ERODE
: The state government has helped an 18-year-old orphan to continue her college education by getting readmission in a government college in Coimbatore.
S Sivaranjani, who lost her mother Marammal eight years ago, discontinued her first year bachelor's degree in Government Arts and Science College in Coimbatore after her father Saminathan fell ill and died last year. Saminathan and Marammal of Kalidimbam near
Sathyamangalam
also have a 14-year-old son, Hari Prasath.
After completing Class XII in 2018, Sivaranjani got admission in the Government Arts and Science College in Coimbatore. Within a few months of her joining the college, Saminathan fell ill. "No one was there at my house to take care of my father. So, I had to discontinue my education to care of him," Sivaranjani told TOI.
Tragically, Saminathan too died of cardiac arrest in November 2018. Both Sivaranjani and her brother became orphans. Sivaranjani started to work under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee scheme in the same village to make ends meet. "I have to earn for our livelihood and for my brother's studies," she said.
Sivaranjani's agony didn't end with her father's death. Her brother too Hari Prasath died of undiagnosed fever in February this year. "I felt lonely after my brother's death," she said, adding that she started leading her life on her own.
Meanwhile, officials from the scheduled tribe department learned about Sivaranjani's plight and came forward to support her. They took her case to the higher education department through the
Erode district
administration.
With the support of the higher education department, Sivaranjani got readmission in Government Arts and Science College in Coimbatore this academic year. She also got admission in the SC&ST welfare department's hostel in Coimbatore.
"After losing my parents and brother, I am now completely dependent on my education," she said, adding that she wished to become a government official to help the needy like her.Officials from SC&ST welfare department said the state government will take care of her higher education expenses.