Voluntear the mask Answers – May 2014
Answers:
1. Gnanambigai
2. Prashanthi
3.Priyanka
Blog
Wish of a story
Here is a cute message from our volunteer Srinivasan; as you read you would know whom it is addressed too…..
When I was a child, my granny used to say “if you don’t behave well, Saami kanna kuthidum”. I took it serious at that time. I haven’t committed any kind of mischief; just by blindly adhering to her words and obeying her. Because of zero awareness, the phrase got attached deep to my heart and I behaved very well. But now while thinking about it i get to know; why she had told me so? I.e. just to build me as a generous man and to make my life ecstatic.
Belief system in our body plays the major role in our life. Psychology says that if our belief system is attacked, we would never hear to anyone saying things against it. For example, the word ‘confidence’ lies in that belief system of mine. Thus my granny attacked my belief system by the phrase ‘Saami kanna kuthidum.’
Think about it, if not atheist, about the god you pray daily, Rama, Jesus or Allah. He might have been a leader to certain people, who took care of the people very well; with affection, love and care. He had been to spread the purity. He had ruled his people with greatness. He had given his life for the people. He has lead during the enemy attacks. He had come first to face the challenge. He might have won the hearts. He might have spread the spiritual awareness; and even spent his whole life with selfless attitude. Thus, the perfect leader, a ruler or a king has been worshiped as God. They were made as God to us; it is nothing but an attack in our belief system. Even Almighty Allah might have never been seen by his greatness Nabigal Nayagam.
He might have had told so just to enrich our life to feel the pureness- the emptiness- the happiness. The holy books might have been made by the one who has learned from his failures in his life and written for the future so that we can learn from them; or it might be written as formulae of life for future generation. Thus it is our awareness that results in the belief we hold today. The photos, the sculptures we worship daily might have been the leaders, the rulers or the kings who might have lived long ago.
I dedicate this short article to my friend, to a man, to a King, to Parvez (which means King), Living yet leading beside us; Mohammed Arshath Parvez, wishing him an advance happy birthday.
Holiday Note
“Summer” the buzz word with all interpretations is here. The much awaited break for most of us; with the onset of April we start to spell out dreams; that I may do …. I may stop …. I may change… ‘Coz it’s may then…. Slowly we get back in tune for its June… 😛 then we let the dreams fly either into laments or into memories….
This is a tradition we have accustomed ourselves as a way, of breaking a habitroutine. But there is an even more adorable touch to it; remember those old school days wherein we get out for summer and get in with our summer assignments…
So ripples also wishes this holiday season with a gentle assignment; if you would care to take it up. It’s a one word assignment; an assignment that is fun working and assessing… It’s an assignment that we prefer most volunteers take up… Its called “Share… “.
SHARE…
You may send in anything that falls in the realm of sharing (your articles; artworks; emotions 😉 etc…)… Under the subject “SHARE” to [email protected]
Well Ideas too are worth a share… So why not…
Yeah mainly enjoy your holidays. For those who haven’t got one; take it up from these assignments…. ‘Coz life is what we make it…
Volunteer chronicles – Romeo
On a crisp chat with Romeo Trichy:
# What was your inspiration to join Bhumi?
“Bhumi? “;
“What is BHUMI?” This was a million dollar question in my college SARANATHAN during early days… Then i came to know it is an NGO (Chapter) that Laxmi n Ranjani have established together in Trichy and they are going to work for Kids who are in need of knowledge not money… The tag line CHANGE TODAY CHANGE TOMORROW literally inspired me….And i became a part of it… Laxmi Narayanan is always my inspiration… His sense of timing (Punctuality), problem solving ability, capacity to handle any kind of situation at any time… All this made him a sense of inspiration for…
# What were your ‘learning’s and ‘take-aways from Lakshya; or why Lakshya?
Why Lakshya? Well it has no structured syllabus. It gives more space for experimenting; our own ideas and mentoring… That’s it…
# What is your personal interest and development after joining us?
After joining Bhumi; I started thinking from the point of view of a kid; what they needed and how could I (a volunteer)? Fulfill their needs. This is what i started doing at home. Thinking from; my parents’ point of view. And now they all say “Romeo vara vara romba porupa erukan… “
# What are your further interests in betterment of yourself and Bhumi?
Further interest is to bring in more than 1000 kids for this year’s (2014) nakshatra. Since i was a part of last year’s liaison team. Moreover this time too i will continue in that!!
– Lakshmi, chennai
voluntear the mask – May 2014
Clues
The cam buddy is now out of town
The cute buddy got placed
The charm buddy is an architect
“Gramya Manthan” – Rural Immersion Program
Youth Alliance is an organization working with a vision to “Connect Youth With a Cause”. We aim to build a movement of young leaders equipped to meet India’s problems by designing processes to identify young individuals with a spark to think innovatively for the larger social good. We do this by conducting programs where they get experiential exposure in both urban and rural space to identify their passion.
About Gramya Manthan ( Rural Immersion Program):
Gramya Manthan (Rural Immersion Program) aims at bridging the gap between India and Bharat. It will select 40 most amazing hearts from the country and take them on a rural exploration. The idea is to make youth realize the pressing issues of our country, it will help them understand the problems of our villages and execute solution during the course of program.
