It will be a Deepavali celebration with a difference for the inmates of Sathya Ammayar Memorial Government Orphanage for Girls situated near Gandhi Museum in the city this time, as toilets on the premises were inaugurated after renovation on Sunday.
The renovation was initiated and sponsored by Indian Overseas Bank Officers’ Association (IOBOA), Madurai.
“We initiated this project based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign as we wanted to do something constructive which would benefit people. We decided to renovate the lavatories and install effective water connection and sewage system at a cost of Rs.6.25 lakh which was raised from among our members,” explained S. Veeraraghavan, joint general secretary of the association.
“The toilets were in a pitiable condition and the girls used to take water in buckets as there were no water connections. We realised the importance of providing hygienic sanitation facilities for girls and worked towards providing that,” he added. Kaarthika constructions, a city-based construction company, had pitched in and helped with the construction, the association members said.
Orphanage superintendent J. Anusya said there were 155 girls, aged between 6 years and 17 years, living there.
“There were no taps or pipes in the toilets before, and a sump to store water and an overhead tank have now been constructed which will provide water for the lavatories. This unique gesture will be very helpful for all our inmates,” she added.
The IOBOA has further planned bi-monthly sessions on health and hygiene to be conducted by the women members of the association for the girls in the orphanage.
K. Anandakumar, general secretary of the IOBOA, L. Thirugnanasambandam, Chief Regional Manager, IOB, and R. Anandavalli, District Social Welfare Officer, took part in the event.
