Foundation for the future New Beginnings in Bengal india ... · various stages of completion....
Transcript of Foundation for the future New Beginnings in Bengal india ... · various stages of completion....
New Beginningsin Bengal
Foundation for the future
The Unstoppables
india Organic Fair 2018
Healthcare | Special Needs | Community Development Projects
Vedic Studies | Education | Free Student Hostels | Schools | College
July - September 2018 | Vol 1 - Issue 2 | An AIM for Seva Quarterly
Dear Friends of AIM for Seva,
We, at AIM for Seva, have always been inspired by Seva and
for us, Seva is spiritual. For it is through Seva, we
metamorphose as individuals; from consumers to
contributors. We achieve this through giving and reaching
out and thereby mature emotionally too.
Guided by this spirit as well as our moving force and founder,
Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, we are currently
present across 16 states with 97 Free Student Hostels. We
began our journey in 2000 and the first Free Student Hostel
was built in Anaikatti near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Since
then, we have come a long way. I am also happy to
announce that 12 new and upcoming projects are under
various stages of completion.
It’s been a busy second quarter at AIM for Seva. Our annual
fundraiser was held on August 16 and 17 at the Music
Academy, Chennai. Spirit of the Earth, an initiative of ours
organised the first edition of the India Organic Fair 2018
with concept support from the Ministry of Women and Child
Development. The fair was held from September 7 to 11 at
the Mother Teresa Women’s Complex, Valluvarkottam High
Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Over 65 vendors from 18 states
participated in this fair.
From north to south, our hostel students continue to make
us proud. We feature two such trail blazers—Rahul Gaur and
R. Gayathri in this Quarterly.
Another momentous moment during this period was our
entry into Bengal. We have acquired land near Bardhaman,
100 kms, north west of Kolkata, West Bengal.
Lastly, please do read our cover story on the Swami
Dayananda Rotary Matriculation School in Kadalur, Cheyyur
Taluk, Kanchipuram District. The school took shape in 2005
and this project was part of a larger rehabilitation effort in
the region post the tsunami of 2004. The proceeds from our
annual fundraiser held in August will go towards this
institution.
We welcome you to join our journey and with your continued
support, we would be able to penetrate the last mile and
thereby empower and educate every child in rural India.
Thank you,
Sheela Balaji
Chairperson and Managing Trustee, AIM for Seva
I N D I A | A M E R I C A
Bridge Number 1505669533
2 Foundation for the future
National Institutionfor Transforming India
No: TN/2009/0007789
Accreditation
On our cover page: Students from Venkat Shanker AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in Mulvoy, Tamil Nadu
Contents
4 Highlights
6 Aspire
8 Hostel Focus
9 aim for seva Krupa home
10 Straight from The heart
13 The unstoppables
14 NEW and High
16 Break Free
18 India Organic fair 2018
20 Annual Fundraiser
21 Words of Wisdom
22 Swami Dayananda educational trust Updates
spirit of the earth24
Spread over 3 acres, the school's strength has
today swelled to 700. With our infrastructure of
classrooms, well equipped labs and buses to
facilitate our students, it is natural that our
institution is much sought after by parents living
nearby.
In addition to the regular academic curriculum, the
school also conducts 'Art for Development' and
'Theatre for Development' programmes. These
workshops help our students develop their
creative and communication skills, thereby
blossoming them into confident individuals.
The testimony to that is many of them are thinking
big. Take the case of 13 year old R. Mukesh who
studies in class 8 and hails from the village of
Veerattikuppam (55 km from the school). He
aspires to become an aeronautical engineer and
he lives at our Free Student Hostel within th
the same complex. Like Mukesh, another 8
grader, J. Lokeswaran from Palayam Village
(187 km from Kadalur) wants to get into
government service after completing his
education while Afrosa Begum studying in class
8 and hailing from the village of Kathankadai
(12 km from Kadalur) wants to become a pilot.
Most of them are first generation learners and
if they go on to achieve their dreams, they
would become the first ones from their village to
step into the corporate world.
Concurs V. Sundaram, administrative officer of the
school, "Our students are filled with dreams. That
is what makes our institution stand all. As staff of
the school, we take it as our duty to show them the
path of goodness. Take the case of 16 year old G.
Gokilan who has been studying in the school since
Kindergarten. The son of a farmer, his ambition is
to become a volleyball player. We encourage him to
balance his sporting goal with his academics;
education is fulfillment at the end of the day."
The Swami Dayananda Rotary Matriculation
School advocates all round development. Last
year, our boys and girls bagged the first position
in the Junior (U14) zonal level category in hand
ball. This year (2018-19), our institution is the
centre for conducting the zonal sports meet.
The strength of the school lies as much in its
teachers as in its students. Maths teacher,
Smt. Suguna Baskar is one of the oldest tutors in
the school.“The driving force behind this institution
is very different. Knowledge, intellectual capacity
and technological prowess alone have never been
sufficient to meet life's challenges. To be a
complete human being, we must have values.”
Our two-day annual fundraiser in August, in
Chennai was for this institution.
