Tamil Nadu   

Making a difference in the Yelagiri hills

"If corporates work with NGOs in a systematic manner and focus on the development of rural India, it will make a phenomenal difference to the lives of many"

When 73-year-old K.S. Ramamurthy drives down the Yelagiri hills, children who spot him wave to him instantly. The tribals greet him warmly with earnest smiles.

Every time he sees a child on the road during school hours, he stops his car to ask, "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in school," tweaking the teenager's ear with affection.

He is no political leader, local body head or celebrity; he likes being called `one among them.'

He talks to Meera Srinivasan about the Society for Development of Economically Weaker Sections that he spearheads in the scenic hill station.

Born into a family that firmly believed in Gandhian principles, life was not easy for Mr. Ramamurthywhen he was young.

After his schooling in Chennai, he left for Delhi to find a job and pursue higher education.

He left for Zambia in the late 1960s and went on to hold several key positions in Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.

He empathised with citizens there and spoke on apartheid at several forums, after studying apartheid laws in depth.

"Being a Gandhian socialist, I strongly resisted such practices," he explains.

Sodews formed

Post-retirement, Mr. Ramamurthy decided to settle down in the picturesque and serene hill town.

As someone who has travelled across the globe, he was shocked to see how a section of our society was denied basic rights.

"Though I was taking small initiatives, I thought a formal body would help. Hence was born the Society for Development of Economically Weaker Sections (SODEWS)," he says.

SODEWS now has nine committee members, including five tribal persons, and 20 volunteers.

As president, Mr. Ramamurthy set up two small offices — one in Yelagiri and the other in Jolarpet.

Special attention was paid to education and health. Problems such as inadequate staff, bad constructions, lack of water, and sanitation were identified as areas demanding immediate attention.

Volunteers began speaking to children in villages across the area.

They introduced simple songs and several activity-based learning methods in these sessions.

Adolescent health was also focussed upon, and gradually, the volunteers built a rapport with the youngsters.

"All my volunteers are from neighbouring areas. I wanted them to be able to relate to the children here," says Mr. Ramamurthy.

Mr. Ramamurthy was also involved in rehabilitating earthquake victims of Gujarat. He pooled in about Rs.75 lakh to construct a school in Adhoi, near the epicentre of the quake.

"If corporates work with NGOs in a systematic manner and focus on the development of rural India, it will make a phenomenal difference to the lives of many," he says.

"I am thoroughly enjoying this phase of my life with the tribal children, volunteers and the rose garden in my backyard," he adds.

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