Smt. Nalini Chandran wins the Dorezio Award

HK correspondent, Thrissur

Smt. Nalini Chandran, the founder Principal and the present Director of Kerala’s top rated Hari Sri Vidya Nidhi School, Thrissur, Kerala wins the Derozio Award 2005. The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations has instituted the award for exemplary service to school education and human enrichment. The Award ceremony will take place in Bangalore on 7^th January 2006.

The award

Henry L.V Derozio was a poet who inspired a generation of freedom fighters. The Derozio award commemorates the life of this great revolutionary who enthused a young generation for the service of the nation. Its objective is to motivate people to serve the nation in a manner that defines leadership in an identified sphere.

A woman of indomitable spirit

Born in an aristocratic family in Palakkad, Smt Nalini Chandran defied every conservative norm and has come out unscathed. Besides, she is a qualified dancer, choreographer, dramatist, and a writer of stories for children. Married to Lt. Col. Chandran, she worked in schools, took active part in Army Welfare centers across India.  Smt. Nalini Chandran is an ardent devotee of Hanuman

Her crowning achievement was the founding of Hari Sri Vidya Nidhi School,Thrissur. Currently she is the honorary director of Sandeepani Vidya Nikethan , Thrissur. A lover of art with an uncanny ability to organize, she is the President of ‘Thalam’, a cultural trust in the cultural capital of Kerala. The spectacular Ramayana children’s ballet which she choreographed and directed in the 80s with her students captured national attention and was televised by Doordarshan.

The products of Hari Sri Vidya Nidhi are the best proof of its success story. Its Alumni speaks of them doing well in all walks of life, worldwide. A few are top executives; many professionals; some in business; some artists: actors, dancers; some content to be homemakers, nursery school teachers and at least one has chosen Sanyas at a very early age.

“My aim in life has been to see that women are given their rightful place in society, to channel youth potential into something constructive, to instill a sense of pride in the dignity of labor, and to love and respect elders.” Yes, the society around her has  paid its tribute to this woman and a half: The Rangojwala Award( for outstanding contributions in the educational and artistic field) The Rotary Award(for youth activities and women’s welfare) Charter of Honour( by the Indian Medical Association ,Thrissur), The Manorama-Air India BOLT Award( for educational and community work)just to mention a few. And now the DEROZIO AWARD, indeed Nalini Chandran has done her best in her service to humanity and India.