For an ordinary man, Kadalur appears to be a dot
on the Indian map, located 83 km from Chennai,
capital of Tamil Nadu. But to the parents and
guardians of the students, Kadalur is their heart
and the school, a hope for a better future.
Salient Features
Holistic development of children
Kindergarten to class 11
Well-stocked library
Smart board enabled classrooms
Spacious playground
State-of-the-art science and
computer laboratories.
Values of community service
imbibed through Junior Red
Cross
100% pass rate
How many students call their school a
second home? How many would
excitedly rush to the school in the
morning and say with a glow in their
eyes, “We enjoy every bit out here.” That
is what the Swami Dayananda Rotary
Matriculation School in Kadalur, Tamil
Nadu has created for its students – a
place where learning is fun.
T h e S w a m i D ay a n a n d a R o t a r y
Matriculation School was part of a
larger rehabilitation effort undertaken by AIM for
Seva post the tsunami of 2004. The huge tidal
waves swept away homes, boats and fishing
equipment in many coastal regions across Tamil
Nadu. Kadalur was one such fishing hamlet in the
Cheyyur Taluk in Kanchipuram District.
After the tsunami, AIM for Seva volunteers stepped
into the region and worked round the clock to
provide the poor and needy with food, clothing and
temporary shelter, fishing boats, nets and engines.
In 2005, the Swami Dayananda Rotar y
Matriculation School, Kadalur opened doors with
14 students. One of the early sponsor of the
institution was the Rotary Club of Madras Chenna
Patna.
If you wish to donate towards
construction of a new classroom
block in the school, write to us at
2
Foundation for the future
3
In March this year, the Swami Dayananda Memorial Centre
was inaugurated in Manjakkudi, Tirvarur District, Tamil Nadu.
The inauguration stood complete with our founder Pujya
Swami Dayananda Saraswati's Mürti which was installed on
August 3, 2018 at the same venue. The idol installation has
given soul and fulfillment to the Memorial Centre that now
serves as a place to conduct retreats by Arsha Vidya teachers.
The Mürti was unveiled by Pujya Swamiji's senior disciple,
Swami Prasantananda Saraswatiji in the august presence of
Swamis and Swaminis of the Arsha Vidyä Parampara. The
Swamis and Swaminis were received with Pürëakumbham in a
procession leading up to the venue where they paid their
respect to their Guru, Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
The Swamis and Swaminis shared their memories of Swamiji. Swami Prasantananda Saraswatiji
delivered the Anugraha Bhäs̃anam.
Highlights
Pujya Swamiji's Murti unveiled
The Chairperson and Managing
Trustee of AIM for Seva, Smt. Sheela
Balaji received the Devi Award at a
grand function held at ITC Grand
Chola on September 11.
The award instituted by The New
Indian Express was conferred on our
Chairperson and Managing Trustee
for her efforts in promoting organic farming and preservation of indigenous rice varieties.
Devi Award forour Chairperson
AIM for Seva celebrates Founder's Day
throughout the month of August every year.
Remembering Pujya Swami Dayananda
Saraswati, children across all our 97 Free
Student Hostels in 16 states of
India light the lamp, distribute
sweets, chant slokas and offer
prayers. Prayers bind them together
a n d s p r e a d t h e f e e l i n g o f
brotherhood. All these children hail
from the poorest section of society.
That they have got an opportunity to
study, find proper shelter, food and
guidance is a blessing to them. It is
the feeling of gratitude that all these
children carry in their hearts and
hence try their best to excel in their
own chosen direction.
For Pujya Swamiji, with love
ndOn India’s 72 Independence
Day, the tricolour was hoisted
across our Free Student Hostels
in the country.
The biggest asset to a nation are
its children and across our 97
Free Student Hostels, our
students imbibe value-based
education, the foundation of
which is understanding and
appreciating one’s culture and
traditions. It is this ignited spirit
of patriotism that takes a country
forward.
Independence Day
4 5
Aspire
Both are winners in their own right.
Manju and Harsha both secured the st
1 position in a District level competition held at
the Sri Vadiraja Samasthana Higher Primary and
High School in Innanje, Karnataka recently. Eight
schools participated in the competition. Manju
who studies at the Shri Narayana Guru Kannada
Medium School in Paduballe surprised everyone
with his commendable extempore in the 'Pick and
Speech' competition while Harsha floored
everyone with his flawless recitation of Chapter
15 of the Bhagavad Gita and managed to secure
the supreme position.
Elocution
Jaya Smrithi Dhama AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in Udupi, Karnataka
VocationPoonam Uniyal - 25 year old
AIM for Seva Sewing Centre in Haripur Kalan, Uttarakhand
Poonam aspires to take tailoring as her profession.
She is about to complete a nine month tailoring course in our centre.
Both Atul and Santosh bagged the second prize in
the talent search competition conducted by Kourav
Institute of Computer Education at Dr. K.L. Papneja
Adarsh Higher Secondary School and Thakur
Niranjan Singh High School, Kareli respectively.
Computer education
Santosh RanaClass 8
Atul Dhurve Class 10
Manju NaikClass 10
G. Harsha Class 4
Mathematics
R. Sivavarshini has topped the
national level intra-centre (5,000)
Brainobrain Abacus competition held
in Chennai recently. She solved 40
problems in three minutes flat.
