Beyond the Classroom: Dr. C. Tharini's Influence on Academic Community Development

Dr. C. Tharini, an esteemed academic and prolific researcher, has been honored with the Kamal Ratna Puraskar 2024 by Veyil Foundation. Currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Vel Tech University in Chennai, Dr. Tharini's educational journey is marked by a series of impressive academic achievements. She earned her B.A. in English Literature from Thiagarajar College in Madurai, followed by an M.A. in English from Madura College. She further advanced her studies with an M.Phil. from Gandhigram Rural University in Dindigul and a Ph.D. from Bharathiar University in Coimbatore. Additionally, she cleared the UGC NET in 2012 and holds a range of postgraduate diplomas from Madurai Kamaraj University.

Dr. Tharini's professional career spans over 16 years as the Head of the Department of Communicative English at SVN Arts and Science College in Madurai. Her areas of interest are diverse, including Indian writing in English, American Literature, English Language Teaching (ELT), and Journalism. Her scholarly contributions are substantial, with nine articles published in ISSN journals and sixteen in ISBN journals. She has also presented her research at national and international conferences, contributing to the academic community's understanding of various literary and educational topics. Her voice has reached a broader audience through her contributions to "Voice your Column" in The Hindu newspaper.

In addition to her academic publications, Dr. Tharini holds five patents, including innovations in AI-powered and voice-assisted translation devices and interactive learning systems for English language instruction. She has also published a book chapter and acted as a resource person for numerous lectures, faculty development programs (FDPs), seminars, and workshops. Dr. Tharini has coordinated a symposium and organized multiple intra-collegiate and inter-collegiate competitions, demonstrating her commitment to fostering a vibrant academic community.