Dhanasesham Charitable Trust is set up to provide basic health care and educational support for villages in and around Peruncheri
OUR HERITAGE
Dr. Seshachalam Naidu, fondly called “Thatha’’ by his grandchildren, was born on 15th December 1900 to a traditional agricultural family in Peruncheri, a small village located in Kuthalam Taluk of Mayiladuthurai district in rural Tamilnadu. His parents had no formal education.
They tended to their land and managed to make ends meet. Thatha went on to complete his Licensed Medical Practitioner (LMP) diploma under the guidance of the legendary doctor Ida Scudder. He was appointed as a doctor in Nagapattinam with the then British Government, looking after indentured labourers being shipped off to the Malaysian rubber plantations. He then practiced in Trichy and finally settled in Cuddalore, where he became a family physician. He was well known for his social and philanthropic activities. He was the President of the Cuddalore Benefit Fund and the Boys’ Home.
Dr. Seshachalam Naidu, fondly called “Thatha’’ by his grandchildren…
Dr. Seshachalam Naidu
&
Mrs. Dhanalakshmi
About
Dhanasesham
Charitable Trust
and it’s mission
Over the past fifty years, the village has made progress in many areas, although many people are still needy and struggle to make ends meet. To honour Dr. Seshachalam Naidu and to give something back to his native village, a clinic has been constructed in place of his ancestral house. This clinic will be run on an outpatient basis under the name of “Dhanasesham Charitable Trust.”
Our primary objective and mission is to help support the local communities’ most needy citizens by providing health care services, guidance for secondary and higher education, lessons in environmental hygiene and activities focused on women’s empowerment.
For more information, see our Programs page.
Mr. Kasturirangan Kannah - Founder
The founder of the Trust, Mr Kasturirangan Kannah, is a grandson of Dr. Seshachalam Naidu. He is a chemical engineer who has lived in the U.K. for over 30 years. In March 2022, he retired from his role as Director, Product Advocacy with LANXESS, a German multinational chemicals firm.
“To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die” – Thomas Campbell
This is an inspirational thought which truly resonates with me. The memory of my grandfather, Dr Seshachalam Naidu (“Thatha” to us), lives in me and drives me on in this endeavour, to try and give something back to the village of his birth, Peruncheri.
Moreover, I have often reflected with some guilt about leaving my motherland for greener pastures. Clearly India nurtured me through my childhood, education and early career. But then I left to make a living in a foreign country. I pondered whether I could repay the debt in some way. And this project to give back something to my ancestral village is therefore a unique opportunity and privilege. – Mr. Kannah
The Trustees
The Dhanasesham Charitable Trust was registered in Chennai on 21st November 2022. The four Trustees on the Board are drawn from different walks of life yet closely associated with the Seshachalam family. They are committed to the objectives of the Trust, which are to provide basic healthcare and educational services to the needy people of the village.
Vanitha Jairam
Surekha Vijaynidhi
Raj Tilak
Deepa Bhavani Seshan
The Team
Dr. R. Rajasekaran - Medical Director
A key figure in the clinic’s start up, Dr. R. Rajasekaran is an orthopedic surgeon of great renown who has fully supported the Trust’s efforts from the outset and has guided the Trust along the way. We are proud that he has agreed to take on the role of Medical Director and to manage an outpatient session at the clinic once a month.
Dr. N. Ramakrishna - Medical Advisor
Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Dr. N. Ramakrishna, who is Dr. Seshachalam Naidu’s eldest grandson, worked as a general surgeon for more than 40 years after graduating from Stanley Medical College, Madras, in 1972. Now retired, Dr. Ramakrishna has contributed his time and expertise to charitable medical campaigns in Guatemala and Vietnam, as well as closer to home in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, at a Hospital for Adivasi tribals. He was another active participant who laid the groundwork to kick start the clinic and continues to support it from behind the scenes. He lives in the United States.
