Nonagenarian in Chennai teaches, helps those in need


Saraswathy Seshadri

Santhana Simon
It was a magical journey backwards for 90-year-old Saraswathy Seshadri, a resident of West Tambaram, when her children presented her a book as a birthday gift. It was a compilation of stories that she wrote during various stages of her life.

“The 46-page book consists of plays, poems, essays and social awareness messages. The last five pages depict the life of Saraswathy,” said Revathy Sethuraman, one of her six children.

The nonagenarian also loves to teach music and songs to children. During a chat with News Today, she said, “I didn’t learn much but I love teaching children. So, I started teaching songs to children living around my house. I love to spend time with them and many of my students have sung songs in temple pooja functions and Independence Day programmes.”

However, Saraswathy said she had to stop teaching a few years ago as her voice started to tremble. “But I still teach slokams and pronunciations of various Sanskrit words to children,” she added.

Saraswathy said apart from teaching, she also helps the needy. “I get pension, but I do not take any money from it. I finance the poor to study and others to buy medicines. A part of my pension also goes to an ashram,” she said.
The nonagenarian said she does not believe in religion and caste.

“I feel that everyone is equal and we are all dependent on each other. Money does not last forever, only true love towards fellow human beings can make life meaningful,” she said.

“I will help people till my last breath,” the elderly woman smiled. Saraswathy can be reached at 88254 46358.