Librarian in Chennai suburb goes beyond call
Chennai:
People who have been passionate to help the needy have always been successful
in their life. Meet K Damodaran, a librarian, who made the difference.
Hailing
from Perungalathur, he has worked hard for educating the poor and needy. 'News
Today'caught up with him to find out more.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q:
What made you to take up a career as a librarian? A: I was born and brought up
in a small village in Villupuram district. In those times there were no
facilities for education in our village. We will not even get a newspaper to
read. Only the tea shops or barber shops will subscribe a news paper and to get
access to these news, we need to purchase from the shops which was highly
difficult in those times. So, this situation inspired me to move forward to
this field. Earlier, I was working as a teacher in a private school after which
I became a librarian in the government's library in Krishna road, Old Perungalathur.
Q:
How do you go about helping the poor? A: My sole aim is to propagate education
to people from all spheres. I have been helping school dropouts continue their
education. In addition, I have been helping poor children with all their
educational needs like books, uniforms, stationery, etc. With my continuous
efforts, I was able to start 57 libraries in various villages in our state. In
addition, with my continuous efforts, 'Tambaram Varuvai Kota Aluvalagam'
allotted 50 cents for building the locality's revenue divisional library. My
only aim is to make the government effectively utilise the tax payers' money in
providing education and related activities. It shouldn't go towards unwanted
activities.
Q:
Your achievements so far. A: Both government as well as library associations
have recognised my activities and have awarded me. 'Bharathi Kalai Illakia
Mandram' presented the 'Achiever Award' in 2000. I was honoured by Madras
Medical College for three years between 2003 and 2005 for my research works. In
2010, Tamilnadu government awarded me with the 'Best Librarian Award'. In 2011,
Rajaram Mohan Roy Library Foundation awarded me the 'Best Social Liberarian
Award'. In 2014, Vellore Institute of Technology awarded me 'Tamil Annai Award'
for my literary works. In addition, Chennai Library Association awarded me the
'Best Social Worker Award'. I have received a total of 19 awards from various
organisations including all these.
Q:
It is learnt that you had made drastic changes in the government library in
Perungalathur after taking up office. Tell us about it. A: I joined the
Perungalathur branch library of the Tamilnadu library department, Kancheepuram
district in 2006. After taking office, I made drastic changes in the way people
utilised the library. After I became the librarian, five computers were brought
with the help of donations and a proper internet connection was established.
With this, I provided free access from all the children who don't have access
to internet to browse stuffs for their studies and other necessities. I created
unique sections for the books so as to identify them easily. Finally, when I
joined the library, there were only 1,800 readers but now there are around
7,000 utilising it effectively.
Q:
As a librarian, tell us about the importance of books. A: Books are regarded as
the 'Best Friend'. It helps one get access to what is happening outside. In
addition, it helps in rejuvenating the mind, body and soul. Without books, we
cannot become knowledgeable. So, I urge people to inculcate the habit of
reading. Residents can also make use of our library in Krishna road.
Q: Your future plans? A: I want the government to open more and more libraries throughout the State. I will strive hard to educate more and more children in the days to come. I will also encourage people to contribute books to the library in the days to come.
Regards
Pralhad Jadhav
Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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