Elizabeth Verghese

I n 1966, ravaged by two wars and engulfed by a food crisis, India began to rise like the phoenix from the ashes. In the next ten years, there was a green revolution, a Bangladesh war of liberation, and a proud show of nuclear capability in Pokhran. With that we showed the world what Nari Shakti, aka the power of women, could achieve. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had dextrously steered India out of its socio-economic mess.

In those days, far down south, a lady from God’s own country, Kerala, finished her civil engineering six months ahead of time, and opted for government service. It was creditable as it came during a period when India was entrenched in patriarchy, the girl-child was a pain in the neck, and career-women were frowned upon.

Meet Dr. Elizabeth Verghese, the Chairperson of the Hindustan Group of Educational Institutions. Elizabeth was the second child in a large family of seven children (3 girls and 4 boys). She was born to veterinary doctor T.G. Chacko, and to homemaker Elizabeth Chacko. Both parents had business interest in a rubber estate. The size of the family, notwithstanding, Liz got the best of education. Indeed, there is a certain history to the family size. Her maternal grandma had 19 children through 18 births, and six of them died very early. Three of the surviving 12 went on to become doctors.

Elizabeth Verghese did her schooling at the Baker Memorial Girls Higher Secondary School in Kottayam. Interestingly, it was the same school where years ago, both her mother and her aunt schooled! The school has a hoary past, and was established (1819) because the founder, Amelia Baker, felt that for a society to develop, women must be educated.

When dad was transferred to Calicut, they put Liz in the boarding section. Liz was academically bright. The only one at Baker’s to get a First Class, she finished second in the board exams with a 72 in Biology and a centum in mathematics. She was in love with math and part of that had to do with her teacher Mr. Varkey who mesmerized the class by making the subject look simple. She was also inspired by Principal Miss Benjamin.

William Arthur Ward sums up the contribution of all teachers in general and Varkey and Benjamin in particular with the words: The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

Next, Elizabeth joined the College of Engineering in Trivandrum. Her parents wanted her to do medicine, and while she did give it a shot, the quota system came in the way. Remember, there were not many medical colleges in those days. Her cousin could have recommended her to CMC Vellore, one of the most happening colleges. Unfortunately, she had already promised someone else. That way, medicine’s loss was engineering’s gain! Also, the Highways Department of the state of Tamil Nadu would have lost out on its first woman engineer. In a way, for her it was good she did not do medicine. Years later, her husband said, “I would have never married you if you were a doctor!”