 |
| N.S.S.Training College, Ottappalam, Palakkad |
|
Download Database of featured talents. (Excel file) |
When the former student came to tell her teachers about the joy of getting a job worth Rs.2000 per month, they were a bit surprised. For most of the alumni of N.S.S.Training College, Ottappalam had been disappointed with even Rs.5000 jobs. She then recounted her tale and the plight of her lottery ticket seller father, living in a dilapidated hut. For the teachers it was a new experience to know that last year’s bubbling student had such a sad story to hide.
They decided to construct a house for the poorest student of the campus. But the search went on as no student came forward to stake his claim. It was during this time that Ramakrishnan, the cook in the hostel, collapsed in the campus and died of heart attack.
The teachers and students who went for the funeral were shocked to see the widow with 2 young children living in a ramshackle hut with newspaper curtains for windows. They decided to construct the house for Ramakrishnan’s family.
From the coins that the students saved from their pocket money, the fund grew. In addition to the students, the staff, teachers and Principal too contributed to the effort, while Ottappalam Municipality chipped in with Rs.35000.
Although students wanted to help in shifting building materials to the unmotorable worksite, the exam schedule prevented them from doing that. But they used to visit the site often. And on the day the roof was concreted, the Principal together with teachers and students witnessed the event.
Thus the 2-room house with red oxide flooring was completed at a total cost of Rs.1 lakh. Now what remains to be done is to hand over the key to the widow. “When the mother and children move into the new house constructed with our help, it will be the most joyous day in my life,” says Arun, Chairman of the College Union.
Courtesy: Ranjith Nair (text), Gruhalakshmi, September 2004
Contributed by: Administrator
