Losing His House To Cyclone 'Gaja' Didn't Stop This 68-Year-Old Man From Helping Others

"The moment we stop helping each other, that's the second we lose our humanity."

For S Ganesan from Pudukkottai, the destruction of his own house due to the cyclonic storm 'Gaja' was no reason to stop him from helping others with the relief work. The 68-year-old man had plunged into relief works whenever there was a natural disaster in the state since his youth. It was not exception this time either.

Despite his own house getting completely destroyed in the storm, Ganesan went out to collect relief materials for the victims. He managed to collect 10,000 worth relief material on Saturday alone in Karur district.

As an act of gratitude for his selfless dedication, actor Raghava Lawrence has promised to rebuild his house. Ganesan, who does not know the actor, said he considered Lawrence’s gesture as recognition for his work. The roof of his house, made of a tin sheet, flew 100 metres away during the cyclone. He and his wife Daivanai managed to escape the house minutes before it was destroyed.

“I didn’t seek money from anyone nor did I publicise that my house was damaged in the cyclone,” Ganesan said.

Although he belongs to a humble background, Ganesan has spent the larger part of his income for charity work. He has given dignified burials to over 5,100 unknown bodies by spending from his own pocket. For this he even had to face wrath of people from his own community, who ostracized him.

He was conferred with honorary doctorate for best social worker by Bharat Virtual University, Bengaluru.

*Originally published in Times of India*