UPSC aspirant runs from pillar to post for class 10, 12 exam certificates

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Chennai: M. Karmegam (23) has moved heaven and earth, knocked on every door and window, only to end up frustrated and defeated as he is still unable to get copies of his two educational certificates lost a couple of years ago.
 
The postgraduate from Virudhunagar had lost his class 10 and 12 certificates in 2011 while returni­ng from an interview in Thiruvananthapuram.
 
He went through the prescribed process for getting the duplicates from the school education department paid the required fee, filed an FIR, inserted advertisements in newspapers and even petitioned the chief minister’s cell twice for help. The education department remains unmoved.
 
“I am unable to apply for jobs and even for a passport because I don’t have these certificates which are considered basic documents for most things I want to do in life. I am completely at a loss,” Karmegam told DC fighting back tears. He scored 360/500 in class 10 and 813/1,200 marks in class 12.
 
He passed his undergraduation and post graduation degrees in first class. Presently working as an accounts executive in a private firm in Bengaluru, Karmegam is preparing for civil services exams with great hope.
 
Karmegam’s professor T.N.Ramamurthy said, “Karmegam was a bright student. He would have landed a good job by now but for losing his certificates. It’s a pity that even after two years he is struggling to get the duplicates.” 
 
District education officer Palaniandi told DC, “I will certainly take action and provide the certificates to Karmegam within a few days. There might have been some discrepancies. We will take steps immediately to set the problem right.”