T. Siddha Reddy, a visually-challenged teacher in political sciencewill head the Government Degree College at Nandikotkur as itsprincipal. Mr. Reddy is the first visually-challenged to become theprincipal in the State.

Though the promotion was due to Mr. Reddy in May this year, thegovernment entrusted the job of finalising his promotion to a specialpanel. The committee which examined the issue from different angles andfinally decided to give the reins to him last month. “I could have gotan opportunity to work in Kurnool had I got the promotion through thenormal channel,” he said. Mr. Siddha Reddy, who has been a successfulteacher for 29 years , had never had any problem in teaching hisstudents. In fact, he had done more than routine teaching by preparingthe students for competitive examinations. One of his students whoattended the special classes secured second position in the essaywriting competition. However, he has to handle the administrative tasksas principal of the college. More importantly, signing the differentdocuments, files and cheques. All these years, he used thumb impressionin the place of a signature. Mr. Reddy practiced signature in the lastsix months and arrived at the final impression.

Mr. Reddy said he would rely upon the trusted staff and colleaguesto know the contents in a document before signing. Mr. Reddy had grandplan to help rural students excel in urban job markets. “I make mystudents prove that rural guys are tough nuts and quite suitable forcertain jobs. Teaching of communication skills would make all thedifference,” Mr. Reddy said.