‘My Guru Told Me That As Long As I Have Good Health, I Should Continue to Serve Society’, Says Metro Man Sreedharan

In an elaborate interview with The Hindu, E Sreedharan who is revered as the Metro Man of India shared that his Guru, Poojya Shri Swami Bhoomananda Tirthaji told him that as long as he has good health, he should continue to serve the society with the attitude that it is an offering to the God.

A recipient of the prestigious Padma Vibhushan from 2008, Sreedharan also said, "When the assignment is for the good of society, I don't pull back. It is job satisfaction which excites me."

Answering as to what keeps the 88-year-old going, Sreedharan said, “I was very religious in my early years — shaped by my parents that way. And I moved to spirituality particularly after the association with my guru. I like austerity and simplicity.”

He said that his habit of waking up and sleeping on time, and a disciplined life kept him fit.

“I am fastidious about exercise, be it in the open air, or regular yoga. I was a sportsman in my young days, was captain of the college football team. This addiction for regular exercise has remained with me,” he said.

Sreedharan also shared that the rumours about him being considered for the position of the President of India in 2017 were all false and mere kite-flying by the media houses. He further added, "Even if I had been considered, I would have declined due to the age factor."

Presently, Sreedharan is directly in-charge of the Kochi Metro, while he is also serving the Jammu and Kashmir government for light metro projects to be implemented in Jammu and Srinagar cities.

He is also serving as a consultant to the Uttar Pradesh government for Lucknow, Kanpur and Meerut metro projects. Though he had tendered his resignation from the post last month because of time constraints, but the same was not accepted by the state Government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.