It is said that one can never repay their parents’ debts. But all of us want to make our parents proud in some way or the other. Many people with strong monetary resources engage in charitable work in the name of their parents. However, a farmer from Chennai has proven that one does not need to have ample amounts of money to do charitable work.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, a 52 YO farmer in Chennai is working towards restoring a lake in his village in order to pay respect to his mother who passed away recently.
The farmer, Karunakaran, has placed a hoarding beside the lake with his mother’s pictured on it. A part of the hoarding reads, “Hope you are watching this Amma. I am restoring the lake.”
Karunakaran’s mother served as the village midwife for nearly 40 years and didn’t charge a dime for her service. She died at the age of 94.
The lake, which is spread over 3 acres of land, had been a source of drinking water for the villagers for generations. However, over the years the maintenance of the lake has been neglected and hence, it has been reduced to a swamp. For the past 10 years, the lake has been covered with weeds and shrubs.
When authorities failed to do its bit, Karunakaran stepped up and started to desilting the lake. When word spread around the village, other villagers too joined him in his efforts.
“I was overwhelmed by the response I received. Everyone said that we should not wait any longer to save the lake. Otherwise, in five years, it will completely disappear. The works will cost around Rs 1 lakh. But I am more than happy to do this for my village and my mother,” said the farmer.
I’m sure his mother is smiling at him from wherever she is! 🙂