CHENNAI: Little did Ammu knew when she was wandering homeless on the footpaths of Parry’s Corner that she would one day become the topper of her school. She got 861 out of 1000 (home science) in her plus-2, the results of which were announced on Friday.
Ammu currently lives in Vanaja home for children in Chetpet. “One of our volunteers saw her on the pavement and admitted her here. She was 13 years old then and did not even know what education was. According to the norms of school education, we admitted her in eighth standard. Her marks came as a surprise to us,” Vanaja Augustine, State Program Manager of Rainbow Foundation of India, told Deccan Chronicle.
Ammu could not control her emotions as the results were announced. “I am delighted and my happiness has no boundaries. I was hopeful of good marks and I owe everything to my teachers and those at the home,” she said.
As she is interested in tailoring and beautician course, the school is planning to lead her towards becoming a tailoring teacher for job security and chase her passion for becoming a beautician during her free time.
Ammu is not the only girl who catapulted to the top from an economically poor family and soared high. There are many such inspiring stories this year.
Gayatri from Jai Gopal Garodia Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Virukambakkam set an example by scoring 1165 out of 1200. Her mother is homemaker and her father runs a little bakery.
Out of the little earnings from her family, she studied with perseverance.
“With the help of government, I am able to study for free and with this aid, I will make sure that the economical condition of my family in the forthcoming days is better,” she said.
Gayatri’s dream is to become an IAS officer and help similar children from low-income groups. The topper in Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School in Egmore wants to pursue her B.Com and CA. Her father K. Ramanaiah works as a car driver. I cannot afford to send her to a college. We need financial help for higher studies,” he said.