Prior to this, she had won regional
competitions in Trichy and Thanjavur
solving 47 problems in two minutes
and thirty seconds. Sivavarshini has
been selected for the international
competition to be held in Dubai in
November. She will participate in this
six day event and will be
accompanied by her parents.
R. Sivavarshini - Class 6
Swami Dayananda Matric Higher SecondarySchool in Manjakkudi, Tamil Nadu
Smt. Krishna Rani Papneja AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh
At a speech competition
organised by the
Ramakrishna Mission,
100 participants
delivered eloquent
speeches on 'The Life of
Swami Vivekananda.'
Gulab Damor of Arsha Vidya Tirtha AIM for Seva
Free Student Hostel for Boys in Jaipur, Rajasthan ndwon the 2 prize. Gulab is keen to do a PhD in
music.
ElocutionGulab DamorArsha Vidya Tirtha AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Sports and education are two sides of the same coin
according to our 360 degree education model. This
approach is a proven model to success. Students from
the AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in
Sembangudi, Tamil Nadu won prizes in the
Bharathiyar Day Games at the Zonal Level conducted
by the School Education Department at G.B.H.S.S.
Valangaiman School in Tiruvarur District. These boys
have been enthusiast ical ly par t ic ipat ing
in various school competitions and coming back
with prizes. M. Gopinath
studying in class 9 won ndthe 2 prize in 3000
metres running race.
Sports champs bringhome prizes
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In the picture: The runners up
in Kabaddi at the district level
Krupahome
Creativity is another name for the AIM for Seva Free
Student Hostel in Sathyamangalam. Our 25
children living in this premises are enthusiastic
learners–-- active in academics and sports.
And when it comes to showcasing creativity, no one
can beat the hostel boys at Sathyamangalam. They
are innovators in their own right.
The construction of the AIM for Seva Free Student
Hostel for Boys in Sathyamangalam was supported
by Shri. Ram Sampath and Smt. Hema Sampath
and the hostel opened doors in 2008.
AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel in SathyamangalamTamil Nadu
Krupa residents celebrate NationalHandloom DayOn the occasion of National Handloom
Day celebrated on August 7 every year,
residents at AIM for Seva Krupa Home
celebrated the day by donning hand woven fabrics in bright hues.
The National Handloom Day highlights the contribution of handloom to the socio-economic development of
India and promotes handlooms with the objective of increasing income of our weavers.
HOSTELFOCUS
You can make online donations to show your support. Log onto www.aimforseva.org
Arun is residing at the AIM for
Seva Free Student Hostel for
Boys, Sathyamangalam since
2016. The little boy used ice
cubes, battery, small plastic
fan blades, a small motor and battery cable to put
together his air-conditioner model. He was awarded rd
the 3 prize at the science exhibition held in his
school, Kasturba Higher Secondary School, Rajan
Nagar in Sathyamangalam.
Science C. Arunkumar - Class 8
AIM For Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys inSathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu
AIM for Seva Krupa Home products
Just like our mainstream weavers, 38 residents living in AIM for Seva
Krupa Home, a home for differently-abled adults who are taught
weaving as part of their occupational therapy love the loom.
Our residents aged between 18-65 years of age have various
developmental disabilities such as autism and cerebral palsy.
Weaving helps in mind and body coordination and also acts as a
source of recreation and rehabilitation. The fabric woven by them are
stitched into products like bags, wallets, passport holders and folders.
These products are available at Spirit of the Earth, our exclusive outlet
in Mylapore, Chennai.
P. M a h a l a k s h m i w h o
participated in the drawing
competition on ‘Healthy
Lifestyle’ conducted by the
Regional Resource and
Training Centre of T.T.K.
Hospital at Semmangudi
Higher Secondary School in
Sembangudi, Tamil Nadu rdsecured the 3 position. She won a cash prize of
Rs. 500.
ArtP. Mahalakshmi - Class 11
AIM For Seva Free Student Hostel for Girls, Sembangudi, Tamil Nadu
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Madhankumar won the rd3 prize in a drawing
competition held at his
school - Kasturba Higher
Secondary School, Rajan
Nagar. Our little champ
also made an electronic
boat all by himself for his
school project.
ArtR. Madhankumar - Class 7
AIM For Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu
With the objective of
increasing the income of
the weavers in our country,
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi started the 'National
Handloom Day' in 2015, in
line with the Swadeshi
Movement proclaimed on
August 7 in 1905. This day
commemorates the
contribution of the weavers
of our country who have
kept a 5,000 year tradition
alive and in demand.
Computer Age Management Services Private Limited
Computer Age Management Services (CAMS) has been supporting us for the past four years.
This quarter, the company gave the first installment of Rs. 4 lakh out of the sanctioned amount of
Rs. 12 lakh towards student sponsorship for 38 students living in the S. Viswanathan Memorial AIM for
Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
Thank you
Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance
Rs. 2 lakh
KKR Trust - Rs. 2 lakh
Straight from The heart
L&T Valves LimitedM/s L&T Valves Limited supported us with Rs. 5 lakh towards construction of a compound wall at the
Swami Dayananda Rotary Matriculation School in Kadalur, Tamil Nadu. Last year, the company gave
Rs. 10 lakh to the same institution and the donation was utilised for buying desks and computer lab
equipment.
