Thiruvananthapuram: Computerisation marked the end of typewriters that ruled the roost in offices, and the institutes teaching the skills became a distant memory. But not so the Fort Technical Institute at Fort here which is celebrating its centenary on Sunday. It has been going strong providing training to job aspirants, including students of B.Tech, M. Com, MA, BA and B.Sc.
They pick up their skills on trusted brands like Halda, Remington Rand and Olivetti and enter the job market confidently with typing proficiency in English, Malayalam and Hindi. Shorthand in English and Malayalam is also taught at the institute which was established in 1919 by the late Appu Iyer, who worked as a typist in the secretariat.
He started the venture for his wife Alamelu Ammal’s sister, Ponnu Ammal, who became a widow at the age of 14. The institute was formed with just two typewriters in the Fort agraharam, the traditional Brahmin settlement.
Appu Iyer’s grandson, Subramonia Iyer, 62, has been running the institute since he was 15 and is its principal now. Initially, his salary was Rs 5 and the fee was a copper ‘Ottakalana,’ ‘half ana’ and then a rupee. “I am blessed to run the institute when its centenary is being celebrated. Typewriters are here to stay with the Kerala General Technical Education insisting on typewriting certificates,” he said.
Wherever he goes, be they state or central government offices, he is welcomed by his former students. His wife G. Hemalatha recalled that when computers invaded India in the late 90s, they also bought four computers to teach word processing.
“Typewriting and shorthand lower and higher can be learnt within two years. Most of the degree students join our institute during the first-year of their college. By the time they finish their graduation, they would have mastered the technical qualifications. We keep getting several engineering dropouts to learn typewriting and shorthand which enables them to get a decent job,” said Hemalatha, a government employee.
Subramonia Iyer is being assisted by V. K. Madhavankutty who has been teaching shorthand since 1962. He also acts as its manager. The centenary celebrations will be inaugurated by Fort ward councillor R. Suresh at 4 p.m. on Sunday when former students of the institute will offer guruvandanam.
