil Teacher.

After a few years in Sennet estate school, he moved on to Deyi Secondary school before being posted to the ministry to develop Tamil curriculum. But his real contribution was yet to be realised till he joined the newly built Yishun Junior College in 1987 to start the Tamil Language Department. 

In 1988, he launched the Tamil Language seminar, which was also known more popularly as the PRE-U Seminar in Tamil. While the PRE-U Seminar in English was already an iconic event, there were as yet no equivalent events in any other language. Mr Manickam, pioneered this initiative in Tamil even when the establishment at that time was in two minds about it. The first such event drew immense support from teachers, parents and over 300 – 400 students. Mr Manickam never wavered from the objective to promote Tamil Language and Literature, which has definitely contributed to the successful running of this event. The PRE-U SEMINAR in Tamil has gone on for 25years since then and is still a hallmark event in the upper secondary school and Junior College calendars.