R. Sridhar, founder of Maithri Trust, passes away at 80

R. Sridhar, founder, Maithri Educational and Charitable Trust, T. Nagar, passed away on Friday morning after a brief illness. He was 80. The last rites were held on Friday evening. He was afflicted by polio when he was 18 months old, and it left his left hand and both legs paralysed.

Though he went to school only till the age of eight, he continued to learn through the radio, which helped him travel while staying in one place. The BBC and Deutsche Welle [Voice of Germany] and other channels helped him understand and speak English; and he learnt some Spanish, German, and Hindi.

Though wheelchair-bound, Mr. Sridhar participated in several Citizens’ Runs and used to complete the entire 10 km. Since he was unable to finish schooling, Mr. Sridhar wanted to help children study. He started Maithri as a trust in 1983 with the lofty dream and an empty pocket.

He was interested in supporting persons with disabilities in their educational pursuits. Soon his commitment expanded to include children from poor and broken homes. Donations always went towards the education of the children and their emergency medical expenses, even for settling family discords and assisting mothers from broken homes sustain a livelihood with dignity.

Mr. Sridhar learned astrology, and when people paid for his services, he would ask them to donate the fee to Maithri Charities, which celebrated its 35th anniversary very recently.