How The Journey Started

Almost 2 and 1/2 years back out of the blue a person messaged me on messenger - introducing himself as a friend of a friend and telling me that he has been following my posts and talks on Facebook and that he wanted to help me. He was quite determined to know if I have any of the social media like, website, Facebook page, Twitter handle etc. When I told him that I already have these, he was disappointed that he could not help me with it. The next day I was pleasantly surprised when he has sent a self-designed logo with letters SF and a name below the logo saying Sujeeth Foundation. He further added "Sir, I think you should start your foundation". That was the last message from him. This gentleman indeed has helped me by suggesting the name which I would not have thought of on my own.

Almost at the same time I was requested by a patient of mine to see and advise his friend’s relative. And that is how I met Mr Madhu who was the attender of that patient. Post counselling of the patient, a very happy Mr Madhu told me that he had already heard a lot about me, about the free surgical consultations that I offer every Thursday at a clinic run by a religious Trust and a lot more about me has already been told to him by Prof. K. Sridhar. That is when I expressed my thoughts that I wanted to start something on my own and I clearly told him that I don't know how to begin. Mr Madhu has been in touch with me since then. I have been treating many of his friends, some of his relatives. I was surprised when one day he came to me and told me that he would get the trust deed drafted. I did not think he meant it seriously but then I was surprised when he actually messaged me the draft copy. Well, that is how the idea of my trust became a reality.

Later on, when I asked Mr Madhu what made him come forward and offer his help to prepare the trust deed, he said that it was bound to happen and to put it in his own words-

"Dr. Sujeeth Kumar's name became a rage in our circle, thanks to Prof. K. Sridhar, who communicated to us both his ascetic and discrete ways and it at once captured our imagination. I longed to see him and finally took a diabetic patient to him last year to seek his advice. I liked him instantly for his unostentatious style and ice cool attitude. During the conversation, I told him about my vocation. It was then that he expressed the intention to start a trust. I thought it was only a passing desire and I didn't pay much attention to it. I had to eat a humble pie on this issue as his aspiration turned into an obsession and I felt its full impact very soon. His selfless works were already known to me and I thought that the situation brooks no further delay. From then on, I acted swiftly and set in motion the process. Trust Deed was prepared with due care keeping the interests of Dr. Sujeeth Kumar in mind. I have not come across any other individual, more so a doctor, who is so inpatient of inaction and lethargy in serving the poor. His’ is a doctor’s demeanour and a philanthropist’s dynamism. He could cure the disease with his smile. Such is his approach and integrity. I feel happy to be part of this journey and to have done my bit to make his idea a reality."

Almost at the same time I got introduced to a person by name Mr. Shivaprasad by a very good friend of mine Mr. Y N Raju. Mr. Shivaprasad is an artist by profession, he usually does all the logo and brand designing works for a reputed advertisement company. we have been in touch since then and the minute he knew that I have started my Foundation, this gentleman came forward to prepare a logo free of cost for the foundation.

Almost at the same time I was introduced to the Head of Revalsys Technologies Mr Raj Samala by my relative Mrs. Divya who works for the same company. We interacted for some time over lunch. We became friends and from there on he supported me with my website and I tried to support his office staff by giving the health talks, creating awareness and educating them on their lifestyle etc. When he came to know about the foundation that I started he has offered to design the website for free and has been very kind by integrating payment gateway into the website. He said he would like to make the website a functional one because it would serve a higher purpose. Another friend Mr Riyaz came forward and offered services of website like Search Engine Optimisation etc.

Another good friend Mr Venkat who is a journalist by profession came forward and offered his services by taking high resolution photographs of all the activities that are being conducted on behalf of Foundation.

Another friend Mr. Rama Rao, who is CA by profession, was kind enough to come forward and offer his services for free for the foundation.

After a lot of brainstorming among Mr Y N Raju, Mr Madhu and me it was decided it would help if the foundation has an advisory board and hence we thought we will start with a small advisory board of five and I have started approaching people who like me and people for whom I have lot of respect. When I approached Dr Vasanth, who has been my well-wisher and mentor since last decade, with the idea of advisory board, he immediately consented to be an advisor. Then I approached Mr M.V Bhaskar Rao Garu, Former DGP of Andhra Pradesh and informed him about my foundation and asked him if he can be a part of my Foundation as an advisor, he too readily agreed and he said he will always be there for me. Then I tried to reach out to very senior person Retired Justice of High Court of AP, Justice V Bhaskar Rao Garu and he was very happy to be a part of foundation as an advisor. Now having spoken to three of them I approached another well wisher of mine Mr. P V Rao Garu who is Retired Income Tax Chief Commissioner who was happy to be part of foundation. Then I approached couple of my Rotarian friends from Rotary Club of Jubilee Hills Mr Surya Prakash Garu and Mrs Vijayalakshmi Garu who accepted to be on the advisory board.

When i approached Mr. C. R Naidu Garu, Former IG of Police he happily accepted to be part of the foundation as an advisor and assured me of his support. Mr.Madhu and Dr.Bakhtiar have always been very supportive and have promised to guide me.

Another Gem of a person, Mr. K. R. Venugopal, Former Secretary to Prime Minister's Office, whom I have known since a decade, has happily consented to be an Advisor and thus the Advisory Board is formed.

This is the way the team of Sujeeth Foundation formed. It looked to me as if it has formed on its own, as if this was pre-determined. I just happened to be there. Help came whenever something was needed. I have been lucky to have so many well-wishers and kind people around me, with out whom my dream would have never become a reality. It is time now to give back to the Society. I thank all these people for coming forward to help me help others.

This is my team and my support system. More than that, they are my family.

This way the journey of Sujeeth Foundation began.