Visit to Samyuktha Foundation - Hyderabad

This is a short report of my first visit to mobile schools run by Samyuktha foundation in Hyderabad.Samyuktha foundation runs mobile schools around Hi-Tech city in Hyderabad and also supports various other activities. Here is the link of Samyuktha foundation http://samyukthafoundation.org/

I came to know about Samyuktha foundation from Natarajan. On August 23rd, 2008 I finally visited a mobile school in Gacchibowli run by Samyuktha foundation. Its a great day in my life. Many thoughts flooded my mind when I saw those smiling children there. They are just amazing. Some of them gave superb dance and singing performances.

My first task in Samyuktha was to track an 8-year old boy (approx) in Telugu, English, Maths and Life skills. This child's name is Balu.There is some spark in his eyes that amazed me. He performed excellently in Telugu, English, Maths of phase-1(Basic education is imparted in two phases in Samyuktha).I was very excited by his performance. When I asked him what he wanted to become in life, he was reluctant to share it with me.( I gave it as homework to him for next week.)
There is another child named Shailaja.My God! She has very high levels of energy and enthusiasm. She danced superbly and she wanted to perform more and more on that day. She is unstoppable. She not only participated but also encouraged her friends to dance and sing with her(she is a database for Telugu songs).I saw a blooming leader in Shailaja.

Not just these two kids but every child present there is special in his/her own way. They showed me the true spirit of life. I enjoyed every moment of my visit. Unknowingly I helped myself by visiting Samyuktha.

Volunteers of Samyuktha are highly committed to the cause they have taken up. They are full of energy and enthusiasm.(This report will become a very long report if I start writing about them. So I will stop here)

May God shower his blessings on those joyful children and also on all the volunteers of Samyuktha.I am eagerly waiting for all the wonderful things my next Saturday will bring to me.

Thanks,
Geethanjali.

Response from Dr.APJ

Dear Friends,

We take great pleasure in sharing the kind response from Dr.APJ sir about the meeting report.

From: Abdulkalam APJ <apj@abdulkalam.com>
Date: Mon, Aug 18, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: [India_Vision_2020] A report on meeting with Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam on July 25th, 2008 - DreamIndia perspective
To: India_Vision_2020@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail.com>

Dear Shri Natarajan Raman,

Thank you for your elaborate mail on the event and discussions which took place on 25 July 2008. For me, your mail with all the details was really an interesting material to read. After meeting India 2020 Vision team, I would have met over 100,000 youth at different places like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala) and Chennai. In all these places, I have given the following message:

I recall a situation in 1990 beginning when I was addressing the youth many young people were asking me "When I can sing a song of India?", Last year in July 2007, I heard them saying "What can I give to my nation?". But on 24 July 2008, I have heard the youth saying that "I can do it".

This message of "I can do it - we can do it and nation can do it" has emanated from the discussions we had with the India Vision 2020 Team at Chennai on 25 July 2008. So I would like to greet all the members of India Vision 2020 for giving the youth an opportunity to join an action oriented team for contributing towards societal transformation.

Greetings and best wishes

Kalam

Thanks,
Natarajan
Dream India
www.dreamindia2020.org

Report and snaps of DI Chennai I-day celebration@Vasantham

Dear Friends,

After three long years, I finally got to be in India for the Independence day. And quite honestly, it could not have got any better than this. DreamIndia team in Chennai celebrated Independence day along with the special children of Vasantham.DI members present were: Srinivasan, Elavarasi, Aparna, Aarti and myself. Also my friends from TCS Chris, Anitha and Mogana Priya joined us.

Elavarasi, Aarti and myself we started from Thiruvanmiyur by 6.45 AM. Elavarasi and Aarti bought sweets for the children very thoughtfully. We reached Vasantham around 8 and straight away our friends started assisting in setting up things for the function. Srini also joined us soon. Later, after making the arrangements, we were served breakfast. TCS friends joined us in sometime too.

Flag was hoisted by our chief guest Ms. Vidya madam, Director L&D Inautix. After this, we had intro session of all those who have been supporting Vasantham for years. It was hearting to see a group from Anna University, all second year students, doing really wonderful job. Also present was a retired IPS officer, Mr.Kannan, a very humble man.This was followed by a speech from Vidya madam.

The real action started from then, yeah the kids took center stage :-) First we had welcome dancing [ dun miss the videos guys ], Gandhi song dance, Story on Unity is strength, News reading, Special dance by Sathish [ this kid was amazing ], Skit and dance by Anna Univ Students which we too joined :-) I have got the videos of almost all the programs from children for you. The excellent performance of them showed how talented these children are. [ All those who have been to Manavya would be able to appreciate this ].

After prize distribution to the kids, the function came to an end with vote of thanks followed by us all singing National Anthem. Not to forget the wonderful lunch they had ready for us:). Overall, the special kids of the special school made the I-day an amazing one for everyone present.

