FOUNDER’S DAY | August 2nd 2023
Journey of Mrs. Kausalya Thirupuvanam as the
Founder of the Thirupuvanam Foundation
The universe showers blessings on mankind by creating the birth of kind-hearted children, who grow up to serve society in their little ways, and so was this child born on the 2nd of August 1922, Kausalya.
Kausalya was born into a rich family, her father was a businessman, a social worker, and a philanthropist in Bangalore, she got her basic education from Bishop Cottons School, one of the prestigious schools in Bangalore. She was married to Mr. Thirupuvanam a government official from Tamil Nadu (then Madras State). The journey of married women kept her occupied as a wife, daughter-in-law, and mother of a happy family, which didn’t last long. Losing her husband at a very young age, when her children were too small to even understand the circumstance.
Mrs. Kausalya stood up for the family, the situation had made her stronger. She realized not all poor children were coming to school, and that was when she developed a keen interest in educating poor children around her locality.
To begin with, she started with a government school in her area which had just around 40 students, and classes were held in a shed in an open area. This interest and dedication of Mrs. Kausalya who had come from a philanthropist background and her children’s help gave birth to the foundation, “Thirupuvanam Foundation” in 1995, which has now been over 27 years and has never looked back. The foundation has lent a helping hand to thousands of students since then.
In the year 1995, Mrs. Kausalya and her family, with the help of a few localities and the government started taking over the responsibilities of this school, which had about 40 students and 2 government teachers. With the thought of serving better with the help of her family built a compound, 3 classrooms, and a bathroom.
Most difficult task back then, when the foundation was started was to bring poor children from the slums to school, and convince their parents to send them to school. To attract students under the guidance of Mrs. Kausalya started giving mid-day meals that were cooked at her residence. Seeing the development of the school the government offered the foundation to name the school, and since then the school is called “The Thirupuvanam Government School”.
Later in 1996, the Foundation started cooking in the school kitchen with the help of a sincerely working team. This team was managed by the family members under the supervision of Mrs. Kausalya Thirupuvanam. This entire team worked dedicatedly to provide healthy and hygienic food for the students. The Foundation sponsored plates, books, and appointed teaching staff, physical trainers, etc. from their side.
Mrs. Kausalya’s vision of helping the students in need did not limit to this school alone, this foundation started by her was on a constant survey in fields where help was needed. The computer classes that were started by the foundation were one such mission that has benefited a lot of students.
Computer classes conducted by the Foundation took the poor students who couldn’t afford computer classes one step higher by making them computer literate and building their confidence, introducing them to the digital world. The Foundation has never
discriminated against students of their caste or religion.
Mrs. Kausalya has always indulged in talks with the children and encouraged them to explore themselves in different extracurricular activities, be it physical, cultural, etc. The Foundation has always encouraged its students to expose their talents. They have organized many
events. Sports day and celebration of national festivals are a part of the school’s curriculum, which makes “Government Thirupuvanam Higher Primary School” one of the best government schools. A hostel facility was also started in the year 2008 for children whose families could not even afford meals for them. These children were not only provided with free schooling and stay, but it also gave them hygienic and healthy food three times a day. The Foundation arranged extra activities for them like karate classes in the mornings and music classes in the evenings alongside the academics. Thus, making the hostel a home far from home.
Scholarships offered by the Foundation have helped the student get a better tomorrow. Scholarships are given to students from other schools too. A scholarship was awarded to every child at the end of every year. In a way, this would encourage children from the slums to come back to school after summer vacations and continue their education.
The Foundation also provided medical aid to students if required. The Foundation has always cared for the student as their children and has constantly been a helping hand to them. The family of Mrs. Kausalya puts in a tremendous amount of time, effort, and money along with the help of the government to make the school a perfect place for students to build their platform. The family also celebrated festivals like Dasara and Diwali with the students, bringing joy and happiness to them
Annual day programs are organized every year, this day is made memorable as rewards are been given to the students and teaching and non-teaching staff receive their appreciation for the wonderful job they have done throughout the year. Alumni meetings conducted by Foundation, boast student spirit and energy encouraging and building them into more efficient citizens of the Nation.
The Foundation has spread its hand to serve society wherever needed. During the covid 19 pandemic the Foundation was of tremendous help to society, by involving itself distributing first-aid kits, gloves, medicines, masks, etc. provided a First aid covid care Hitech Care Center for the needy and underprivileged at the Matru Sri Foundation, Dr. Sunil Kumar Hebbi the CEO of the trust thanked the Thirupuvanam Foundation for its help.
The Foundation lent its helping hand to many such trusts like Karunasharya, etc.
The Foundation received appreciation for their services from the BBMP officials for the services provided to various dispensaries. Food, water, and biscuit packets were distributed to frontline covid warriors.
The Foundation also sponsored battery thermometers and hi-tech types of equipment for various places of requirement. The distribution of this requirement was done by the Foundation using its own transportation means.
Mrs. Kausalya’s son Mr. Thirumal donated a highly sophisticated Laparoscopic camera to the Vani Vilas Hospital, Bangalore.
The hospital honored the Foundation and expressed their gratitude and appreciated Foundation for the same. The foundation has never looked back on doing such services for a social cause that could be beneficiary to people. The Foundation also sponsors medical aid to poor and underprivileged people.
The Foundation started giving travel convenience to students of The Government Thirupuvanam Higher Primary School since 2018. The Foundation has arranged pick- and-drop facilities for students and has made it convenient for students to reach school on time, and also reach back safely home. The Foundation has managed to provide books, shoes, uniforms, and even school bags at times. The Trustees of this Foundation have spontaneously worked for reaching out to the needy. This team conducted a survey of Government Schools around and during which it was bought to their notice in a remote area of old Byppannahalli Bangalore that a few girls had dropped out of school after they had completed their middle school in a close by Government Schools and had to travel very far if they had to get higher education and did not have the convenience to do so.
The Trustees of the Thirupuvanam Foundation proposed a project to benefit such students and help them continue their studies, through “The Cycle Project”, the Foundation distributed cycles to these girls which brought back confidence and happiness in them. The Foundation sponsors education for students who want to pursue their higher studies like diplomas, nursing, degree, etc.
Mrs. Kausalya, her children, and her grandchildren with the help of the government and some social workers have bought this Foundation a long way and will continue to do so. The regards of people/organizations who have received help from the Foundation will always remember and pray for the well-being of each and every member of this Foundation.