Clinic Staff
Dr. Adhaskumar - In-House Physician
Dr. Adhaskumar, our in-house general physician, completed his undergraduate medical degree in the Philippines and went on to pass the Foreign Medical Graduates exam. He then completed his mandatory 12-month internship at Government General Hospital, Mayiladuthurai, and duly obtained his registration with Tamil Nadu Medical Council. He also worked at a Multi Specialty Hospital. His intensive period of training and resulting experience serves the clinic well. We are pleased to note that clinic patients presenting with a wide range of ailments have provided positive feedback about their care under Dr. Adhaskumar. Most are treated in house; others are referred to specialists as appropriate.
Mekala - Nurse
Kalarani - Volunteer
S. Rethinam - Administrator
HealthThe Trust offers primary health care services, including examinations and diagnoses, subsidized medicines and laboratory tests, to needy villagers. The Trust’s clinic currently employs a doctor, nurse and two administrative staff. When needed, our doctor will refer patients to specialists in Mayiladuthurai. Plans are also under way to provide specialist services such as physiotherapy and dental outpatient care.
Education
Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world and the most effective way to break out of the cycle of poverty. Plans are under way to support children’s education from pre primary to senior secondary levels and provide vocational and scholarship support to pursue higher education.
Evening Coaching Classes
Evening tuition for local children was launched in June 2023 and is very popular. This programme is managed by Mr Sabarinathan who teaches economics for senior students in Mayiladuthurai.
Over 40 children in age groups ranging from six to sixteen have registered. Local teachers supervise the homework and other assignments of the children and coach them as needed. The children also receive coaching in the basics of physical fitness and Yoga.
It is proposed to expand this programme to distance teaching for specialist subjects at a later stage.
Women's EmpowermentThe Trust will train women in yoga, as well as vegetable and herb gardening to help encourage their financial independence. The Trust will also educate women about familial hygiene and healthcare.
Environmental HygieneThe Trust will communicate the importance of proper waste disposal and offer guidance and training in proper waste segregation and disposal.
Clinic Inaugural Function
By
Mrs. Suganandini, Revenue Divisional Officer, Mayiladuthurai
Medical Camp on 21 January 2023
A clinic under the name of “Dhanasesham Charitable Trust” was inaugurated on January 21st, 2023, and a medical camp was held on that day. Six doctors of various specialties were in attendance, all led by Dr R.Rajasekaran, the medical director, an orthopedic surgeon of great renown in the entire district. About 180 people turned up for the free camp, motivating the team to provide more opportunities for the people here in Peruncheri.
Inauguration Day for our clinic on 21st Jan
Kannah is 65 and his native village is Peruncheri in Kuthalam taluk, Mayiladuthurai district. After studying chemical engineering, he went to London for work and later got citizenship and settled there with his family. After 37 years, he decided to do something to serve his village. Residents of Peruncheri had to travel 7 km for urgent medical needs. Realizing that they had to go Mayiladuthurai which was far away, Kannah planned to set up a clinic in Peruncheri itself and provide medical services. For this purpose, he formed a charitable trust in the name of Dhanasesham, which is a combination of his grandparents’ names.
Being a non-resident Indian, he reached out to Mrs Vanita Jairam, who lives in India, to be the Managing Trustee. He then renovated his ancestral home and converted it into a clinic. He appointed a doctor and nurse and started medical services by charging only Rs.10 for needy people. During its opening, Mayiladuthurai RDO Mrs Suganandini attended and inaugurated the building for public use. Even many years after leaving the country, it is notable that the Kannah family had not forgotten their native village.
May 7th, 2023
Recitation of Poem Competition for Children
May 7th, 2023
Recitation of Poem Competition for Children
A grand festival was conducted in the name of Pavendar Bharathidasan, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar & Pattukottai Kalyanasundaranar on Sunday 7th May 2023. Many children participated in the recitation of Bharathidasan poem competition. Prizes were distributed to the children who participated in the competition.
Conducted by
Tamilnadu Progressive writer’s Artist Association, Kutthalam &
Dhanasesham Charitable Trust
Children receiving prize after poem recitation
May 6th, 2023
Dental and physiotherapy health camp
May 6th, 2023
Dental and physiotherapy health camp
Dental and physiotherapy awareness and free consultation medical camp was held on Saturday 6th May 2023
Dr. Srinivasan advising about dental hygiene
April 12th, 2023
Ten Village Families Gifted Cooking Staples for Tamil New Year’s Day
In line with Dhanasesham Charitable Trust’s vision and mission to support families in Peruncheri,
the administration identified ten families who would benefit from a commemorative gift of food
supplies on Tamil New Year’s Day.
