KOCHI: Call it ripple effect with a positive spin. A Class IX student’s gesture of donating a gold ornament to the Renovation Fund of her alma mater resulted in an outpouring of generosity that fetched around `20 lakh on the very first day of the fund raiser.
The heart warming development happened when Sukanya Surendran, an alumnus of Kunjikannan Memorial Higher Secondary School, Malappattom near Sreekandapuram in Kannur, donated a piece of her gold jewellery to the Renovation Fund.
Several other girl students and women, who were present at the inauguration of the fund-raiser, followed suit by donating at least a small piece of jewellery. Drishya Krishnan, a Class IX student, donated the gold medal which she had won in an inter-school completion. They were followed by Shishira, a Plus XII student and Akamksha J S, a Class IX student. Even two LP school students, Vivek Raj and Abhihshek, students of another school in the same panchayat, donated their gold rings.
Education Minister C Raveendranath and Thaliparampa MLA James Mathew-- also the patron of the Committee for the School Renovation-- were overcome with emotion at the kids’ selfless gesture.
‘’It was a proud as well as emotional moment. And it was Drishya’s decision to donate the gold medal that touched me. Because we can buy ornaments later. But a medal won is something precious to be kept forever.’’
‘’There are 12 major schools in my constituency. The LDF Government had announced that 1,000 schools in the state would be renovated to international standards. Since only one school will get the chance to be renovated it has been decided at a meeting of school authorities that any of the 12 schools which can prepare a master plan for renovation and mobilise one crore will be selected for renovation,” James Mathew said.
As the students donated gold, the other women present -- mothers of students of the school-- donated at least a small piece of gold. While some gave an ornament in full, some managed to break a piece from their neck chain. Besides, the one lakh each from Malappattom panchayat council members and the SSLC Class of ‘97 were handed over to the Education Minister.