“Success is not measured by how fast one starts, but by how determinedly one continues.”
Introduction
Every life story holds a lesson, but some lives teach us that perseverance can outshine even the most difficult beginnings. The journey of Dr. R. Easwaran is one such inspiring story—a reminder that strength is not found in perfection, but in persistence. Born on 12th February 1968 in Chennai, he grew up in a modest family that valued honesty, hard work, and humility. His parents, Mr. A. Ramalingam and Mrs. Saroja Ramalingam, nurtured him with discipline and compassion, but the person who became the deepest source of warmth and guidance in his early life was his grandmother. Her presence shaped not just his character, but his entire way of viewing life.
From his earliest years, Dr. Easwaran was introduced to the meaning of effort and endurance. His school life was far from easy. As a young boy, he travelled nearly thirty kilometres every day to attend classes at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Air Force Station, Tambaram, and this journey was not one he made alone. His grandmother walked and travelled those long hours with him, ensuring he was never alone in his pursuit of education. That journey became symbolic of his life—a long path filled with challenges, guided by love, and driven by willpower.
Despite his determination, academics did not come naturally to him. He struggled in his studies, often scoring low marks and even failing in seventh standard. Mathematics frightened him, textbooks did not interest him, and he often found his thoughts drifting beyond the printed pages. His grades in tenth standard were only 33%, with no subject reaching forty marks. Many would have given up or accepted failure as destiny, but Dr. Easwaran saw something different. His curiosity about the world outside the classroom became the foundation of a new way of learning—a journey driven not by grades but by genuine passion.
It was during his ninth grade that he discovered a lifelong fascination with electronics. Sitting beside a classmate who shared his interest, he began learning how to assemble small gadgets. Soon, his free hours after school were spent visiting Richie Street, a famous electronics market in Chennai, where he bought tiny components and built simple devices. His mother worried that this hobby would distract him from academics, but what no one realised then was that this curiosity would one day lead to his proudest achievement—a patent in science.
Even as he struggled through the traditional path of education, he carried an unusual strength: the desire to learn through experience. This belief followed him into college, where he joined Madras Christian College, one of the most reputed institutions in South India. Those years marked a quiet transformation. From being an uncertain student, he became more disciplined and focused. For the first time, he began scoring well, eventually earning first-class marks in his M.A., a result that filled him and his family with joy. He also pursued his B.Ed. at Wesley Training College, Royapettah, where he discovered his love for teaching and guiding others.
“A child who learns love, patience, and courage at home carries the light of those lessons through life.”
Phase 1: Roots of Resilience – The Early Years of Strength and Simplicity
Every great story begins somewhere simple. For Dr. R. Easwaran, the foundation of his extraordinary journey was laid in the quiet lanes of Chennai, where the sounds of life blended with the gentle rhythm of family values, tradition, and perseverance. Born on 12th February 1968, he entered a world that was not filled with luxury but with love, discipline, and a deep sense of purpose. His parents, Mr. A. Ramalingam and Mrs. Saroja Ramalingam, were ordinary individuals with extraordinary determination. They belonged to a generation that believed in earning everything through hard work, and those ideals became the cornerstones of their son’s upbringing.
From his earliest days, Easwaran grew up surrounded by the warmth of family and the scent of freshly cooked meals that filled their modest home. But more than material comfort, what filled his childhood was emotional richness. His parents were simple, humble people who valued education, respect, and character above all. They did not speak of ambition in grand terms, but their silent actions taught him lessons that no classroom could. The idea that life demands consistency, that hard work is a form of prayer, and that love is best expressed through sacrifice — these became the invisible threads weaving through his childhood.
Yet among all the people who shaped him, there was one person whose presence shone brightest — his grandmother. To Dr. Easwaran, she was not merely a family member; she was his guiding star, his companion, his teacher, and his first friend. She had a way of seeing the world that fascinated him even as a boy. Her calmness in adversity, her simple wisdom, and her gentle laughter became the sounds of comfort in his young life. She was the person he turned to when the world outside seemed too big to face.
The bond between the young Easwaran and his grandmother went beyond affection; it was built on shared experiences. Each morning, before the sun had fully risen, they began a journey together — a journey that tested patience and strengthened love.
“Education is not only what we learn from books, but what we discover about ourselves on the journey.”
Phase 2: The Long Road to School – Lessons Beyond the Classroom
The next phase of Dr. R. Easwaran’s life unfolded during his formative school years, a period that tested his endurance, patience, and spirit in more ways than one. While most children of his age spent their early mornings comfortably getting ready for school, young Easwaran began each day much earlier, preparing for a journey that symbolised his determination. His school was far from home — nearly thirty kilometres away — and this daily travel shaped the very core of his personality.
