SIVAKASI WEATHER
Hard Work Pays for 50 Former Child Labourers

26-05-2015
26th May 2015

- The New Indian Express

Hard Work Pays for 50 Former Child Labourers

VIRUDHUNAGAR/NAMAKKAL/COIMBATORE: Fifty school dropouts rescued from child labour and placed for formal education by the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) have cleared Class X in three districts.

Indumathi, who was placed in Venkateswara Vidyalaya HSS, Gobichettipalayam, Erode, scored a centum in mathematics and science and a total of 490 marks out of 500 marks. “Indumathi went with her mother to a power loom when she was spotted by NCLP officials eight years ago at Veppadai. Later she was admitted to a special school,” said Antony Jennit, NCLP project coordinator.

Three students secured Virudhunagar district ranks under the NCLP circle: K Ramesh Kannan from Kalaimagal HSS, Thiruthangal, Sivakasi, got the district first rank scoring 479 marks; T Ranjithkumar from A V HSS, Sattur was placed second with 472 marks; and M Ponselvan from Kamak HSS, Krishnaperi, Sivakasi got the third rank with 462.

NCLP Project Director T Narayanasamy said the 45 students came from poor families which compelled them to work in firecracker, safety match and printing units. NCLP officials rescued and admitted them to NCLP special training centre. Once they completed their fifth standard, they were admitted in regular schools. The NCLP teachers would monitor them till they completed Plus Two. The NCLP would get sponsors for them to continue their higher education. “All the students rescued as child labourers work hard, and show a great interest in studies,” added Narayanasamy.

Two visually impaired girls, S Manimegalai and S Girija from the SCMS Girls Higher Secondary School, Sivakasi, secured State ranks in the differently-abled category. Manimegalai got the State second rank with 474 marks. She said her father Sundaram and mother were daily wage labourers in Sivakasi. “I wish to become an IAS officer and serve the people,” she said.

Girija, who stood State third with 468 marks, scored a centum in science. She said her father Sivakadaksham was a temple priest in Sivakasi.

“I want to start my own business and employ hundreds of differently-abled people,” she added.

News & Events
top