Model Citizen: Rtd banker helps less fortunate children

“A cancer hospital in Tirunelveli with holistic treatment including palliative care,” he revealed one such dream while talking to DT Next. Focusing on health, including cancer prevention and education, Udhavum Ullangal was started in 2000. However, the seeds for the volunteer driven organisation had been sowed in 1998 when he decided to celebrate Deepavali with the lesser fortunate people as ‘Ananda Deepavali’. 

“I was not for buying new clothes and consuming sweets during the festival. Instead, I was keener to share the festivities with those who are less fortunate,” he said. But he wanted to do more than just yearly celebrations; two years later, Udhavum Ullangal was started. “We have been working with child labourers rehabilitated through the government and help them get educated through a mentorship programme. The programme also helps the mentor discuss with them the changes they are likely to see in their adolescence. This is important for them, as most of the children have fathers who battle alcoholism, while their mothers can help them only to some extent.”

 Around 500 children from Chennai and Sivakasi, Virudhunagar district, are being guided. As part of the leprosy programme, they have been working to ensure a monthly allowance of Rs 500 for 140 people with the disease so that they don’t resort to begging. “This has helped them being taken care by their family as well,” he pointed out. Mahadevan availed voluntary retirement in 2012 to focus completely on serving society. “When I visited orphanages and homes, I realised how fortunate I was.”