Aanandam Charitable TrustAanandam Charitable Trust, the land and building donor of the AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys
in Salai Village near Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu donated Rs. 3.6 lakh as student sponsorship for 12 students th
living in the hostel. This is the 5 consecutive year that Aanandam Charitable Trust is supporting this Free
Student Hostel.
Dewan Housing Finance Limited
Dewan Housing Finance Limited has been a regular supporter of AIM for Seva. Last quarter, they had sent
books and stationery items to our children living in the AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel in Alwal
(Telengana), Yelahanka (Karnataka) and Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu). In the past, the home finance
company has donated bunker cots for the AIM for Seva Dayananda Tribal Boys Free Student Hostel in
Anaikatti, Tamil Nadu. This quarter they donated Rs. 8 lakh to help us build the compound wall at the
AIM for Seva Dayananda Tribal Boys Free Student Hostel in Anaikatti, Tamil Nadu. During 2016-17 and
2017-18, Dewan Housing Finance Limited provided student sponsorships to all the students in Free
Student Hostels for boys in Anaikatti, Tamil Nadu and for girls in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh.
A generous heart
Welcoming Oil India Limited who have joined hands with us this quarter by donating Rs. 2.10 lakh as
student sponsorship for 7 students living at the Shri Chunilal Vij AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys
in Rohtak, Haryana.
Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited
Rs. 2.40 lakh
Smt. Meera Chari, a well wisher of AIM for Seva has been consistently supporting us in all our endeavours.
Apart from regular contributions, she helped us with a generous donation for construction of the toilet
blocks in Semmangudi Higher Secondary School, Sembangudi, Tamil Nadu. And this time, she came
forward with Rs. 4 lakh for our annual fundraiser conducted over 2 days in August in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Oil India Limited
&
10 11
The New India Assurance Co. Ltd.Rs. 4.70 lakh
The unstoppables
This is the first time Tata Motors has come
forward to express their support towards our
work. In August, employees of TATA Motors in
Nigdi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune visited our
children living in AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in Chikhali, Maharashtra. They brought with them
30 sets of school uniform, one volleyball, stationery and snacks. On the occasion, Prathamesh studying in
class 10 gave a speech on AIM for Seva and its activities. The hostel students enthusiastically chanted
slokas and sang bhajans that they learnt recently as part of their activities. We are very happy with this new
association.
Gifts galore from Tata Motors
February 2018 was a momentous month for
19 year alumnus, Rahul Gaur, a student of the AIM
for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys at
Karnaprayag, Uttarakhand. On February 13, Rahul
came first in the 800 metres race at the state level
championship held at the Maharana Pratap Sports
College, Dehradun.
Eight days later, he came to know that he has been
selected in the Garhwal Regiment of the Indian
Army. Rahul is now gunning for the national
championship and then the Olympics and he is
certain that the Indian Army would support him in
this endeavour.
Bhag Rahul Bhag
R. Gayathri, 18 presently living in the
Atmalayam Swami Dayananda AIM for
Seva Free Student Hostel for Girls in
Udumalpet, Tamil Nadu epitomises
perseverance and determinat ion.
Daughter of a labourer, Gayathri hails
from Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu and lost
her mother at the age of 13. Her father too
was attacked by parthinum allergy, an
a i rborne contact dermat i t i s that
prohibited him from leading a healthy life.
But nothing stopped her from continuing
her education. She scored 1119 out of
1200 in her class XII board examinations.
In spite of studying in Tamil medium till
her higher secondary school, she
managed to score 84% in her second
semester examinations in her second year
B.Com at the Government Arts College,
Udumalpet where the medium of
instruction is English. Gayathri has made
all of us very proud! And she continues to
march ahead.
Trail blazer from south
Straight from The heart
Emirates AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Girls
in Dharmapuri has always been a hub of activities.
Every morning, 28 girls living in this hostel beam
with energy and creativity. Running for the second
year in a row, the Titan 'Art for Development
Programme' has contributed towards to our girls
ingenuity to a large extent. And now earlier this
month, Titan gifted solar heaters and a CCTV unit
for the comfort and safety of our children.
Titan continues to support
A bag full of loveS.S.R. M.P.L. Elementary school in Bapatla, Andhra
Pradesh donated school bags to our children living in
Kosuri-Doraiswamy AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel
for Boys in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. These school
bags were bought from contributions of the alumni of
the school – an initative taken by Shri. A. Sathish
Prabhakar, Member of Legislative Council, Guntur
and Shri. S. Niranjan, Chairperson of Mandal
Education Office, Bapatla and Shri. P. V. Sambasiva Rao, Headmaster of the school. Our 36 children living in
the hostel are very happy and have now found a new reason to go to school.
Rahul's confidence is not without reason.
Politician and former shooter, Rajyavardhan Singh
Rathore won the silver in the double trap event at
the 2004 Olympic Games. At that time, he was in
the Indian Army in the 9th Grenadiers (Mewar)
Regiment.
