CHENNAI: As the morning sun filtered through the Nilgiris mist, workers in the tea estates began their daily grind — unaware that one among them would one day break a generational barrier. That person is 23-year-old M Seetha, the first from her Kurumba tribal hamlet in Katachanakolli village to earn a postgraduate degree.
Seetha’s journey began with a spark lit by a chance visit from Madras Christian College (MCC) students during their field trip. Their stories of academic pursuit opened up new dreams for her — dreams she refused to give up on, despite growing up in poverty, battling lack of infrastructure, and witnessing the daily hardships of her mother, a tea estate labourer, and her ailing father.
With support from an NGO that offered her free hostel accommodation, Seetha completed her schooling 12 km away in Devarshola, later joining a BSW course in Gudalur due to limited options. The MCC visit during her graduation introduced her to the institution that would eventually shape her path to a Master’s in Social Work.
Convincing her family to let her study in Chennai was tough, but Seetha persevered, working part-time to support herself. Encouraged by MCC’s inclusive education policy, she completed her degree with distinction.
Now back home, Seetha works to inspire her village, spreading awareness on the power of education and proving that no dream is too distant. For Katachanakolli, her achievement is not just personal — it’s transformational.