Dedicating life to help the poor

An engineer by profession turns into a good Samaritan by deeds.

We have many amongst us who want to serve the poor but nobody takes the step to actually do it. Radhakrishna Kalawar, resident of Malleshwaram, dreamt the same way and courageously stood up for the rural brothers and sisters in Karnataka.
Being an engineer by profession, he utilised his skills for the uplift of those in need by coming up with unique and wonderful creative ideas of his own. Right from solar lamps, batteries, water purifying system to electric generating spinning wheel, all are the wonderful creations of this genius.

Life completely changed
It was his profession only which made him dedicate his life to such a good cause. "I was an engineer in Railways and it was during my tenure near Jabalpur that changed my life completely. I was responsible for the new diesel locomotives section and had to run the goods train on trial across the rural areas nearby. Giving way to the passenger trains on the way, we had to wait for long in between for our turn. During this time, I witnessed the lifestyle of the people living in the rural areas. I was completely shocked and felt the need to do something for them in future," Kalawar said.
Though this incident created a spark in his mind way back in 1962, it was only after his retirement in 1981 that he thought of dedicating his entire life and time for the rural community. He started his social work with free training on computers for senior citizens at Malleshwaram. Later on, he went ahead to join an organisation called Nightingale Enrichment centre to further help the elderly. Organizing quizzes and talks for people, he also encouraged the senior citizens in need to engage in part-time employment.

Serving rural community
After taking up many initiatives at the local level, it was in 2010 that he took up the service for the rural community as his prime motto. Developing unique LED lights was his first step in the field of invention. Crafting out a user-friendly device, which can be used by those in rural areas without any difficulty, he also aimed at spreading the need for using renewable energy sources like solar energy.
Explaining how he made his first device, Kalawar said, "Actually I wanted to simplify the existing devices and hence thought of coming up with such a device. I just bought the lights we get at street shops and then changed its battery with that of the emergency lamps. Then the circuit was changed to support the solar energy. The batteries were installed in small boxes so that they need to just connect the wire to the battery and no switch is attached to avoid complexity. We have also provided special hooks to make it convenient for the students to just hang it at their homes. The main aim was that none of the rural parents should stop their children from studying. Seeing their children getting so many special amenities, it would encourage their parents and those in neighbourhood to send their children."
Giving it to the rural children, the school authorities are made the owner of the devices. The students are allowed to take the lamps that can stand for three days--three hours each day to their home and after that they can bring the battery to the school for recharging purpose. Till now he has been able to distribute nearly 300 lamps to different rural children.

Many plans up his sleeve
He has also made provision for installing special toilets at the rural schools. Roping in different social organisations like Rotary-Bangalore West, Youth for Seva-NGO and those who are willing to donate, he is able to collect funds for his projects.
"I was able to design and conceptualize these things and later with the help of Ramji Electronics, I could make it on a bulk basis. Presenting the model in front of those who can help, I am able to take the project to reality. Currently, I have designed a system for water purifying for the rural area schools but have to get the sponsors to fund the project further," he added. Pedal powered LED lamps for transportation and cultivation, hand powered electrical energy generating spinning wheel for the physically disabled are his other creations.
With the aim of providing more employment for the poor, encourage education, improve the health conditions; the 85-year-old claims that he has more plans. Helping those in need without caring for his age, the work and service of this man is beyond the explanation of words.

The motto
After taking up many initiatives at the local level, it was in 2010 that he took up the service for the rural community as his prime motto. Developing unique LED lights was his first step in the field of invention.

"During this time, I witnessed the lifestyle of the people living in the rural areas. I was completely shocked and felt the need to do something for them in future,”
Radhakrishna Kalawar"

--SUCHITHRA PILLAI