“I’ve always admired APJ Abdul Kalam for his work and personality. One fine day, I wrote an email to him, explaining the work we do at our NGO, that he’s an inspiration to many youngsters like me and how I would love to meet him. I completely forgot about it. A few days later, I got an email from his office with an appointment scheduled. I couldn’t believe my eyes! I showed it to my whole family and was so excited for the big day. By then, we got a brochure for the NGO ready and he released it. He also gave him a copy of his book with an autograph. It was unbelievable – I was standing beside him and talking to him. That special moment only inspired and pushed me to do more of what I’ve been doing for almost a decade – helping the needy.
It all started when I gifted a water purifier to an old age home on my birthday in 2008. The senior citizens in the home hugged me and said I was helping them when their real family didn’t care. It left me thinking that there must be so many people who didn’t have what I had. I posted on social media and many friends came together to help me. We distributed warm clothes during the winter season. What started off as a thought, gradually led to the formation of an NGO Sulakshya Seva Samithi. We’ve conducted 100s of events inviting people from different fields, who support our cause. I was also part of the Telangana state agitation back in 2009-14, but it wasn’t for any political party. It was for us and for what the people needed.
When I look back at everything that I’ve done, I think about my father and how happy he must be. I remember him as a simple man – an epitome of kindness and generosity.
That’s probably how I get the urge to help others and be kind. Although we could afford a car or a bigger house, he wouldn’t spend unnecessarily. He would save and help whoever needed it. I distinctly remember the last few days I spent with him. He was diagnosed with stones in the gall bladder, but the inefficiency of the doctor in my area led to it affecting the pancreas. We took him to Hyderabad but in vain. He left us not just with enough money to survive but also with lessons about being content with what we have and helping others. We don’t have to do something out of the world. It’s all about little steps, like talking to the man at the mirchi bandi you eat from – ask him how he is doing and if he needs any help. You spend a few minutes eating there. What would you lose in having a conversation? Talk to people you are around, make others feel happy. That’s truly the motive of my life too. I never dreamt of the luxurious city life. In fact, I’ve always wanted to settle in Warangal. My friends say I’m the true Warangalite and I’m proud of it. I want to stay here and help people in my city. That’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
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