The lesson that I learnt

A long pending blog story. On March 25th, 2010, I was a part of a community initiative organized by Navayugam (co-founded by my husband). It all started when the core founder of the trust and a good friend of mine, JK asked me if we can organize a competition in the Government school, near our house. Getting permission from the principal was quite easy since I knew her quite well. The plan was to organize drawing competition for class 6 and 7 and Tamil essay writing competition for class 8 and 9th. The topics were drawing 'How to avoid accidents' and essay 'Future India'. There was a very good response from the children and the event went on very well. The kids were damn excited about getting free materials I guess most kids participated because of that :). To see such good response was a feel good factor. After about an hour the competition got over and the prizes were distributed. The evening was totally memorable for me. Felt like I have done something worthwhile by co-ordinting the event. I decided to co-ordinate more such events.

In the essay writing category the first prize went to Deepalaskhmi of 8th standard. She lives near our house - their house is among 10 houses in one compund with just 1 room per house and a common bath room and toilet shared by all the tenants. She is a topper in her class. I was happy she won the first prize. While I was walking back home after the chit chat with the volunteers, principal, I walked past Deepa's house and I was shocked, she was casually catching up with her regular household work... washing vessels sitting amidst a huge heap of vessels in the front of their house. Well, maybe it is routine for her, just half an hour back she was the heroine of the day winning prizes (Cup, books, bags, water bag, etc). I felt a deep pain looking at her, if my son teju had even participated in some competition I would have felt so proud, if he had won a competition it would be even bigger calling people to share my happiness, followed by treats and buying gifts for him etc... But at deepa's household I'm sure her parents would have been happy but there ends the matter.

What an imbalance life offers to some children. Almost all the kids who study in that government school come from similar background or even lesser. There is this boy who comes with just one button in his shirt and totally torn shorts, most girls wear totally faded uniforms, no slippers in most cases, safety pins for shirts. But I should say with some conversations I have had with them they are ambititious.

I wish and hope to do more for them. And the lesson that I learnt is to be even more tonned down with Tejas.