Involved in numerous activities to create awareness about social evils, religious tolerance and communal harmony, Maruthi began his life as humble, helpful boy in Nellore district. When his family shifted to Chennai, he joined a high school in Perambur. As he was interested in reaching out to the society, he joined Scouts and Guides in school and used to serve as a volunteer in many public functions. He is proud to say that he was a student of the last batch of PUC. But luck was not in his favour and he did not get through PUC exam. “As I could not join college immediately, I spent a year studying the society. Once I joined BA Politics in Presidency College, I became an active NSS and NCC volunteer,” he said.
One of his professor, Dr Sundaram, who was in charge for Life for India Movement (associated with Theosophical Society), encouraged his social activities. After his graduation he became the secy of the Indian Red Cross Society, Chennai Dist. It was then he began units in many taluqs here Mambalam-guindy; Perambur-Purasaiwalkam; Egmore-Nungambakkam and Fort-Tondiarpet.
Originally written for DTNext, read more at https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2016/11/23104544/1022068/Taking-up-the-Gandhian-way.vpf