R. ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MARCH 21
Be the change you want to see in the world, said Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhiji. Induced by Mahatma’s ideals, Madras High Court judge Justice SM Subramaniam on Saturday kickstarted his humanitarian gesture by donating his one-month salary to the Chief Minister’s relief fund to help workers of the unorganised sector affected by shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Commenting on this humanitarian gesture, Justice Subramaniam said, “Since so far, no one has come forward to begin the initiative, I decided to take the first step and donate my one-month salary. I thought this would be a message to encourage people like actors, politicians and the rich to contribute.”
The High Court judge said he was donating his one-month salary of Rs 2.25 lakh for the purpose of distribution of wages and salaries for workers in the unorganised sector, who would suffer the loss of income due to the lock-down following the Covid-19 spread.
The Judge met the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary at the Secretariat here on Saturday and handed over a cheque for Rs 2.25 lakh, which is his one-month salary.
Justice Subramaniam said, “People in the unorganised sector would be affected more if the lockdown to contain COVID-19 is prolonged. We don’t know for how many days or months the situation will be dragged.
“In such circumstances, only the government must feed the marginalised. I don’t think government alone could do this. Therefore, people who are employed in organised sectors, who draw a monthly salary and rich should contribute to help the poor,” he added.
The judge further said since no one had come forward to start the initiative he decided to take the first step and done his one month salary.
“Since so far, no one has come forward to begin the initiative, I decided to take the first step and donate my one month”s salary. I thought this would be a message to encourage people like actors, politicians and the rich to contribute,” Justice Subramaniam added.
