Transforming Vision into Reality

 

Govindaperi is a remote village in the deep South that overlooks picturesque Tenkasi- Ambasamudram Road bordering the Western Ghats. It has a population of 1,500 families of Thevar and Scheduled Castes (the latter living in the adjoining Rajangapuram of the same Panchayat). Blessed are these people by the entry of Sridhar Vembu with his Information Technology behemoth Zoho and his steely resolve to transform the society. Poverty, illiteracy, caste tensions, migration and lack of self-sufficiency will now be a thing of the past if honest Swadesi plans of Sridhar aren’t challenged by the forces responsible for perpetuating the listed/ unlisted evils.

 

 

Ranked as the 59th richest Indian with a net worth of Rs. 18,000 crores, Sridhar’s identification with this village is 100%. It’s a sight to see at the end of his morning walk around the village, having morning tea at a local shop in the village, residents coming to him for a chat giving general updates. His engagement with all age groups is a must watch. About 80 young boys and girls in fresh attire, coming out of their houses walking along, sharing stories with him in the non-formal school he’s started. His idea of a school sharing his rural empowerment vision has resulted in the much needed social harmony. Little wonder, children from Rajangapuram are joining in good numbers.

 

Such a tall personality Sridhar is that he can never be identified that way when people witness him with his unshaven face, simple dhothi, riding a bicycle or battery operated auto, sipping a glass of tea with villagers. All very natural and amply revealing is his inner urge to pay back to this society. The villagers can never comprehend the magnitude and influence Sridhar commands worldwide. Mingling and assimilation is complete.

 

 

 

For the children attending his rural school, breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided, and the food is cooked in the premises itself. Within this school area, tens of acres of land is being utilised for growing vegetables, pulses and rice that would be make the entire food programme self-reliant. With about 80-plus cows in the gaushala, the dairy products are utilised for the in-house requirements. So many men and women from the village are employed in the school and agricultural activities by him.

 

 

 

 

Sridhar’s unique vision in terms of technology advancement, especially in the manufacturing of chips and other programmable components locally in our country, by empowering the locals with the right blend of knowledge coupled with a living style that demonstrates the attitude to “give back to society” is worth emulating. His constant challenge is to kindle the young minds to start contributing more rather being a consumer of various products. It is not just a Corporate Social Responsibility activity that corporate houses and celebrities brag about, but he walks the talk in every sense.

 

An ever-restless Sridhar is constantly questioning to himself and whoever he encounters- be it the village kids, youths or colleagues in the industry ‘why not us’. This is ample proof of his intense patriotism. Others bound to seriously ponder over whether they can imitate for a greater cause.

 

Will the nation notice this unique individual, his aggressive approach to share knowledge with the youth and his ‘Aathmanirbhar’ implementation?