Tiruvannamalai Collector’s efforts give new lease of life to tribal girl’s dentistry dreams

Sumitra (18), daughter of Manickam (44) of Pattankovilur in Jawadhu hills panchayat union, who bagged a score of 973 in her Class 12 examination, had cracked the NEET successfully with a score of 135 and was admitted to the Chidambaram-based Raja Muthiah medical college. 

Sumitra said, “I went for counselling with my father on July 7 and was allotted the Chidambaram medical college. Then I visited the institution on July 12. However, I felt hopeless that I will not be able to pursue my dream of studying dentistry as the college officials told me that the annual fee alone will be Rs 3.5 lakh, besides other charges. I returned home dejected and decided to pursue some other course in a local college.” Matters would have ended at that point hadn’t it come across Tiruvannamalai Collector Kandasamy. 

The Collector, who saw a Chidambaram-based news item on the issue, immediately contacted Manickam and sought all details about Sumitra. “I then spoke to the medical college authorities and also contacted officials in the health department following which the college agreed to admit the girl,” the Collector said. In an effort to arrange funds for the education of Sumitra, Kandasamy contacted several philanthropists. 

While government provided an assistance of Rs 7.20 lakh, the SPIC Chennai chipped in with another Rs 9.07 lakh and the Rotary club of Kodambakkam, Chennai and Tiruvannamalai donated Rs 50,000 each. The total amount of Rs 17.27 lakh – which paid for the entire course - was deposited in a joint account in the names of the medical college registrar and Sumitra. Kandasamy then informed Sumitra that the funds have been arranged. He met Manickam and the girl’s mother Saroja (40). Thereafter, Sumitra left for Chidambaram. 

Speaking about the happy turn of events, Manickam said, “My wife and I have not studied much. But, I hope my daughter performs well and returns to serve the residents of our village and district.” 

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