Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Sunday (September 13) took a trip down memory lane, recalling how his days at Panangad High School helped shape his communication skills.

Addressing an alumni meeting at his alma mater, the Chief Minister said that it was at the school that he “learned to speak”. He said the foundation in English that he acquired at the Malayalam-medium school gave him the confidence to deliver speeches in the language later, including a lecture at Harvard University.

“Standing here today, I’m at a loss for words. It was the teachers here who encouraged me to read and learn. When I joined SH College after completing my schooling here, I felt an inferiority complex while listening to other students speak English fluently. However, after listening to them keenly, I realised that they were making many grammatical errors, while our teachers here had taught us grammar thoroughly. That gave me the confidence to speak in English,” he said.

Kerala High Court judge Devan Ramachandran inaugurated the meet attended by Ministers N. Samsudheen, Roji M. John, V.E Abdul Gafoor, Hibi Eden, MP, and Deputy Speaker Shanimol Osman, among others.

Published – September 14, 2026 12:57 am IST