Dr. Sethu Kumanan
Dr. Sethu Kumanan was born in January 1962, graduated from Raja Duraisingam Memorial College, Madurai Kamarajar University and pursued higher studies in Annamalai University.
He had a strong desire to become a teacher. He aspired to achieve something significant in the field of education. Starting his school in 1988 at Chennai with just eight students was the first step to fulfill this desire. The school has now grown up to provide education to more than 7500 students. The school imparts value-based education to children, who are mostly first generation school-goers. Hailing from an economically backward family, he appreciates how financial stringency could hinder the academic progress of an individual. The school offers concessions within means and occasionally beyond, to the needy children. These students and the visually- challenged come under the banner Dr. Ikeda School students.
Dr. Kumanan has received many honours and awards, which include The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature (Litt.D) issued by the World Academy of Arts & Culture issued at the XVII World Congress of Poets in Seoul, Korea (1997); Soka Gakuen Award of Highest Honour by Soka Gakuen, Japan (1999); The Soka University Award of Education and Culture by Soka University Student & University Student Union (1999); Michael Madhusudan Award – Best Honour for Noble Creation by Michael Madhusudan Academy, Calcutta; Rashtriya Rattan Award by Global Economic Council, New Delhi (2000); Soka University Highest Honorary Award by Soka University, Japan. (2008); Soka University degree of Doctor: Honoris Causa. Ramachandran-Ikeda Award by The Indian Council of Gandhian Studies, Thiruvanandapuram, Kerala. Vallal Pandithurai Virudhu – Best Educationist Award by Murugalayam (Regd.) Maxim Gorky Award presented by the Indo-Russian International Arts & Science Association for Life Time contribution to Education. (2013)
Dr. Kumanan has written works include Malaysia Manimakudam (1990); Masakthi Ikeda (1998); Mexicovil Tamil Kavidaigal (1999); Petra – A travelogue of the trip to Jordan: A compilation of photographs. (2012). He has visited over 40 countries and attended International poets conference that include Slovakia, S. Korea, Mexico, Greece, Romania. U.S.A, Switzerland, Australia, , Mangolia, Hungary
His works include short films produced: Veeramangai Velunachiar, a film on historical women; Ellaiyilla Paarvai – ‘Vision beyond boundaries’ and Kadavulai Kandaen (Both films produced with the vision to create values in the younger generation).
