Collector acts, Srikanth’s home gets power supply

ALAPPUZHa: Srikanth, the Class X student from Kanjikuzhy who was forced to study under candlelight, has reasons to smile.
The youngster is able to access online classes at home and can study even at night under the bright light of an electric bulb thanks to district collector A Alexander’s intervention. The collector made arrangements to ensure power supply at the student’s home after TOI published a story titled ‘Srikanth still studies in the light of kerosene lamp’ on Wednesday.
By Wednesday noon, Srikanth’s home got power supply. He also got a phone.
The collector said that it is our duty to ensure equal opportunity to all students and ensure their education.
“No student must face difficulty to get education in the district. I immediately arranged power supply to Srikanth’s home with the active support of Kanjikuzhy grama panchayat, revenue officials and KSEB,” he said.
“I don’t know how to express my happiness. Like my friends, I can attend online classes at home and there is no boundary for my happiness,” said an excited Srikanth.
Srikanth’s sister Sreelakshmi is pursuing dialysis technician course. When their friends were busy attending online classes, Srikanth and his sister – who hail from a poor, SC family from Kanjikuzhy in Alappuzha, couldn’t attend online classes as their house lacked electricity and a smartphone.
“There is an electric pole just 20m away from our home and it stands on the land of grama panchayat. Though we approached many times, panchayat authorities did not help us earlier to get a connection,” said Jyothi, the boy’s mother.
Grama panchayat president MG Raju said that they had made all other arrangements for the family on Wednesday to ensure power supply.