Normally, the youngsters used to get inspired with the elders.  Have you ever  imagined a group of youth inspiring and motivating elders?

(L to R) R Suresh, T Sargunan, V Udayakumar,                           T. Karuppuswamy and G Ravi Kumar

It was great and inspiring moment for the author of this  article, when he met Mr Udaya Kumar and other founders of 'India Sudar' with average age group of 25

A team of six young software engineers working in a company suddenly decided to 'contribute' their bit to the country.  This idea blossomed into a trust "India Sudar"  on 15th February 2004.  They decided to focus only on 'primary education'. 

Today 180 software engineers across the country and even from outside have become active members of this trust.

Every month, each member contributes a minimum of Rs.100/- to assist the identified projects.  Presently, they are helping the cause of primary education in Tamilnadu, Pondicherry, Kerala and Karnataka through 9 Partner organisations , besides undertaking two projects directly.

Mr Udayakumar, Managing Trustee says that they have identified five areas for assisting the poor children.  The five areas are (1) providing education materials like books, uniform, fees, etc. (2) providing salary to teachers (3) directly providing teaching services by some members (4) offering basic computer education free of cost and (5)adopting one child every year for all academic needs.

At any given time, around 1100 children are the beneficiaries of their 'silent projects'. 

Their social responsibility does not affect their profession.  Once in two months during week ends they hold the Trustees' meeting to finalise the projects for the subsequent months.  They have formed two teams (1) Invent and (2) Explorer with Hari and Adhi as leaders.  Any of the members who could spare time, can join any of these teams to visit the projects and interact with the beneficiary children.   Their monthly income and expenditure are transparently made public i n their website www.indiasudar.org

They have an ambition of expanding their projects in Andhra soon and in North India within one or two years.  They would like to set up a  'digital library' for the benefit of rural children.  They would like to set up a 'permanent centre' to educate the children of 'brick chamber workers' in Tamilnadu.

Excepting Udaya kumar, many of the members are married.  Do their family members support these software  guys,  who spend their spare time with the poor children, instead of spending time in 'pizza corner' sipping 'pesticide' drinks. Mr Karuppuswamy, one of the founders says that family members of many members also  join hands with them in planning and executing the projects.

Let us stand up and salute these young guys.  The Nation is proud of you!

Mr Udaya Kumar may be reached at udhkumar@in.ibm.com

Please listen to the podcast of Mr Udaya Kumar.  Please click 'start' button to listen.