The families each received a hamper full of lentils, sugar, oil, spices and fresh vegetables to help
prepare delicious and nutritious meals for the New Year’s Day celebration and the days following
Mrs. Mekala and Mrs. Kalarani distributing grocery hampers to some of the families in the village
Mrs. Sushila, 67 years old, from Peruncheri
I suffer from BP, sugar and pain in my legs. My sons used to take me to Mayiladuthurai for treatment. When I got the news in January that a clinic was opening up in the village itself, I decided to try it. The doctor was so young and caring and other staff were also pleasant and I was treated for my various conditions.
I have been here seven times over the last few months, whenever my symptoms recur. I feel much better. I have the belief that I will be well treated here and need not go to Mayiladuthurai any more. I like this service very much and am so happy.
Mrs. Jayanthi from Peruncheri
My son who is 13 had fever continuously for 10 days. We had taken him to GH where they gave him tablets. The fever subsided only for a short while but kept recurring. I then heard about this clinic and came here. Doctor had a look and said it did not look like a regular fever and advised a blood test. As soon as the results came in, he said it looked quite serious like dengue and advised immediate admission. He also offered to speak to the duty doctor wherever he was admitted. We admitted him at GH. Dr Adhaskumar and other clinic staff followed up his progress for three days by phone. This is not something that you would expect other private doctors to do normally.
My son was discharged yesterday and is now doing well. I will never forget how promptly the doctor followed up the blood test results and his concern at my son’s condition.
Miss. Sushmita Rajtilak - Family friend, Data engineer at L&T
“The conception of the Dhanasesham Charitable Trust, envisioned by Mr Kannah, is a great step towards making lives better for hundreds of people who live in and around the Peruncheri village. Experiencing the medical camp has made me realise how people cherish the presence of someone to take care of them medically. They were extremely pleased to get themselves diagnosed. The people were naive and some of them didn’t even know their ages.
They could easily fall prey to being taken for granted if we don’t support them enough. It would be of great help if we could receive funding from people around the world to help Mr Kannah in his noble cause. I really hope and pray more people beyond borders come to know of such amazing work and that it could in turn inspire many others to help the underprivileged. Trust is a substantial example of how humanity prevails by helping those in need and we look forward to receiving more support and love from people around the world.”
Mrs. Kavita Rajtilak - Family friend, Entrepreneur
“Kudos to Kannah for his wonderful thoughts to open the Dhanasesham Charitable Trust Clinic to serve the villagers in Peruncheri.
It was a privilege to be a part of it on the inauguration day. Kannah and the trustees have done a fabulous job. The clinic is spacious and well-equipped with all medical gadgets, a lab for sugar tests and a pharmacy. There were five doctors present to attend to the patients.
It was nice to see the villagers line up for their check-ups. We had patients who were in their 70s and 80s too. There were children and babies too, as there was a pediatrician. The people are very innocent and were surprised when we made them sit on chairs till their token numbers came up. They were sent to Doctors according to their problems, they were prescribed medicines, they collected their medicines from the pharmacist, Sathya. She was very efficient and handed the medicines and instructed them accordingly.
We had a tremendous response. Huge respect for Kannah and the trustees. I wanted my daughter, Sushmita, to also be a part of it. She enjoyed every bit of the experience. I am glad I was a part of this good cause and will cherish it forever.”
Mr. Vijaynidhi Ramakrishna (Dinesh) - Grandson of Dr. & Mrs. Seshachalam
“On a pleasant Saturday morning, the little village of Peruncheri was all abuzz with excitement. The roads to the village were being swept and cleaned with bleaching powder. It was the inauguration of the clinic being run by the Dhanasesham trust and the village was going to play host to dignitaries such as the Collector and the RDO, who were going to inaugurate the medical camp.
