R. Ramiah: The Gift of Hope
R.Ramaiah, a fifty-year-old mechanic and father of three, manages to give the gift of hope to people on the street each and every day, writes Alicia Szarzynski
R.Ramaiah
In May 2000, when he went to his office, R.Ramaiah discovered a weakened old man, sitting in front of a hotel in the Bypass Road in Madurai. Overwhelmed, he spontaneously offered to help him. The poor man then told him that as he had been starving for last three days, a cup of tea would be helpful, R.Ramaiah raced to the closest shop to get the man some bread and tea. After he hurriedly ate his meal, the old man blessed him and asked him if he could help his family and friends. From that moment that onwards R.Ramaiah began his involvement with the deservibg and needy. The chance meeting was a turning point which continues to motivate him even today.
All in a Day's Work
R.Ramaiah giving tea to a destitute man
On a small bike, R.Ramaiah cycles through the streets of Madurai every morning, from 6:30 am to 8:30 am, before he goes to work in his office. He starts from Kochadai and cycles through Bypass Road carrying tea and bread in order to bring back smiles on the faces of starving people. Everyday, he cycles 20 kms and personally delivers one hundred meals, including a cup of tea and some bread. He helps all people whom he passes by on his way: senior citizens, children, the mentally challenged and people with leprosy. Each meal costs Rs. 10, which amounts to Rs. 30 000 per month. Ramiah personally finances the expenses, and is supported by his friend Manikandan, a reporter with The Hindu.
A Brighter Future
R.Ramaiah hopes to find more people and finances in the future, to be able to increase his daily supply of meals from 100 to 500. He plans to establish a trust, called Mangai Mercy Trust and make it llegally eligible to receive financial contribution from overseas. His burning ambition is to build a house for the destitute, take care of them and give them a better quality of life.
A small man, a big heart
R.Ramaiah helps poor people everyday
Through his little deeds, R.Ramaiah feels really useful, proud and happy to help society. He never gives up his engagement and he is never demotivated. He just takes a break once a week, but he makes sure that someone else steps in for him. The heat, the rain and even his daughter's marriage has not kept him away from his social commitment. Indeed, for his daughter's wedding R.Ramaiah was duty-bound to be present beside her at 10 am. But the call of social service was irresistible. Hence he decided to deliver tea only to one person but instead went along his usual route!
Initially Ramiah's family did not understand his social commitment and his involvement with total strangers. Friends too suggested that he discontinue the act of charity and cautioned him about the risk of contracting leprosy from infected people. Undisturbed, Ramiah however, continues with his mission because it is a meaningful expression of social commitment and concern for others.