Some people care a lot about society and want others to flourish. Helping others brings a lot of happiness and satisfaction. They spend their entire lives working for the welfare of others. One such man is Kalyanasundaram. He gave an entirely new definition to the words helpful and charity. He never got married and spent most of his life working for the welfare of society.
Usually, we think about giving out money to the needy. We at least think twice or thrice before helping others. Here Kalyanasundaram spent 30 years donating his hard-earned money to people in need.
Early Life and Childhood
Kalyanasundaram was born in Melakaruvelangulam village, Tamil Nadu. While growing up, only basic resources were available. During those days, there were only thirty houses then. The village did not have roads, buses, schools, electricity, shops. Kalyanasundaram used to study beneath the light of a lamp or candlelight.
Education and Hardwork
Kalyanasundaram lost his father when he was just a little child, and his mother raised him alone. He received inspiration from his mother to help people in need. Kalyanasundaram was good at his studies. He wanted to learn Tamil and enrolled himself in the course. Surprisingly, he was the only student in St. Xavier’s College who wished to pursue a course in Tamil. The college administration asked him to take up some different courses but he refused to do so. He said that he wanted to study the subject of his choice. In doing so, he impressed the founder of MTT college. The founder, Mr. Thygaraja Chettiar, admitted him to the course and bore all the expenses.
Initiatives To Help Others
Later, he went on to study Library Science at Madras University. In his university, he started the International Children’s Welfare Organisation to help underprivileged children. He even donated his gold chain during the Indo-China war to contribute to National Defence Fund. He joined the Kumarkarupa Arts College as a librarian and worked there for 35 years. Whatever he earned he donated.
Various Jobs
We all usually study and work with the motivation of earning well and fulfilling all our wishes and materialistic desires. But he only worked to donate all his earnings to people in need. He took up many jobs to live a life by only fulfilling necessities. Even his retirement plan and family property will be used for social causes.
Eye Opening Experience
During his college days, Kalyanasundaram faced a lot of mental traumas. He had a sharp and shrill voice which troubled him a lot. He even had thoughts of committing suicide. During this time, he met a writer Tahmizhvaanan who changed his life. The writer wrote books on self-improvement and told Kalyanasundaram not to be bothered about things he cannot control. Instead, he should focus on his qualities and work to enhance his skills.
NGO By Kalyanasundaram
Kalyanasundaram started an NGO Paalam, by investing in his retirement fund. The organization helps victims of natural disasters. Additionally, they help in providing education to children, in providing medical funds, etc. Kalyanasundaram received the Man of the Millennium Award and got 30 crores rupees for his work. He invested that money for helping the underprivileged sections of society as well. He showcased the true essence of “humanity and kindness” through the contributions he has made to society his entire lifetime.
If you loved this story, you can read – Transwoman Who Founded An NGO To Offer Homeless People With Refuge.
To know about Paalam, please check – Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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