Burning the midnight oil

FARZANA SHAKIR catches up with an academic achiever, who works hard to pursue her dreams

Some people go through life giving things a go, working hard, putting in a hundred percent and quietly achieving. And in doing so, unknown to even themselves, they become an inspiration to others and give hope to those who didn’t dare to try. They stand out as a symbol of all things possible; and I found 58 year old Jayanthi Balachandran to be just such a person.

Since 2006, Jayanthi has undertaken studies for a Bachelor of Taxation degree at University of New South Wales, Sydney and has achieved distinctions and high distinctions in all of the 14 subjects she has completed so far. She has received four awards for outstanding achievement in subjects such as The Principles of Capital Gains Taxation (2006), Tax Administration (2007), The Law of Companies, Trusts and Partnerships (2008) and Critical Perspective and Ethics (2008). Her aim is to complete the remaining 8 subjects by 2011.

Jayanthi hails from Kerala, but concedes that she spent the best part of her life in Chennai before moving to Australia in 1988.

She has always been academically inclined, considering that she received her first science degree when she was just 17. She joined public service in 2005 after working in the real estate industry for 17 years. Six months later, seizing an opportunity available to employees, she embarked on a degree program in Taxation Law on a parttime basis with UNSW, while working full time.

So given her age, what was the motivation in going back to studies?

Jayanthi confides, “It was relevant to my work. I really needed a knowledge base in Taxation Law and so when the opportunity presented itself, I grabbed it. I am now studying with 20 year olds. I feel young again. In fact, I have become a mother figure to my classmates, but in return I learn so much from them so really it works both ways.”

As she is studying part-time, the duration of her course is six years and it involves lots of time self-studying. “It requires total commitment and lots of discipline as we are given assignments and taught to develop research skills,” explains Jayanthi

Jayanthi hails from a family of academics. Her father Dr T K Natarajan who passed away last year, retired as Professor from Presidency College, Chennai. He was a great scholar and linguist, and she considered him as her greatest supporter. Her mother retired as a teacher from Vidyodaya School, Chennai. Her sister Sudha Natarajan retired as the Vice President of Sri Cempaka, a highly regarded educational institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Following in the family tradition, Jayanthi is overjoyed to reveal that her only son Ajay passed his HSC last year with an outstanding UAI of 99.5.

Jayanthi is quick to credit her family for their unwavering support and encouragement in helping her achieve her goals. She says it’s not easy to study and work full time, but she makes the time and has given up socializing much, while her mum keeps house while she pursues her dreams.

On receiving all those awards and how it makes her feel, Jayanthi enthused, “It gives me a buzz, it makes it all worthwhile and makes me realize there’s still life left in the old dog!”

And what are her career goals on completion of her degree? Jayanthi plans to pursue a CPA later, but for now she replies sagely, “It’s all about the journey, you ultimately reach the destination, but it’s the journey that you have to enjoy. I am definitely enjoying it and that is what life is all about.” Beautifully phrased and so true! Keep the midnight oil burning, Jayanthi, we wish you every success and many more awards to come.