“Education will uplift our community”

Seetha Mahendiran hails from the nomadic tribe, Narikuravar gypsy community in Tamil Nadu, India. Like many others in her community, she was married off at the age of 12. Recognising the value of education, Seetha established Narikuravar Education and Welfare Society (NEWS) with her husband in 1990.

Seetha Mahendiran. Source: Seetha Mahendiran

Seetha has been providing food, shelter and education for disadvantaged children in Narikuravar community and five communities through NEWS.  NEWS focuses their services in four main areas, education, health, human rights and livelihood development.

Seetha has been recognised for her work by a major publisher in India recently.  Kulasegaram Sanchayan talks to Seetha Mahendiran about her life, her passion and her work with NEWS. 

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