Palam Kalyanasundaram Wiki & Bio
| Full Name: | Palam Kalyanasundaram |
| Date of Birth: | August 1940 |
| Place of Birth: | Tirunelveli district, Tamil Naidu |
| Age: | 84 Years (As of 2024) |
| Education: | University of Madras |
| Awards/Achievements: |
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| Profession: | Retired Librarian, Social Worker |
| Last Updated: | December 2024 |
About Palam Kalyanasundaram
No words can describe the beauty of this man’s kindness. An 84-year-old librarian, Palam Kalyanasundaram teaches the world that money does not get you popularity and recognition. It is your kindness that becomes famous for which people recognize you as their idol.
Kalyanasundaram has played the role of a librarian for 30 years. Apart from working as a librarian, he has also worked as a waiter in a hotel for a deal of 2 meals a day and some salary. He was honoured as the Man of the Millennium by an American association.
The guy is a role model and also an adopted father to the legendary actor – Rajnikanth. Do not underestimate the lifestyle and education of this great legend. According to his educational background, he is a gold medalist in library science and also holds a master’s in literature and history.
Background
You might be wondering why I am talking so positively and well about Palam Kalyanasundaram and what has he done exactly.
The young librarian served his company effortlessly and donated his entire monthly salary to the orphans. He continued to do so, till his retirement. To add more, this amazing and inspiring man never married with the intention of serving his country through his kindness.
Kalyanasundaram also donated his monthly pension to needy orphans.
After Palam’s retirement in the year 1998, He founded “Paalam,” a social welfare organization.
The past life of Kalyanasundaram will amaze you and take you to a different world of kindness. A normal-looking grandpa figure has been through a list of struggles in his past life. He was motivated and inspired by his mother to help the poor and needy.
Kalyanasundaram lost his father at a tender age. Kalyanasundaram strongly believes in words said to him by Thamizhvaanan, writer of self-improvement books, “Don’t bother about how you speak. Strive to make others speak good about you.” He had found his calling: child welfare.” These words were used by the great writer to bring Kalyanasundaram out of the discouragement of his feminist voice.
Achievements and Rewards
He was awarded a sum of Rs. 30 crores as a part of his contributions towards the benefit of orphans by an American organization; however, he gave the lump sum money to charity. He is among the first person in the world to have donated his entire salary to the needy.
The list of awards does not end with the Life Time of Service Award to the Rotary Club of India. Kalyanasundaram is among the top 10 librarians in the world. He also won the award of the best librarian in India, by the Union Government.
Palam Kalyanasundaram (The Adopted Father of Superstar Rajinikanth)
Yes, that’s true that superstar Rajinikanth was thrilled by Palam Kalyansundaram’s passion for helping the needy, Rajinikanth adopted him as his father. Palam Kalyanasundaram still stays as a bachelor as he dedicated his entire life to serving society.
Motivational Factor:
Motivation is not the word for this level of sacrifice made by someone who left all the comforts, luxury, and convenience for those who don’t belong to him.
In terms of kindness, Kalyanasundaram belongs to the family of Mother Teresa. This may sound stupid but, I get goosebumps when I am asked to remove my old favourite clothes from my closet that does not hold any purpose. Our affection slowly becomes our possession.
However, Kalyanasundaram’s kindness and selfless acts teach us to leave our possessions in search of affection.
It is not a piece of cake to live on two meals a day and have nothing in your pocket despite a handsome salary and stable job. He donated his ancestral property, jewellery, assets and everything that belonged to him.
I truly admire this man for what he has done to the ones in need. He never wanted to become famous, but it is his kindness that has awakened so many people.
In one of the media sources of DNAindia.com, Kalyanasundaram rightly said;
This great legend conveys a strong message to the world that there is nothing in this universe as precious as your soul. Do not let materialistic things affect your soul in being kind to others.
If Kalyanasundaram being a normal human with no special skills, wings, or angels around him, can make efforts to bring smiles to little children, what are we waiting for? There is no doubt that not everyone is as selfless and angelic as Kalyanasundaram; however, we can at least begin to make an effort.
There are many people desperate for a touch and a simple hug of kindness. Let’s begin today!
Image Credit Adethya/Wikimedia Commons