How this man's vision is changing lives in Ariyalur | Fusion - WeRIndia

In the quiet halls of a government hospital, R Balaji witnessed a moment that changed his life forever: a mother leaving silently with her newborn daughter, unnoticed. That image stayed with him, inspiring a lifelong mission.

By 2023, his dream took shape as the Kalpana Chawla Girl Child Welfare Scheme, which now celebrates every girl’s birth at Thirumanur Primary Health Centre with gifts, clothes, and fruits.

Already, 50 newborn girls have left the hospital wrapped not just in blankets but in happiness.

Balaji, a software engineer from Palayapadi, Ariyalur, had long drawn inspiration from former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

Deeply moved by Kalam’s death in 2015, Balaji founded Anbudan Agni Siragugal, the very next day, a tribute to the ideals Kalam stood for.

His journey began with small acts of service, providing milk and nutrition to underprivileged and disabled children at Thirumanur’s Inclusive Education Centre.

Gradually, public support grew, with people contributing on special occasions. Environmental conservation became another pillar of his mission.

Through the Nammalvar Tree Plantation Project, Balaji planted over 2.5 lakh palm seeds and thousands of native trees across temples, schools, and public areas.

Despite the dangers of collecting seeds along busy roads, he persevered, driven by the belief that these trees would serve generations to come.

Honouring heroes was equally important to him. In 2018, he started a blood donation drive in memory of Major Mariappan Saravanan, the first Kargil martyr from Tamil Nadu.

To date, over 300 units have been donated, mainly to pregnant women and accident victims, keeping Major Saravanan’s spirit alive among today’s youth.

In education, Balaji launched the Priyanka Gandhi Free Tuition Programme in 2020, offering free maths classes and nutritious meals to underserved students, creating a nurturing space for learning.

Balaji’s vision stretches even further, from building a statue of Major Saravanan to transforming the Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary into a thriving green belt.

Fondly known as Panaimaram Balaji by the locals, he leads a team of 60 passionate volunteers.

Together, they dream of making Ariyalur a shining example of sustainability, education, and community spirit.

Image Credit: Gowtham Sampath, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ariyalur_Railway_Station.jpg