Relive the moment [ includes videos as well ] : http://picasaweb.google.com/natadreams/IDayVasantham

On behalf of DI, special thanks to all those friends who made it. And a very special thanks to Alli madam for inviting us all to be a part of the special day.

Regards,
Natarajan
Dream India
www.dreamindia2020.org
"Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress." - Mahatma

Kaakum Karangal monthly visit on August 3rd, Sunday 2008

Dear Friends,

DI Chennai visited Kaakum Karangal, the old age home in Thiruvanmiyur, on Sunday as per the plan and provided dinner to all the inmates. We had six new friends Ramya, Viji, Bijal, JP, Sastry and Chandru join us for the visit this time. After the prayer session, our friends served dinner to all inmates. As per the inputs from them all, we had bought 2 paratas, one dosa and 2 bananas each.

Special thanks to all those who made it for the day without minding the language barrier. Our next visit is planned for September 7th, 2008. If you are interested in being a part of the event, please do mail me.

Snaps: http://picasaweb.google.com/natadreams/KaakumKarangalAugustVisit

Thanks to all the volunteers who made the evening a special one.

Regards,
Natarajan
DreamIndia
www.dreamindia2020.org

"Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress." - Mahatma

DI Chennai Members in CSR

Dear Friends,

I hope all of you remember an article sent by Varun sometime back about the conversation he had with Chennai city cops. [ http://varun-dreamindia.blogspot.com/2007/11/conversation-with-traffic-policeman.html]

It is then, I along with my brother Hari, decided to join this CSR force as soon as I get back to motherland:-) More than anything, you require a lot of patience to join this. Let me tell you why:-)

First, one and half months ago, I called 103 to reach the control room and got the traffic police number. From there, I was directed to Adyar [ the place I live ] number. After talking to the cop in charge, we visited the Besant Nagar police station only to find the Inspector not at work. He asked us to come around 7 in the evening. Later, when we called, again we were asked to visit Adyar police station. It was really irritating, but we had more to come.

Now, as we reached the Adyar police station, we wrote a petition that we would like to join CSR force. The cop who got the petition told us that he would call us in one week within which he would collect the kit for us.:-) Now, this made me think the dream of standing on roads and helping cops manage the traffic would become a reality soon. But how can it happen here?:-)

Again, it took four to five calls over a period of three weeks to make them understand that we were really interested in being a part of this. Seeing that we would not relent, one day the cop who collected the petition called me and asked me to come and meet him in person. With complete sense of interest, I rushed the next day evening, only to find the cop handing me couple of application forms which they were supposed to give me the very first day :-))

The best part of it happened last weekend. On Saturday, I was surprised to hear that cops had called my brother and informed that they wanted to meet us. When my brother informed we would come in the evening to meet, they were like, "please give us your house address, we will come and meet you". Now, this was a real surprise for us.... Can u imagine cops coming to meet u for CSR??:-)

As soon as they reached our house, we got to know the reason for their "personal visit". They had an order from the ACP, that CSR's from all areas should be sent for the meeting at Commissioner office to be held in the evening failing which action would be taken against them. After getting the invitation from them [ I was forced to miss Srinivasan's class ], both of us we went to commissioner office and attended the meeting.

I made it clear to the ACP that "getting application forms" by itself is one such big task and none would be interested to join the CSR if this remains the case. He promised to make sure app forms would be made available soon at all local police stations. And one more thing, do not know the reason really, but almost all, say 95% people who had come for meeting were of age 60+. To be honest,most of them would need help themselves. The ACP has promised to revive CSR concept, let us hope for the best.

Now, read this article in "The Hindu" - http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/24/stories/2003062400340300.htm This would make u feel u are a part of CSR already :-)

Dun worry, will keep you entertained with more stories on this soon...:-)

Anbudan,
Natarajan
DreamIndia
www.dreamindia2020.org

PS: Between, finally we got the Rs.103 kit from commissioner office :-)

"Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress." - Mahatma

Visit to CHES, Chennai

Dear All,

Last week, Parthy and myself, we visited CHES,Community Health Education Society (CHES) office at Kodambakam, Chennai. The email from Paravai foundation along with emails in past from India Sudar prompted us to visit this place.

Dr.Manoramo, the in charge of the home, explained the activities of the home in detail. Almost all the residents of the home are HIV positive which includes cradle babies as well. Madam also told us about a lot of cases where they proved people declared HIV +ve turned out to be -ve later, especially the kids born to HIV +ve parents.

We would be visiting the home at Valsaravakam sometime soon. Will update you all with a detailed report and snaps as soon as we visit the place.

Anbudan,
Natarajan
DreamIndia
www.dreamindia2020.org

"Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress." - Mahatma