74-year-old CBR Prasad, a retired airman donated Rs 1.08 crore - almost his entire savings - to the Defence Ministry, on Monday, 15 July.
Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, “After fulfilling my family responsibilities, I thought I should give back to the defence whatever I got from there. I decided to give Rs 1.08 crore to the defence forces”.
He met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday and handed over the cheque to him.
After nine years in Indian Air Force, I left the job because the Indian Railways offered me a good ooportunity. Unfortunately, I did not get that job and then started a small poultry farm for my livelihood. Luckily, I did well,” he told ANI.
Incidentally, he has also set up a sports university.
Asked if his family approved the idea, the retired air-warrior says, "Absolutely, no problem. I have given my daughter 2 per cent of my property and one per cent to my wife. Rest 97 per cent, I am giving back to the society."
On being asked, how he got the idea to donate his savings, Prasad narrated an anecdote.
"When I was 20 years old and was working in the Air Force, a gentleman by the name GD Naidu came as a Chief Guest at a function. He said that India is a great country because our sages who thought that we should give back to our society, once our family responsibility is over," he said.
"You should not take back anything because you did not get anything while coming. Give that minimum needed to your family and the rest to the society and rest of the life work for the society," he added
Recalling his days of struggle, he says: “I left home with Rs 5 in my pocket and earned 500-acre land with my hard work.
I have given 5 acres to my wife and 10 acres to my daughter and rest everything, I am utilising for the society," adds the retired IAF personnel.
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