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Journalism of Courage
PUNE, June 23: The memories of a road accident can be unnerving – the physical injury and the mental trauma can leave trails of agony. But for 72-year-old inmate of an old age home Arvind Madhusudan Athavale, his personal trauma translated into a magnanimous gesture, redefining human values that seem to be on the wane.
Inspired by the noble project undertaken by Police Commissioner K K Kashyap through the Jeevan Raksha Samiti for helping accident victims, Athavale decided to his bit.
On Monday, he walked into the office of Chandmal Parmar, the honorary secretary of the samiti and handed him over a cheque of Rs 3,500. A visibly touched Kashyap, when he came to know about Athavale gesture, told The Indian Express, “It is one of the highest examples of human values and it is the most exciting thing that has happened, ever since I have formed this trust.”
For Athavale though, who is publicity-shy and who refused to have his photograph clicked, it was just one of those things in life. States he, “It is nothing great really – it is just a small gesture on my part for the noble work that Kashyap and Parmar are doing.”
What is it that inspired him to give this donation? States Athavale, “It all happened after I met with an accident in April. I was driving a scooter when an autorickshaw hit me from behind and I suffered injuries on my chest and back. I was hospitalised for about 10 days where I was well looked after by my daughter and son-in-law. The expenditure was around Rs 10,000. Ever since, I have been wanting to help another accident victim, financially. I found the Jeevan Raskha Samiti, the apt platform.”
Chandmal Parmar, who is deep into the cause of helping accident victims and studying road accidents, was quite overwhelmed by Athavale’s gesture. States he, “Several days back, Athavale called up. He wanted to see me regarding this contribution but I was reluctant to accept it and so asked him to see the police commissioner. Athavale nevertheless insisted that he wants to see me and he even managed to get my address through my staff and paid me a visit. “He wanted to hand me over the contribution but I argued with him that the initial expenses of the Jeevan Raksha Samiti would be incurred by the trust he has formed in memory of his daughter Rajashri who met her premature end in a road accident and that any outside donations were not needed at this stage. I promised him that I would introduce him to Kashyap when he returns to Pune (he was at Mumbai at that time). Finally, I took him to the police commissioner’s office on Monday evening. His contribution of Rs 3,500 is like that of three and a half lakhrupees for me.”
Athavale who was an engineer by profession and was working in TELCO, Jamshedpur, has settled in Pune since 1988. He presently lives in Shatayu Bhavan, an old age home run by Pune Vidyarthi Griha. A very active citizen, Athavale’s day begins at 5 a m and includes morning walks, reading newspapers and magazines and attending various talks and discourses in the city. “I have a bend for philosophy,” says this effervescent senior citizen. And of course, concern for the feelings of a common man also.
