For S Kasturi Rangan, secretary of the Choolaimedu Exnora Innovator’s Club, the year 2018 is very special, as it marks his 50 years of social service.
“My tryst with helping others started at the age of 18 when I joined Shanthi Arts Academy and was involved in conducting more than 500 cultural events. I was involved with them from 1968 to 1988,” he says.
It was in the year 1980 that the residents living in Zackaria Colony mooted the idea of forming a residents welfare association, where he was chosen as the founding secretary. He was also at the forefront in conducting many awareness programmes organised by it.
“During the Odisha floods of 1999, our association in partnership with the Indian Red Cross Society collected relief materials for victims”, he says. “We have also improved the green cover in the colony,” he adds.
“Including Zackaria Colony Residents Welfare Association, there were 27 similar groups, but in 2000, Exnora came up with the idea to have a bigger association for the entire Choolaimedu and named it Choolaimedu Exnora Innovator’s Club. I was elected as the secretary of the club. The then-Mayor MK Stalin, inaugurated it,” he says.
Despite elections happening periodically, Rangan continues to be the secretary. “Even at 68, I am continuing to involve in welfare activities as it gives me self satisfaction, There are still plenty of things to do but for that my health should cooperate,” he says.
However, he believes that progress is impossible without change. “Only when the society becomes responsible, will there be real development,” he signs off.
He can be reached at 9840606162.
| Under Rangan… |
| * During the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake and 2004 tsunami, the club contributed relief materials to the affected people.
* In 2002, Rangan and his team organised a social and health awareness campaign with police officials, psychiatrists and SNEHA (Counsellors) group, in view of the spike in suicide cases. * Before the Parliament election in 2004, 2009, 2014, the team organised a ‘Priorities of the next Prime Minister’, from the public point of view, and suggestions were sent to the National parties. |