Acting U.S. Consul General in Chennai, Bryan W. Dalton and former Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishnamurthy on Sunday distributed scholarships and educational aid such as school uniform sets, notebooks and bags to over 800 children to mark Udhavum Ullangal's 10th year celebration of ‘gift of education' programme.
Since the year 2000, Udhavum Ullangal has been providing education grant to people in distress, poverty and crisis in different parts of the State. This year, the registered public charitable trust, will give financial assistance to the extent of Rs.13 lakh to over 250 underprivileged against Rs.10 lakh provided in the last financial year.
In his address, Udhavum Ullangal, Founder Trustee, B. Sankar Mahadevan said that they have completed almost five school projects with the support of Accenture costing Rs.92 lakh. This year, they will adopt 50 school children, against 35 school children last year.
“Though there is support from philanthropists towards primary/higher secondary education, it is miserable that deprived, disabled college students are unable to access us as we are not in a position to support them with collegiate fees structure with limited funds, which forces them to discontinue or opt for a different discipline,” he said.
Mr. Mahadevan called upon volunteers to spare at least half-a-day in a month to bring positive attitude and self confidence among students and to keep them focussed on education through constant mentorship monitoring programme.
Noting that education was important to build strong partnership between India and the U.S., Mr. Dalton asked the school children to make maximum use of the assistance for better living. He also distributed prizes to the winners of oral and essay competition held in English and Tamil.
After launching the updated website of Udhavum Ullangal, Mr. Krishnamurthy asked the school children not to forget those who helped them to pursue their education and to inculcate the habit of helping others. “Even after 60 years of independence, we are not able to eliminate and eradicate poverty. Voluntary agencies have been doing a commendable job and they have to be appreciated,” he said.
