Model Citizen: ‘I enjoy empowering children’

However, regulars credit it to the efforts taken by the Haddows Road Park Association and Veg Council of Nungambakkam and by Amrit Agarwal.

Seventy two-year-old Amrit Agarwal has spent over 47 years doing social work. Currently he is the chairman of the Veg Council of Nungambakkam and also the chairman of Agarwal Navyuvak Sangh, he says he will work till the universe allows him to. “Neighbours who rarely knew each other, have now started gathering regularly and even invite each other to family functions. The park is a major reason for that. To make it a community space, it had to be maintained. I got actively involved and met the Corporation officials. Now, we closely work with them in making this park one of the best spaces in Chennai,” says Agarwal. 

The journey started 45 years ago , when he decided to do more than just donations. “As a young man I always supported financially the causes I believed in. I then decided to do more and started volunteering. I went on to organise various free health camps. Over the years, I saw bright students struggling with their school fees. I made a conscious decision to financially help students who deserve it. Youngsters are the future of the country and I want to empower them,” he concludes. 

Free medical camps and free training classes for the patrons are also conducted by the Veg Council. Agarwal still rides his Scooty where he thinks his assistance is needed. “One of the initiatives of the Veg Council of Nungambakkam is that we adopted a government school in Nungambkkam and an anganva di in the same locality. Every year, we give out scholarships to the state toppers, and supply all the study material,” he says. “Every year we hold a special programme for expectant mothers. The aim is to educate them on the importance of sending their children to school and the benefits of healthy eating,” says Agarwal, who also heads the Agarwal Navyuvak Sangh. “Through this charity, we give out over Rs 10 lakh of scholarship to deserving students,” says Agarwal.