A boy from the hinterlands of a rural village

A boy from the hinterlands of a rural village

Mr. Paul V Mathew was born as child to Annamma Mathew and V. P. Mathai—on 18^th December 1986.  He was a boy from a small and beautiful rural village in Kerala called Kinginimattam. Poverty and hunger was a part and parcel of his life. Even though his parents were very loving and caring, he was a naughty boy in his school days and was a creator of nuisances and a blemish in the eyes of teachers, relatives and neighbors. It added the hate of friends and teachers in all the way. He always kept the back bench not only in the class but also in marks. Every time he has got last position in exams.  He reminds his childhood days that every day a parent will approach either a teacher or his parents with some serious complaints against him. Once he made some malpractices in the exam with an intention to cease his study. He was that much lazy and careless in studies.

Experiences mold a man

He believes that experiences teach lessons of life that paves way for right approach. He was beaten callously three times. Jokingly, once he picked few coconuts from the nearest estate on his way from the school that made his parents angry. His father had been beating him from his residence to the house of the estate owner until he returned it. That incident created a sore in the heart of this kid that persuaded him to take a decision, “will not steal anything”.    Similarly he was beaten very hard by his grandparent when he wrote some abusive words in the wall of his house. His grandparent had been beating him till he washed it out completely. At the very same day he decided to keep him away from abusive words. In addition to this he realized that ability to choose ‘right’ from the mix of good and bad is most important, imitation is the symbol of limited imagination and only right friends can  help us to find the essence of life.   He had a habit of use/work/repair whatever he sees, not only in his house but in others too. On one occasion his uncle advised him in this matter followed with a similar incident. He successfully convinced Paul.  It helped him to think, “‘other’ is more important than ‘self’ and face of ‘others’ make me responsible”.  Addition to this, one time he was beaten ruthlessly by his teacher and harassed badly. He was compelled to walk around the school with ‘chutti’ in head and ‘kolu’ in hand as punishment for playing ‘chutti and kolu’ game in the class room. He was totally embraced in front of his friends. That incident made him to think about the purpose of life and tears of his mother touched him deeply. His teacher once explained about the power of time, the ideology of ‘time management’ triggered a fire in his tender mind. He accepted the fact ‘it never comes back”.    At the same time, he read a booklet with a title ‘Orange’ which was a story of a similar boy, but the attitude of teacher made him to think in a different way. Similarly, the biography of Thomas Alwa Edison inspired him a lots. He realized the truth, “Work more than anyone, Know more than anyone and Expect less than anyone”. Motivated by the life of Gandhi, he decided to stop malpractices in the exam and work for a better future. Once a teacher was showing the answers for students in a lab exam, but he closed his eyes for the triumph of truth. Even though he was not scored very high in that exam, later he realized the truth; “Victory goes with the truth”.

While leaving from the school, he was the topper with the honor of ‘Award for Merit’ and the ‘Award for Best Student’.  While using the used articles of his uncle/neighbor, he earnestly desired for new dresses, bags and chapels. His first experience with ‘chicken biriyani’ was a ridiculing because of his voracious eating. In the midst of hardships, he strived to find the essence of life. “It is not experiments but experiences mold men”. He says.

To a mature youth

All the activities at the college could not keep his dynamic mind from looking for ways to improve his knowledge.  During this never-ending quest, the young boy joined in National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS). It sprouted a fire in his mind for social as well as national development. Along with the study, he worked as rubber tapper, cleaner, painter, manual worker and writer to connect both ends of life and to lend a helping hand to his parents. This helped him to realize the worth of work and money. The book ‘Ignited Minds’ absolutely ignited his mind and the book ‘Wings of fire’ gave strong wings to his dreams. Thanks to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalm. Three key words ‘Dreams, Thoughts and Actions’ triggered a punching flame in his life. After completing the degree he joined for Master of Business Administration. That was the first time he supposed to speak English and at the time of interview he realized the power of English. As advised by the Professor, he started reading English Newspaper regularly. Unfortunately he didn’t understand anything but it never stopped him. He had been following the habit along with noting and learning difficult words. Later he realized the power of perseverance that made him to stand erect in front of other.

In to the action

Mahatma Gandhi was his whole time hero and he realized the power of his word; “Soul of India lives in villages and its self sufficiency is the utmost priority”. The book ‘My Experiments with Truth’ written by Gandhi and ‘Un to the Last’ written by Ruskin Bond inspired him. He thrilled by the success story of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Ford, Einstein and Newton. He loved students and nature. Either a mentor or an educated parent is very important to inculcate right missions and visions for their children for a bright future. Unfortunately it lacked in his village.  In keeping with his vision of contributing to national development and knowing that every great journey begins with a step, he formed a student organization in the village named ‘Navajeevan’ (New Life). With the motto ‘we serve’; this is an organization which fully owned and organized by around 50 students in the village. It aims for the physical, mental and overall development of students. A hand script and the first anniversary edition with myriad of creations of students of has received wide appreciation. The household organic farming competition organized for students was honored with State Level nomination. In order to raise the English speaking skill of students he has initiated a regular training in the village and so that many students got use of it.  Some of the important programs organized so far are;

·        Quiz Programs

·        Motivational Exercises

·        Reading competition

·        Games

·        Carols

·        Cultural events

·        Essay writing

·        Seminar on learning techniques

·        Subject Oriented Work shops

·        Cleaning Drive

·        Environmental and Cleaning and Campaigns

·        Village path Construction

·        Personality Development Classes

·        AIDS Awareness

·        Oratory Training

·        Hygiene Seminar

·        Debates and Discussions

·        Medical Camp

·        Public Waiting Centre Maintenance

·        Orphanage Visit

·        Career Guidance/Assistance

·        Festival Programs

·        Observing days with National and International Importance

The book he published recently under the banner of Navajeevan - ‘Poothrikka Gramam Nalvazhikalilode’ is a comprehensive document which mentions the profile, history, time lines, developments, institution and leaders of the village. Addition to this, he has made a lead role in the establishment of a Library named ‘Hakemo’ (Ocean of Knowledge) which aimed to raise knowledge and moral of people.

He believes in visions and says “Right vision and visionaries are the need of this hour. Only Right visionaries can inculcate right visions, missions and goals to this young generation. Impart the same to the coming generation will lead to a big leap in the society. Life without aim never creates any purpose.”

Career

Immediately after his post graduation, he joined as the State Team Leader of Responsible Tourism, one of the Social Projects of Kerala Tourism. Currently he works as the Asst. Professor and Coordinator of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of MACFSAT College, Tiruvalla. The Community Radio he worked aims for bridging knowledge divide in the society and the project he undertaken – Clean and Green Tiruvalla envisions a paradigm shift in the attitude of community towards social responsibility. The research he pursues is a concept called ‘Community Social Responsibility’ envisages designing a new frame work in social development.

His uncle, an IAS officer was a source of inspiration. While inching towards the same he realizes the obstacles he covered and efforts he put. A boy from a sore situation grabbed it even in the presence of fire lamps, only because of his hard work in hardships, determination and focused approach. While reiterating “education enlightens”; he says “Nothing is impossible in this world if we have a readiness in mind. When we come out with good work, God will come with fruitful fortunes.” Now his motto is ‘Right Vision, Right Work and Right Determination’ and wants say one thing, “Prayarize, Visualize, and Actualize”. 

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