| Radhakrishna Pillai, Matha Vanitha Charitable Society, Thiruvananthapuram |
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Sitting idle after retirement used to trouble Radhakrishna Pillai a great deal. Then he dreamt of his mother advising him to feed the poor to get peace of mind.
A friend of his then suggested that they provide food to those admitted in the 9th ward of General Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. A visit to the place helped him to arrive at a decision. However, the authorities advised him to form a society.
Immediately he discussed the idea with the family members and they were all in favour of the proposal. So the Matha Vanitha Charitable Society was formed with his daughter Jayalakshmi as secretary. She says,” I was touched by my parents’ approach to the poor and so their decision did not come as a surprise.”
“This would not have been possible without the help of George Joseph, senior finance manager, Milma and his wife Marykutty Joseph,” says Pillai.
The society has been distributing food to all the patients in the 9th ward and to indigent patients in other wards too. It also supplies medicines and clothes and has donated colour TV sets. Many other hospitals and orphanages have also benefited from the society’s work. The 44-strong society depends on the goodwill of its members and other altruistic persons for funds. The food is cooked in Pillai’s house.
“Although the lunch is simple, we ensure that it is tasty and hygienic, “says Indiramma, his wife. Venugopal, his son, also supports him in the work. “Initially, I had doubts about the success of such a programme. I doubted if my father could cope with the responsibility. Although they are in their seventies, the zeal for their work keeps them going,“ he says.
“I believe that by helping the poor we are worshipping the Almighty, says Radhakrishna Pillai.
Courtesy: M.S.Vidyanandan (text), S.Mahinsha (photo), The Hindu, December 25, 2004
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