What made this routine extraordinary was not only the distance but the person who accompanied him every single day — his grandmother. Rain or shine, she would be by his side, walking, waiting for buses, carrying his schoolbag when he grew tired, and making sure he reached school safely. The bond they shared during those long journeys became one of the most influential experiences of his life. For Easwaran, those trips were not just a commute; they were daily lessons in resilience, love, and quiet strength.
Each morning began with the faint sound of her voice calling his name, gentle but firm, urging him to wake up and get ready. She would prepare his simple breakfast, ensure his uniform was neat, and make sure his books were packed. There was a rhythm to their mornings — steady, unhurried, but filled with purpose. As they stepped out together into the Chennai dawn, the world was still half asleep, but for them, the journey had already begun.
For a small boy, the journey to school could feel endless. There were times when he felt sleepy, cranky, or even reluctant to go, but his grandmother never allowed fatigue to win. Her companionship turned the hardship into something meaningful. On those long rides and walks, she shared stories of her youth, lessons from her experiences, and tales about kindness and humanity. She spoke of her own struggles, of people she admired, and of the importance of doing one’s duty with dedication. These were not formal lessons, but they left an imprint deeper than any school textbook could have.
“It does not matter how slow you go, as long as you do not stop.”
Phase 3: Trials of Learning – The Slow Bloom of Determination
The journey of Dr. R. Easwaran through his school years was not one of instant success. It was filled with quiet struggles, moments of doubt, and lessons learned the hard way. His story during this period stands as a beautiful reminder that the true measure of a person’s potential is not how quickly they learn, but how strongly they rise after failure.
As a child, Easwaran was not among the bright students who topped the class or answered every question with ease. In fact, academics seemed like a puzzle he could never solve. Subjects like mathematics frightened him, science confused him, and long theoretical lessons often felt like walls he could not climb. He would look at his textbooks, their pages filled with numbers and words, and feel lost. Yet, inside that silence of struggle was a mind that refused to give up, a spirit that continued to search for its own rhythm of learning.
When he joined Kendriya Vidyalaya at the Air Force Station, Tambaram, his life became even more structured and disciplined. The school environment, inspired by the military discipline of the Air Force, expected students to be sharp, quick, and efficient. But young Easwaran was different. He was slow, thoughtful, and deeply curious. He did not want to memorise; he wanted to understand. While his classmates solved equations quickly, he would be wondering how electricity moved through wires or how a plane lifted into the air. His curiosity often took him beyond the boundaries of textbooks, and though this made him a creative learner, it also caused him to lag behind in traditional schooling.
His teachers sometimes mistook his silence for lack of focus. They encouraged him to work harder, to spend more time with his books, to try and be more like others. But Easwaran was not disobedient or careless; he was simply exploring learning in his own way. His curiosity about the world was genuine. He wanted to know the “why” behind everything. Unfortunately, school systems often reward speed and accuracy, not depth and curiosity. As a result, Easwaran’s efforts went unnoticed, and his report cards reflected failure more often than progress.
Note of Thanks
Every remarkable journey is shaped not by one person alone, but by the love, faith, and support of many hearts along the way. As Dr. R. Easwaran reflects upon his life’s story, he feels immense gratitude for all those who have walked beside him, inspired him, and guided him through every phase of his journey.
His deepest gratitude belongs to his parents, Mr. A. Ramalingam and Mrs. Saroja Ramalingam, whose values of honesty, perseverance, and humility became the foundation upon which his life was built. Their sacrifices and encouragement gave him the courage to dream and the strength to turn those dreams into reality.
A special and heartfelt thanks goes to his beloved grandmother, whose presence continues to illuminate his path even today. Her wisdom, patience, and unconditional love shaped the person he became. From walking miles to school with him in his childhood to inspiring him with her quiet strength, she has remained his greatest teacher and his guiding light.
Dr. Easwaran also extends his appreciation to his teachers, colleagues, and students, who became his extended family through the years. Each of them, in their own way, enriched his journey with learning, laughter, and shared purpose. His students, in particular, remain his constant source of inspiration and joy.
He also expresses sincere thanks to every individual who believed in his vision — those who supported his book, “Birth of My First Patent,” and celebrated his success as an educator and innovator.
Above all, he thanks life itself for its lessons, challenges, and blessings. For Dr. R. Easwaran, this story is not just a biography — it is a humble tribute to everyone who helped him rise, rebuild, and rediscover the meaning of perseverance, compassion, and lifelong learning.
Thank You
Dr. R. Easwaran