Growing greens, lifting spirits
The New Indian Express Chennai|January 16, 2022
AT Balaji Garden, a remote residential area in the fifth ward of Marakanam town panchayat, 30 kids trek to the Anganwadi for a day's meal. The rural childcare centre is a haven for them, including twelve kids belonging to the Narikurava community, some of who call the pavements of the Marakanam to Tindivanam Road their home.
BAGALAVAN PERIER B
Growing greens, lifting spirits

At the Anganwadi, what they get in abundance is life's lessons from the teacher, the 54-year-old S Sumathi from M Pudupakkam. The daughter of a farmer, Sumathi knows that sowing the seeds of education at an early age can reap the sweetest fruits in future.

Ever since she set foot in 2017, the Anganwadi has stood witness to what a person with grit and perseverance can do. Sumathi is not just another nursery teacher, she is the winner of the Best Worker Award from the Tamil Nadu government in 2002.

Just in the past year, she spent ₹1 lakh for the Anganwadi’s development. Just a month ago, a proper road was laid.

When everyone saw a three-cent wasteland in the school premises that was left unattended, unsafe, thorn-ridden and reptile-infested, Sumathi saw possibilities.

Growing vegetables to feed kids, setting up outdoor classrooms, attracting more children… It threw up an opportunity to make the kids’ lives better.

This story is from the January 16, 2022 edition of The New Indian Express Chennai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 16, 2022 edition of The New Indian Express Chennai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS CHENNAIView All
Chennai Super Kings Shed Off Muddle In The Middle-Overs
The New Indian Express

Chennai Super Kings Shed Off Muddle In The Middle-Overs

AFTER their heavy loss against Lucknow Super Giants last week, Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted that middle-overs slowdown cost them dear as the team fell short by about 10-15 runs.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 24, 2024
Extreme Weather May Pose Upside Risks Of Inflation, Says RBI Bulletin
The New Indian Express

Extreme Weather May Pose Upside Risks Of Inflation, Says RBI Bulletin

EXTREME weather conditions could pose upside risks to inflation, along with prolonged geopolitical tensions that may keep crude oil prices volatile, the Reserve Bank said in its April Bulletin on Tuesday.

time-read
1 min  |
April 24, 2024
Lucknow's Own MS Silences Sea Of Yellow At Chepauk
The New Indian Express

Lucknow's Own MS Silences Sea Of Yellow At Chepauk

Despite brief lull in the middle overs, Marcus Stoinis keeps chase going with a sensational century to take Super Giants home in final over of match

time-read
2 mins  |
April 24, 2024
The New Indian Express

Saxena takes seven-fer against UFCC T Nagar

JALAJ SAXENA'S 7/58 came in handy for Alwarpet CC to restrict UFCC T Nagar to 143 in their first essay in the semifinals of the Senior Division league of the TNCA played at SSN college grounds.

time-read
1 min  |
April 24, 2024
Army Pal: Making a splash in open-water meet in Miami
The New Indian Express

Army Pal: Making a splash in open-water meet in Miami

ARMY PAL, the open-water swimmer from India, had to beat 87 participants in the 10 KM open-water race to earn the gold medal at Swim Miami 2024.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 24, 2024
The New Indian Express

LEGAL BATTLE NCLT defers Byju's case hearing to Jun 6

THE Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has deferred the hearing of the ongoing case between edtech firm Byju's and the four investors to June 6.

time-read
1 min  |
April 24, 2024
Allot children below 12 seat next to parents: DGCA
The New Indian Express

Allot children below 12 seat next to parents: DGCA

CHILDREN below the age of 12 have to be allotted a seat next to one of their parents, the country's civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday directed the airlines.

time-read
1 min  |
April 24, 2024
Govt may shift base year to FY23 or FY24
The New Indian Express

Govt may shift base year to FY23 or FY24

There has been a demand to change current base year (2011-12), which is used for comparison of economic data

time-read
2 mins  |
April 24, 2024
The New Indian Express

7 bids for chemistry cell PLI scheme

THE government on Tuesday said it has received bids from seven bidders under the global tender floated by it for re-bidding of Production Linked Incentives (PLI) for 10 GWh advanced chemistry cell (ACC) manufacturing announced on January 24, 2024.

time-read
1 min  |
April 24, 2024
Trading volume on WazirX surges to over $400 mn in March 2024
The New Indian Express

Trading volume on WazirX surges to over $400 mn in March 2024

CRYPTO exchange WazirX has witnessed the highest trading volume of over $400 million in March 2024, and in December 2023, it saw the highest sign-up rates.

time-read
1 min  |
April 24, 2024