The Man Of The Millennium Palam Kalyanasundaram Spreads Kindness Like A Bonfire.
He has donated his entire salary to charity for the years he worked as a librarian
"Simple living, high thinking"
Age: 76 years approximately
Place of Birth: Tamil Nadu
Current Status: Alive
Achievements and Rewards:
He was awarded a sum of Rs. 30 crores as a part of his contributions towards the benefit of orphans by an American organization; however he gave the lump sum money in charity. He is among the first person in the world to have donated his entire salary to the needy. The list of awards does not end from the Life Time of Service Award to the Rotary Club of India. Kalyanasundaram is among the top 10 librarians in the world. He also won the award of the best librarian in India, by the Union Government.
Source- The Hindu & Viral India Diary
Ref.1- https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/23/stories/2003042300060300.htm
Ref.2- https://www.viralindiandiary.com/the-man-of-the-millennium-palam-kalyanasundaram/
Click to watch a documentary video about him
He has donated his entire salary to charity for the years he worked as a librarian
"Simple living, high thinking"
The
name Paalam is synonymous with social worker Kalyanasundaram who has
worked tirelessly for the cause of the poor and the needy.
Name: Palam KalyanasundaramAge: 76 years approximately
Place of Birth: Tamil Nadu
Current Status: Alive
About Palam Kalyanasundaram:
No words can describe the beauty of this man’s kindness. A 76 year old librarian, Palam Kalyanasundaram teaches the world that money does not get you popularity and recognition. It is your kindness that becomes famous for which people recognize you as their idol. Kalyanasundaram has acted the role of a librarian for 30 years. Apart from working as a librarian, he has also worked as a waiter in a hotel in a deal of 2 meals a day and some salary. He was honored as the Man of Millennium by an American association.
The guy is a role model and also an adopted father to the legendary actor – Rajnikanth. Do not underestimate the lifestyle and education of this great legend. According to his educational background, he is a gold medalist in library science and also holds masters in literature and history.
Background:
You might be wondering why I am talking so positive and good about Palam Kalyanasundaram and what has he done exactly. The young librarian served his company effortlessly and donated his entire monthly salary to the orphans. He continued to do so, till his retirement. To add more, this amazing and inspiring man never married with the intention to serve his country by his kindness. Kalyanasundaram also donated his monthly pension to the needy orphans.
The past life of Kalyanasundaram will amaze you and take you to a different world of kindness. A normal looking grandpa figure has been through a list of struggles in his past life. He was motivated and inspired by his mother to help the poor and needy. Kalyanasundaram lost his father at a tender age. Kalyanasundaram strongly believes in words said to him by Thamizhvaanan, writer of self-improvement books, “Don’t bother about how you speak. Strive to make others speak good about you.” He had found his calling: child welfare.” These words were used by the great writer to bring Kalyanasundaram out of the discouragement of his feminist voice.
No words can describe the beauty of this man’s kindness. A 76 year old librarian, Palam Kalyanasundaram teaches the world that money does not get you popularity and recognition. It is your kindness that becomes famous for which people recognize you as their idol. Kalyanasundaram has acted the role of a librarian for 30 years. Apart from working as a librarian, he has also worked as a waiter in a hotel in a deal of 2 meals a day and some salary. He was honored as the Man of Millennium by an American association.
The guy is a role model and also an adopted father to the legendary actor – Rajnikanth. Do not underestimate the lifestyle and education of this great legend. According to his educational background, he is a gold medalist in library science and also holds masters in literature and history.
Background:
You might be wondering why I am talking so positive and good about Palam Kalyanasundaram and what has he done exactly. The young librarian served his company effortlessly and donated his entire monthly salary to the orphans. He continued to do so, till his retirement. To add more, this amazing and inspiring man never married with the intention to serve his country by his kindness. Kalyanasundaram also donated his monthly pension to the needy orphans.
