Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 06, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Sunday, Apr 06, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
“It gives me immense happiness when a former inmate recalls the time spent at the institution” 
Jayalakshmi Narayanaswamy. 
Having worked for 35 years as a social worker, Jayalakshmi Narayanaswamy, who recently took over as chairperson of the Guild of Service (Central), has brought with her rich experience. She is an inspiration to youngsters who work with her. They refer to her as ‘aunty’. In a chat with R. Sujatha, she describes the future plans of the Guild. Guild of Service, established in 1923 and headquartered in Chennai, is one of the oldest organised social work bodies in the country. The organisation’s programmes touch the lives of the poor and the underprivileged and include education, health and family welfare projects. At present, approximately 3,000 beneficiaries are listed with the Guild’s various projects. After her husband’s death, a friend inspired Jayalakshmi Narayanaswamy to take up social work. Today she is dedicated to improving the lives of children who depend on the institution. “Mary Clubwala (Jadhav) asked me to take over the Children’s Home [part of the Guild] that was later upgraded to include Standard XII. We have 200 students now. I started a teacher’s training course, which has now completed two years. We are also trying to revive the vocational training programme for children,” she says. The Guild runs a nutrition programme and an adoption unit for children. These children, if not adopted, are sent to schools run by the Guild or are trained at its units. She says it gives her immense happiness when a former inmate walks up to her and recalls the time spent at the institution. She now thinks about the future — how to develop the organisation. “When I come here I forget myself,” she says. Her aim now is to ensure that the teacher’s training programme is recognised as a B.Ed. programme. On the large number of projects and her advancing age, Mrs. Narayanaswamy says: “At this age I didn’t want to take over. But there is no one here.” The onus fell on her but she has risen to the occasion. Besides spending time and effort to raise funds, she attends Vedanta classes. Her enthusiasm and youthfulness are inspiring. She keeps herself physical fit by leading a disciplined life. . She does not allow meetings to interfere with her evening hour-long walk. “I am particular about my diet and keep my mind occupied all the time. All this makes you work more because you keep yourself fit,” she says.
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