Padmanabha Arkalgudand (83) and Venkatasubba Rao (81), may have retired many years ago, but just by the virtue of their age. Mentally and physically both men are not only active, but also giving back to society in their best productive way.
Their Story
Padmanabha retired as a Senior Vice President from ITC Ltd. while Rao retired as General Manager from the Reserve Bank of India, Bangalore
Padmanabha and Rao have been friends for over 60 years, since their law college days
The duo have been going for their morning walks as a daily routine and one such walk motivated them to change the environment for better
Unlike many of us who would just be armchair activists, Padmanabha and Rao are fearless and real activists who have worked to save lakes, bring down the crime rate in their neighbourhood through community vigilantism and also build toilets for students in government schools
Both men believe in bringing a real change to the lives of people
One such incident encouraged them to take the plunge and also solid action
One fine day, when both friends were out on their regular walk, they came across a foul smell that made them investigate its source
It was coming from a toilet opposite the government primary school in Byasandra
They could have covered their noses and walked away, but the senior citizen duo decided to do something about it
Padmanabha quoted to The Better India,
Just imagine 150 students using those toilets without even a door. If one girl went in to use the toilet, one would stand outside guarding the place. Even inside the toilet was just terrible.
The government higher primary school in Byrasandra (Image Courtesy: Deccan Herald)
Plan For Raising Funds
Initially the two friends started reaching out to friends, family, acquaintances via whatsapp and emails appealing for financial help
They also made the messages interesting by sharing images for the same
The contractors had quoted them a total estimate of Rs 2.75 lakh
The duo had already raised Rs 31,000 donated by a temple trust in Jayanagar
They also brought a few volunteers to help them in the project
Funds started flowing in after a local daily carried an article about their crowdsourcing
As a matter of luck and goodwill from the people, they managed to raise almost double the amount that was actually needed
Padmanabha, who is the Founder President of Citizens Forum, Yelahanka New Town, Bengaluru says,
Once the toilet was built, one of the biggest challenges was maintenance. That was when the Inner Wheel Club stepped in and said that they would help maintain it and took over the task.
State of toilets before and after (Image Courtesy: The Better India)
When the two later went there for inspection, they realised that they would be short of Rs 63,000. This is when they sent out another set of appeals and subsequently managed to raise the money. The project at Sarakki, JP Nagar, is complete and was inaugurated it on October 14. The other one at Bandepalya is in progress.
After hearing about the work the duo had done, they received two more appeals from schools facing similar situation.
Adding further, Padmanabha said,
When we embarked on their toilet-building mission, we faced a lot of resistance from the locals. On most days the locals used the classrooms and toilets after school hours for various illegal activities. Rooms were free and toilets were available so it was free access for all.
Status Report and Appeal For Their Toilet Renovation Project
Knowing fully well that the local slum dwellers would try and enter the toilets, they built the toilets with steel doors and also installed steel barricades at almost every entry point.
They also conducted a session for the teachers explaining them to take education beyond books and teach students about basic hygienic practices. Padmanabha says,
Education is inclusive of behaviour and given how infections could spread with the use of bad toilets, the need to change that is imperative.
Padmanabha concludes how this is physically taxing task for the two of them, and while they continue to do it, it would help to have youngsters come forward and do some of the running around work.
You may wish to contact the gentlemen directly at padmanabha.arkalgud@gmail.com and svsrao.blr.rbi@gmail.com if you wish to contribute to their cause in any manner.
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