Madurai: Many people, moved by the act of an elderly man who lived in a small rented house without making any arrangements for himself and donated all the money he had saved over many years, pooled together Rs. 60.10 lakh and gave it as a donation to the army, have been visiting his home to congratulate him.
At the weekly grievance redressal meeting held the day before yesterday at the Madurai District Collector’s office, Collector Nishanth Krishna, as usual, was receiving petitions from the public.
At that time, an 82-year-old man who had come in the queue of petitioners suddenly approached the Collector and handed over a cheque and a will document he was holding in his hand.
The collector, stunned for a moment, asked him what it was. The elderly man said that he would donate his lifetime savings, a will for Rs. 60 lakh worth of jewelry, and a cheque for Rs. 10,000 as Flag Day Fund for the soldiers.
Shocked and surprised, the collector asked why he was giving such a large amount as Flag Day Fund. The elderly man replied that he had no one of his own, that he was an orphan, and that after him this money should reach the soldiers who protect our country, which is why he was donating it as Flag Day Fund.
Upon learning this, all the department officials in the conference hall and the members of the public who were waiting in line to submit petitions were moved by the elderly man’s act and praised him with applause and cheers.
The elderly man who donated Rs. 60.10 lakh as flag day funds is P. Subbiah from Harvipatti, Madurai. Since learning of his act, many people have been going to his home since yesterday morning to congratulate him.
Madurai North District DMK executive committee member and advocate R. Balaji, along with Councillor Usilai Siva and several others, met Subbiah and conveyed their greetings. Balaji said, “Only after meeting Subbiah did I realize how simple a life he has been living.
He currently lives in the smallest rented house and spends only Rs. 50 a day on food. He has saved all the rest of his money and donated it to the nation. It is a great thing that he has made this noble donation without thinking about anything for himself,” he said.
Subbiah said, “I have no children or relatives. My wife also passed away in 2013. I am a former soldier. I thought it would be right to help former soldiers who are protecting the people of the country day and night, without sleep, without proper food, and regardless of rain or heat.”
I have no needs of my own. Since my money was in the bank and my valuables were in the form of jewelry, I have written a will donating everything and handed it over to the Collector. Not only I, but all the people of the country should come forward to contribute 1 percent of their savings to the armed forces.
There is nothing wrong if the Central Government enacts a separate law so that everyone can contribute to the Flag Day fund. After my death, I have also donated my body for medical students’ research, he said.
