The Janakiraman Community Hall opens
A very special and emotional day in Kovalam: the grand opening on 18 September of the Venkat Trust’s massive and splendid Janakiraman Community Hall, named in recognition of JR’s tireless work for the Trust. Since the Trust was set up in 2004, JR has dedicated himself to improving education in his village so that no child is denied further education through lack of facilities or funds. It was filled to bursting with 1500 children, parents and people from all Kovalam’s communities. A wonderful occasion but tinged with sadness as it marked the imminent end of JR’s very successful ten-year reign as Kovalam’s president. The Community Hall will be the new centre of learning and training activities for the sponsored children and will also be used for other VMT and village community events.
Janakiraman Community Hall
JR (Janakiraman) and UK founder trustee Sylvia Holder cut the ribbon
A proud moment for the parents of JR and of Venkat, in whose memory the Trust was founded in 2004.
Sylvia honouring JR with a shawl.
One of the spectacular classical Indian dances by a sponsored university student.