12 13
Renaissance of modern India had its origins in
Bengal. Alongside the bourgeoisie community
and the culture of the west, Bengal's literary
and cultural conversation with the rest of the
world is a landmark in global history. Naturally
AIM for Seva’s presence would be incomplete
without an entry into Bengal.
We have just bought land approximately, 30
cents (0.3 acre) to build a new Free Student
Hostel for Boys in Bardhaman. Bardhaman or
Burdwan is 100 km from Kolkata and has its
own illustrious history. The hostel should be
ready by the next academic year (2019-20).
New beginnings in Bengal
The construction of our new co-education school in
Padali Village, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
supported by Shri. Jugal Kishor and Smt. Bimla
Kishor is 60% complete.
This upcoming school facility is on a five-acre plot
in Padali Village, located 50 km from Indore and
24 km from Omkareshwar. This institution is
designed to be a residential school and is set to
transform the lives of rural children around the
region.
We also plan to set up a Free Student Hostel for
boys and girls, provide a rural ambulance service
and create a health sanitation programme for the
local community.
AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Girls in Kusumbhi Village,
Unnao District in Uttar Pradesh is now open for admission. The
hostel land and the building has been magnanimously
sponsored by Dr. Rajkumar Nigam. The inaugural function was
held on September 19, 2018. The village head, Shri Ranjanlal
Awasthi and Principal, Government Girls Inter College,
Nawabganj, Smt. Sumalika were the chief guests for the
occasion. The local villagers also joined in the celebration. We
already have 21 girls living with us and look forward to support
many more to the best of our ability.
Bhoomi Pooja at Unnao
AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel in Kamalapuram, Andhra
Pradesh has got a new vehicle to take our children to
school. The driver, M.V. Narayana Reddy who has been
working with us for the last 3 years, comes in at 8:30 am
everyday and ensures that our Free Student Hostelers reach
the school, 3 km away in time. The bus accommodates 33
children who now ride to school comfortably.
New vehicle for our students
New school in Madhya Pradesh
A Free Student Hostel for girls was
recently inaugurated in Andhra Pradesh.
This building is located in Ameenapet in
Eluru Mandal in the West Godavari
District of Andhra Pradesh. Land and
building donor, Shri. Kocharlakota Rao who lives in USA graced the occasion along with other guests from
the village.
Eluru Mandal in Andhra Pradesh, where farming has been mainstay has developed quite a bit in the last
few years. The coastal area known for its rugs is now better connected. Thanks to improved road
infrastructure, today the region is home to educational institutions such as Sri Chaitanya School,
C.R. Reddy Public School and Bhashyam E.M. School. The hostel at present has 14 children and we hope
to nurture many more.
New Free Student Hostel for girls in Andhra Pradesh
NEW and High
A Bhoomi Pooja and the Khatmuhurt programme
of a new Free Student Hostel for Boys at Dhandhuka,
Gujarat was conducted by P.P. Swami Paramatmananda
Saraswatiji and P.P. Mahanta Shri Shambhunathaji
Maharaj in July. The construction of this hostel is
expected to be completed by March 2019 and the new
academic session will commence from June 2019.
Gujarat Bhoomi Pooja
14 15
The traditional art of Bommalattam provided a good break to
the students of the Dayasagar AIM for Seva Free Student
Hostel for Boys in Palani, Tamil Nadu recently. On the first
weekend of July, the boys got together and put in their
creative best. First, the boys put together pieces of cloth,
pins, colours and threads to bring string puppets alive on
stage. Then a voice over was provided and stories from our
folklore were brought alive on stage through the puppets. The
result was an entertaining puppet show.
Seshachariar AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel
for Boys in Cumbum, Tamil Nadu children
enjoyed a 3-day fun filled camp within the hostel st rd
premises from 21 to 23 September. Swami
Poornananda Saraswati, Swami Yogeshananda Saraswati, Br. Vishwanathan, Br. Ramanathan presided
over the inauguration ceremony. The camp included storytelling, classical and devotional music, yoga,
games and a host of activities for children. This mid-term camp provided a good break from the regular
schedule for 51 boys of the Cumbum Free Student Hostel. Such recesses help our students explore their
potential beyond academics and examinations. It also boosts their confidence and takes them closer to
Indian culture and values.
Fun-filled camp
In July, Bapu-Buddh AIM for Seva Free
Student Hostel for Boys in Indore had an
annual get together function organised by
AIM for Seva supporters. Shri. Radhey Shyam
Julaniya, Secretary of Water Resources and
Health Department, Madhya Pradesh and
other special guests were present at the
event. More than 550 people from Indore
and nearby cities attended the event.
A galore gathering
Emirates AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for
Girls in Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu had guest
visitors spending time with our children.
Shr i . N.E. Sr idhar, head of corporate
sustainability at Titan along with his colleague,
Smt. P.S. Santhi chose to spend time with all our 28 children from the hostel. On their part, the kids were
happy to see the real faces behind the 'Art for Development' programme that had been in operation for
the past two years. Titan continues to be a valued partner and has supported us this year too with student
sponsorship and ‘Art for Development’ programme at the Dharmapuri Free Student Hostel and ‘Art for
Development’ programme at our Free Student Hostel in Yelahanka. The interaction saw the girls of the
Dharmapuri Free Student Hostel sharing their experiences in the hostel and their plans ahead. Titan
officials gave a presentation of their company.
