TEACHER AMMA


When my family moved into our flat in Chennai, I hardly knew other residents in that building.  In the evenings, when I go to the ground floor to go for a walk, if I get out of the lift, the number of footwears lying in the lift landing area really irritated me.  I observed that they are all children’s shoes and slippers.  I wondered who can have so many children! 

Out of curiosity I asked my friendly next door neighbor about the footwear found in the ground floor.  She told me that Prema teacher lives there and she takes tuitions at home for school children.  This irked me even more.  How can she use her residence for commercial purpose?  I decided to raise this issue during the association meeting.

I also found the children causing nuisance like, littering the corridors, sitting on the cars parked and making noise.  Even after living there for 6 months I could not meet her.

I was waiting for a chance to meet her so that I can tell her to shift her tuition classes somewhere else. 

One morning, when I came out of the lift, I saw a lady standing in front of the ground floor flat locking the door. I waited for a moment to get a glimpse of her.  She turned and threw a friendly smile.  I introduced myself.  It was a brief meeting as both of us were in a hurry to go out it ended up in exchanging pleasantries. 

I was determined to talk to her about the nuisance her tuition class is causing if I meet her again.

That evening my servant came later than her usual time.  I was naturally annoyed. As she was sweeping the floor, she said that she got delayed as she had to put her daughter in ground floor ‘Teacher Amma’s tuition class.  I was surprised.  With her hand to mouth existence, how can she afford to pay for the tuition! I expressed my concern to her.

She said, ‘What to do? My daughter failed in 2 subjects.  I am not educated to help her.  Her class teacher said, if she doesn’t improve they cannot promote her.  Teacher Amma is the only soul who will help people like us.  She is like an angel and somehow makes the children study and pass.  She takes tuition only to children of poor families.’ 

‘Is she taking free of charge?’  I tried to hide the sarcasm in my tone. 

As she was mopping, she said, ‘No ma, she will tell us to pay whatever is possible.   First time we pay 100 or 150 rupees.  After that, once in 2 or 3 months we pay whatever is possible.  She won’t say anything.  Where can we find such people in today’s world ma?  My son also passed his 10th because of her only.  She is always in my prayers…’ she went on talking.

I was spell bound.  What a noble deed she is doing!  I never thought of including the less fortunate in sharing knowledge.  What a great form of charity! 


I decided to follow her footsteps and share my knowledge at least with a few downtrodden children to make a difference in their lives.

Comments

  1. Wow great article. No doubt that Lionel Messi is the worlds great foot ball player. He is a youth icon and Tata Motors very well knows the Messi's unique ability to appeal globally, transcending geographies, makes him ideal person to represent Tata Motors' brand

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  3. Nice article, I think Lionel Messi is a great football player. This association will lead to success in future.

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  4. The story of a Legend in herself – that’s how I will describe it in a short sentence. Very well written with words which enhance the simplicity yet greatness of the Lady. Salutations and very happy for you to have got inspired and bringing out your best in life.

    My answer: Tata is a name which any and every person can rely on for its honesty, commitment and perseverance. Lionel Messi is a legend who has carved his name in history books with total dedication to the game, simple living and improvisation which is seen with each game he plays. The association of Tata Motors and Lionel Messi as their Brand Ambassador will definitely give an edge to the Tata group over its competitors solely because the brand Ambassador also holds the same reputation of not letting his fans down ever, like Tata Motors who have given the best to the world over the decades. Its an exemplary association par excellence.

    You can choose my answer as the Voucher winning comment if you feel I described it all well.. :) Please remember to post it on the Indiblogger contest page today..

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  5. Hi samshath,
    Indeed a nicely written post. I wish you good luck for the contest
    Here is my answer
    The association of Tata Motors with Lionel Messi is that of two greats. Lionel Messi has been exceptionally talented who with his hard work, determination and sacrifices has got better and tougher in his chosen sport so is the Image, reputation and quality of TATA Motors that have transformed brilliant ideas into masterpieces of engineering and created a brand and products that we are so proud of as Indians. Lionel Messi has transformed his body and the mind body co-ordination into a masterpiece of precision and excellence it would not be wrong to say that Lionel Messi is the TATA Motors of sports where as TATA Motors is the Lionel Messi of vehicles both giants in their own spheres driven by the drive to excel and lead by example. So Lionel Messi is the best choice for becoming the brand Ambassador for TATA Motors
    aaloke19@gmail.com

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  6. Your post defines #madeofgreat to the hilt. Goodluck for the contest
    My answer is:
    Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the pillars of strength on which TATA have built a brand that has put India on the global map. It is a brand that has stood the test of time just like Lionel Messi who tackles opposition on the field with his skill,agility,strategy,brilliance and raw power to reach and score a goal so has been the track record of TATA motors who has become a brand leader and a global giant. These qualities make TATA Motors and Lionel Messi perfect partners who stand for the same set of values thus Lionel Messi is the perfect brand ambassador to represent TATA Motors.
    Hope my best to be a winner here; do contact me for the prize at mahima2014j@gmail.com
    fingers crossed

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  7. Your post defines #madeofgreat in an awesome manner.Very well written and interesting post indeed.
    My Answer
    Tata Motors is a brand that makes durable vehicles, with its MADE IN INDIA mark makes every Indian proud. It is a brand seen globally as Trusted, Reliable, Innovative and at the forefront of technology. In its journey since inception it has overcome all odds, competition, and adversities with grit and determination. These same qualities are associated with Lionel Messi who was very talented and hardworking from a very early age. With each game that he played he kept improving his skills and built a career to become one of the best player of professional football. There qualities make both TATA Motors and Lionel Messi giants who perfectly compliment each other and Lionel Messi the right and perfect Ambassador who stands for the same values that TATA Motors does.
    bhuwan198grover@gmail.com

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  8. Very heartfelt post, all the best to you :)

    When it comes to impact and impacting millions of lives, Yes, we can see both Tata Motors and Lionel Messi being the pioneers here. While the very name Tata is enough to make us go back to all our history books where we have seen there hardly is a comparable name that has contributed so much to the society in such an ethical manner, the very name Messi conjures up images of a boy-man who has turned the world upside down with his talent, determination, discipline and never-give-up spirit. The compatibility between the values they both share is intense and that is the reason this partnership works perfectly.

    With a concern for the society at large,everything that Tata has done has inspired us to dream big, conquer the world and pour all our energy back into the society to do good and inspire good. By facing his demons, Messi has done the same. He enjoys a God-like status in the world today because he dared to dream, achieved the sky and still hasn't lost his humanity a bit. He is still a child at heart and he gives back with his multiple philanthropic activities just like Tata does!

    Talk to any person in India, ask them about the companies they admire the most. Tata is right there at the top. This name is beyond bottomline, spreadsheets, return on investment and share price. It is equivalent to soul of India-soft, kind, diverse, dynamic, eternal. Just like that Messi has emerged as not just another football player but someone whose very life is an inspiration, whose personal struggles are a template for others to emulate and who has morphed into an eternal legend.

    While it would take eons to write about what makes Tata Motors and Messi great, as their list of achievements is too long for us to even skim over, suffice to say that this partnership is for the ages. As they say, some things are made in heaven :)

    Thank you for this opportunity.
    -Richa Shailendra, lovelyricha1@gmail.com

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