The past life of Kalyanasundaram will amaze you and take you to a different world of kindness. A normal looking grandpa figure has been through a list of struggles in his past life. He was motivated and inspired by his mother to help the poor and needy. Kalyanasundaram lost his father at a tender age. Kalyanasundaram strongly believes in words said to him by Thamizhvaanan, writer of self-improvement books, “Don’t bother about how you speak. Strive to make others speak good about you.” He had found his calling: child welfare.” These words were used by the great writer to bring Kalyanasundaram out of the discouragement of his feminist voice.
AN EPITOME of selfless service, `Paalam' P. Kalyanasundaram is a fine example of simple living and high thinking. He practices Gandhian principles without bothering whether the world takes notice of them or not.
As he approaches people and appeals for funds to help suffering children in his soft voice, they realise that he is not just another fund-raiser.
For someone who represents the best of humanity, his is a remarkable story. Kalyanasundaram was born and brought up in Melakaruvelangulam village, of Nangunari taluk in Tirunelveli district. "There were only 30 houses then. No roads, no buses, no school, no electricity, not even a petty shop. I studied in the light of a kerosene lamp or by candlelight till I was about ten years old," he says.
Kalyanasundaram lost his father when he was only one year old. After completing school, he was determined to pursue a B.A degree with Tamil as the main subject. As he was the only student for the course at St. Xavier's College, Tirunelveli, the college management persuaded him to take up another subject, but he refused. Impressed by the youngster's determination to study Tamil, Karumuttu Thygaraja Chettiar, the founder of MTT Hindu College, had no hesitation admitting him to the course he wanted. Karumuttu Chettiar also bore the youngster's study expenses. "Those days I can never forget, especially the Chettiar's munificence," recalls Kalyanasundaram.
The turning point in his life came when he was doing library science at the Madras University. That was when the Indo-China War was on. "I was listening to Nehru on the radio requesting us to contribute to the defence fund. Immediately, I went to Chief Minister Kamaraj and gave him my gold chain. I was probably the first student to have done such a thing," he says with pride in his eyes. Kamaraj was so impressed by the gesture that he felicitated the youngster at a special function on May Day that year (1963).
Another incident that Kalyanasundaram remembers vividly is his encounter with the then sub-editor of Ananda Vikatan. "It was he who told me that I would do well as a social worker, while engaging in some plain speaking on public service... But I decided I needed no publicity."
He later joined Kumarkarupa Arts College in Tuticorin as librarian and spent 35 years there, even while doing his social work. He donated the money he got from the sale of his ancestral property to the poor. An amount of Rs. one lakh that Kalyansundaram received as salary arrears, he promptly gave to the district collector to be used for orphans.
For 45 years, Kalyanasundaram's social work focussed on children. However, in 1998, after retirement, he decided to expand his service and, thus, Paalam was born. One of the first things he did was to direct the money he received as retirement benefit to social cause. Paalam serves as the link between donors and beneficiaries. Assistance is not only monetary. Children are helped in pursuing education, medical attention is provided to the needy, blood donation camps are organised and blood samples are reached to hospitals during emergencies, the unemployed, elderly, sick and handicapped are rehabilitated, and free counselling is provided.
"We work on the principle of gaining everybody's support. That is the reason why membership costs just a rupee a month (life membership is Rs.100). We take about anything used or unused - old newspapers, clothes and utensils - and reach these to people in need. We are sort of a bridge between donors and beneficiaries," states Kalyanasundaram.
Paalam has also taken active part in relief work during cyclones and earthquakes that have struck various parts of India.
People trust Paalam because of Kalyanasundaram and what he stands for. "I have slept on pavements and railway platforms to find out what it is like to be poor, without a roof over your head," he says, joyfully recounting an instance of his students running up to him to tell him that they had spotted his look-alike sleeping on a railway platform.
"I am a bachelor and my personal needs are meagre. I am able to manage doing odd jobs in a hotel or a laundry. I simply do not wish to own anything. In fact, one of my happiest moments was when, after being chosen as the `Man of the Millennium' by an American organisation, I donated the entire amount of Rs. 30 crores I received towards charity. Everything is, therefore, a state of mind. Finally, what do we take with us when we leave planet earth?" Kalyanasundaram wonders aloud!
As he approaches people and appeals for funds to help suffering children in his soft voice, they realise that he is not just another fund-raiser.