An hour to remember
Puppet play
Temple tour
A I M f o r S e v a
p a r t n e r e d w i t h
Pratham Books for
their annual 'One
Day, One Story' event
on September 8 on
the occasion of World
Literacy Day. The
idea was to encourage children to fall in love with reading.
A Cloud of Trash, written by Karanjeet Kaur, and illustrated
by Bhavana Vyas Vipparthi was sent to all hostels in
Andhra Pradesh (12) and Telengana (4). It's a story about
a little girl called Cheekoo, who has a cloud of trash
hanging over her head. This makes her very, very unhappy,
and as we follow her story, we learn a little more about
trash, and about keeping our surroundings clean. Our
children across 16 hostels in both states read out the
story aloud and even enjoyed enacting it.
Once upon a time
BreakFree
Students of the Atmalayam Swami Dayananda AIM for Seva Free Student
Hostel for Girls in Udumalpet were taken for a pilgrimage tour to Srirangam,
Thiruvanikkaval, Kallanai, Samayapuram, Uchi Pillayar Koil, Thanjavur for
two days. The 65 hostel students stayed at Srirangam. The Srimaan Trust,
Srirangam took care of their food and accommodation. In fact, one of our
students, recited the Thiruvarangam of Srirangam
with tremendous ease. Trustee founder of the
Srimaan Trust, Sri. Parashara Badri Narayana
Bhattar Swamy told them about the greatness of
Srirangam temple, explaining to them in detail
the stories attached to every pillar and
structure. According to our girl hostelers, this
yatra was highly informative and the
knowledge gained was an experience of a
lifetime.
16 17
Organised by Spirit of the Earth, an initiative of AIM
of Seva, which has revived organic heritage rice, the
fair was held from September 7 to 11, 2018 at the
Mother Teresa Women’s Complex, Valluvarkottam
High Road with concept support from the Ministry of
Women and Child Development. KKR Trust donated
Rs. 2 lakh towards the India Organic Fair 2018.
“We would like to make India Organic Fair 2018 a
national movement from Chennai,” Sheela Balaji,
Chairperson and Managing Trustee of AIM for Seva
said at the inaugural function.
This was followed by an enlightening presentation
on folk varieties of rice by guest of honour,
Dr. K. Vijayalakshmi of CIKS (Centre for Indian
Knowledge Systems). Sabarmatee Tiki, one of the
Nari Shakti award recipients of 2018 and founder
of NGO Sambhav, was the guest speaker at the
inaugural function. The chief guest of the inaugural
event, M. Murali, Managing Director, Sri Krishna
Sweets said the time had come to develop rice SKUs
(stock keeping units) and sell the same as the
country had such rich bio diversity.
From spices in the Kumaon Himalayas to organic
produce from Kerala, the best of India was under
one roof on all five days.
thOn day 2 (September 8 ), there was an interesting
dialogue between Cdr S. Lakshmanan Iyer from
Bio Basics and athlete, yoga expert and social
activist Gayathre Rajam on 'Be Organic and Buy
Organic' in the morning.
In the afternoon, Programme Director from the
Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS),
Smt. Subhashini Sridhar along with her colleague,
Shri. R. Manikandan, programme coordinator at
CIKS shared their knowledge on what goes into
India Organicfair 2018
setting up and maintaining an organic farm. The
evening concluded with Sacred Offerings by
Rakesh Raghunathan. His temple food cookery
demo was filled with stories, songs and lesser
known facts of south Indian culture.
thOn day 3 (September 9 ), it was literally farm to
the table. Sunday morning saw urban farmers
taking centre stage in a panel discussion. India’s
rice warrior, Dr. Debal Deb gave a wonderful
presentation where he highlighted the conceptual
differences in organic and ecological agriculture
on Sunday afternoon.
This was followed by a lip smacking session.
Shonali Muthalaly, editor of The Hindu MetroPlus
moderated this session with renowned cook book
authors, Smt. Sabita Radhakrishna, Smt. Mallika
Badrinath and Smt. Prathiba Jain who shared their
journey of collecting and documenting heirloom
recipes.
thOn September 10 , Monday there was an interesting
morning dialogue between Dr. K. Vijayalakshmi
(Founder, Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems)
and India’s rice warrior, Dr. Debal Deb. They shared
their insights on the future of organic farming –
scope, challenges and what farmers and
consumers could do to support the movement.
In the evening, there was an interesting session
on Rice—the Fundamental Nourishment as
described in Ayurveda. The panellists were
Ayurveda Acharya L. Mahadevan, Dr. Amutha
Damodaran and Dr. Arvind Bharadwaj.
The first edition of the India Organic Fair 2018 got off to a flying start on September 7 in Chennai.
India Organic 2018 drew to a
grand close on September
11 evening with a violin recital
by Dr. Parur Harini Srivatsa.
All the vendors at the
India Organic Fair 2018
received a certificate of
participation from the
Chairperson and Managing
Trustee of AIM for Seva,
Smt. Sheela Balaji.
