Girl seeks sewing machine, Tamil Nadu minister offers help for higher studies

TRICHY: “Why do you want a sewing machine? You can go for higher studies” This was a question K Chandra least expected from backward class welfare minister S S Sivasankar when she met him with a petition at an event in Sendurai on Friday.
The 18-year-old girl, hailing from a poverty-stricken family in Ariyalur district, had passed Class XII but was planning to set up a tailoring shop at her home to support her family.
“If one of you from the community completes higher education and progresses, it will guide and encourage others also to study. I can help you in this,” the minister further told the girl who belongs to a scheduled tribe (ST) community. A resident of Narikuravar colony in Sendurai, Chandra had passed Class XII from Sendurai Government Higher Secondary School. However, despite clearing the board exams, she did not join higher education due to her family’s poverty. While promising to provide her a sewing machine as she wished, Sivasankar offered her financial support to pursue higher education according to her choice.
“I have secured 60% marks in the board exam. The support given by the minister has given me confidence to study. I will discuss this with my family members and approach the minister again for educational help,” Chandra told TOI.
Meanwhile, a video clip of the meeting has gone viral on social media platforms earning the minister, who won from Kunnam constituency, much appreciation.