Last Updated On: February 18, 2000

Mr. Devarajan is in dire need of Money. Wonder who isn't. For, the more one gets the more his needs multiply. Nay this observation doesn't hold good in Mr. Devarajan's case, for his need is 'with a difference'!

Born of a humble rural background in Mallikapuram village of Uthiramerur Taluk, when he became a father one fine day, he was overwhelmed with pride and joy as any other parent. However, his joy was short-lived and at the third birth anniversary celebrations of his darling little son 'Jeevan', tragedy struck him in the form of the realisation that his offspring could neither hear nor speak. When his family friend Father Joseph, on observing Jeevan remaining immune to any noise around, called Devarajan and enquired, the latter had no answer, for he had never come across such impairments in those around him. Father Joseph took the child to a doctor and then the bitter truth slowly dawned on Devarajan, that the deaf would also be dumb. It was an added dose of shock to him.

Undaunted, guided by his well wishers, Father Joseph in particular, Mr. Devarajan set out to bring up his child, like any other normal being. That proved a Herculean task. In a well-known city-based special school for the Deaf and Dumb he was told that his son had to attend observation class for one year along with him, i.e., the father, before gaining admission into the school, which he religiously did.

Going to Madras (now known as Chennai) from Madhurantakam every now and then, badly affected him financially. Worse still was that even after the completion of one year his son was admitted into the school only as a day scholar. The desperate father tried his best to make the school authorities understand his practical difficulties in this, for he had a job in Chengalpattu and also he had none at Madras under whose care he could leave his child. 'Which relative or friend would willingly accept the burden of looking after a handicapped child?'

Though there was a teacher of the Institution who came forward to keep his child for a fee, seeing that she was already having four such children under her care and also seeing the way she treated them, Mr. Devarajan did not have the heart to leave Jeevan with her. But, all his pleas went waste. When as the last straw he literally fell at the feet of the head of the institution, he was told unrelentingly that if he had real interest in his child's well-being he should not hesitate to move over to Madras and that his sone could not be accomodatedin the hostel.

Devarajan was stunned. How could he, who had his very means of livelihood, his job, at Chengalpattu settle in Madras? Such reasoning proved futile and it was at the point of no-return that the resolution came to stay within like a century-old rock. "I'll somehow rehabilitate my son - no, not just my son, but to bring light into the lives of many others like him. I'll build an institution. Sure I'll."

Thus Jeevan Gnanodhaya was born. Dejected but determined, he went back to his native place and visitedthe District Rehabilitation Centre. The centre undertakes periodical survey of the handicapped children in and around Chengalpattu and hence handicapped children frequent the centre. Mr. Devarajan told the authorities of his intention and requested them to provide him with the names and addresses of some such children. They readily gave a list.

Taking just three names out of the list, he visited their homes and took them under his wings. After getting a premise for nominal rent, he set out to get teachers for his wards. From known households he selected three girls, graduates and sent them to the Clerke School for the Deaf and Dumb, situated in Mylapore, Chennai, for the necessary Special Training to teach children with hearing impairment.

With these teachers and practical knowledge and experience he had gained while attending the observation class for 1 year, Devarajan began the social service in the form of Jeevan Gnanodhaya in 1989. To meet the initial expenses, he and his wife willing parted with most of their belongings, like jewels. The purchase of minimum teaching materials and accessories, like hearing aid, swallowed more than Rs.15,000. Initially Mr. Devarajan intended to run it as a day school only. The rural background and poverty stricken family conditions of the children made its conversion into a residential school a must. Soon there were 9 students, and by middle of June 1990 the number had increased to 20.

Many of his kith and kin scoffed at him, calling him a fool to have stepped into such a strenuous non-profitable venture. Some of them awaited his doomsday, when he would wake up from his day dream, as they called his mission. True that the going is not easy. Having exhausted all his resources, Mr. Devarajan keeps running from pillar to post, to secure some stable financial support in the form of grant from the State or Central Government, or from voluntary agencies to steer his institution forward safely. At the same time, his presence is very much needed in the institution, to teach the children, monitor their progress, supervise the daily course and so on.

Having no formal education or training in the field of social work, Mr. Devarajan is nevertheless so full of grit and determination that keeps one going against all odds. He is amply endowed with the "Milk of Human Kindness", which is very important for the making of the genuine social worker. This is this humaneness in him, that makes him turn a deaf ear to all those who want him to turn his noble mission into a commercial venture.

"You know these children hail from very poor families. There are several cases where the parents who come to leave their children here take back the clothes on their offspring, for those were borrowed from their neighbours and should be returned safely. When their condition is that bad, how can I extract fees from them?" asks Mr. Devarajan.

"There are only a handful of schools in and around Madras city, and none around Chengalpattu. The deaf and dumb are not given admission in normal schools, for teaching them requires special skill and hence separate teaching staff. When this is the case what should befall these unfortunate children. I genuinely want to educate and rehabilitate them - not just my son, but as many as possible. Come what may, I intend to pursue this goal of mine. Still, when there comes a dead end repeatedly, I feel lost and exhausted. Not that the response for my work is always negative. We do get solid support from even unexpected quarters," says Mr. Devarajan.

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