AP girl begs, earns to become teacher

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She dreamt of being a teacher, but fate forced her to do begging! Educated, speaking in English, and having her left hand disabled by birth, she presents a curious sight.

Seventeen-year-old Shravani, a native of Ananthapur in Andhra Pradesh, was rescued by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Friday while she was begging in the town here. Soon, she was sent to the Mahilamandiram in Alappuzha for rehabilitation.

Shravani says she's the youngest daughter of an Andhra Pradesh couple Ramanijamnna and Narasimhanna, and she came to Kerala nine days ago to beg and earn money for joining a Teacher's Training Course (TTC) in her state. This is the second time she's in this state. During her first visit, she stayed around for a month with a group of migrants.

“I wanted to become a teacher. My father is heart patient and he is not able to provide the money for my study. Jangalppa, another Ananthapur native and beggar, brought me in,” Shravani told Deccan Chronicle.

Shravani, whose skills in English language surprised all, is in a quandary now. She was planning to get back to her home in Andhra Pradesh within a day, as the 'village man' examination is slated for Sunday. “I had decided to go back home after I spoke to my neighbours yesterday.

They told me that the hall ticket has come home," she said. How much did she earn here? “I was earning around Rs 300 a day by begging on the streets and in front of homes. By now, I have earned Rs 2,834 as result of nine days' begging. I need Rs 24,000 to join the TTC course that will start by April,” Sharavani explained.

Jangalappa, meanwhile, has identified a locality for begging near Harippad and is staying there.

“He has come to see me a few times. He never asked me a commission and takes proper care of me. But, I gave daily ten rupees to the shelter-owner as rent. Over all, I was living for a dream to become a teacher. I was the only girl in the family to go to school. I scored 752 marks out of 100 for the plus-two examination last year.”

“I was using my rest time here for preparation to attend the entrance exam of TTC course and village assistant exam.” She wept.