 In terms of proximity, the
village of Anaikkattu Cheeri is just 35 km away from Chennai's city center. But, the
freshness of the paddy fields and sparse population keeps it miles away from the hustle
and bustle of the city life. One area in which the village seems to have made rapid
progress is education. While many children from the rich families had the privilege of
receiving high quality English education, through Matriculation and Missionary schools,
the same was evading the children of the agriculture labourers for a long time. Thanks to
Vigneshwara Vidiyala, today at least 80 students from the poorer quarters get education at
an affordable rate. "We are aware of the fact that many poor families here cannot
even afford to pay the minimum fee we ask. That's why we see to it that such children are
sponsored by some rich philanthropist," says J. Ganapathy, the founder of the school.
The money he receives for the school is distributed as salary to the six teachers he
employed from among the poor, but educated people of the village.
 Still working as a sales person in a fancy stores in the nearby
neighbourhood of Pattabhiram, it was Ganapathy's dream to start a school and give
education to those who cannot afford it. "My father Jaganatha Gurukkal used to
sponsor many poor students of his village and earned a name for himself. He even helped
the local school to become a higher secondary school. I feel probably that has made a
lasting influence on me," he says. He hails from a small village in Tiruchi district
where after his father's death Ganapathy could not continue his education and had to
abandon his attempts to study further. He went to work at a very early age. But the quest
to start an educational institution made him sell some lands he had in his native village
and buy around two grounds in his newfound home - Anaikkattu
Cheeri. It was here that with the small amount of savings he started the school with a
single room. "In the early days I had just four students. People around us always
sounded a discouraging note whenever they talked about this school. But I was very firm in
my decision to run the school at any cost," says Ganapathy since its inception in
1993. 
The school has established itself as a quality
education center where children can learn English and find themselves in the path of
career growth. Most importantly for the villagers, they learn discipline and a positive
attitude to life. "We take personal care of each of our students, watch their
progress in studies and offer advice to the parents as to how they should monitor their
children," explains Ganapathy. It is amazing to know that the labourers take utmost
interest in their children's education. "Right now, we have classes till sixth
standard and conduct classes in my own premises. We have taken two small rooms in the
house for our stay and left out the rest of the portion for the school," revealed
Ganapathy. The building itself is not entirely complete and the students have to bear with
certain discomforts. For example, rainwater would seep through the roof and the school
becomes unreachable during winter since the lowland around the building will be filled
with water. "We have been appealing for construction of roads so that the children
can safely walk through to the school when it rains," says Ganapathy. He also
mentions that there has been no facility for the children to play games or have proper
lavatory facilities. 
"As far as my personal income is
concerned, it comes from my work. Other than that I do not get any money to expand the
school building or provide additional facilities like putting benches or providing them
with sports kits, etc.," says Ganapathy. His determination is further tested by
strong caste base sentiments, which prompts at least some people in the village to
undermine the progress of the school. Nevertheless, Ganapathy takes confidence from the
parents of his students who firmly believe that his Brhaminical background will only help
in inculcating moral values in their children. "One parent even came forward to lend
some money to construct the roof of the building. It is always encouraging to see the
parents stillsending their children to school in spite of all problems," says
Ganapathy. The latest addition to his school's asset is a personal computer through which
he helps village children get familiarise with computers.
Ably supported by his wife in teaching
activities, Ganapathy's aim is to make the school fully free for the poor. "I have
established a trust along with the school administration which I feel would grow to become
a large charity organisation offering boarding and food facilities to many thousands of
poor people in and around this village. I only wish that this dream comes true in my
lifetime," says Ganapathy with an irresistible drop of tear from his eyes. For a man
who has the willingness and determination to give education in return for love and
affection, the mission he has set for himself may be far, but not impossible.
L. Subramani |
