They were beaming when they saw the brand new school shoes and bags distributed on behalf of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) at their high school at Phulong in Nizamabad on Friday.
They are all children of slum dwellers, rickshaw pullers, autorickshaw drivers, housemaids and other small-time workers.
Every year, they look forward to the occasion as the IRCS, which has adopted the school, showers presents on these children once every year.
They all know pretty well that it is difficult for their parents to purchase school uniforms, shoes and bags for them as most parents feel sending them to school itself is a liability.
The IRCS executive body, comprising its chairman G. Koulaiah, vice-chairman N. Ramchander and others, at an annual function held at the school, distributed the shoes and bags to 160 children.
Speaking on the occasion, they advised students to study hard to come up in the life by availing the facilities being provided by the government.
Dr. Ramchander said that he had also pursued his education in the same school. “As a children’s specialist, I would like to conduct a special medical camp for the benefit of students after the Sankranti holidays,” he said.
The IRCS secretary, B. Anjaneyulu, treasurer Tota Rajashekar, school committee chairman Krishna and headmaster Gangadhar were also present on the occasion.
Brand new school bags, shoes and uniforms distributed to 160 children