During that time, I was elected as president of the Balaramapuram
Leprosy Colony. Since then, for more than 15 years, I have taken
care of all activities there.

Then I was elected President of the Tamil Nadu Leprosy Patient's
Rehabilitation Guild: the headquarters of all the 42 leprosy
colonies in Tamil Nadu. For the past 20 years I have been serving
in this position. In 1997 when IDEA India was started, they
approached me to help them to conduct a study of the leprosy
colonies in Tamil Nadu. That was the first time I met
Dr.P.K.Gopal, the president of IDEA India.

When the study was over we were invited to participate in a
workshop. We were motivated to bring dignity into our lives. I got
all the leprosy colonies to work with IDEA India's programs for the
development of the human dignity of people in the colonies. Since
then, I have been trying to bring dignity to the lives of colony
residents. Many have taken up decent businesses. Our children are
now studying many higher education courses like Computers, Nursing
and Engineering.

For the past 4 years, through IDEA India, Danida, and the German
leprosy Relief Association we have received assistance for the
education of our children and the rehabilitation of people in the
leprosy colonies.

Finally, in recognition of this work, I received two great honors.
The first was when Mother Theresa blessed me--perhaps the most
memorable moment in my life.

Then, because of the work that I have done for those affected by
leprosy, I received an award from the Tamil Nadu Government.

Today, my life is satisfying. My son is married and has his own
son. He is the breadwinner of our family. And I? I am still working
to better the lives of those affected by leprosy. I hope to
continue this as long as I live.

It is a remarkable thing for someone who had Hansen's disease to
even be able to speak about their life. Quite often, people are too
scared to talk about it for fear that they and their family will
become covered with some sort of stigma.

But not only that, most of the people in the world who have been
affected by HD live a life miserable and stigmatised, often in
isolation, with nobody to turn to, no home to return to. They have
been ousted from their homes and communities, and have spent a life
living with discrimination.

And they have no say.
They have no means to speak of themselves.
They have no means to raise their voices.
There are millions in the world, though their disease is cured,
who are voiceless.

Mr. Prakasam is a hero. His determination, will and a little bit
of luck have won him a shining path.

But there are thousands of people who are still out there,
dying quietly.