Budding writer can’t go to loo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fifteen-year-old V.S.Chippy is a budding writer born with a congenital deformity, but now her major concern is how to attend the call of nature on the days she attends Sree Narayana Gurukulam Higher Secondary School at Chempazhanthy. A native of Paudikonam here, Chippy’s novel, Signature of Trust has already been published and another 10 short stories are getting ready to be released by December.

Chippy could never stand on her feet, but that did not deter her poor parents from sending her to school. Her elder brother V.S. Sanju, an auto driver carries her on his shoulder through a 500-metre narrow lane to the main road where his vehicle is parked. It’s her urge to prove her mettle in studies that prompts her to attend classes every day. But her ordeal begins when she has to use the washroom, as it’s far from her class.

“There are days when I can’t go to school, especially when I have my periods. Last year, the bathroom was close to my classroom and then I would crawl and go there. But this year, it is far from the plus-one block. It would have been great if the authorities made arrangements to have my classroom near the bathroom so that I don’t miss any classes”, said Chippy who is pursuing humanities.

Chippy who loves Shakespeare, Sarah Joseph, Malayatoor Ramakrishnan and Muttathu Varkey, does not have much of an opportunity to read good books. Her only solace is when her mother, Saramma, a last grade daily wager at the Government Secretariat brings books from the library there. Chippy’s father, D. Vijayadas, a construction worker is also confined to the home as he is allergic to cement. Sadly, the cemented 480 sqft home is yet to be completed. They just have a roof, but no doors. While Chippy’s elder sister, V.S. Chinchu couldn’t pursue her LLB for want of funds, another brother, V.S.Vipin, is pursuing his diploma in commerce.