T’puram: Transport minister C P John on Saturday honoured three teachers of Govt UP School, Ponmudi, who have been using the money saved through the Priyadarshini free travel scheme to provide food for children of plantation workers.The minister invited the teachers — P Nimisha, Jayasree Devan and Shalu Paulose — along with students of the school to his official residence, where he felicitated them for their selfless service. Lunch was also arranged for the teachers and children at the minister’s residence.Nimisha hails from Malappuram, Jayasree Devan from Palakkad and Shalu Paulose from Wayanad. The three teachers live in rented accommodation at Vithura, around 26km from Ponmudi, and depend on the Priyadarshini free travel scheme for their daily commute. They have been setting aside the money saved on travel to provide meals to children from economically disadvantaged plantation worker families.Their support extends beyond students, with food also being provided to other members of the children’s families.The school had introduced an evening meal programme three years ago, considering that many parents working in the plantation sector return home late after work. The initiative was initially sustained with the help of sponsors. However, when financial difficulties forced the sponsors to withdraw their support, the programme faced the threat of closure.It was then that the three teachers stepped in to ensure that the children did not go hungry. Their selfless efforts have since drawn widespread attention.John also considered their request for an additional KSRTC bus on the route during school hours to make commuting easier for teachers and students.Felicitating the teachers, the minister said, “At a time when negative news and social decline often dominate discussions on social media, these teachers have emerged as role models for the younger generation by serving society quietly, without seeking publicity”.The three teachers were setting an example by spreading love and care through their own hard work, standing apart from tendencies that make people a burden on society, he added.
