Two citizen-led initiatives in Tamil Nadu are leveraging technology to address everyday issues, albeit with different approaches. While one focuses on improving infrastructure in government schools, the other aims to hold civic authorities accountable for waste management.
Putholi Trust: Transforming Government Schools
For years, students at the Government Higher Secondary School in Kalveerampalayam, Coimbatore, relied on traditional blackboards until the Putholi Trust introduced a smart board. Founded by Jagan Kumar in 2023, Putholi—meaning 'fresh and new' in Tamil—is a non-profit with a singular mission: to provide basic infrastructure such as toilets, classrooms, and libraries to government schools across Tamil Nadu.
Jagan, a 49-year-old software engineer, emphasizes transparency. “We wanted citizens who contribute to see exactly where their money goes. The trust doesn’t accept open donations; every contribution on the website goes towards a specific school need,” he explains. The website expenses are covered by Jagan personally. Donors receive a unique tracking ID that allows them to view donation details, vendor information, receipts, and before-and-after photos. Payments are released only after proof of work is submitted.
The trust is now building a volunteer network, aiming for at least 25 people per district. “We believe that if many people provide support through the Putholi trust, it could result in revolutionary infrastructure changes for government schools,” says Jagan.
Nammaooru: Tackling Garbage Issues
Meanwhile, Chennai-based computer science graduate C Manikandan is focused on solving the city's garbage problem. He developed an app called Nammaooru, which allows citizens to click a photo of a garbage pile. The app immediately identifies the GPS location and displays the names of the local MLA, IAS officer, and solid waste management members responsible for that ward.
“Nammaooru allows any user to view any report filed across the city, resulting in transparency. We’ve had five complaints filed across eight wards in Chennai, most of them reporting the mixing of dry and wet waste, as well as waste from ongoing construction. All complaints have been forwarded to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) for action,” Manikandan says.
However, none of the complaints have been resolved yet. Manikandan attributes this to the newly formed government focusing on other priorities. “The MLA I consulted indicated that the administration would need time to integrate and act on the platform’s reporting system. The resolution will happen at some point,” he explains, adding that more photos are coming in every day. “Only if society takes initiative will there be some progress,” he concludes.
For more details, visit: putholitrust.com and nammaooru.xyz.
