Durga, A Bold Voice from Rural Tamil Nadu

As part of my Tamil Nadu Foundation (TNF) tour, I had the privilege of visiting two schools in the Namakkal district, one nestled in the heart of the Kolli Hills, and another about 30 kilometres away in Senkarai. Both visits were deeply moving, and together they painted a nuanced picture of what access, opportunity, and community support can mean for children growing up in rural Tamil Nadu.

Kolli Hills:  Where Nature and Opportunity Meet

Kolli Hills is a place that stays with you. We stayed at Hotel Lotus a few blocks away from the ValvilOri Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School, Vazhavandhinadu school, and the region’s natural beauty was ever-present — lush, green, and alive. The famous Aagya Gangai Falls draws visitors from across the state, and that steady flow of tourism has quietly shaped the community in meaningful ways.

This was visible the moment I walked into the school. The students were engaged, curious, and confident. The TNF teachers were in full form  energetic, warm, and clearly making a difference. There was a vibrancy to the school that was hard to miss. The children also appeared healthier, and TNF supports students here with a morning serving of சத்து மாவு கஞ்சி , a nutritious multigrain porridge that gives them a strong start to the day.

I was fortunate to observe TNF teachers Satya and Manivannan conducting classes, and we made sure to capture those moments. The school’s headmistress, the chemistry teacher Kavitha, and the Staff were deeply grateful for TNF’s continued support and initiatives. Watching that partnership in action  between a dedicated organisation and a community ready to receive it  was truly inspiring.

Senkarai:  Quiet Strength, Real Needs

Senkarai told a different story. Roughly 30 kilometres from Kolli Hills, the contrast was immediate. Without the economic activity that tourism brings, the village is more isolated, and that isolation has a ripple effect  on resources, on exposure, and on the confidence of its young people.

When I interacted with the students and asked what could be done better, most stayed quiet. But one girl stepped forward. Her name was Durga.

Durga said, plainly and without hesitation, that her school does not have proper water facilities and that they simply do not have enough water.

I’ll admit, it caught me off guard. But more than anything, I was moved by her courage. In a room where most chose silence, Durga chose to speak. That kind of boldness  especially from a young girl in a resource-constrained environment — deserves to be acknowledged and acted upon.

There was also a moment of quiet triumph at Senkarai. A girl supported by TNF has cleared her JEE Mains Examination, a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about what becomes possible when young people are believed in and given the right support.

Reflections

These two school visits reinforced something important for me: development is not just about infrastructure or funding, it is also about exposure, confidence, and the belief that one’s voice matters. Tourism, economic activity, and community investment all play a role in shaping the environment children grow up in.

TNF is doing vital work in bridging these gaps  through nutrition, through quality teaching, and through sustained presence in communities that need it most.

I am grateful to TNF for this opportunity and experience, and I carry with me the faces of those students, especially Durga, who reminded me that even in the quietest corners, there are bold voices. This voice is leadership.