IRAIYANBU Illam was founded by Thiru. Gershom Chelliah, 'a friend, philosopher, guide guardian'. Once an NRI and now a resident of the Secretariat Colony,  he with the moral and spiritual support of his wife Mrs. Lydia Chelliah, who worked for the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Bahrain for thirty five long years, serves here, in memory of his loving parents, Mr. K. Chelliah and Mrs. Clary Bell Chelliah of Puthenkadai, Thiruvattar and grandparents, Mr.Eathavilai Packiyanathan and Mrs.Lydia Packiyanathan  of Kanyakumari District. Now his son, Mr. Jeremy Paul Chelliah and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Alice Chelliah are looking after the welfare of the inmates with the motto: "YOUR  SORROW  WILL  BE TURNED  INTO  JOY”.