Fighting for the right

Cityplus chats with 77-year-old S Ganesan who founded the Pestom Sagar Residents Forum

It wouldn't be unfair to call Ganesan a man of many hats. The septuagenarian has a degree in Law and a masters degree in Economics. He has also studied Public Relations at the renowned Xavier's Institute of Communication. He talks to Cityplus:

The early days
I was a brilliant child. I always excelled in studies. I also always stood against the wrongs in life. At the age of 19, I was dismissed from college for participating in a silly debate. This incident urged me to become an activist. I was later branded a communist at my job and dismissed from there too. I proved all the people wrong who called me a communist. I later took up a job in the Indian Economic Services. After serving the country for two decades, I opted for voluntary retirement and joined a private firm.

Community service
I decided to beautify and develop Pestom Sagar because I was concerned about its unhygienic surroundings. I also started interacting with BMC officials to solve civic problems being faced by residents. I initiated the 'Social Service Cell of the Students' and started a cleanliness awareness movement near Holy Family High School. The real turning point came when I was appointed as Special Executive Magistrate. I organised a series of meeting with other SEMs and like-minded citizens of the area. We founded Pestom Sagar Citizens Forum. Through this forum, I could involve residents and address their problems. Our aim was to improve the daily state-of-affairs through this forum.
I come from a family of lawyers, and like my brothers, my father wanted me to become a lawyer. I only studied law to fulfil my father's wish. My wife Lalita lent me her complete support to fulfil his wish. But my education really helped me in serving others. I offer free consultation to people, involved in family, marital or property disputes.

Last love
I love writing. I have written a lot of books. My latest book 'Ghosts, Occults and Exorcists…' will soon be made into a film. The book talks about real life incidents based on karma, life after death and reincarnation. I'm in the process of releasing another book called 'The empowerment of politicians'.
I also love collecting antiques and coins. I have a collection of artefacts from all over the world.

Awards and achievements
•    Appointed as a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM/SEO) from 1990 to 2000 by Government of Maharashtra
•    Awarded the 'Mee Mumbaikar Puraskar' for contribution to society
•    Presented with the Lions International Award for dedicated contribution to society
•    American Biographical Institute awarded him ‘Man of the Year’ in recognition of extra ordinary deeds and selfless dedication towards betterment of people

Books authored by S Ganesan
•    Siddhivinayak - The Divine -Experiences
•    Death and After - A Manual for Post Death Rituals
•    Four Dhams - Agony and Ecstasy
•    Spark Plugs: The Activists who ignited the spirit of Chembur
•    Ghosts, Occults and Exorcists…

--Rucha Kamat