My Inspiration, My Mother: Part of the She's Building India Series

My mother, the nicest human being I have ever known, taught me to be compassionate to all people, taught me what it means to love, taught me what it means to make someone happy, taught me how to give unconditionally, taught me how to respect people, taught me how to work with even tough people, and modeled for me how to achieve the highest honor in a profession.

My inspiration throughout my life is my dear mother, Mrs. Annamma Kurian. She was born on October 1, 1939 in a small village in Kerala, lost her father six months later. It might be these early difficulties that allowed her to combat all issues with smile and determination to overcome.

She was born on October 1, 1939 in a small village in Kerala, lost her father six months later.

She grew up to be a strong student and followed her father’s profession as a teacher. She got married to my father in 1959, a teacher as well, who became her pillar of strength.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk once said, “A good teacher is like a candle — it consumes itself to light the way for others.” My mother is a living example of this through her selflessness. I recall one incident which apparently shows her empathy and love. During my primary school days, where my mother taught at the same school, an unfortunate incident happened to a second standard student by name Vinod.

As there was no water supply system in this govt. school students used to fetch water from the well in the school compound during the interval time. Vinod fell off the school well ledge into the water during interval. Teachers and students rushed around the well to witness Vinod thrashing in the water. A particular male teacher prepared to jump in, with other teachers and students looking on, however he hesitated as he looked down into the well. With seconds to spare, everyone heard a splash and as they looked down, they saw that my mother had jumped in. She quickly grabbed Vinod and pushed him up and saved his life. As she exited the well drenching, she ensured that Vinod was taken to the hospital, after which she quietly made her way home to change her clothes. However, to this day, if you ask my mother about this incident, she brushes it away, claiming to only have done what anyone would do.

This school was located in a rocky terrain. With tremendous effort, she transformed a section of this land into a playground for students to enjoy.

It must have been her humbleness and great ambition to light the way for students that led her to become headmistress at a young age. With greater power under her belt, my mother pushed to bring changes to the school. In light of the well incident, my mother raised money for making drinking water facility in the school.

This school was located in a rocky terrain. With tremendous effort, she transformed a section of this land into a playground for students to enjoy. And under her term as headmistress, she pushed students to participate in competitions earning many accolades for the school.

With all these achievements, she was the first to be named the Best Teacher by both the Central government and Kerala state government on Teacher’s Day 1987. The following year on Teacher’s Day, the national award was given to her by the former President of India, Sri R. Venkatraman. She went on to mentor many students and villagers, making her mark not only in history, but also in the minds of many. After teaching for 37 years, she retired in 1994. Even now, she continues to help anyone that comes to our house to the best of her abilities. We, five children and families well settled in various parts of the world wish to follow her foot steps in our life with the guidance from her.

Me & My Mom Receiving National Award from
former President Shri.R.Venkatraman