93-year-old woman donates ₹1 lakh from pension towards children’s education

Makam Dhanamma (93) of Tirupati, who donated money from her family pension for the cause of children’s education.

Despite her old age and lack of formal education, a 93-year-old woman donated ₹1 lakh from her family pension to the cause of children’s education as an act of service to the society.

Makam Dhanamma (93) is the widow of late Makam Subramanyam Chetty, who hailed from Mogili Venkatagiri in Chittoor district. Subramanyam Chetty retired as a higher grade school teacher in 1978 and received a monthly pension in a two-digit figure. After his demise, her family pension has increased to ₹20,000.

Recently, litterateurs and language enthusiasts Harish, B.V. Ramana and Nemileti Kittanna, representing the Bala Vikas Vedika, Sarvajna Publications and Nemileti Publishers respectively, called on her and sought her help for the cause of children’s education. She responded to their request by donating ₹1 lakh from her pooled up money.

“Dhanamma immediately handed over ₹1 lakh towards the publication of children’s such like Ma Thatha Cheppina Kathalu, Padya Parijathalu and for the purchase of a telescope to aid sky gazing activities among school students,” recalls Sakam Nagaraja, the president of Progressive Writers Association (Abhyudaya Rachayithala Sangam – ARASAM).

Meanwhile, Dhanamma expressed concern over children dropping out from schools due to lack of financial resources. With her excellent memory, she even recalled interesting anecdotes from her childhood days.