KANNUR: Students from over 150 schools in Kerala have come forward to help three daughters and a son of a family in Agra acquire education. Aarti Sharma, who put a plea for help on her Facebook, said her husband's business had taken a hit following the demonetisation move, and that debts had piled high. She said she could not pay the school fees of her three daughters and a son who were studying in a CBSE school.
Sharma said the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh were of no help, and local authorities belittled her by asking her to educate her kids “according to her status”. In her plea, the desperate mother offered to sell her kidneys to help her kids to attend school. CPM MLA James Mathew from Thaliparamba, Kannur, in Kerala first took notice of Aarti's appeal and espoused her cause. He was instrumental in initiating a fund collection drive in the northern district of Kerala. Collection boxes were set up and students in several government schools in Kannur pitched in to help. “Two teachers will travel to UP to hand over the money to the parents. Yes, we could have deposited the money in their account. But then, we thought it's not just about the money, it's also about love,” he said. The initiative lasted a fortnight.
Mathew also offered to arrange for Aarti's children's education at a boarding school, if they are willing to relocate to the state. Help came from all sides for the family. Aarti said, “People from across the country called me up and offered help to send my children to school. I am overwhelmed by their generosity.”
