A house and 47 cents of land in Alappuzha district, Kerala, will definitely fetch at least Rs one crore. However, this retired CBI officer and his wife have donated their prime property to construct an orphanage home for destitute senior citizens.
N Surendran, who retired from CBI as an additional superintendent, and his wife Sathiyamma, a retired school teacher, from Choolatheruvu in Muthukulam have touched countless hearts with their noble gesture, underscoring the power of kindness and the fleeting nature of material wealth.
The 47 cents of land and the house on it had been the couple’s cherished home for many years. However, they decided to part with it to fulfil a greater purpose: providing a safe haven for abandoned and destitute elderly individuals. “We donated our property to Gandhi Bhavan of Pathanapuram, which will convert the property into a facility to accommodate abandoned and destitute elderly individuals,” they said.
“We have been blessed with more than enough in life. This donation is our way of giving back to society and reminding everyone that we leave this world empty-handed. What truly matters is the impact we make on others’ lives,” Surendran told ‘Open Digest‘. After retiring from CBI in 2012, Surendran and his wife Sathiyamma settled in Choolatheruvu in Muthukulam and were actively involved in charity activities.
Surendran joined CBI after serving 15 years in the Indian Air Force. He was part of many renowned cases and even won a gold medal for being the best investigating officer.
“We have partnered with Gandhi Bhavan, a charitable trust, to ensure that the orphanage home will cater to the physical and emotional needs of its residents. The home will create a nurturing environment for senior citizens who have nowhere else to turn,” he said.
Gandhi Bhavan Secretary Punalur Somarajan said the selfless act of the couple is a remarkable example of humanity at its best. “They’ve shown us that real wealth lies in the happiness and well-being of others,” he added.
