Pappa Vidyaakar
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April 16, 1953
Pappa Vidyaakar | |
|---|---|
 Pappa Vidyaakar with one of his rescued children | |
| Born | Steven Vidyaakar April 16, 1953 Tamil Nadu |
| Occupation | Humanitarian worker |
| Known for | Founder of Udavum Karangal |
"Pappa" Vidyaakar (born Steven Vidyaakar, Mangalore, 16 April 1953) is an Indian humanitarian worker. He is mostly known to be the founder of Udavum Karangal, a NGO based in Chennai, India
Pappa Vidyaakar was born in Mangalore but grew up in Kollegal in the state of Karnataka. There when he was aged 13, witnessed an accident and rescued a man from Chennai named Ramakrishnan.
The two kept in touch and few years later Pappa went to visit him in Chennai. Here he stayed under the shelter of the man, who raised in him his natural inclination towards seeking the good of others.
Pappa trained in Psychiatric social work and psychological counseling at the Madras School of Social Work, and after joined Chennai's leading organizations delivering care for leprosy and mental health. He also had the privilege of serving with Mother Teresa. Before he turned 30 he started working in a voluntary counseling and guidance center in the area of NSK Nagar.