For , school beatings by his teachers were par for the course. or signup to continue reading Unknowingly having , Dr Mamootil struggled to recite and write the alphabet. Without paper in rural schools in India more than 90 years ago, teachers sent home letters scribbled on palm leaves for their young charges to write in the sand the next day.
"I was caned regularly for failing to write or recite," he said. "I failed every class until even my younger brother jumped up in the class above me." About age 14, he was put to work on his father's farm in the rice fields at Kumbanad, where he soon made up his mind to find another job.
He decided he would become a dentist and knew he had to finish school. "I was determined to get off the farm," he said. "On my third attempt at the age of 21, I finally passed high school! "I was the worst student among my peers but despite the humiliation, I just kept going.
" Now aged 98, the Albury resident reflected on his punishing upbringing in his new memoir, . Plagued with scabies, whooping cough, conjunctivitis, roundworms and year-round flu, he didn't have the constitution to thrive but he certainly retained his unwavering drive. Dr Mamootil wanted to study at Calcutta Dental College, nearly 2500 kilometres from his home town, despite his father's wish for him to stay on the farm.
He arrived in 1949, two years after India gained independence from the British. Initially told his college application arrived too late and he'd need to re-apply for the next intake in nine months, Dr Mamootil gained a reprieve when the principal made an exception for him. "It changed my life," Dr Mamootil said.
"In the end, my parents supported me financially and I was able to stay for the five years' duration of the course. "I've always believed things can be difficult but not impossible!" Teaching dentistry in India, further study in the US, a master's degree and private practice followed before Dr Mamootil, his wife Molly and their five children migrated to Australia in May 1975. Then aged 50, Dr Mamootil followed in his brother's footsteps, encouraged by the dismantling of the and leadership.
"The man at Customs said he had never seen a dentist with so many qualifications," he said. "Registration was granted; Australia couldn't resist!" Dr Mamootil practised at Holbrook, NSW, and Henty, NSW, before settling in Albury-Wodonga. He said he was forever grateful for the warm reception at Holbrook.
"We had five children and we were starting all over again," Dr Mamootil said. "The beautiful people of Holbrook and the council supported us and that's why I'm here today. "Within two years I was getting patients from everywhere.
" Always good with his hands, Dr Mamootil gained a solid reputation as a denture maker. His clients travelled vast distances for his craftsmanship. Together with his late wife Molly, Dr Mamootil set up the Albury Wodonga Indian Australian Association, which welcomed many Indian immigrants to this region.
He also worked hard for the Lions Club over many years. Now living independently at Murray Gardens Retirement Village in East Albury, Dr Mamootil was proud to have completed his memoir - and fourth book - recently. His third book, took him about 18 months to write and another six months to illustrate.
Dr Mamootil, who will turn 100 in October 2025, was a skilled artist, fine woodworker, and inventor. His home is a treasure trove of his art, woodwork, and books. "When my brain wasn't working how I wanted, my fingers always did," Dr Mamootil said.
"As a teacher I carved 32 teeth in plaster of Paris and wax and gave the model to the University of Madras. "That model I made became popular with visiting professors. "It was then re-cast for teaching at dental schools throughout the country.
"Years later, when I returned to Madras Dental College, I was recognised for the contribution that I had made to teaching." Dr Mamootil said he remained interested in politics but stopped writing letters to the local paper after he lost his wife in 2017. "She was my leading editor!" he said.
Dr Mamootil said he got a lot of help to edit and shape his memoir. "I'm very proud of it," Dr Mamootil said. "If I can do it, anybody can do it! Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.
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