subject: Stories of Inspiration: Five Years, Twenty One Lives [print this page] What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful. - Dalai Lama
My mothers elderly cousin Neelamani sometimes came to family gatherings, but I knew little about him. We exchanged pleasantries, and that was about it. Recently, however, we found ourselves in conversation at a family get-together at my parents house.
Neelamani told me that he was informally mentoring some youngsters in his local community in Chennai. He told them about eminent people who had achieved something in life. He helped them improve their communication skills, especially in English. In the process, he helped them build self-confidence, and realize how far they could go in life.
I was impressed that Neelamani, at age 76, had taken it upon himself to make a difference in the lives of these young people. He was impressed with the New Constructs, and invited me to come and speak with his group.
A few days ago, Neelamani felt chest pains. He asked a neighbor to take him by scooter to a nearby lab. Peacefully, serenely, sitting there in the lab reception area, waiting his turn for an ECG, Neelamani passed away.
Speaking to my mother and his brother, I learned that Neelamani had been a qualified company secretary, working in IPCL, Vadodara for most of his career. Having lost his wife to cancer more than two decades back, and with both his daughters married and settled, he decided to spend his retirement years in Chennai, probably because he loved Carnatic music.
His younger brother suggested that Neelamani work with youngsters and share his love for reading, music and communications. That lit a spark, and at age 70, Neelamani found his true calling. Working through his friends children, and their friends, he built a group of more than 20 youths in his neighborhood who attended his sessions for 2 hours a day, 5 days a week. On a typical day Neelamani might conduct three separate sessions six hours a day, talking with young people, helping them learn history, culture, communication and self-esteem.
I asked Neelamanis brother and daughters to organize a meeting with the youngsters. My wife Girija and I met a few days ago with 14 of them at Neelamanis small but well-appointed apartment. We asked them to recount their own experiences with Neelu Uncle (as they called him) and how they had benefited from his classes.
He was so affectionate and friendly that I could confide in him more than my own parents.
I had no ability to even read English, let alone speak fluently. Over the last two years I have developed the ability to read and speak confidently.
Before I met Neelu Uncle, my reading was restricted only to my text books. He encouraged us to read a wider range of books and now I do that for at least 15 minutes every day.
He shared with us the life stories of great men like George Washington Carver, Madame Curie, Abdul Kalam, Gandhi. We were truly inspired by these stories.
He would open every class with a newspaper cutting and ask us to read and discuss the implications of that news item. We have never had such exposure in the past. He taught us how to think.
He always said that my effort is to develop you so that there is one more youngster who can take India forward.
I am so inspired by Neelu Uncle that once I pay off my educational loans and get settled, I want to help other youngsters just like he did. I dont think he is dead. He lives on in our hearts.
These were a few of the voices I heard. I was truly moved by the experience the impact that single, lone person managed to create over the last 5 years of his life.
Stories of Inspiration: Five Years, Twenty One Lives
