Kuttikkol: K Vanajakumari, a teacher at Kuttikkol AUP School, is still basking in the glory of an award she received with just seven months left before retirement. A resident of Puluvinchi, Kuttikkol, Vanajakumari was chosen for the State Award for Teacher in the LP category for her outstanding contributions in both academic and non-academic fields.

She has spearheaded notable initiatives such as study classes centred around libraries , colonies in and around Kuttikkol and nearby areas to expand learning opportunities, crafting workshops, puppet making and a handwriting workshop titled Kayyaksharangalude Kayyadakkangal.

Students mentored by Vanajakumari have consistently won prizes in State-level work experience competitions for ten consecutive years. For Vanajakumari, wife of retired teacher A Gopalakrishnan, teaching has been a life mission. Her unwavering dedication has now received formal recognition through this award.

 Commenting on her acheivement, Vanajakumari said that she would continue to champion activities that strengthen public education, describing the award as an honour for guiding students along the path of knowledge.

Vanaja Kumari is the daughter of the late K Narayanan Nair of Poynachi and K Naliniyamma. She has two children: Anagha (Engineer, Dubai) and Ajinth (Engineering student).