UAE’s ‘pencilman’ pledges 100,000 pencils for Kerala schools
dubai — A Dubai-based philanthropist has pledged to donate 100,000 pencils for flood-affected schools in Kerala.
K. Venkatraman, known as pencilman, will also be supporting about 50 schools in the south Indian state by supplying free stationery items and uniforms.
When Venkat, as he is fondly called, learnt that in the recent floods in Kerala, basic tools of education have been washed off, he decided to start off by sending pencils to the affected areas.
Venkat, who also runs a social enterprise in Mumbai called Joyful Gifting to support the needy in remote villages, asked all his contacts in the UAE to donate generously for supporting the students of Kerala and received an overwhelming response from Indian expats, who donated through their Indian bank accounts.
“I have been associated with renowned pencil manufacturers of India, Nataraj pencils in Mumbai, and hence approached them for bulk packs of pencil jar of 100 pencils, to which they agreed. The 100-pencil pack was especially customised for this purpose.”
Gradually, we will be sending colour pencils, uniforms and more stationery items. So the plan is to give out items to about 1,000 schools in Kerala by October end.”
K. Venkatraman
The second most important connection that was needed was the right person or organisation that could help Venkat identify and deliver the goods as per the requirement of the most affected places.
For this, he contacted commanding National Cadet Corps officer Col Padmanabhan, who is posted in Thrissur and is helping in the relief work there. “Col Padmanabhan identified a few areas where we sent our first consignment of 25,000 pencils. These included areas such as Wayanad, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kottayam. Gradually, we will be sending colour pencils, uniforms and more stationery items. So the plan is to give out items to about 1,000 schools in Kerala by October end.”
Talking about the latest consignment that reached Kerala, Venkat said: “Cadets, officers and staff of 7 Kerala Girls NCC Battalion in Thrissur visited the Government Children’s Home in Ramavarmapuram a few days back and distributed school stationery and sweets to the orphan boys studying in classes 4 to 11 at the school.”
A Dubai resident who shuttles between Kozhikode and Dubai very often for business purpose also helped him distribute about 1,000 uniforms, mainly in Wayanad district.
Since Venkat is also associated with the Emirates Red Crescent, he has also been working as a conduit between corporates, schools and charity organisations. His coordination helped a radio drive collect 7.5 tonnes of relief items for Kerala flood victims.
Venkat is waiting for the situation in Kerala to stabilise so that he can personally visit the schools and find out the condition and requirement. He will then choose the 50 schools in the most remote areas to support them.