Anusuya had mailed our Editorial team.
The Class 10 student of a girls school in Mylapore zone had a clarification to make.
We had posted online ( at www.mylaporetimes.com), a report on the toppers in the Plus Two exams in this school. A report from a trainee.
Anusuya said what was attributed to her was not entirely right.
And she explained when I, as the editor, called her back to understand the situation. She did not entirely disagree with what we had written but she said what she had highlighted was not found in the report.
Her story - that despite financial hurdles, her mother had done all she could to see her focused on the exams so she could score high. Which she did; she was the topper in her school. We agreed to her point, realising there were some sensitive elements to respect, and corrected the online report.
I got chatting further with this girl. She was keen to pursue a course in Commerce or Corporate Secretaryship. She had applied to one of the city’s top women’s college and had not found her name in the first admission list. She was slightly anxious now.
She had also applied to another private college and it had sought a stiff donation which the family couldn’t afford.
As we chatted I realised that many girls and boys from economically poor and first-generation learners needed counselling and skilling to deal with the real world where merit alone will not get them a seat.
Misplaced notions and dependence on big loans to fund their studies are fueled by the hope that some magic would happen later. Perhaps they could study at a state-run college where the fees were affordable and expand their study and hands-on skills on the side . . .
It is that time of the year when the Mylapore Times Charitable Trust entertains applications from students like Anusuya. To help them.
The Trust, active for over 20 years now, can support at least 25 students who do well in Std.10 and in Plus Two exams and get admitted to the next level and are keen to make a mark. Every bit of help is deeply felt by the beneficiary.
If the applicant has great intent and capacity, the Trust tries to meet him/her half-way. Education is costly in the marketplace.
But the Trust wants to be that drop in the ocean that can impact. And it manages to do its bit because it gets donations not only from large-hearted Mylaporean but well-wishers from outside the neighbourhood.
And, the Mylapore Times newspaper also makes a handsome donation - from the profits of the previous year. It has done so for over two decades.
Your kind act is welcome now. Neighbours help neighbours. Please talk to our manager Shanthi at 044-2498 2244.