18 19
The premises of Music Academy beamed with enthusiastic supporters who
had saved their date for the AIM for Seva annual fundraiser.
The evening began with the AIM for Seva anthem presented by children of
the Swami Dayananda Rotary Matriculation School, Kadalur. This was
followed by a moving speech by Swamini Suddhavidyananda Saraswatiji
who runs our Free Student Hostel for Girls in Chinnasalem, Tamil Nadu.
For the next 105 minutes, Krishna swept away the audience at the
Music Academy. To spread this message of love and compassion for
others, AIM for Seva chose to stage Anitha Guha's Nandalala. Filled with dramatic movements,
Nandalala kept the audience glued to their seats with its scintillating performance.
At the end of the performance, our Swamijis and Swaminis, chief guest for the evening, Smt. Revathi
Ramachandran, Director of Kalakshetra Foundation and Smt. Anitha Guha, Director of Bharathanjali
were honoured by the Chairperson and Managing Trustee of AIM for Seva, Smt. Sheela Balaji.
Aug 16 by Anitha Guha's Bharathanjali
at Music Academy, Chennai
Fundraiser
Aug 17 by Kala Sadhanalaya, founded by Smt. Revathi Ramachandran at Music Academy, Chennai
The programme commenced with the Chairperson and Managing Trustee of AIM for Seva, Smt. Sheela
Balaji felicitating Swamini Vishvapriyananda Saraswatiji who heads two of
our AIM for Seva Free Student Hostels and a primary school in
Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu. After this, two students from AIM for Seva
Free Student Hostel in Sriperumbudur shared their experiences of
hostel life with the audience. Jagat Pavani Ganga painted the glory
of Ganga interpreted through ancient and contemporary verses.
After the performance, Shri. R. Kannan, Treasurer, AIM for Seva
honoured the chief guest of the evening, acclaimed performer
and choreographer, Smt. Anita Ratnam, choreographer of Jagat
Pavani Ganga, Smt. Revathi Ramachandran and violin maestro,
Shri. Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan.
caring, from being only a consumer to be a
contributor.
Danam, giving and sharing, is a mark of growth.
Not giving is a mark of being stunted. Remaining a
consumer all the time, and not becoming a
contributor, is not the Vedic view of life. We have to
be contributors.
Even though you do not have compassion, you can
act compassionately and you will discover
compassion. If you do not have love, act lovingly;
you will discover love. Similarly, in the act of giving,
you grow, people grow and your country grows!
'Giving' is the means for growth.
You keep giving until it hurts. You can give your
time, you can lend a sympathetic ear to someone;
lot of people want such ears. You can express
words of appreciation, encouragement, empathy
and so on. Sharing your knowledge with
somebody is also caring. You can also pray for
somebody; there are many ways of giving. Only by
giving you grow.
Words of Wisdom
In this section, we are
sharing excerpts from
Danam-written by our founder, Pujya Swami
Dayananda Saraswati.
We came from a culture where there was zero
competition. Every priest was a son of a priest;
every washer-man, barber, blacksmith and
goldsmith inherited his profession, the skill from
his father. This is how our society has been, and
even today a son of a priest may not be a priest,
but every priest is still a son of a priest.
So, from a non-competitive society we are pushed
now into a competitive culture, which means
everybody becomes insecure. We need to grow to
handle ourselves in a culture of competition. We
have to conform to rules, providing space for
others, and even enjoying others' success. And we
can do so only if we have self-worth.
One's self-worth is not mere money. It is one's
culture. The culture of Hindus is one of caring. As
an individual, as a corporate entity, as a collective
body, we care and express that care. We grow by
20 21
We are running caring programmes under the All India Movement (AIM)
for Seva. We build and manage student hostels in rural areas. By participating
in our programmes, you have an opportunity to grow and be a contributor.
Be a part of AIM for Seva programmes of caring.
July 9 2018 was a red letter day for the students,
management and staff of the Swami Dayananda thCollege of Arts & Science, Manjakkudi. The 14
graduation day was held that day with 535
students receiving their degrees. Amongst them,
11 are university rank holders.
Smt. Sheela Balaji, Chairperson and Managing
Trustee, Swami Dayananda Educational Trust
welcomed the gathering. Dr. N. Kanakasabesan,
Principal of the college presented the academic
achievements of staff members and the students.
Swami Omkarananda Saraswati, Founder, Sri
Swami Chidbhavananda Ashramam, Theni
presided over the function and delivered the
Anugraha Bhäs̃anam.
th 14 Convocation Day at the Swami Dayananda College of Arts & Science
thThe 10 Inter-Patashala Vedic Competition 2018
organised by OM Charitable Trust in the city in July
saw all three of our students from the Swami
Dayananda Vedapatashala in Kodavasal,
Tamil Nadu bagging top ranks (securing over 90%)
in the competit ion. The three students,
Satyamoorthy Krishna (Krishna Yajur Vedam 3
participant), G. Rajesh (Krishna Yajur Vedam 4
participant) and V. Sri Hari (Krishna Yajur Vedam 4
participant), all secured top ranks in the
competition. And this is not the first time.
