June 9, 2004
Dr Velmurugan
The Coca-Cola advertisement asking people to nominate persons who they thought could carry the Olympic torch when it comes to India for the first time caught the attention of 16-year-old Ramraj. He felt his father, Dr Velmurugan, a physician practising the Siddha system of medicine, was the ideal person, and nominated him without telling him.
Dr Velmurugan belongs to a family of Siddha practitioners who have practised this system for the last five generations. What caught his interest was the unusual medicinal quality of a plant called Phylanthus euriniera (also known as senkizharnelli in Tamil). He found that it could help terminally ill cancer patients. He started his research project in the year 1991 along with Dr Arun Balakrishnan of Anna University (Dr Balakrishnan is now director of the biotechnology department at the university). It still continues. His research also includes ways to improve Siddha Ayurvedic medicine using biotechnology tools. He was also invited to present his research paper at the American Association of Cancer Research in New York and it won the best paper award in 2002.
According to Dr Velmurugan, what he cherishes most is the generous praise he received from President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Ramraj, who has just completed his 12th standard and is planning higher studies in biotechnology, admires his father's dedication to his research project. "I know how hard he works," he says. "So, when I got a call from Radio Mirchi, Mumbai, and they asked me why I felt my father deserved the nomination, I explained on air what exactly my father had done. I spoke for 2 or 3 minutes. Finally, when I came to know that he was selected, not only my father but even I was surprised."
Dr Velmurugan recalls, "I was not even aware of what my son had done. So, when I received a call from the Coca-Cola office in New Delhi in April, and they asked me what exclusive work I was doing, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised."
He could do only one thing when they told him he was selected to carry the Olympic torch, and that was to kiss his son. "I never thought I would be selected for what I have done because I feel my work has reached only the kindergarten level. What has happened is beyond my wildest dreams. I think I should thank my son first and then Coca-Cola, and then God for giving me this chance. I have no words in any language to express my feeling. I feel pure and unadulterated excitement."
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