The requited benevolence

And his dream came true about 43 years ago,when he along with four other trustees constituted the NGO. He said,“Of five founders,only two of us — Radhakrishan and I — are alive. We have 80 members who relentlessly work day and night.”

Vajinder,who runs the business of ‘private publicity’ (hoardings),devotes three to four hours to his business. He said: “I keep a regular tab on different schools,colleges and institutions of Punjab to know about the needy and meritorious students. Every year,we hold a function and honour these students with gifts to keep their morale high. And the smiling faces of these youngsters still remind me of the day when I smiled after getting Rs 5.”

But who finances them? Vajinder said: “All the members donate for this noble cause. By now,we have awarded more than 50,000 students.”

Father to three daughters and a son,Vajinder said: “I am thankful to God that I have been able to do something for the elderly too. Recently,a villager has given us about one acre land in Kubbe village near Neelon in Ludhiana. We have started constructing an old age home. We have sought donations from people.”

Ask him how he feels at the end of the day,he smiles and says,“For me,serving humanity means a prayer of God. I also keep organising lectures on female foeticide,dowry,drug addiction and patriotism. I have a firm faith that one day the society will get rid of all its evils.”