Kerala’s ‘rooftop’ student gets high-speed connectivity

mangaloretoday / TheHindu

Malappuram, Kerala, June 05, 2020: Namitha Narayanan, a fifth-semester BA English student of KMCT Arts and Science College, Kuttippuram, who became symbol of perseverance on Wednesday, will no longer have to climb atop her house roof to attend online classes.

Following a news report in these columns showing her attending an online class from her rooftop, officials of a private service provider came to her house at Areekkal, near Kottakkal, on Thursday morning and ensured that she got high-speed connectivity.

The technical staff of the company set up an augmented facility at her house and this could ensure steady and high-speed connectivity on her house premises. “I am happy I can now learn from the comforts of my house,” said Namitha. Her elder sister Nayana too was happy about the positive response from the network operators.

The photo showing Namitha on top of her two-storey house had made wide impact with a number of people sharing the photo. While many appreciated the positive spirit displayed by the student by circumventing the hurdles, a few others used it to snipe at the government.

Syed Abid Husain Thangal, MLA of Kottakkal, approached Namitha’s family offering help to address the problem of poor connectivity. “Namitha’s photo studying from the rooftop has become a symbol of the State’s connectivity. She is also a symbol of the perseverance displayed by the State’s student community. By setting herself an example, Namitha has become an inspiration for others,” Mr. Thangal said, congratulating Namitha and her father, Narayanan Kutty.

E.T. Mohammed Basheer, MP, too contacted the family and offered help. The MP too congratulated Namitha on the positive spirit she displayed. “Our students should earn strength to overcome the hurdles. I appreciate her for the will,” he said.