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| David, Government U.P School, Peringamala Grama Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram |
He is the headmaster and tutor and clerk and peon rolled into one at the remote Ponmudi Government U.P School in Peringamala Grama Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram. And though blind, 25-year-old David does discharge his duty of filling the inner view of his 74 pupils with the light of knowledge.
It was 2 years ago that he joined as teacher in the school. The same year the headmaster retired and a colleague and the peon sought transfer from the remote mountain school. Though a new headmaster was posted, he hasn’t taken charge till now. And that has left David with the task of managing the school all alone.
Blind by birth, he obtained graduation in history from Kerala University. Later, with greater effort, he was able to master TTC course.
His sister Stella reads aloud the textbooks that he has to teach. Besides, he goes through the Braille edition of these books to prepare for the classroom sessions.
Starting from his house at 7 o’clock in the morning, David travels the first 14 km to the school by bus and the balance 6 km by walking.
Courtesy:
Thennoor B.Askok, Mathrubhumi, July 11, 2006
Contributed by: Administrator
