An alumnus of Malda College has celebrated his birthday at a tribal village where he served food and provided drawing kits to children in his endeavour to “serve the nation” drawing inspiration from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose with whom he shares birthday.

Although Arjun Haldar, 23, was born on January 23, he held the celebration at Kheribari village on Sunday. Arjun was joined by members of a club at his native place, Mangalbari.

A few years ago, Malda College had adopted Kheribari village in Old Malda which did not have basic amenities then.

“My college teachers opened my eyes to the needs of the society. Philanthropy is the best way to develop a nation and I embraced it as my motto in life. During my prior visits to Kheribari, I observed that how a small meal would bring smiles to tribal children but even that too was rare for them. So, I decided to arrange a treat for them and asked for help from my elders and members of Haldarpara Shyama Sangha, who readily agreed,” Arjun said.

“Arjun shares his birthday with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on January 23. He worships Netaji like God and decided to spend the

Republic Day with tribal children of Kheribari. When he approached us, we felt privileged to join his mission,” said Goutam Haldar, a member of local club.

Arjun, however, feels shy. “I want to serve the nation as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose did. I am exploring all opportunities to join the Indian Army. If I cannot, I would serve the country in other possible ways,” said Arjun, who got a job in finance marketing a couple of months ago and spends his entire earnings on charity.

Kheribari has a population of around 300 people. They were served food on Sunday and children were given drawing kits.

After the filling meals, the children were busy drawing the Tricolour on their new exercise books with colour pencils which they received as gifts from “Arjun uncle”.

Malda College principal Manas Baidya said Arjun had set an example for the society.

“When he came to my class four years ago, the boy was too shy to speak. But as a teacher, I felt he had a different spark and started nurturing his hidden potentials. It worked. Arjun who comes from a family of fishermen is now an icon among his friends,” said Baidya.

According to him, Arjun happily paid the rent of college auditorium alone to hold the reunion of his batch of students of the department of commerce.

“Not only that, after the event, he even took the food that was left to Malda Town station and fed 80 orphans there. I heard about his praiseworthy deeds later from his friends,” the principal said.