“I am the first to become a government official and the first police officer from my family,” says S Manikandan, a student of ‘Puthiya Siragugal’, a police training academy. His voice brims with pride. This achievement is not just his own, it is proof of the dedication of Tholkappiyan Sivaraj, the man who made it possible.

Like Manikandan, over 400 youth have broken the cycle of poverty and secured government jobs, thanks to Sivaraj, a 41-year-old police constable from Kappur, in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram.

On his two-acre farmland, he has built more than just a training ground — he has created a space where young people, often burdened by financial hardships, can dream of a better future.

The journey towards becoming a policeman

Growing up in a small village with limited opportunities, Sivaraj’s fascination with the police force began early. “I started observing police officers when I was in class 10. I developed a love for the khaki uniform and dreamt of wearing it one day,” he recalls.

Determined to pursue his ambitions, his family encouraged him to prioritise education. In 2004, he moved to Chennai to complete his master’s in economics from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College. Yet, despite his academic pursuits, his goal of securing a government job remained steadfast.

“I couldn’t afford coaching classes, so I had to prepare on my own. I studied alongside my master’s coursework, and in 2008, I cleared my TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission) exam on my first attempt,” he says with pride.

Following his initial training in Pudukottai, Sivaraj was posted in Melmaruvathur, in 2010. But his journey didn’t stop at becoming a police officer — he wanted to guide others towards the same path. “I started training 33 students for government exams, and to my surprise, the entire batch passed,” he recalls.

Encouraged by this success, he........

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