Ashok Kumar

Social worker Ashok Kumar is a well-known social worker not only in Puducherry but also in parts of Tamil Nadu. He completed his undergraduate degree in 2005 and worked as a computer engineer in a private company in Chennai. After that, from the year 2008 onwards, he established his own company in Puducherry, which has been running successfully till the present time.

After that, in the year 2010, the Rice Bucket Challenge was started by Manjulatha Kalanidhi from Hyderabad. That scheme was implemented extensively in Puducherry, and it stood as a strong support by providing free help to the poor. In the Rice Bucket Challenge, two or five kilograms of rice were given and photographs were taken and uploaded on the internet. It was clearly stated that this was not done for advertisement purposes. Moreover, this was continuously posted on the internet with the intention that many people who see this would help the public. Seeing this, many people in various places implemented it by providing rice to poor

and simple people according to their capacity. It was also stated that uploading it on the internet was not for advertisement but only for awareness. This achieved success on a very large scale.

During times of natural calamities and natural disasters, he has been continuously providing whatever help he could to poor people and to Irular tribal people. From Thane cyclone to Nivar cyclone, Ashok’s contribution has been of great importance.

Similarly, he took up efforts to completely eradicate the Prosopis juliflora (Seemai Karuvelam) trees in the Puducherry region. Through this, the trees spread across approximately acres of land were destroyed in all areas continuously for 15 weeks with the help of JCB machines. Later, a case was filed and based on the verdict that trees should not be cut, the project was abandoned.

After that, a project called Mission Kanagan was created on December 31, and an effort was taken to desilt Kanagan lake by coordinating many NGOs, and it was progressing in a good manner. After two days, since the then Governor Kirankhedi madam continued the work, this project was dropped. Later, Kanagan lake was converted into a boating zone.

After that, during the Jallikattu protest, the human chain protest in Puducherry was first brought by Ashok Kumar, Priyan, Veeraraghavan, and five others. Later, when the Jallikattu protest took a massive form, he played an important role in the protest in support of Jallikattu at the AFT ground.

After that, under the scheme of “One pond per week”, the work of desilting one pond every week was started. So far, approximately 55 ponds have been desilted and water bodies are being protected. Through this, under the Puducherry government’s Neerum Oorum scheme, under the leadership of former District Collector Arun Migili, approximately 200 ponds have been desilted and successfully completed. In this, the role of Ashok Kumar is of great importance.

Following this, during the coronavirus period which has been frightening the entire world, food was provided daily to 3000 people including villagers, roadside dwellers, homeless people, and Irular tribal people, for 45 days, with the help of then District Collector Arun IAS. Food was also provided to the public during the second wave. Furthermore, during rains and cyclones, tarpaulins were provided to the public, and food was given to those affected by huts and damages.

The work of serving the public has been continuing without stopping, Ashok Kumar has stated, as said by the public. The public have stated that Ashok Kumar, who has immense love towards the people and society through such services, will continue to do many more public welfare works in the future.