While working with Aon, the Chennai team brought Udavum Ullangal to my notice and asked if they could be added to our payroll giving program. They were already Charities Aid Foundation certified, so it was easy to add them. I never got a chance to meet Mr. Shankar Mahadevan as long as I worked with Aon though :). The first time that Krishnan and I met Mr. Mahadevan, he didn’t speak much initially but once he was convinced that we were keenly interested in the education space and were dedicated to ShikshaDaan, he didn’t stop sharing his experiences !  

To answer my question in the title, as to what one helping heart can do – one man can ensure 20,000 students from the poorest of the poor continue their education and he does this over 16 years. In one line, this is the story of Mr. Shankar Mahadevan, an unassuming, simple man who founded Udavum Ullangal. Simple enough for Harvard University to partner with him in his cancer prevention centre at Tirunelveli. Simple enough for well known people from all walks of life to help him and be a part of his annual “Gift of education” fairs.

We came to Chennai in the sweltering heat of June for Udavum Ullangal’s intake session on June 7. It was held in the Ramakrishna school at T. Nagar and an ACP attended as the Chief Guest. He was so moved by some of the disabled children studying well, that he broke down while sharing the fact that he came from a family of modest means but because he continued to study well, he has reached a senior position in the police force.  

Today we went to Sivakasi the town made (in)famous due to child labour being employed in the cracker making factories. Nearly all the crackers you burst during Diwali comes from Sivakasi. The intake session today was held in a school called KalaiMagal school in Sivakasi. We already knew about Udavum Ullangal, but this school was an eye opener. Here are some statistics – the school has nearly 8000 students, 300 teachers and 5 Principals !! The school campus has nearly 5 schools within its premises… It’s huge. We met one of the Principals, Mr. Manivel and he reminded us of Sanjay Drabu of OM Foundation. Mr. Manivel managed to attend a blood donation camp while participating fully in the Udavum Ullangal event. He is a Swami Vivekananda fan and has risen all the way to being the Principal from a clerk !! Super inspiring. 

Here are a few photographs of the school and the event – 

See the rows of students sitting for their special classes on sundays – these are the 10th and 12th std students ! 

How could we miss the library ? Books – our first love

The event “gift of education”. Chief guest, second from the left , was Dr. Ramasubramaniam, the famous Psychiatrist who works with mentally challenged children

So do you have a Udavum Ullam ? Visit Udavum Ullangal and see how you can contribute or give to ShikshaDaan and we will ensure it reaches Udavum Ullangal’s deserving beneficiaries.