Madurai :
J Prasannakumar, a delivery executive at a telemarketing company, grew up in the neighbourhood of the Government Rajaji Hospital. During his many visits to the hospital, he noticed that there were people who were in need of dire help. Touched, he began helping them out in what ways he could. Initially, he would help them locate their wards but as he became more involved, his activities widened.
Today, the 28-year-old graduate in business economics and his two friends arrange blood for the needy, buy them food, counsel them and admit helpless elderly people to homes, among other things. His friends N N Ajmal Hussain, a BCA graduate and C Vinoth, an MCA degree holder, joined him seven years after he began helping out at the hospital. For the past three years, the three have been spending at least five hours in the hospital everyday. Ajmal, who is a website designer, Vinoth, who is preparing for bank exams and Prasannakumar find time between work to help out patients.
Recently, when the summer vacations were going on for colleges, the hospital faced a shortage of blood donors as most of the contributions to blood banks usually came from students. The three youngsters arranged blood for the patients, and their efforts were much appreciated.
“We arrange blood for those who need it urgently. Anybody we know who needs help inside the hospital premises will get our support. Many patients need food and money to buy medicines from outside. If we have money, we help them. Otherwise, we connect the needy and the donors. We usually ask the donors to help directly and avoid mediation. However, some prefer to do it through us as they do not have time to spare,” Ajmal said.
“We are not an NGO. We have not kept a name for the group. We are friends and do it purely for the satisfaction of helping someone in need,” he added.
The hospital deals with about 10, 000 outpatients and 3000 inpatients every day.
“They are favourites among people in the hospital. From arranging blood to helping the patients and their attenders, they do a lot on the premises,” said a senior doctor from the hospital.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / by Devanathan Veerappan, TNN / June 13th, 2015