In 2015, S.M. Karthikeyan, our Vedapatashala
student, secured the first rank in Krishna Yajur
Vedam 4 while N. Balaji stood second in Krishna
Yajur Vedam 4 . A year before, in 2014,
M. Ramanathan from the Kodavasal Vedapatashala
secured rank one in Krishna Yajur Vedam 4 while
H. Arun, another of our Vedapatashala student
also came first in Krishna Yajur Vedam 3.
This year, there were 3,000 applicants for the
competition from across the country. Krishnamoorthy
Hegde, Krishna Yajur Vedam Adyapaka at the
Swami Dayananda Vedapatashala in Kodavasal
proudly remarked, “As per the admission criteria to
this competition, only those students who secured
above 85% could enter the event. Only 360
students from across India made it to the
competition.”
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
Swachh Bharat Mission, the new toilet
blocks at the Semmangudi Higher Secondary
School in Sembangudi, Tamil Nadu have
been functional since August. We had
started raising funds for the toilet block via a
crowd funding platform earlier this year.
It was topped up with donors who came
forward with their generous contributions.
With adequate sanitation facilities and
improved hygiene conditions, there would be
no long queues during lunch break for our
students.
Construction of new toilet block completed
Torch bearers of our Vedic tradition
Swami Dayanandaeducational trust
Updates
That is not all. The OM Charitable Trust has also
declared our Vedapatashala amongst the Top 10
Vedapatashalas in the country based on overall
pedagogy, cleanliness and hygiene of the
classroom and surrounding environment and food
and other support provided to students.
Our enrolments at the Vedapatashala have
also seen a steady rise over the last decade.
From a mere five students in 2007, this
number has moved up to 34 this academic
year.
A registered public charitable trust, OM Charitable
Trust has been formed to encourage education
and research on Indian heritage education.
Among other things, the Trust conducts
competitions in the area of Shastras and
scriptures, thereby honouring our scholars who
are studying the Vedas and Vedanta.
Dr. M. Murugesan, Principal and member
syndicate, Sudharsan College of Arts & Science,
Perumanadu, Pudukkottai was felicitated at the
function. Shri. M.G. Srinivasan, Correspondent of
the college delivered the vote of thanks.
The students shared their experience of studying
in the college and called it as 'the best days of their
lives'.
Bagging prizes in zonal sports
Twelve schools had participated in the zonal
sports and games meet of Kodavasal, held
at Ohai in August. Three of our students from
the Swami Dayananda Matric Higher
Secondary School came back with prizes.
stS. Suriya of class 12 won the 1 position in
javelin and shotput while another student of nd
the same class, S. Subhash came 2 in
running (under 17 category). R. Pynshailang
Kharlait studying in class 8 grabbed the second
position in shotput (under 14 category).
22 23
spirit ofthe earth
On August 1, Spirit of the Earth, an AIM for Seva
initiative participated in the FICCI Flo Bazaar
organised by FICCI Flo, Chennai Chapter at ITC
Grand Chola.
Spirit of the Earth, which has revived indigenous
rice displayed 12 varieties of organic, heritage rice
varieties such as Kalajeera, Karuppu Kavuni,
lluppai Poo Champa, Mapillai Champa and Thooyamalli among others at its stall in the FICCI Flo Bazaar.
Visitors showed a lot of enthusiasm and were curious to know about the benefits of consuming
indigenous rice.
Spirit of the earth @ FICCI Flo Bazaar, Chennai
Spirit of the Earth, an AIM for Seva initiative made a
presentation on heritage grains to officials at the US Consulate,
Chennai in July. The interaction dwelt on the benefits of heritage
rice such as red rice and others like Karuppu Kavuni. During the
presentation, we told the audience how indigenous rice varieties
like Mapillai Champa, Karuppu Kavuni and
Kalajeera are low on the GI
(glycemic index). For those
looking to switch to organic
heritage rice, the regular rice
grains can be substituted with indigenous ones in idli and dosa batter.
The discussion was followed by sampling of snacks made from black rice
and other varieties.
Grainy insights: Knowledge sharing at US Consulate,Chennai
INTACH (The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage,
Chennai Chapter) had invited the Chairperson and Managing
Trustee of AIM for Seva, Smt. Sheela Balaji to give a talk on
her journey on the heritage rice trail on July 20 at Amethyst in
Chennai.
Smt. Balaji began her presentation by sharing her experience
with rice; from collecting rice seeds five years back to her
encounters with farmers and challenges on spreading
awareness on organic rice. Smt. Sheela Balaji emphasised
the significance of consuming heritage rice. “When it comes
to nutrition in rice, 80% of the nutrition is in the bran and
though wheat has more protein when compared to rice, the
quality of protein is better in rice as it comes packed with
eight amino acids and plenty of micro nutrients." The
glycemic index in brown rice with one husk coating ranges
from 55-62 while this moves up to 72 in the case of the
Ponni variety. In fact, damaged cells can be renewed if one
consumes black rice.
Our Chairperson and Managing Trustee's Talk at INTACH
FICCI Flo Bazaar
organised by
FICCI Flo,
Chennai Chapter
at
ITC Grand Chola.
24
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