Paramasivan delivered his first speech in 2005.
"Many people wanted to participate in what we do here," he said. "I told them, you can form a group and do something locally. You don't have to take the trouble of travelling all the way to Chennai. If each one of us takes care of our area, the world will be a paradise.'
The work has changed him as a person, he said.
"I also used to crib about so many little things. One day I was sitting next to a young cancer patient whose wife was pregnant. He said, 'I don't ask for a cure or long life from god. All I want is time to see my baby when it is born.'
"But he died before he got a chance to see his baby," Paramasivan continued. "I was reading to a blind person and he said, 'I wish god gives me vision for a moment so that I can get a chance to see my daughter. He can take it back after that; I don’t want anything else in life.'"
One of Paramasivan's most rewarding experiences was when a 65-year-old lady he didn't know came to his office to thank him.
"She was blind in both her eyes due to cataract. She was living with her son as she was unable to work," he remembered. "She was treated very badly with the family members even throwing pieces of bread at her. When we arranged an eye camp in the locality, a girl from the neighbourhood took her to the doctor and the doctors diagnosed cataract in both her eyes. She was operated upon and regained eye sight," he continued.
"She told me, 'I no longer live with my son. I work and live on my own. You gave my life back to me. I don't know how to thank you.'
"I was speechless," added Paramasivan. "The tears of happiness that rolled down her cheeks were the biggest compliment I received in my life."
Also see: India@60: A special series
Advertisement
