Differently-abled teacher is students’ role model, wins award

“My mother was a teacher, and so I also wanted to be one. But I was hardly a year old when some ailment led to my lower body getting completely paralysed. With 90 per cent locomotor disability, my mother did not want me to study beyond class 10. But I was insistent on following her footsteps,” said the 37-year-old.

With 15 years of teaching under her belt, Hemkumari now teaches the class-4 students in Pennadam Government Middle School, Cuddalore. “I believe a teacher should treat their children like mothers do. They must be loving, kind and supportive, while also being strict when necessary.

As the children are very young, I try to make them interested in class by singing to them. They know me as the singing teacher, and they all look forward to my class,” she said.

Last year, Hemkumari spent money from her pocket to convert her classroom into a Smart classroom. “It costs about Rs 1 lakh, but it was worth it. The whole world is shifting towards the digital, and children need to be equipped for it. 

Now, even class-5 students have to write Board exams, and this might soon be online. I don’t want my children to have a brush with technology only on their exam day,” she said.

Her perseverance has inspired her students and other parents alike. “I tell my students to follow my example and study hard. Many students who come here are from poor families. 

I tell them that if they endure some hardship now, they will be happy later. There is a day-care centre for special children beside my school. I tell the parents there that they must encourage their children – differently-abled children may lack something, but they always make it up in another field. They too, see my example and feel relieved,” she said.

Hemkumari has also won the Nambikai award from the Tiruchy Rotary Club in 2017, the Best Teacher Award from the Tirunelveli Green City and the Best Teacher Award from the Thanjavur Agni Sirugugal Arakattalai in 2018.