Technology & innovation
Utilising and adapting technologies familiar to the developed world, we provide teachers, parents and students with tools and services that improve learning and decision-making.
About the trust
Built by someone who made the climb himself
Thiruponathar Trust was founded in 2020 in Rajagambiram, Sivagangai District, to close the gap between a young person’s ability and their access to guidance.
Dr. J. Sadakkadulla
Founder
In loving memory
In memory of our founder
Nothing but hope and educational merit
Dr. J. Sadakkadulla was a first-generation graduate from this humble community in Rajagambiram. He lost his father prematurely at the age of thirteen. With the support of a determined mother who toiled in the hot sun to bring him up along with his two younger siblings, he pursued his dreams relentlessly — in the face of social and economic adversity, holding on to nothing but hope and educational merit.
After a successful career as a central banker and developmental economist around the world, he retired as Regional Director of the Reserve Bank of India for Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in 2016.
Having lived through the challenges of a first-generation graduate lacking role models and basic guidance in the formative years of his career, this trust was his contribution towards addressing that gap at the grassroots level.
He is no longer with us. The work he began is carried on by the trustees, exactly as he set it up — free, and open to anyone in the community who wants it.
Our mission
Unlocking education as the great economic equaliser
Thiruponathar Trust aims to stimulate the youth in local communities to realise their potential, through appropriate guidance and mentoring delivered in partnership with specialised non-profit institutions in the region and globally.
We believe these initiatives help unlock the power of education as a great economic equaliser, and enable social mobility in the communities we serve. Every programme we run is free, and open to anyone in the community who wants it.
Our home
The Abdulkhader Jainallaudeen Memorial Library
Established at Rajagambiram and named for our founder’s father, the library provides the essential resources for a young person’s pursuit: free computer and internet access, newspapers, magazines and international journal subscriptions, alongside a large collection of books in Tamil and English.
It also serves as the hub for the trust’s initiatives — career guidance workshops, job-training sessions, and guest lectures by eminent personalities.
How we work
Three working principles
Partnering with local communities
To make a lasting impact, we know we must actively engage and include the communities we are seeking to help. We are continually learning and growing in how we show up as an authentic, ethical partner.
Finance & investing
By nurturing relationships with like-minded organisations and private individuals, we unlock new sources of capital and scale our work far beyond what traditional funding can do alone.
Governance
Board of Trustees
Ten trustees carry responsibility for the trust’s work and its finances.
Dr. J. Sadakkadulla
Founder
Ansar Jainul Sadakkadulla
Co-founder & Joint Managing Trustee
Dr. Shreen Fathima
Managing Trustee
S. Nagoor Kani
Deputy Managing Trustee
K. Mohammed Hussain
Treasurer
S. Sathik Ali
Trustee
S. Mohamed Rafiq
Trustee
J. Mohamed Salman
Trustee
R. Rasheed Mohamed
Trustee
Jainallaudeen Shahul Hameed
Trustee
Guidance
Council of Advisors
Educationalists, institution founders and community leaders from across the region who advise the trust on its work.
Janab Syed Salahudeen
Salahudeen Trust
Mr. Jaleel
Founder, Sethu Institute of Technology
Sethu Kumanan
Founder, Sethu Bhaskara College
S. Mustaffa
Rahmath Pathippagam
Dr. A. Abdul Khader
Principal, Chendu Engineering College
Dr. Sumayya Dawood
Principal, Tassim Bi Women’s College
Vasimalai
DHAN Foundation
R. Dawood Basha
Founder, RDB College
Dr. Naseemuddin
Educationalist
Fr. Aasirvatham
St. Mary’s School, Rajagambiram
Mr. Salai Mohamed
Chennai Vazh Rajagambiram Jamath
J. Mujeeb Rahman
President, Rajagambiram Panchayat
The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.Mark Van Doren
Want to help this work continue?
The trust runs on donations and on the time that working professionals give freely. Both make a difference here.