I must confess, this was one of the rare occasions when I had to commit to my interviewee about the date of publication of his story in this column. The hour-long chat with R.Lakshmi Narayanan went off smooth except for his repeated intervention that largely revolved around two simple requests. One, whether I would really and when publish this story. And second that I should mention the name of former Station Director of All India Radio, Madurai, Mr.Balasubramaniam, who is like a brother to him.
Aided by Mr. Janardhan Babu, Assistant Director (Programmes) of M.S. Chellamuthu Trust (MSCT) and his parents -- M.R.Muthulakshmi and M.R.Ramanadhan -- he smilingly volunteered to answer every question. But, after each sentence he uttered, he also reeled off his twin request. And that is Narayanan's primary ailment. Born with congenital disorder wherein his left leg toes were unusually big and pointing in different directions, Narayanan bordering on mental retardation, was always a stubborn and aggressive child. He underwent surgery to make his toes of normal size and also post-medication and behavioural therapy mellowed down.
Recalls his mother: “We noticed the abnormality when he was three months old. He used to have frequent fits. As he grew up, he would never take a no for an answer. And he always wanted things immediately. Slight delay irks him even now but earlier the way he used to throw tantrums and even abuse and beat us in public, all that has stopped.”
Related to Janata Dal leader, M.S. Swaminathan who is his father's first cousin, Narayanan was first brought to Dr. C.R. Subramaniam by him only in 1985. His parents had put him in the Corporation School hoping that mainstreaming would help him change. “But slowly, he started to become a recluse, would keep staring at things, did not mingle with anybody but was always the first to show his temper and anger on us," says his father, who retired from TNEB a decade ago.
The MSCT staff identified the behaviour with his clinical condition. He used to be very adamant and repetitive speech was his obsession. He was put on anti-psychotic drugs and remained for two years at Srishti, a residential rehabilitation centre run by the Trust and then sent for a job with Sakthi Press where he had to clip and punch papers. It matched his trait as Narayanan enjoyed the repetitive action involved in his work. After two years here, he went to AIR to work as a helper in the canteen. “The Station Director, Balasubramaniam was very nice to me. He is now in Chennai but still keeps in touch with me. He is like my elder brother. I have told him about my interview today,” he loses no time telling me. Serving tea and cleaning vessels was his main job at the AIR canteen which he always delivered with a smile and won the heart of not only the SD but the entire staff. “They always recognised his sincerity and good work and continuously encouraged him. This worked as a great motivation for him to remain calm, do better and adhere to the treatment,” says Mr.Babu.
Life of celibacy
But still a relapse happened as he too wanted to lead a life of celibacy like his elder brother who had joined the Ramakrishna Mutt, but was refrained from doing so. But all that was a decade ago. Now, his mother feels extremely happy and relieved as Narayanan travels daily by city bus, carrying packed lunch fondly made by her, to his office in MSCT where he has been appointed as Office Assistant in charge of the Library on a monthly stipend. His job is to order books, photocopy papers and serve tea. “I am liking my work,” smiles Narayanan, nattily dressed in a safari and his forehead smeared with vibhuti and kumkum. “I like to present myself neat and proper in front of others. I like collecting pictures of gods and goddesses and visit temples. I am a swamy bhakta,” he shares further.
And once he opens up, he also tells me how much he loves to eat egg and mutton. Born in a Brahmin family, though it is forbidden, Narayanan enjoys the exclusivity. He also enjoys listening to religious music and mostly ends up buying audio cassettes with the pocket money his parents and brother give him. What does he do with his earnings, I ask him. His smile never fades from his face as he tells me in perfect speech: “I save it in the bank. Recently I gave my mother Rs.2,000 for her cataract surgery. I bought new dresses for my father during Pongal.”
Though his repetitive speech and gestures are his behavioural disorder, they can be properly channelised and used, “Such individuals are very target-based and result oriented. Once they are set with a task, they accomplish it. You may forget but they will not,” says Mr.Babu, who had to attend to Narayanan's umpteen calls ever since he told him about the interview. Each time he would enquire whether the interview is on and what he should wear. And now with the interview through, he is waiting for it to be published. This is our tribute to Narayanan who is trying to conquer his disability to the best of his ability.
It is always people like him who bring in hope in the lives of so many others.
(Making a difference is a fortnightly column about ordinary people and events that leave an extraordinary impact on us. Email to somabasu@thehindu.co.in to tell about someone you know who is making a difference)
