Crossing all hurdles on her path to glory

When the Kerala Express arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station two hours late on Tuesday evening, Jayakumari and two of her daughters were waiting anxiously. Among the 110 NCC cadets arriving in that train after representing the State in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi was her second child Aneeja, who won the silver medal in the aero-modelling competition as part of the parade.

For Jayakumari, who runs a petty shop at Vellanad, meeting the education expenses of her three daughters, after the death of her husband 18 years ago, was a daunting thought.

“Thanks to our luck, a few foreigners who were concerned at our plight introduced us to an NGO near our house at Vellanad. Valeria Palmieri, a retired teacher from Italy, took interest in us and offered to sponsor us. The entire education expenses of the three of us have been sponsored by her,” says Athira, the eldest of the siblings.

Aneeja, who is currently doing her first year in Economics at MG College in Thiruvananthapuram, joined the NCC while she was in eighth standard at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School in Vellanad. Being part of the Republic Day contingent required her to undergo rigorous practice sessions for almost a year.

‘Proud moment’

“It was a proud moment for me to be part of the NCC’s Republic Day parade contingent. The medal made it even better. We were also taken around Delhi and to Agra to see the Taj Mahal,” says Aneeja.