The 5th Behindwoods Gold Medal Awards was conducted on June 17th in Chennai Trade Centre. Apart from honoring celebrities, we had also initiated to honor four individuals who have made significant contributions to the welfare of the society with Eminence awards.
A 76-year-old personification of selflessness and unconditional love, Mr. Palam Kalyanasundaram has spent his lifelong earnings to charity. Post-retirement as a librarian he works odd jobs and runs a magazine for a meagre income so that he could continue his charity works. Inspired by his contributions, Mr. Rajinikanth has adopted him as his father, received The Park Group of Institutions Presents Behindwoods Gold Medal for Eminence in Service to Mankind from Actress Anushka Shetty & Actor-Musician Hip Hop Aadhi.
Palam Kalyanasundaram in his speech said, "I am very happy to be here. Everyone who achieved a lot in the field of filmmaking was granted awards. What Malarkodi and Shumgugam did are big achievements for the society, what I did was just ordinary. SP Muthuraman is a dear friend and he's always been affectionate towards me. I am very happy to receive an award in the same stage as him.
I have few memories to share. The amma foundation is a sports association and they appreciated my work towards the society and presented me with a golden trophy. The trophy was given in the name of former Cheif Minister Jayalalithaa and presented by Nayanthara herself. One dear friend of mine from the industry is Sivakumar sir and he has immensely appreciated my work on his Facebook page and that's how people are aware of my work. Sivakumar along with his son has attended my events very regularly.
I have proposed a 1000 crore project to the government called Internation Tamil Digitial Library. The government was quite hesitant about it since it requires a lot of money. But, Bill Gates has agreed to give 900 crores on behalf of Microsoft for the project and the working for the project has been successful.
When you're awarding celebrity stars, a grand event with security is required, but to appreciate a social worker like me, you can do it anywhere and everywhere. My mother pointed out three things to be happy in life. Don't be greedy in life, whatever you achieve in life have 9 parts of that with can be retained with you but remember to give one piece of it to people who are needy. Always remember to help at least a life one day. Be it a cow or a tree. I ensure to follow these things every day. I have an international award that was received by only 2 Indians. One was Mother Teresa and then me. United Nations recognized 20 outstanding people of the 20th century and I was the first person from Asia to receive that award.
The biggest award considered in the world is the Nobel award but there is a bigger award than that and that's the man of the millennium award. It is given every 50 and 100 years. I have also got that award. I am telling all these things here because I have not effortfully tried anything. I just followed what my mother told me. If you follow it too, you can be a king or a queen."
The other proud eminence winners are Mr. SR Jangid, Mr. Shanmugam, and Mrs. Malarkodi Dhanasekaran.