Mohanraj Peter
 Mohanraj Peter was born in a very poor family. His father worked in a tea estate in Valparai, near Coimbatore, in Tamil
Nadu. He was given very low wages which was not enough to feed a family of seven children and parents. Mohanraj is
the fifth child of the family.
What the father earned was not enough for their family as he was the only earning member. With great difficulty the
children were sent to a small school which had classes only up to class-5. Young Mohanraj completed his elementary
education in the local school and wanted to continue his
education. He had to walk 14 miles everyday to go to school to
do middle school.
As the father could not afford to pay for his bus fare, there was no other go for him. He did not mind the walk as his
desire to get education was greater than the pain he suffered. After doing his daily cores, Mohanraj would start running
to his school which was far away. As he had to walk through the tea garden, the cool dew drops would fall ori his body
and make him feel cold.
But in the evenings, while returning home, he spared time to enjoy the beauty of nature. He used to compose verses
on it. His eyes would search for his parents who would be carrying the burden of collected tea leaves to be deposited
in the godown. As the earnings were very little, his father found it very difficult to pay his monthly school fees and buy
books for him. With these ordeals, Mohanraj continued his studies.
His brothers and sister did not show much interest in studies. His parents also became too old to go to the tea estate
for work. The family situation compelled Mohanraj not to pursue his higher education but try to earn a livelihood for the
family. He joined the Electricity Board and saved the family from poverty. This sort of life continued for six long years.
One day, when he was engrossed in his daily office work, he became drowsy and felt darkness enveloping him. So he
went to a physician and got himself examined. The result was shocking.
His eyes were seriously affected by glaucoma and he lost vision in both eyes which resulted in losing his job too. The
natural scenic beauty he had been enjoying was totally denied to him. Everything became so dark that he could not do
anything to improve his condition. He thought that the only thing he could do was to continue his collegiate education.
He joined pre-university course in a college in
Tiruchirapalli and tried to read and write in Braille method. There was no
separate class for blind students in the college and he had to learn along with regular students. He still remembers the
way he was treated by some of his classmates. They did not show any concern for him and worse, teased him.
Some questioned what need there was for a blind boy to come to college at that level. It was very discouraging but he
decided to continue his efforts. He was successful in getting first class in his pre-university examination in 1972. Those
who were unkind to him earlier realised their mistake and the ability of the disabled Mohanraj and appreciated him
whole-heartedly.
The college authorities were happy about his progress and came forward to help him continue his graduation and
postgraduation in their college. Mohanraj took it as a challenge and came out in flying colours in all the courses. His
knowledge and training in Braille method helped him take down notes and prepare well for his examinations. As he was
studying in a Christian institution, he participated in the church activities, especially in singing sacred songs during
prayers and ceremonies. Slowly, he was drawn towards religious activities and wanted to surrender to Christ.
When he expressed his desire to join the seminary, his classmates laughed at him. But he made up his mind to join the
Theological College at Madurai and completed the four-year course and became a professor and a qualified priest at
the church.
His duties in the church varied. As a priest, he is the centre of attraction in the
church and parish. While discharging his
regular daily cores, he has to know about the church, how to go to the altar, where to stand, what and how to speak, etc.
 He has to have good public relations with his parish people. He has to organise and conduct many ceremonies and
festivals. There were some people who wanted to find fault with Mohanraj, as they did not like a blind man to be their
priest. They were waiting for an occasion to pull him down. Mohanraj did not want to give any room for it and was
over-careful in making all preparations for his daily routine.
He was interested in doing research to get a doctorate degree. He wanted to highlight the problems of the disabled.
He registered with the Barathidasan University for his Ph.D. course and seriously made a study. He had gone to all the
districts in Tamil Nadu to study the condition of the disabled and their lifestyle.
Statistical data collected by him were carefully analysed and the thesis written by Mohanraj was submitted by him for
the award of the Ph.D. degree in Barathidasan University. It was a proud moment when he received the degree in
1988. Later, the thesis was published as a book.
Rev Father Dr Peter Mohanraj serves as a professor and performs the duties of a priest as well. As he had
experienced the life of a blind, Mohanraj decided to do something which would be of great help to the handicapped
and blind, especially for women and children. To realise his dream, he has founded and organisation called Light
House (Oliyagam) in 1993 and gave new life to the disabled and deserted women in large numbers.
The women, who were educated in Light House, serve as lecturers in
college, teachers in schools, telephone
operators, office assistants, etc. He was recognised by the local people as a great social worker and in 2000 the Tamil
Nadu government honoured him as the best social worker and his Oliyagam, as the best social service
centre.
As Mohanraj was greatly motivated in this line, he founded the second organisation, meaning BE OPENED, to serve
the blind and handicapped. The path for them is not a bed of roses. Mohanraj does not want the disabled to suffer like
him. So, through his organisations, he opened new gates for the entry of the disabled and blind and
improving their
standards.
Blind and disabled children are given
education by his organisations; they train them in occupation -oriented courses;
get suitable appointments for them; take care of senior citizens, etc. He creates an awareness among the blind and
disabled on the glory of Indian culture. He has composed many songs on these themes and make these people sing
on many occasions.
He recollects the thorny path he had tread in his life and the sufferings he had undergone. With steadfastness, and
faith in God, he faced all challenges successfully. He has proved that a blind could become a doctorate degree-holder,
a professor as well as a priest if he has self-confidence and hard work.
 He did not mind the teasing and insults and climbed the ladder of success. But it is a paradox that none of his brothers
and sisters showed any interest in learning and with great pain in heart Mohanraj says that his elder brother works as a
driver in the college and others are also in ordinary positions. His wife died in 1995 due to cancer and his three sons
were busy with their studies. He had no one to look after him. So, his colleagues arranged for his second marriage in
2001.
He has written innumerable verses on God and society. Some of them are being sung in Chennai All India Radio in the
mornings. His poems have been published in the form of books. His students have great reverence for him and a few
of them are writing his life history.
Mohanraj has seen nothing but misery in his life. But he has the capacity to cross all
hurdles and by sheer effort and
hard work, he has made his mark by dedicating himself to spiritual, religious and social activities. He is to be well
recognised and honoured.
Shanmugam can be contacted
@:
No: 54 Kamaraj Road,
Ramakrishna Nagar,
Alwar Thirunagar,
Chennai- 600 087.
Phone: 248 60 221
E-mail: shanmugam@azagi.com
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