Every year, thousands of students are told that education is the key to a better future. Degrees, they say, open doors. Hard work finally pays off.For Dr. E. Thirumalai Raja, the journey certainly reflects hard work. He earned multiple academic degrees, completed a doctorate in English literature, published research papers, gave keynote addresses at conferences, and spent years teaching students. However, after completing his classes as a guest lecturer at Presidency College, Chennai, he often takes up another role, that of a taxi driver, to supplement his income.His story has recently gained attention on social media, not because he regrets being a professor, but because it highlights the reality faced by many highly qualified visiting professors across the country who continue to wait for steady employment despite impressive academic credentials.
A teacher with an extraordinary academic journey
The academic profile of Dr. Thirumalai Raja is hard to miss.He holds a PhD and an M.Phil. in English Literature, an MA in Psychology, an MA in English Literature, a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), a Diploma in Teacher Education (DTEd.), in addition to her degree in English Literature.Her doctoral research examined black humor in the novels of Upamanyu Chatterjee, while her earlier research explored the writings of Rabindranath Tagore and George Bernard Shaw.Beyond obtaining degrees, he has remained actively involved in academia. Over the years, he has published research articles in academic journals, presented papers at international and national conferences, chaired technical sessions, delivered keynote lectures and lectured on English communication, literary criticism, digital humanities and soft skills.His interests extend beyond literature to educational psychology, linguistics, cultural studies, and personality development.
PhD student E Thirumalai Raja drives a taxi after teaching at Chennai University to support his livelihood
More than a teacher
As a visiting professor in the Department of English at Presidency College, Dr. Thirumalai Raja has taken on responsibilities that go far beyond classroom teaching.He has served as IQAC coordinator, coordinated examination activities, run National Service Scheme (NSS) and Youth Red Cross programmes, contributed to grievance redressal mechanisms, created question papers for universities and colleges and even supported students through Toastmasters activities aimed at improving communication skills.He has also worked as a facilitator for the Tamil Nadu Open University and has delivered guest lectures at educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.His resume reflects the career of someone deeply invested in teaching and student development.
Why his story resonates
Despite his qualifications and years of academic service, Dr. Thirumalai Raja continues to work as a visiting professor, a position that often offers limited financial security compared to permanent teaching appointments.According to posts shared on social media, he supplements his income by driving a taxi after college hours. The story has struck a chord with many people and sparked discussions about the challenges facing contract and visiting professors in higher education.For the students, their journey offers two important lessons.The first is that learning never stops. Even after earning several graduate degrees and a Ph.D., Dr. Thirumalai Raja continued to publish research, speak at conferences, and expand his knowledge across disciplines.The second is that dignity lies in honest work. Rather than allow financial challenges to interrupt his responsibilities as a teacher, he chose to take on additional work while continuing to do what he loves most: teaching.His story also serves as a reminder that academic excellence and career opportunities don’t always move at the same pace. Behind many classrooms are educators who quietly go beyond their formal obligations, driven by a commitment to their students despite personal and professional challenges.As discussions about higher education increasingly focus on quality teaching and research, stories like Dr. Thirumalai Raja’s encourage a larger conversation about recognizing and supporting the talented educators who continue to shape young minds as they navigate uncertain career paths.Disclaimer: This article is based on public information and details shared on social networks about the academic profile and professional journey of Dr. E. Thirumalai Raja. The information is for educational and informational purposes only.