Every year, Sevalaya celebrates 5 Aug as Putli Ba Day, commemorating the day
that Mahatma Gandhi promised his mother, Putli Ba, that he would stay away
from alcohol as he journeyed to England to study law. For the past 11 years,
Sevalaya has been celebrating the day at its centre in Kasuva village,Tiruvallur,
with thousands of school students and youth recreating this occasion by making a
similar promise to their mothers. On 5 Aug 2025, school students from Stds VI
to XII at Sevalaya and youth studying in community colleges took a pledge to
their mothers that they would not drink alcohol. Sowmya Shankar Raman, Chief
Operating Officer,TTK Hospital, Chennai, Mahesh, Therapist, and Haworth company
officials Ganesh, Dev Anand, and Mahendra Balan graced the occasion as the Chief
Guests. G Ram Mohan, Railway Safety Commissioner (Retd.), Indian Railways, and a
staunch Gandhian, administered the pledge, and the students took the oath and
promised their mothers that they would not drink alcohol The Chief Guest, Soumya
Shankar Raman, said, “This is a beautiful moment, because we will share everything
with our mother and take ownership of it. Alcoholism is a habit that affects the
brain and health. We should work together to eradicate such an addiction.”
Dev Anand said, “It is a great pleasure to serve with Sevalaya. The speeches,
dances, and greetings of the children to the guests show the discipline of the
school students.” With the support of Ram Mohan, Sevalaya has been organizing
this event for 11 years. Six hundred students from Sevalaya’s Mahakavi Bharathiyar
Higher Secondary School and Community College wore T-shirts with the slogan “I will
never drink alcohol” and took a pledge to not drink alcohol, just like Mahatma Gandhi
did, holding their mothers’ hands. Ram Mohan donated snacks and T-shirts for the event.
At the end of the event, various mothers emotionally shared their hope that their sons
would keep the promises they made to them. The aim of the event was to make the students
understand how alcoholism destroys not only an individual but also a family, society,
and the country. Earlier, Sevalaya Murali, in his welcome address, explained the
purpose of celebrating Putli Ba Day. He also said that in ten years, 90% of the
students who took the oath were found to be living a life free from alcoholism,
according to a survey by Sevalaya teachers. The students presented colorful cultural
programmes. During the event, the Sevalaya employees who joined the service in August
were given silver coins. Finally, snacks were served to the parents and students.
Souvenirs were given to the special guests. S Kanchana, Head, Homes and Value Education Department, proposed the vote of thanks.
