We reached Madurai on the 13th of June around 4 pm. Krishnan went to the reception on the first floor to register us and came back with this boy who helped us unload the luggage. I was a little unsure if we should let him carry the bags, even if they were not heavy, because he seemed like a little boy. He was nearly as tall as Krishnan and was super quick in collecting the bags and bringing them to the room.

Anytime we wanted something, he was running up to get it for us. Krishnan and I were very keen to know more about him and were planning to convince him to do a hotel management course so he can develop himself better. He had a great service attitude. When Krishnan asked him what he had studied, he replied that he was pursuing a two year hotel management diploma ! When Krishnan asked him if he needed help with funding his education, he said, “no thanks, I have college from 9 to 1 pm and then I work at this hotel from 2 pm to 10 pm. Have completed my first year and am going back to Vellore in a week and joining Hotel Residency there for the second year of the course, which is internship”. We then asked him about his family, his father is a farmer, his elder brother works as a driver and his sister works as a nurse. We were just bowled over by his self-confidence and can-do attitude. Where most people in his economic condition would have jumped at the opportunity to get some help with the fees as it would let them save some money, this boy was actually reluctant to take any help. Infact he got a worried look when we insisted on him sharing his contact details so that we could stay in touch :):).

We explained to him the work we do through ShikshaDaan and suggested that he enrol himself in a English speaking course as it will better his prospects of getting a better paying job as he completes his second year of hotel management. He has shared his contact number and we certainly want to stay in touch because we expect that this boy will one day be someone big in the hotel industry !! Manikandan, we salute your self-confidence and wish you the very best.

On 14th we went to Sivakasi to attend the Udavum Ullangal “gift of education” event. Vijaylakshmi works as a nurse at the cancer prevention centre of Udavum Ullangal at Tirunelveli. We got introduced to her just as the program started, so we couldn’t speak much. Towards the end of the event, Vijaylakshmi asked for a few minutes to speak and what a revelation ! She was from one of the nearby villages at Sivakasi and came to one of the Udavum Ullangal events a few years back, completely confused about what she wanted to do and she was planning on anyway stopping her education after the 12th. Udavum Ullangal’s counselling and mentoring helped Vijaylakshmi to continue her education and get a nursing degree. She exhorted the students there to not give up on their education, but take some help and continue on. I videotaped her because her self-confidence was contagious and inspiring. We so often think that people from small villages may not really know how to speak in public … But you should have heard Vijaylakshmi speak. She spoke in Tamil but oh ! So well and with such conviction.

Vijaylakshmi has a winning smile and loads of conviction – am sure she converted a few of the fence sitters that day to continue their education.

Inspiration comes in all sizes and ages :). It was great to meet Manikandan and Vijaylakshmi. Now to watch what heights they achieve in life will be even more thrilling.