I didn't take them seriously because many people say such things without real intention," Paramasivan confessed. "But one good thing I did was that I kept a separate notebook and asked people to write their names and contact numbers. After a few months, I noticed that there were 80 names in the book. That is when I felt I was the one who was being inactive.
"I called for a meeting and 30 people attended," he continued. "We then decided that we would do service once a month but would never collect or donate money; only physical service, and each one of us will take care of our own transport, food, etc."
That was in 2001. From one activity a month, today SMILE has 75 activities a month. From a nameless organisation, they now have a name.
"When we say there is no registration fee, no subscription and all we ask for is time, that too at your own convenience, people are moved," said Paramasivan, smiling. "We don't have a cash book; we don't have a bank account. That is why we have today around 60,000 volunteers who are willing to give selfless service to a good cause."
Images: SMILE volunteers clean a temple and a church
Alse see: Great Speeches of Modern India: The dawn of freedom
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