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-- By K. Senthilathiban My relationship with Professor Kaliappan began in the year 1979. At that time, he was a lecturer in criminal psychology in the Department of Psychology, University of Madras, where I joined as a student of the post graduate course in criminology. When he was teaching criminology, he exposed me to the concept of, ‘Minimum Teaching and Maximum Learning”. He divided the entire syllabus among us and asked us to prepare and take classes. That was a nice experience for me and l instantly liked his way of teaching. I cannot forget the after class walk to the canteen with him and other faculty members for a cup of coffee. We became very close when he accompanied us to attend the Indian Society of Criminology conference conducted at Aurangabad. He never interfered in our plans and gave great support. One thing I observed in him was that he never got tensed even in critical conditions and was willing to be with us, even to the extent of fighting for our comforts. It was because of him, even after completing the course, that I used to go to the department frequently and be with him and others. He created an interest in research and made me undertake research studies. My first published research paper on ‘Anxiety among Delinquents” was written along with him. He was instrumental in making me undergo the training of trainers programme on entrepreneurship motivation and this was a turning point in my life. I dedicated my life to learning and development from that year (1992). He gave me a lot of opportunities to conduct training sessions in the university (Academic Staff College), and in the corporate, government and development sectors. This helped me start my own consultancy, Sparks Development Group, in 2001. I also became a council member of the Indian Society of Criminology and later its secretary, when he became its chairman. I also served as the associate editor of the Indian Journal of Criminology along with him when he was its editor. Yet another assignment I was associated with him was in running the three ISC-Pudhu Vazhvu (New Life) centers for prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse in the three districts of Salem, Vellore and Cuddalore. Professor and madam were part of our family. Our visit to his house was always an enjoyable one. His support to me professionally and personally was something great and I cherish each and every aspect of it. When I had a health condition, he simply said, “ You will overcome it, easily.” [Written in March, 2016] K. Senthilathiban - Profile Founder of SPACE and Sparks, an organizational strengthening and talent development consultancy organization at Chennai (founded in 2013). Until 2013, he was the managing partner of Sparks Development Group, which he co-founded in 2001.
Proud alumnus of the Department of Psychology, University of Madras (1979 – 2001), and was associated with it as a student, researcher and as the secretary of a national academic association until he founded Sparks. Since 1991, involved in facilitating learning events for organizations in corporate, non-governmental, government and educational institutions.
Conducted 26 project evaluations and impact assessments of community based development projects on behalf of national and international funding organizations. Involved in designing HR systems and processes in small and medium scale organizations. Was a Consultant Director (Human Resources) in People’s Watch, Madurai, from July, 2009 to June, 2010 - designed and institutionalized policies and systems for HRM. Guest faculty for the Department of Management Studies, IIT, Chennai, for their management development programmes and for designing and facilitating two elective courses, “Creativity & Innovation” (conducted four courses) and “Management of Change & Transformation” (conducted three courses until 2012). Visiting faculty in Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Chennai, since 2006. (Courses: Organizational Behaviour, Organizational Development & Management of Change, Executive Competencies, Coaching, Leadership and Management of Human Resources). Designed and conducted their three-month certificate course on ‘Management of Human Resources’ – conducted 11 courses.
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-- By Arulnambi K.  Mr. K. Senthilathiban Appa's approach to relationships, friendships and his positive attitude towards life and its many challenges were influenced greatly by some of the truly wonderful students he was blessed to have. His personality and his style of teaching and collaboration were such that he naturally attracted many good people to him. One such student was Mr. Senthilathiban. He first came to know Appa in 1979, so was one of his earliest students. Dr. Karunanidhi, Dr. Latha Pillai, and Mr. Senthil - this was the trio Thambi and I essentially saw more often at our home than other relatives or extended family. They were incredibly close to Appa, and grew to be some of Amma's favorites as well. They were family in every sense of the word. Amma named my son 'Adhiban", picking the name from the second part of Mr. Senthil's full name. She would say that she loved the name as an enthusiast of Tamil names. She was also very fond of Senthil, remarking that he was such a good person. As Appa's academic and administrative career reached many peaks, his students were a constant fixture at our home. They would stop by sometimes just to chat about personal matters, or get guidance on a thesis or research paper, or discuss an upcoming workshop or conference. Just growing up in that environment steeped in the sights and sounds of higher academia was exciting. And Mr. Senthil and the others were very much at the center of it. Their academic and professional lives were influenced by Appa's own special brand of education and training - less reliance on traditional classroom instruction and books, more hands-on activities - camps, seminars, conferences, and training programs by the dozen. Mr. Senthil himself was actively not just participating, but constantly challenged by Appa to involve himself directly in organizing, administering, mentoring and teaching. Then there were Appa's massive initiatives for the betterment of society at large. The psychologists were not confining themselves to their classrooms, offices and clinics, but reaching out and helping those in need. Those were challenging but exciting and invigorating times.  Best Friends - L to R: Dr. Latha Pillai, Dr. S. Karunanidhi, Dr. Sriram Viswanathan, Mr. K. Senthilathiban Later on, after Appa had passed away in 2015, I started to interact with Mr. Senthil more often. He would speak at length of those times working with Appa, projecting the happiness and excitement he still felt about that period. I also found out that Senthil was no 'yes man' to Appa. He would argue with him if he did not agree with him, and there were apparently quite a few such arguments. The fact that teacher and student held other in such high esteem for so many years and continued to remain close until the very end speaks volumes of not only their respective personalities and utter lack of personal egos, but also of the complete and mutual honesty in their relationship.
I had been meaning to do a profile of Mr. Senthil on this website, like I had done with a few other of Appa's illustrious students. I had collected some details from Mr. Senthil in preparation. And now, after his demise, too soon and so cruel, it is with a heavy heart that I have gotten around to writing what has now become a eulogy. It's been over a year since I last spoke to him, but I vividly recall his voice - deep and warm. Next: "Professor and I" - Senthil, in his own words, on his life and times with his professor. |
Dr. K. V. Kaliappan+ The Father of Applied Psychology in India Archives
March 2025
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