For someone who represents the best of humanity, his is a remarkable story. Kalyanasundaram was born and brought up in Melakaruvelangulam village, of Nangunari taluk in Tirunelveli district. "There were only 30 houses then. No roads, no buses, no school, no electricity, not even a petty shop. I studied in the light of a kerosene lamp or by candlelight till I was about ten years old," he says.
Kalyanasundaram lost his father when he was only one year old. After completing school, he was determined to pursue a B.A degree with Tamil as the main subject. As he was the only student for the course at St. Xavier's College, Tirunelveli, the college management persuaded him to take up another subject, but he refused. Impressed by the youngster's determination to study Tamil, Karumuttu Thygaraja Chettiar, the founder of MTT Hindu College, had no hesitation admitting him to the course he wanted. Karumuttu Chettiar also bore the youngster's study expenses. "Those days I can never forget, especially the Chettiar's munificence," recalls Kalyanasundaram.
The turning point in his life came when he was doing library science at the Madras University. That was when the Indo-China War was on. "I was listening to Nehru on the radio requesting us to contribute to the defence fund. Immediately, I went to Chief Minister Kamaraj and gave him my gold chain. I was probably the first student to have done such a thing," he says with pride in his eyes. Kamaraj was so impressed by the gesture that he felicitated the youngster at a special function on May Day that year (1963).
Another incident that Kalyanasundaram remembers vividly is his encounter with the then sub-editor of Ananda Vikatan. "It was he who told me that I would do well as a social worker, while engaging in some plain speaking on public service... But I decided I needed no publicity."
He later joined Kumarkarupa Arts College in Tuticorin as librarian and spent 35 years there, even while doing his social work. He donated the money he got from the sale of his ancestral property to the poor. An amount of Rs. one lakh that Kalyansundaram received as salary arrears, he promptly gave to the district collector to be used for orphans.
For 45 years, Kalyanasundaram's social work focussed on children. However, in 1998, after retirement, he decided to expand his service and, thus, Paalam was born. One of the first things he did was to direct the money he received as retirement benefit to social cause. Paalam serves as the link between donors and beneficiaries. Assistance is not only monetary. Children are helped in pursuing education, medical attention is provided to the needy, blood donation camps are organised and blood samples are reached to hospitals during emergencies, the unemployed, elderly, sick and handicapped are rehabilitated, and free counselling is provided.
"We work on the principle of gaining everybody's support. That is the reason why membership costs just a rupee a month (life membership is Rs.100). We take about anything used or unused - old newspapers, clothes and utensils - and reach these to people in need. We are sort of a bridge between donors and beneficiaries," states Kalyanasundaram.
Paalam has also taken active part in relief work during cyclones and earthquakes that have struck various parts of India.
People trust Paalam because of Kalyanasundaram and what he stands for. "I have slept on pavements and railway platforms to find out what it is like to be poor, without a roof over your head," he says, joyfully recounting an instance of his students running up to him to tell him that they had spotted his look-alike sleeping on a railway platform.
"I am a bachelor and my personal needs are meagre. I am able to manage doing odd jobs in a hotel or a laundry. I simply do not wish to own anything. In fact, one of my happiest moments was when, after being chosen as the `Man of the Millennium' by an American organisation, I donated the entire amount of Rs. 30 crores I received towards charity. Everything is, therefore, a state of mind. Finally, what do we take with us when we leave planet earth?" Kalyanasundaram wonders aloud!
Achievements and Rewards:
He was awarded a sum of Rs. 30 crores as a part of his contributions towards the benefit of orphans by an American organization; however he gave the lump sum money in charity. He is among the first person in the world to have donated his entire salary to the needy. The list of awards does not end from the Life Time of Service Award to the Rotary Club of India. Kalyanasundaram is among the top 10 librarians in the world. He also won the award of the best librarian in India, by the Union Government.
Source- The Hindu & Viral India Diary
Ref.1- https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/23/stories/2003042300060300.htm
Ref.2- https://www.viralindiandiary.com/the-man-of-the-millennium-palam-kalyanasundaram/
Click to watch a documentary video about him
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