Date:21/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/21/stories/2008092159020400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Every challenge is an opportunity”

Liffy Thomas

— PHOTO: S. THANTHONI

STARSPEAK: Tennis ace Vijay Amritraj at the Association for Non-Traditional Employment for Women in Chennai on Friday.

CHENNAI: It was a pleasant surprise for the students of the Association for Non-Traditional Employment for Women (ANEW) who are pursuing courses in home nursing, computer education, driving and house keeping at its centre in Anna Nagar.

Tennis ace Vijay Amritraj visited the centre on Friday, where he is one among the donors who support this non-profit voluntary organisation. While it was Mr.Amritraj’s maiden visit to ANEW, it was special for the young women, who got to interact with the former sports star.

Sowmya, learning communication skills at the English class, asked him about his decision to take up tennis.

“I wanted to become a doctor. In fact, I did not know about tennis then…it just happened ,” he explained.

A few others wanted him to sign autographs for them. Mr. Amritraj told them to believe in their dreams and to take every challenge as an opportunity.

From picking the poorest of the poor to offering them vocational skills, this all-women organisation makes around 500 underprivileged women independent yearly. “We hope to increase this number to a 1000,” said Anu Chandran, president, ANEW.