Gramya Manthan is dedicated to developing social leaders; well-rounded youngsters who are equipped with leadership skills to solve the challenges faced by Indian villages. Its core aim is to ignite young hearts with holistic concern for their society and nation. Our goal is to select students and young professionals who are high on commitment and passion about bridging the gap in the society and are keen at working in rural India.
Impact of Gramya Manthan ’13
The last Gramya Manthan saw participation from across the country with participants from 16 states who internalized the problems of the villages and came up with implementable solutions in education and livelihood. Our alumnus from Gramya Manthan 2013 has establish “Swatantra Talim” in a village near Lucknow. Our another alumni Manoranjan started “Ek PAHAL” is an enterprise in Kashi, Bihar with a mission to impact the lives of students, enabling them to maximize their potential by reforming education. Gramya Manthan over the course of two years has seen five more such enterprises coming up. Read more about our alumni in the concept note and on the blog.
Program: http://youthallianceo
Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com
Blog: http://
Apply Now. First Deadline: 20 April 2014
Final deadline : 20 May 2014
Looking forward to your application and support !
Bachpan Banao Fellowship
Bachpan Banao is offering a one year fellowship with the mission to empower the community and various stakeholders towards improving the education system in rural/tribal areas. As part of the fellowship we invite young professionals and graduates to live with the community and facilitate the process of change. The idea is to help the administration and community help identify their issues in education and come up with a solution. In the meantime we are also focusing on empowering local human resources through a mentoring program. The vision of the program resonates with Mahatma Gandhi’s belief in community ownership for overall development of the society. Please visit www.bachpanbanao.com for Fellowship Application Kit and Form.
Interview with vivek rajan
Hi; first of all congrats for your married life. Since your life is so full of Bhumi volunteering; with your partner also being a Bhumi volunteer; can you tell us; how and when you joined Bhumi? And a few words about you?
Thank you!!I was born in the sceni district of Kanyakumari, as the only son to my parents. I soon shifted my base to Chennai where I had my Schooling. It was in 6th standard at my school I met the future Mrs.Vivek. After school I joined A GOVT COLLEGE at Chennai (CEG, Anna University) and did my B.E, Mechanical there. My destiny pushed me to Trichy despite job offers at ASCENDAS & TIDEL PARK; Then I joined the typical SARKARI-BABU company; “BHEL” like any other Indian in 2009. To a lot of people, a “turning point” would be an incident which leads to something better or bad in their lives. I too had one such incident on the night of June 09 of 2011 at Trichy, when I met with an accident. But i had no idea while I was literally being turned inside out on a hospital’s operating table.
After that harrowing experience, I had loads of time to introspect. A lot of questions popped up in my mind, like, “Will my death create any loss to someone; other than my family & friends?”
The answer was “no” and It really put me down. As always; I turned to the one with answers to all my problems, my best half- Rumana; she then explained about Bhumi and told that it would really be an up-lifting experience if I engaged myself in it. I was like “why not?” and registered myself for the orientation on june-13 after getting my feet back, (literally: p) been a Bhumian from then!!
That’s inspiring and romantic too; 😉 Hearing so much on your choice of Bhumi there has to be a lot of moments; which are close to your heart… Can you share a few with us?
After starting this year’s Lakshya session, I had to visit the center; alone; for some follow-up work; I met with a champ to ask about the whereabouts of the warden. Since I had forgotten his name; I asked him “What is your name?”
He replied ‘”Vivek Anna, My name is Arjun. You and other annas & akkas have visited us only once but we will never forget your names, just try not to forget ours”
From that day I tried my best to be regular to my sessions and remember the kids ‘by name’.
After my marriage I visited the kids accompanied with my wife. They immediately swarmed around us and started congratulating. They also sang some songs in Tamil wishing both of us.
My wife’s only question was what did you do for these kids? The answer was “I am yet to start.”
You have started so much inside us; can you share a few words on how much being a mentor cum volunteer in Bhumi helped you in your life?
As i told you before, being the only child of working parents, I used to find solitude as my best companion. It made me a bit of an introvert. Being a mentor, is a chance to open up and test my latent communication skills. And being with mentors of my age group or older (pun intended 🙂 ) it also helped build my social skills
What are the things that you love and despise in Bhumi?
In Bhumi: I love the informal way of working; having seriousness where it is needed and the sense of belonging among all volunteers. Most of all the high level of maturity of all volunteers; who are in their teens. As in Despise; I despise the fact that there is nothing to hate.
What is your view and perspective on volunteering? And finally anything you want to share to us to enhance our volunteering experience?
Volunteering was something innate in the Indian Culture; it is slowly being eroded in this modern era. Very few people get to say that “I am back” in Billa Ajith style after facing a round and then get to realize the need to better oneself in version 2.0 like I did.
So as youngsters we should embrace this gift of life & always remember the words of Frost
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.“
A look back into 2013-14
These are collages of happenings in the year… Do you feel that a promise of articles is being broken here of all these beautiful memories then bring in your stories to feature in ripples…
Send in your entries to [email protected] with a title “Reflect in Ripples”