Mudhal Thalaimurai Centre brings hope to Kannagi Nagar | Fusion - WeRIndia

In the heart of Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar, murals of joyful children now grace the walls of buildings, offering a glimpse of hope amidst the daily struggles of the residents in this large resettlement colony.

While these images of thriving children seemed idealistic at first, reality soon mirrored the art as over 200 children began attending free tuition classes at the Mudhal Thalaimurai Centre.

The centre is a beacon of opportunity for many first-generation learners in the community.

The centre owes its existence to E Marisamy, an assistant film director, who, having faced hardship himself, became determined to give back to his community.

With the support of Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board’s MD M Govinda Rao and Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu, the centre was constructed last year using CSR funds.

The facility is impressive, boasting modern amenities such as false ceilings and stylish lighting, creating an environment that resembles the corporate spaces many in Kannagi Nagar thought were out of reach.

College students from Kannagi Nagar, like Saranya, a BSc Mathematics student, now volunteer their time after classes to teach the children.

Marisamy explains these children are talented but often feel unworthy of polished spaces because of their family background.

However, the rising academic scores of the children show that they are more than capable.

The volunteers teach a range of subjects, including mathematics, biology, social sciences, and computer science, helping to bridge the educational gap for these young minds.

The centre doesn’t just benefit the children. Elderly residents like 60-year-old Pappamma have also found a new lease on life, learning to read and write.

She can now read bus routes and even check her bank. Her accomplishment is a testament to the centre’s impact.

In addition to education, the centre will soon offer skill development programs for women, teaching them auto-rickshaw driving, embroidery, and beautician skills.

For a community displaced by the 2004 tsunami and fighting for a better future, the Mudhal Thalaimurai Centre is a symbol of resilience and hope. It is steadily transforming lives in Kannagi Nagar.

Image Credit: Perumalnadar, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_College_Classrooom.jpg