The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Heroes, off screen too

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 19, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Heroes, off screen too

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: It was another special day for the Sivakumars on Saturday. Close on the heels of welcoming Diyah, daughter of Suriya and Jyothika, the family took time off to honour toppers of public examinations and awarded scholarships to deserving students on behalf of the Sivakumar Educational and Charitable Trust.

Speaking of the innumerable challenges poor students face, Mr. Sivakumar said, “The stories of some of these students are very touching and humbling.” A boy whose single mother toiled everyday to make sure he went to school passed away on the day of his examination. “He had to attend the examination and come back for her cremation. Imagine the trauma he must have undergone,” he said. It is children like these that the trust targets and supports. “Of what use can wealth be if it does not help someone in need,” asked Mr. Sivakumar. His sons, actors Suriya and Karthi take care of the trust’s activities now. Suriya also runs the Agaram Foundation.Currently, the Trust is working on lending infrastructural support to an Adi Dravida school near Chengalpettu. “We want to make this a model school for our future projects. The foundation will also provide training to students in communication skills, environmental awareness, health and managerial skills,” Suriya said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu