User:Gopalnairmfg/sandbox

Founder & Administrator of Malayali Friend's Group (MFG)

As a child, I grew up in a family which never knew what it was to have plenty of anything and life was a struggle for the better part of my childhood. But I never let that change me into a cynical and angry person who resents the good fortune of others. The experience, in fact, transformed me into a better human being. I still remember how my life changed for the better due to the kindness of other people. “Having come from an economically weak background I had to struggle a lot during my childhood and thus, I knew the importance of help received in exchange of nothing.”

My childhood was spent without even a pair of slippers, until I got my first pair in my teen years when I was making my way to the big city of Ahmedabad in the search of a job. It’s then, that I came up with the idea of doing something for the community around me. The Malayali Friend's Group, an extended global community of Malayalis from every strata of society, from all over the world, has its genesis in the dream which I nurtured for long; to give back to society what I generously and unconditionally got from it during my time of need.

The seed of MFG was sown in January 2009, at Ahmedabad, with only 10 members. That seed has grown into a giant tree that has taken roots in different parts of the world and provides shade and succor to hundreds of under privileged people. Membership has grown to a level of 1.51 lac people from 82 countries, and many requests for new membership are pouring in from various parts of the world. Interestingly, MFG has no office and no staff but is flourishing with the help of its many volunteer’s different functions.

I had just passed my SSLC when I came to Ahmedabad in search of a job. My elder sister, who lived in the city, found me a job. Soon, I was not just learning about work itself but also about life, far away from Payyanur, Kerala, where I was born! Luckily for me, I found an employer who supported me steadily as hI studied and completed my post graduation while still in employment. The last 33 years have proven to be fortuitous and satisfying to the core.

“All our journeys are possible only because of kind and helping hands, on the way, that lifts us up when we fall and guide us when we have lost our way. ”

I made sure that my own children are both well educated. My daughter, Binal, has completed her Post Graduation in Biotec and son, Sanal, is doing his Mechanical Engineering. My life partner, Latha, is a homemaker and a staunch believer and supporter of my thoughts and activities.

MFG is well on its way to becoming a global phenomenon with projects that include looking after poor, destitute senior citizens, education to needy children and restoring vision of the visually impaired. My concentration, now, is on the next project- establishing an Old Age Home, at Ahmedabad, to accommodate any Indian citizen who is without a roof over his head and in need of shelter.

We were blessed with kind-hearted and ever-helpful neighbors, consisting of Muslims, Christians and Thiyas et al. They were always there when we needed them and helped us a lot when we were growing up. My brothers and sisters studied only up to SSLC as the education was fee till then. We did not have electricity connection in our house and we had to study in the light of oil lamps and street light. My elder sister got a job, in Ahmedabad, with a cousin’s help.

“I always tell my friends that the sky is the limit if we work together as a team and it does not matter that we have limited resources, if we all work towards the same goal. ”

At MFG, we have dedicated team members who work towards meeting MFG’s goals through various philanthropic projects. Funding has never been a problem as people generously donate for projects that restore sight, hearing and sometimes a person’s life back to him/her!

The tremendous response for any project that we float and, indeed, the fact that so many highly accomplished and respected Malayalis have joined the Advisory Board has been like a dream come true for me. All of this has been possible only because each and every one of you has opened up your hearts so generously. I am indebted to all of you for your unwavering support.

“I never thought that the seed sown by me will grow as a gigantic global group in a short span of time. I was only instrumental in creating a platform for MFG. ”

Finally, I just want to say one thing: MFG believes in only one religion i.e. Humanity and will work for the betterment of the society in which we live and the plight of the poor, the needy and the underprivileged in it. MFG is a people’s community. It is by ‘you’, for ‘you’, and of ‘you’. I express my sincere gratitude to each one of you for making this a lively secular global group.

Now, I am sure that even without Gopal Nair also MFG will live for ever. I pray that this tree of benevolence grows and continues to bear fruits forever.