Social worker’s mission to ensure community sanitation earns praise

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The true measure of a society is found not in its military might, but in how it upholds the dignity of its most vulnerable people, said former President Ram Nath Kovind in Tiruchi on Sunday.

Mr. Kovind was speaking at a function to release the autobiography of social worker S. Damodaran, whose Tiruchi-based non-governmental organisation Gramalaya has been working in the field of community sanitation management across India.

Mr. Kovind commended Mr. Damodaran’s commitment to social development and his contributions to improving the lives of marginalised communities through Gramalaya’s initiatives.

The Tamil book, Vaaimai Enappaduvathu Yaathenin , details Mr. Damodaran’s 40-year journey from a family of temple sculptors to co-founding the NGO with two friends and working in ancillary sectors of sanitation, hygiene and water management.

Mr. Damodaran thanked his teachers, colleagues and all those who had supported him.

Vaaimai Enappaduvathu Yaathenin was formally released by P. Ponnudurai, managing director, Lion Dates Impex. The first copies were received by M. Vignesh, Musiri MLA, and N.R. Sivapathi, former Minister.

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