Her hands were shaking as she received Onakkodi from Minister for Education C. Ravindranath. Eighty-three-year-old Pankajakshiamma teacher, a resident of Hermitage, Pettah, that functions under the National Foundation for Teachers Welfare, was taking part in the Onam celebrations at Hermitage here on Wednesday.
Retired 27 years ago, she lives at Hermitage along with one of her brothers. Her husband died years earlier, and she lost her child during childbirth.
Eighty-five-year-old Bhaskaran ‘mash’ (teacher) also received ‘Onakkodi’ from the Minister. Mr. Bhaskaran who is recovering from a surgery sat next to the Minister and spoke to him.
Hermitage houses 50-odd retired teachers, in the 64-85 age group, who have no one to care for them. These include those who have been thrown out of their homes and those who left their homes.
The activities of the National Foundation for Teachers’ Welfare would be expanded, Mr. Ravindranath who is also the president of the foundation said.
The Minister said the facilities at Hermitage, which functions on the premises of Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Pettah, would be increased. Steps would be taken to start one more Hermitage in the State.
The foundation also runs 9 Shiksha Sadan institutions in the State. The 10th Shiksha Sadan is under construction in Munnar.