Sri Krishna together with his family members took the initiative to buy, prepare, cook, pack and distribute food parcels to the poor on the streets some time back. His noble gesture and work impressed many in AVM, TS and AS to help him in cash and kind. Sadhu Janagiraman from India while on one of his many frequent visits to Malaysia officiated Sri Krishna's "Pothigai Meals on Wheels" program of feeding the homeless, at Batu Caves a year back and since then there was no turning back. Sri Krishna does not wait for an occasion to do good these days but selflessly goes about feeding people everyday in one way or another. His family has worked with him tirelessly in all his ventures.
Soon he took his service to the schools, bringing food to the children who had to stay back for extra lessons. He arranged and paid their bus transport fees too so that they could reach home safely at the end of the day.
AVM, TS and AS wanted to be part of his charitable ventures and came to his aid in little ways. Sri Krishna has been an icon for us at AVM, a symbol of generosity and love. Bala Chandran Gunasekaran too with his force of youngsters in Thondu Seivom (TS) picked up the cue from him and reached the society in many ways. We are proud to associate with these two good souls and samaritans.
AVM and TS stretched its wings and took to the streets of Tiruvannamalai and Palani when we were there bringing this noble service of feeding the poor and hungry in India too. Soon AVM teamed up with TUT from Chennai to feed the poor in Chennai.
Just as Sri Krishna and his wife Sri Dewi initiated us to do charity, Rakesh of TUT, Chennai tells us that AVM was a inspiration for them. Soon this noble act was picked up by many good souls. Many AVM members took to the streets on their own to feed the hungry. We are indeed proud of them.
Surendaran Selvaratnam took to the streets passing pastries and drinks when he was on assignment in Manila recently.
Sailaja wrote to tell us about her contributions in Visakhapatnam. "Namaste Sir! AVM, TS and others are doing such selfless service. Sir, once a week my husband and I are doing annadanam to at least 6 to 10 people. This Pithru Paksh fortnight, we are working towards serving food to 5 to 10 people. We just got home after doing annadanam and am reading your latest blog post on Annadanam. Thank you for inspiring us to do what is right and spiritually uplifting."
Sanjiv Malhotra from New Delhi tells me he has made it a routine to feed the poor on Saturdays. "I have made a routine of doing so on Saturday."
Both Kugan and Kogie from South Africa tell me that they too have begun charity in their town. "The family and I have started a charity drive. We used to do it before but I did not keep track or document anything. But in April, my daughters birthday she usually donates food and blankets to the SPCA a animal shelter. I took pictures, wrote a piece and documented that. We also contributed to several other small initiatives. This Sunday that passed we did provided lunch to a home for the elderly and mentally handicapped. Kugen together with another friend started an NGO just to serve give and provide even from our own pockets in the beginning. This weekend he ran the drive providing school shoes and scarves. We arrange with disadvantaged places of need and provide there. But during the day I usually keep some food stuff in the car and as I am driving through I give it to people who beg along the road."
Kogie gave us a boost too, "AVM has so many people all over the world. If one person in another state or country start such an initiative we can make a difference throughout the world. Just one person needs to start and others will follow. We need to carry this message globally and give others the strength and courage to begin however small." Her words and wishes have materialized.
TS gave out buns and drinks last night to those on the streets in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with Sundarananthar's Jayanthi.
