On the outskirts of south Chennai, in a village called Thoraipakkam, the tiny seed of a silent but strong and steady revolution was sown by an enthusiastic educationist. This has taken shape beautifully, gradually blossoming into a growing institution.
The People Behind; The Trustee;
As childrens’ education, and especially that of the girl child, is still a distant dream, it was only the presence in a village of a good school with qualified teachers that prompted the mothers and fathers of the surrounding areas to send their daughters, to Akshara Matriculation School. They found it almost impossible to believe that a large and competent English medium school was being established in their area the children get admitted into this school without any reservations or rules and conditions. The fee amount was nominal and well within the means of the village folk. And the most unusual feature of admission was the fact that preference was given to the children of poor and illiterate parents! This latter condition, still unheard of in competent schools in cities and towns, marks the main difference in encouraging rural child education.
As emphasised by Rabindranath Tagore, as well as other eminent leaders of India, the imparting of basic education to the rural poor stands high on the list of priorities for the progress of the nation. Self-Confidence and courage as well as determination to face the challenges of life are instilled in girls with education.
In remote rural areas, girls are automatically taught to slip into a homemaker’s role, without any education. Even if she is employed anywhere, the small sum she earns is kept aside for her jewellery and dowry at the time of marriage. But in case the marriage fails or the husband dies, the poor girl is left high and dry in an atmosphere of unhappiness with nothing with which to face the realities of life. Often the distressed young girl takes her life, rather than return to her parents. It was for this purpose that Akshara was started! All the more to be appreciated is the fact that all these ideals have been put into practice effectively as the school has grace to learn new languages, handicrafts, games and sports, yoga, meditation and art. A spacious playground and the proximity of the temple tank for swimming have also helped.
Mrs. Nalini Unni is the brain and spirit behind this unusually oriented educational institution. She considers teaching a ‘divine’ profession. She has several degrees providing her varied professional knowledge, but teaching and this school have become an obsession with her. And the best part of it is that she was able enough to put her dreams into practice by starting this school in memory of her parents who were responsible for instilling in her the concept of selfless social service for the needy.
As the upliftment of women was the primary aim of the school and as the base of family is the mother, Mrs. Nalini Unni made concerted efforts to lure the women of the area for adult literacy classes. Now, most of the mothers of the students can read and write, know about environmental problems and the happenings around them, preventing them from being exploited by others. Both students and parents are taught the necessity to keep not only the home but also the surroundings clean for the sake of good health.
Mrs Nalini Diwarkaran Unni
Managing Trustee
Meenakshi Narayanan Memorial Trust
61, Kamaraj Avenue,
2nd Street, Adyar,
Chennai-20.
The Trustees
An awardee for best teaching and best school administration and an educationist with 45 years experience in India and abroad.
- Mrs.Nalini Unni, B.Sc., B.Ed., Dip.Ed.psy, M.A.(English and public administration), B.L.,
A Professor and consultant in St.George’s Hospital, London. And working now as a director in IRM, Madras Medical Mission, and Chennai.
- Dr.Thangam Ramavarama, F.R.C.S., F.R.C.O.,G.Phd (London)
A wing commander with meritorious service of 15 years in Defence
Wing Commander M.Chandran, B.Sc., Engg., DPM, DIIM.
-Mr.Pradeep Unni, B.E. Superintendent Engineer, TESMA Singapore Pte Ltd., Singapore.
-Mrs.Deepa Unni Vinodh, M.A. M.Phil Exchange Scholar, Renn University, France.
Consultants
The Trust has the good fortunate of receiving the services of following broad-minded personalities to contribute their talents towards setting up of the school.
Mr S.R.A. Mutuveeran, Shantha Kumar Constructions – Builder.
Dr (Mrs) Prema Indrasen, Medical Officer.
Mr. A.K. Gopalan, B.E., Secretary to the Asan Memorial Group of Institutions,(Medical, Dental, Catering and Engineering colleges and Schools) Chennai.
Mr V.Narayanan, Charted Accountant, Chennai.
Mr D. Unni, B.E., Industrial Management Certificate (Manchester), London, Valuer and Assessor for the Government of Tamilnadu.
We also believe that the blessings of late Prof. Bhaskara Panicker, Author and senior professor of chemistry, Pachaiappa’s college, the father in law of the managing trustee will enhance the prestige of the school.
By ‘Our Correspondent’s personal Achievements
‘Rashtriya Rattan Award’ by Global Economic Council, New Delhi.
Magalir Mamani Award’ by Ex-Chancellor Shri Avvai Shanmugam by Tamil Nalvali Iyakkam, Nellai Rasanantham, Thirunelveli.
‘Best Principal Award’ by Shakespeare Institute of English, Mylapore, Chennai.
Sadbhavana Award and gold medal by the Global Economic
Council of India in the year 2008.