CHENNAI: An Indian Forest Service official of the West Bengal cadre, who completed his stint as the regional passport officer in Chennai a couple of days ago, has adopted his native village Siruvathur in Panruti taluk of Cuddalore district and helped the 2,500 families of the village get clean drinking water, free rice bags, street lights and other basic amenities.Speaking to TOI on Wednesday , K Balamurugan said, “I visited my village after 30 years and felt that I needed to do my bit for the villagers who were deprived of basic needs. I approached the Indian Farmers Cooperative who offered 1,500 tarpaulins to protect the huts of the villagers as well as 1,500 bags of rice.“Balamurugan said that his efforts were inspired by one of the villagers who sought his help, saying, “Your father migrated from the village for your education but all of us cannot do that.Children have to walk seven km on the farm road to reach the Panruti town school. After their school hours, girls have to rush to reach our village before dark as there have been instances of harassment and there are no street lights.“ The bureaucrat also hopes to prevail upon the authorities to construct a causeway between Siruvathur and Panikamkuppam as both villages are isolated and the villagers have to take a circuitous 15 km road around the Keedalam river.Balamurugan has tied up with the Neyveli Lignite Corporation to rebuild the dilapidated government high school at a cost of Rs 60 lakh.“The school classrooms and compound were frequented by anti-social elements who turned it into a den for drinking and illegal activities. I took the help of officials to stop this menace and ensure that children who had stopped schooling came back to continue their education,“ he said.The official signed off by saying that he hoped to make his village a model one for others to emulate.