At a day's work that looked no different from our own in any ordinary sense here in T. Nagar, Padma, a sanitation worker living there, was out and dirty. She was sweeping the roadside. She saw an unattended bag in front of her, expected to be garbage, and took a look. To her surprise, it was encased in heavy gold ornaments.
A Fortune Found, A Choice Made
The contents of the bag included gold jewelry weighing approximately 45 sovereigns (around 360 grams). The temptation to retain the find might have been too much for some at a time when gold is now in high demand. But for a second, Padma did not hesitate. She then handed over the treasure to the Pondy Bazaar Police Station, where she regarded her own integrity more than the cash that promised her the possibility of change.
Her bravery shocked the police
Having confirmed its weight and the projected estimated market value of ₹45 lakh, an investigation was launched to locate the rightful owner. A Family of Unsung Heroes. The police immediately matched up the ornaments to a complaint brought by Ramesh, the resident of Nanganallur who had lost the bag while travelling.
The jewelry was given back to relieved and thankful Ramesh who praised Padma’s noble spirit. There is almost a family lineage of integrity. It's been disclosed that Padma’s husband Subramani also went about such honesty during the punishing COVID-19 lockdown. He had discovered ₹1.5 lakh in cash by Marina Beach, had quickly turned it in to the cops. Along with their family member, the couple have set a remarkable and inspiring example of ethical behavior, despite the modesty of their humble beginnings.
State Recognition and Acknowledgment
News of Padma’s selfless act made its way to the very top levels of the state. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin invited Padma to the Secretariat to thank her personally. The Chief Minister presented Padma with a reward of ₹1 lakh for her act of kindness to public praise. Padma’s story has become viral on social media, with thousands of users demanding greater recognition of grassroots workers who live up to such sky-high moral standards. In a population of millions, Padma has proven that this human worth is not measured by what one is able to live on, but is the virtue of one's character.
