Service to humanity is service to god

In her series on seniors, SUDHA NATARAJAN introduces us here to Cronulla’s Damodar Sodha amodar Sodha is a man of determination, quiet assertion and compassion that goes beyond expectation. At the youthful age of 82, Damodar, who lives near Cronulla Beach, walks three and half kilometres every morning and attempts an evening walk too, if the weather is good. He is always positive in his approach and is kind to everyone who needs help. With a generosity of heart, he keeps striving to help fellow seniors of the community in various ways.

Mr Sodha has been Chairman of Resourceful Australian Indian Network (RAIN) for the past two years. Under his able leadership and constant motivation, this community service organisation has seen growth and development and has developed the capacity to assist a lot of seniors in need. He and Labubehn, his constant companion and wife of over 60 years, take on their responsibility to the community seriously and work tirelessly, while also inspiring others to reach a common goal: a senior care centre for Indian seniors. Damodarbhai and Labubehn have been involved in community welfare since they lived in South Africa and under his guidance, RAIN has done very well in promoting the needs of seniors.

The group has achieved a part of this objective in developing a Day Care programme in partnership with St George Migrant Resource Centre. The programme runs twice a month at the Bexley Community Centre and seniors are picked up from their houses, taken to the centre for breakfast, lunch and social activities and then dropped back. They also enjoy occasional outings and this is only the beginning.

Mr Sodha has his heart set upon helping frail, aged members of the community by organising for them a place where they could find comfort and shelter. He has donated generously for this cause and encourages his friends to do so.

Mr Sodha was born in South Africa in the state of Pretoria. His mother passed away when he was just 9, and the tremendous responsibility of caring for 6 children fell on his father. The family moved to India, primarily to find support in bringing up his very young children. A loving father, he remarried and moved back to South Africa.

It was not easy to cope with so many changes, but the young child took each upheaval in his stride and worked hard to be of assistance to his father.

At 15, Damodar went back to India with the family. He and his elder brother joined a boarding school, but tragically, his brother lost his life to smallpox. The trauma of death never stopped haunting this teenager, but he also became determined to make a life for himself, and was strengthened by the trials that came his way.

At just 18, Damodar’s father arranged for him to marry the lovely Labu, who was only 13 at that time.