My name is Suresh Padmanaban. I graduated Printing Technology from Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts (SIGA) in the year 1994. It has been 25 eventful years since I graduated. When I reflect up on the journey I have embarked, I could only be proud and be grateful to SIGA for making me what I am today. There are other institutions in India where one can graduate Printing Technology, however, SIGA is the only institution which is far superior in terms of curriculum, equipments, machineries, technical staffs, qualified faculties, etc. Even the Visual Communication students from one of the prestigious colleges in Chennai, would come to gain rich hands on experience in SIGA.
SIGA has the latest, state of the art machineries. They also have old generation machineries so one can learn the evolution of printing technology. The casting foundry to the state of the art Printing machines that they have are the example of the knowledge that one can gain there. All the students get a chance to run the machines by themselves which I do not think any other institution in India do. Be it the Pre-press, Press and Post Press, all departments are equipped adequately.
SIGA looks for all round development of the students. They encourage all students to participate at least in any one of the sports activities. At a time where it’s increasingly difficult to find a square meter of vacant space, SIGA , at the heart of the city, have almost a full size football ground, Basket ball court, volleyball court and a complex for all other indoor sports activities.
As the saying goes, “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”, SIGA lives up to this and works for the upliftment of the underprivileged children in the society by teaching them the trade of Printing and making them socially and economically self reliant.
SIGA also works with all the leading printing and packages houses across the globe and provides an opportunity for the students to work with them. It was after the Information Technology boom that everyone in India were talking about Campus Interviews, however, SIGA has been doing this much earlier than 1994. I was selected in the campus interview for a leading printing press in Dubai right after completing my graduation. I was able to excel and grow in ranks within the organization because of the knowledge I gained in our institution. It’s not only me, many of our alumni who worked with me, stand out from rest of them for the kind of knowledge and the attitude we posses.
I have started my career as a Trainee and held various positions in the Media Industry. I have worked in a leading Printing Press in Dubai, Advertising companies, Design and Typesetting companies, Post production units of Hollywood entertainment Industry in Los Angeles, US and in Broadcast companies. My journey from a humble Trainee to a country Head for a leading Telecom company in Europe could not have been possible without the knowledge, values of life, attitude, etc. I gained from SIGA.
“The school was not the end; it was rather the instrumental means for improving the way of life”. – St. John Bosco. SIGA lives up to this as they follow the footsteps of St. Jon Bosco.
While we are celebrating 25th anniversary of our batch (1991-1994) this year i.e. 2019, I could only pray and wish SIGA, success and greater heights in the service that they have embarked.
Suresh Padmanaban
Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts (1991-94)
