For many underprivileged children, the idea of flying on an airplane feels like a distant dream—one that financial struggles keep out of reach. But for the students of a small government-aided primary school in Pandarampatti village, in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, that dream took flight—thanks to one extraordinary teacher.
Nelson Ponraj, the school’s principal, refused to let circumstances define his students’ aspirations. Driven by a deep sense of compassion, he did something truly remarkable—he personally funded a trip to Chennai, giving his students their very first experience of air travel.
Nelson Ponraj hails from Pudukkottai, Thoothukudi district. He has been interested in helping others since childhood. He joined the teaching profession in 2000. As soon as he first joined the teaching profession at Kootambuli RNTRA Primary School, he started helping students from his salary. He used to provide necessary assistance to students who were struggling to study.
This has earned him praise from various quarters. In 2012, he was promoted to the post of Headmaster of Serdukanallur RNTRA Primary School. The students who studied there were the most backward, backward students and children of sanitation workers. He first planned to improve their basic facilities. He raised the standard of poor backward students by providing them with uniforms, shoes, ties, and ID cards equivalent to those of private schools.
In addition, he bought computers at his own expense and trained them to learn computer skills. Students who did not even know how to use a cell phone sat on the computer and worked on the keyboard, enjoying themselves. He organized a grand annual function at the school and honored the students by taking the stage. Parents shed tears of joy upon seeing their children’s attire and speaking skills.
He erected a memorial pillar in the school premises to commemorate the school’s centenary. He did this work with the help of a former teacher. Meanwhile, in 2014, he received a transfer order. He was transferred to Bandarampatti Primary School near Thoothukudi. At that time, there were only 7 students there. Due to his tireless work, today 50 students are studying in this school. It was during this period that the corona pandemic came. It shook the world.
He built a building in the school with the salary he received at that time, Rs. 7 lakhs. Everyone was happy to see his work. They were happy to be awarded the titles of Dear Teacher and Distinguished Teacher. The Tamil Nadu government honored him with the Good Teacher Award. Another building was built in this school at a cost of Rs. 17 lakhs with the help of other friends. Subsequently, on top of the building he built, another building was built at a cost of Rs. 4 lakhs with the help of former students, and in it the teacher installed a digital screen at a cost of Rs. 1 lakh 20 thousand and is teaching the school students in a modern way.
One day, while teaching his fifth grade students, the syllabus included a lesson on animals in science and a lesson on transportation in social science. While discussing the subject, a student lamented, “Every day, planes fly overhead. We hear the sound of trains passing nearby, but we have never traveled by plane or train.” “If you want to see animals, you have to go to the Vandalur Zoo.”
But where can we go in our poverty?” they said. That night, teacher Nelson Ponraj could not sleep. He planned to fulfill his students’ wish. So he planned to take 10 students, including 3 students studying in the fifth grade, to Chennai by plane and visit the Vandalur Zoo.
He planned to leave for Chennai from Thoothukudi with ten students studying in Class 5, seven former students, and two parents. After getting off in Chennai, they would take an electric train to Vandalur Zoo, spend the day watching the animals there, and then take the metro from the nearest metro station to Egmore and from there return to Thoothukudi by the Muthu Nagar Express.
The fact that a single teacher has taken steps to make the students’ dreams come true by spending about 1.50 lakhs and taking his students and alumni to see airplanes, train traffic, and wildlife is a wonderful act.
The lives of these 20 children will never be the same again. That’s the real role of a teacher – to give the students experiences which they will never forget; and it is these experiences that will shape their lives, and India’s future! Here’s hoping that we have many more such teachers in our country!
References –
https://kumarionline.com/view/31_254999/20250321150937.html
