Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
In braving odds to teach tribal kids, 38-year-old lives life of risk and reward
The New Indian Express Kochi
|February 18, 2025
ANNALAKSHMI's life as a teacher working at the lone anganwadi in Thayannankudi, a remote tribal settlement located within the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, in Idukki, has been one full of adventure, risk and reward.
It was only a week ago that she narrowly escaped a wild elephant that had strayed onto the forest path to the settlement. On February 6, a 57-year-old tribal man was trampled to death by the same animal in Chinnar.
Notwithstanding, Annalakshmi continues to trek the route—something which she has been doing for the past 17 years—that includes a jungle path with no mobile network connectivity or even a motorable road for 6 km to reach her students.
Speaking to TNIE, the 38-year-old says she had joined as an anganwadi worker in Thayannankudi in 2007, when she was just 21. Since then, the sanctuary and the tribes have been a part of her life.
This story is from the February 18, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Kochi.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express Kochi
The New Indian Express Kochi
Pilgrims' rush contained, govt to raise darshan slots
HAVING brought the rush of pilgrims under control, the government on Saturday decided to adjust spot booking at the Sabarimala hill shrine according to daily crowd flow.
1 min
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
REMEMBERING THE BEACON OF SELFLESS SERVICE TO HUMANITY
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA BIRTH CENTENARY
4 mins
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
CAVILLING OPPN PERILLING DEMOCRACY
DEMOCRACY does not collapse with a bang. It withers in silence when its challengers forget how to fight.
4 mins
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Finalists to be decided via tiebreak after draws
IT turned out to be another dull day for the chess buffs as Wei Yang of China and Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan decided not to take risks against their respective opponents to settle for effortless draws in the second game of the semifinals at the FIDE World Cup here.
1 min
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Cave of Curiosities
A boat ride through Penn's Cave reveals natural creations sculpted drip-by-drip for over 30 million years
2 mins
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Concern over radicalisation of Indian students in B'desh
POSSIBLE radicalisation of Indian students studying in Bangladesh may soon emerge as a major security concern for India, sources in the intelligence agencies said on Saturday.
2 mins
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Kuldeep’s mastery makes it an even contest on Day 1
AT first glance, the bare basics of the scoreboard - South Africa 247/6 in 81.5 overs - tells you something about the day's play.
2 mins
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
FROM CHIC AND CHICORY TO CHIKIRI CHIKIRI
SOME films arrive like VVIPs at an election rally. All pomp and entitlement.
3 mins
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
The Cop Who Dismantled UP's Crime Machine
The narrative offers insights into Prashant Kumar's crackdown on gangs and mafias in a state once defined by lawlessness
3 mins
November 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi
Liverpool in dire straits after Forest defeat
LIVERPOOL'S Premier League title defense lurched deeper into crisis on Saturday - losing 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest.
1 min
November 23, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size