Palam Kalyanasundaram

Palam Kalyanasundaram (born ) is an Indian librarian, philanthropist, and social worker from Tamil Nadu, India. He is known for his extensive charitable work, having reportedly donated all his earnings, including his salary throughout his 35-year career as a librarian, his pension, and numerous cash awards, to charitable causes. He was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2023 in the field of social work.

Early life and education Palam Kalyanasundaram was born in August 1940 in Melakarivelamkulam village in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India. He lost his father when he was a child, and was raised by his mother, Thaayammal.

Kalyanasundaram pursued higher education at the University of Madras, where he earned a gold medal in Library Science. He also holds Master of Arts degrees in Literature and History. His interest in Tamil literature led the founder of MTT Hindu College to introduce the subject and sponsor his education. A significant aspect of his philanthropic journey was the decision to donate all his earnings. an act acknowledged and felicitated by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, K. Kamaraj. Man of the Millennium, from some American organisation The United Nation Organization (UNO) has honoured him as "One of the Outstanding People of the 20th centuary". url=https://princh.com/blog-librarian-of-the-millennium/

Personal life and legacy Kalyanasundaram lives in Saidapet, Chennai, and remains unmarried. He has pledged his body and eyes to the Tirunelveli Medical College for medical research and donation after his death.