God spared me for a purpose: Parameswaran

His Nambikkai (hope) trust looks after the children of those killed in 2004 tsunami

On December 26 this year, Parameswaran will turn 50, of which the past 10 years are possibly the most defining.

The tsunami of 2004 turned the world of Parameswaran, assistant executive engineer at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, and his wife Choodamani upside down, killing their three children, with seven other relatives. The couple sought solace in bringing up the children of those killed in the tragedy. Today, their Nambikkai (hope) trust looks after 37 children.

"We were on the verge of ending our lives when we lost our kids. Then, my wife said fate had kept us alive for some greater cause," Parameswaran says. "I, too, realised there was some purpose for me in the world. Though the waves could have taken my life, God had spared me."

After the tsunami struck, "about 60 children lost either one parent or both. I brought some of them home and we gave them food and shelter", he says. Slowly, more children joined them. "Today, there are 37 children in this house. Another seven, who lived here, have either joined some company or are completing their studies...They visit us on weekends or call us often, even if they are away from home," he adds.

"We are able to manage the expenses from our salary. Some friends help us voluntarily," he says.