Madurai Rotarians inspire youth

For 22 years since 2002, the Rotary Community Corps (RCC) Tirumalpuram in Madurai (RID 3000) has been coaching rural youngsters to successfully clear the state government’s public service commission exams. “Over 400 youngsters who were coached here have secured government jobs since then. We have had students from as far as Ooty and Tirupur,” says the RCC president Arumugam. The RCC, initially sponsored by RC Madurai Metro, now functions under RC Madurai Metro Heritage, and has 85 volunteers.

During the initial days, this Rotary club assigned a building where the RCC conducted free after-school classes for schoolchildren from across 20 villages around Madurai. These students, most of whom were first-generation learners, were guided by teachers employed from the city schools. “Not one child dropped out of school, thanks to these passionate teachers who kept their interest in academics alive,” recalls Arumugam.

However, the Covid pandemic brough unexpected challenges. The study centre was demolished by the Madurai corporation for its road widening project. The parent Rotary club recently constructed a two-storeyed, ₹40-lakh study centre to ensure the RCC’s mission is continued uninterrupted. “The RCC volunteers are passionate about empowering youth with knowledge and skills,” says Arun Kumar Amarnath, president, RC Madurai Metro Heritage. The RCC has now expanded the courses to include coaching for bank exams, spoken English, Bharatnatyam and Karate. With around 25 students enrolled in each class, competitions are also conducted to keep the students engaged.

With RC Madurai Metro Heritage supporting the RCC with digital accessories, online classes are also conducted at the centre, drawing aspirants from various parts of the state. Tailoring and beautician courses are included at the new centre to support rural women.

The parent Rotary club takes care of the salary of the resourcepersons, and sponsors lunch for children attending classes at the centre under its project Metro Nourish. “The food is cooked in the volunteers’ homes,” says Amarnath.

More recently, this Rotary club organised a one-day picnic for the members of its five Interact clubs. “We took them to heritage sites in the city and engaged a tourist guide to explain the details. Madurai is steeped in history, including the famed Meenakshi temple. It is a pity that even the locals do not have much knowledge about its treasures,” says Amarnath. Around 400 Interactors were taken to places like the Keezhadi museum which houses interesting archaeological excavations, Yanaimalai (a hill resembling a sitting elephant) and Samanarmalai, both home to Jain and Hindu monuments.

The club is planning a traffic awareness campaign involving Interactors. The students will sensitise road users with placards and flashmobs at traffic signals near their schools. “It is all about inspiring young people to take ownership of their communities,” says Amarnath.