Last Sunday of July 2006 was the day on which I went to Ettimadai village for Village Outreach programme. I had a belief that serving poor is only possible for millionaires. Whenever I think of helping people I think about my financial constraint or about my luck which never gave me a chance to help poor. When I see a hero helping the poor and impressing people in a movie, I am also impressed. But I don’t know the means of helping poor. As and when I grow up few beliefs were changed but not completely. I joined my MBA in Amrita School of Business and through my seniors I came to know that there is such a programme, through which are going to teach children in the near by village.
I liked to hear that I am going to teach children. I was waiting for Shobana Madame to call us to volunteer for the programme and when the time comes I just did that. I was eagerly looking for that Sunday. When I first went to the village, I did not know any of them but they came running towards me telling “New Anna” had come. I was extremely happy to see all those children. There were children of all sizes and all ages (below 14). I have never seen so many children waiting to study other than in school assembly. They were all different and like Bill Gates said about Indians with lots and lots of enthusiasm.
 There are different kinds of children. Some are very curious and serious to study. Some are playful and naughty but will listen to what the teacher says. Some are curious for some sort of attention from you. Some want to know your name. Some want to know which standard you are studying. Meditation is said to be a way of forgetting all your worries and attain inner peace after religious practice. Before Sundays I will be busy with my academics but, when I go to the village for teaching, I forget all the worries and will be the happiest person in the world with complete peace.
 Sometimes in solitude in the night I will think that I am building a strong base for India. I would like to share few of my interesting experiences I had while teaching the children. I even now wait for Sundays to come. When we go on Sundays, the children will come running to us. Three will tell “Anna lift me high”. Two more will be telling “Come soon Anna, we are waiting for you to start studying”. Rest will be simply following us. There is a little boy called Pradeep, who comes for the class neat and clean and will be going to all the teachers like me to get a VERY GOOD. If I don’t mention about my 7th and 6th standard students they will become very angry. Most of these children are extremely brilliant and they are very much interested in studies. Most of the children grasping power was enormous and you will feel great teaching them.
One guy I should mention about. Karthick is in his 2nd standard. Very enthusiastic, brisk, and naughty. Why I remember him is that he is a very caring guy. He will look directly into your eyes and will almost playfully or seriously tell your state. He often asks “Anna, why are you happy today?”. I would tell him that I am happy because I am meeting all of them. Once I was studying the whole night and went directly to the village. This guy came to me and asked if I have any problem. I am just impressed by his caring attitude. He will be naughty to an extent that we will miss our childhood days.
Very interesting. With all these interesting facts I am doing my MBA. These are just a few moments in our Outreach programme. Thinking about those children always makes me happy. I got a great opportunity to use the knowledge I earned in my childhood and I always feel that I am in heaven with these children.
S P Venkatesan
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