An Absolute Altruistic Philanthropist

There were many fascinating faces of Shri.MVD, which inspired one and all. But the most respected trait which made him the greatest son of Dharavi was his benevolent, benign, magnanimous philanthropy. He helped anyone and everyone who knocked his door anytime. He donated huge amount of wealth to uplift the disabled and disadvantaged section of the society. He endorsed many charity works of his own. He instituted ‘Dharavi Social Service and Welfare Organisation’ for this purpose only. Right through his younger age his contribution to schools, religious institutions, Charity Organizations was innumerable. During British period, in interest of the people of Dharavi, Shri.MVD, representing the ‘South Indian Mahajana Sangh’ tried to build a Ganesh temple. But when one British officer intervening the proceedings ordered Shri.MVD to Remove Lord Ganesh’s Idol in a gun point, he dauntlessly stood in that place and asked the officer to shoot if he can! This valor made the Ganesh temple possible in that region which still remains the landmark of the area. Shri.MVD made arrangements for conducting daily pujas in the temple. On the occasions of Ganesh Chadurthy, religious and cultural activities were conducted in a grand scale and he was eulogized as a messiah by the locals for conducting the religious activities in pomp and splendor with religious flavor. He also helped in solemnizing hundreds of marriages at his own cost. His house was an asylum to all the Tamils who came from Tamilnadu in search of work. He provided them with food and shelter and supported them, till they learn to sustain themselves. This philanthropic nature of his earned him the title ”Eegai Thendral”( Philanthropic Breeze), given by a renowned Tamil poet Thiru.Murugesa Bhaagavadhar. Shri.MVD was one of the greatest humanitarian and a gift of mankind.