Dayananda Vidya Nethram

Javvadu and Elagiri hills in Vaniyambadi are one of the most backward regions in Vellore district, as the accessibility of this region from the plains is very restricted due to its remoteness. The remoteness leads to delays in developmental initiatives by the state, be it in the field of education, health, or infrastructure. Moreover, the inhabitants of this region are mostly tribals and Dalits who are mainly agricultural labourers. Though most of them are marginal farmers due to the paucity of rain, agriculture does not yield desired results. Hence, many of them work as migrant labourers in the cities of Tirupur, Hosur or Bangalore, resulting in them not focusing on education for their wards. In the aforesaid backdrop, Manam Malarattum Trust began its developmental activities with the goal of development of tribal, Dalit, and girl students.

•To reduce the drop-out rate by facilitating qualitative learning for children in the operational villages.

•To reduce child marriages

•To motivate children to pursue higher education

•To develop communities through creating awareness on various general topics

Manam Malarattum Trust has been operating in the outskirts of Javadu and Yelagiri hills since the past 18 years for the above said objectives with two main programmes, namely:

•Sandya Gurukulam.

•Dayananda Vidyalaya Mat. Hr. Sec. School

We aim to reduce the school dropout rate by facilitating children in qualitative learning for children in the target villages. In the current reporting year, 12 Sandya Gurukulam centres have functioned regularly, catering to the needs of school going children from 1st standard to 12th standard. In each centre, the strength of the students varies from 20 to 30. Apart from providing coaching for academics, the center also facilitates creative learning, such as yoga, sports, general knowledge and encourages wards to develop the habit of reading books.

The coaching in the Sandya Gurukulam centers has not only helped children score good marks in the examinations, it has made all students, especially girl children, continue their studies. This have arrested the number of child marriages. We motivate the students and their parents to study beyond high school and above. The center encourages the students to aspire for different career options and work towards their aspirations. This year, a total of 360 of the children have enrolled for higher education in different courses at the 12 centres. 200 students from Dayananda Vidyalaya shall be provided with free education.