By 10.30 am, the patients had all lined up and the doctors were all in place to receive them. As the patients queued up, their details were entered into the computer database and then they were guided to the examining physician. After a thorough examination, a diagnosis was made and a prescription handed out, which the patient could get filled at the medicines counter.
While all this was going on, the local authorities in the form of the RDO and Tehsildar walked in. After the introductions were done and the formalities of ribbon cutting completed, the activities of the trust were explained to the RDO by Dr. Ramakrishna.
Meanwhile, the crowd of patients continued to grow and the doctors were doing an exemplary job. The press had also landed up and a press conference was held to explain the objectives of the trust and future programs.
At 1:00 pm, the doors were closed and the last patients were attended to.
This was followed by a sumptuous lunch for the staff, visitors and the family.
This marked the end of the program for the day.”
Dr.B. Rameshkumar - EX.Dean, Professor, and Head, Pondicherry Veterinary College
“I had been invited to attend the inaugural function of Dhanasesham Charitable Trust on 21/01/2023 at Peruncheri near Mayiladuthurai. The clinic has been created in the ancestral property of Mr. Kannah in memory of his Grandfather, who lived in the house over 100 years ago. The aim of the project is to support the local community for health care and other social needs. The trust was inaugurated by the Revenue Development Officer and attended by the Local Tehsildar.
The trust has all the basic medical facilities to cater to health care for the community. A medical camp was conducted on that day, headed by Dr. Rajasekeran and his team of doctors from Vairam Hospital, Mayiladuthurai. More than 200 persons from the local community utilised the camp to fulfill their basic medical examination.
I wish the trustees and their trust a grand success for all the future social activities.”
Electric Auto Shuttle with Solar Panel System
Estimated cost: Rs 5 lakhs
Last mile connectivity is a long-standing issue in the village. Public transport is limited to an hourly bus service. There is no auto stand. If one misses the notorious Bus no. 8, it is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the main road in the blistering heat. Plus, of course, there are patients who are too ill or frail to walk to the clinic. We hope to resolve this issue by providing an electric auto shuttle that charges using a solar panel system. It’s a clean, efficient, ultra-low-cost transportation service for the needy.
Mini Ambulance
Estimated cost: Rs 5 lakhs
A non-emergency ambulance will transport patients who need specialized care in Mayiladuthurai or further afield. It will have advanced life-saving equipment, like an oxygen cylinder and a defibrillator, along with first aid medical kits.
Charity Kitchen Garden
Estimated cost: Rs 1.0 lakhs
We have a large plot at the back of the clinic with a borewell, which yields copious water from a deep aquifer. The soil is highly fertile. We hope to develop the area into a fruit and vegetable garden that will supplement the day-to-day needs of the local community. We will enlist the support of a national expert in ethno-veterinary herbal medicine.
Food Staple Parcels
Estimated cost: Rs 5,000 per quarter
We plan to provide essential food staples to people who are in real need, in addition to their quota of rations. These staples will comprise dals, cooking oil and various spices and condiments. Our ultimate goal is to eliminate hunger in the village.
Monthly Recurring Costs In Need of Support
Medicines – Rs 25,000
Specialist medical camps – Rs 15,000
Public services exams coaching – Rs 1,000
Educational bursaries – Rs 1,000
To Donate
Dhanasesham Charitable Trust
ICICI bank Alwarpet Chennai
Account number: 602805021890
IFSC Code: ICIC0006028
* Resident Indians are permitted to contribute.
Indian Income Tax act.
To Volunteer
Become a volunteer and contribute your time and service to help us educate children and help women learn sewing, pickle making, gardening, and understand hygiene and nutritional food preparation for the family. If you are interested, please email info@dhanaseshamtrust.org.
To Donate
Dhanasesham Charitable Trust
ICICI bank
Alwarpet Chennai
Account number: 602805021890
IFSC Code: ICIC0006028
* Resident Indians are permitted to contribute.
Indian Income Tax act.
Quick Links
Registered office
- 12, Dr. Nair Road, T. Nagar, Chennai - 600017
- info@dhanaseshamtrust.org
Clinic
- 3/26, South Street, Peruncheri, Mayiladuthurai - 609404
- 04364211085
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