Once a patient, Now a Motivator Profile of Mr.A.Gunasekaran

"Rehabilitation is more satisfactory to the one who facilitates it," exults Mr. A Gunasekaran (66), who has been working for the Leprosy affected people, downtrodden and differently able people through the Citizen Development Centre which he founded in 1997.

Having been affected by leprosy while he was doing SSLC, he dropped out of school due to society’s false notions. A.Gunasekaran used his condition as a motivation to help cure patients of leprosy and provide them all the necessary skills for self-sustainability. He completely recovered from the disease and joined TN State government service in 1986 as a Record clerk.

This became a motivating factor for many other patients too. His service did not stop with serving leprosy patients he continued to extend a helping hand to their children and gradually became an institution for the downtrodden, differentlyabled, poor and destitute women. According to him, a person with no skill is the one who is actually disabled.

Hence, he insists that anyone who crosses the age of 16 should pursue job-oriented skill development to eliminate poverty in this nation which is the mission of CDC. CDC mainly focuses on technical skill training like Basic Computer, DTP, web designing, Tailoring, Fashion design, coaching in Tally, functional English, basic computer software and hardware skills, etc., This institute has sufficient computers and tailoring machines, a small library, L C D projector and spacious classroom, to train 300 students at least each year and has recorded more than 70 percent students getting employed. He credits the dedicated teachers for this stupendous feat. Students can also apply for multiple courses to enhance their employability and CDC provides counseling for students to choose courses suitable for their capacity.

Mr .A.Gunasekaran lives with his wife and Two sons in Chennai who are well educated and are employed in reputed international organizations .He is a Real modal, who had taken positive strides and has conquered success with untiring efforts and attitude.

After his retirement in 2010 Mr.Gunasekaran continues to full time service in CDC. CDC was initially supported by Actor Kamal Haasan by providing tailoring machines. Then GLRA- India donated printing equipments and Ecomwel –chennai contributed the entire computer set-up Apart from this, many friends students also support the organization.

Mr. Gunasekaran received Several Awards

• National award for Best Employee from Shri. R. Venketaraman, President of India in 1990.
• National award for Best Employee from Shri. Krishnakanth, Vice-president of India in 2001.
• Received Role Model National Award in the Catagiry of Leprosy Curd from the President Of India Shri Pranab Mukerjee On 3rd Dec-2016.
• Received the Best Social Worker Award from Padhmashree Kamalhassan for the Services to the people with disability particularly for the leprosy-affected families.

CONCULSION

Now Gunasekaran wants to go the rural areas and conduct free skill development programs if he can find a suitable space at in and around Pattabiram & Thirunindravur .

Pl. contact him at 044 --2657 1029, Cell +91- 99622 98833 E-mail: citizendevpt@yahoo.com , citizendevept@gmail.com Web: cdcchennai.org.in.