Reinventing Compassion

Dr A R K Pillai preferred to help fight leprosy in his city, rather than carry on with his lucrative career

By Kevin Lobo
Dr A R K Pillai, founder of the Indian Leprosy Foundation (ILF), chuckles at the earliest memories of giving up his lucrative career and setting up his NGO. The man who is at the fore-front, fighting the disease, set up ILEF during Indira Gandhi's reign. "In my first year I had a collection of only Rs 720. How do you run an organisation with that amount?" asks 80-year-old Dr Pillai.Leaving behind a lucrative career in advertising and an experience in doing PR for the government, Dr. Pillai took the plunge in founding ILF. "I resigned from all my jobs. My friends and extended family thought I had gone insane," he says. "Of course it was not the most normal thing to do."The turning point in his life came in the form of a conference in Frankfurt where he was doing PR work for the government. "Other than public relations we used to collect funds for our country from Germany. At one of the conferences someone said 'Why don't you raise funds from your own country?'" says Dr. Pillai. Driven by national pride and discussions on the meaning of life he often had with his family, Dr. Pillai went ahead with his NGO plans. In 1980-1983 there were 40 lakh people suffering from leprosy, now, there are around 70,000.

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My unforgettable visit to Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai

11 May 2008.- On a work to Mumbai, this was the my first Sunday and my wife was keen to make it to all places.Helped by our host we were going around Mumbai, enjoying the empty roads and getting a full view, which one cannot imagine on a week day.Mumbai was one city which always kept itself closed on Sunday unlike its other metro counterpart where IT thrived and killed this culture. We hurriedly took snaps of some monuments and made it to the Mahalakshmi Temple.This was my first visit here.


Being a weekend, a good number of devotees made it for darshan. As we started walking towards the temple, we were blinded by many umbrellas and ad boards of pundits etc. We saw that the pathway is divided into two halves.One half for people going in and one for people coming out.Again there was seperate queue for ladies in left and gents in right. My friend and i joined the gents queue and my wife and her friend joined the ladies queue.As we reached the footsteps, we were asked to leave our chappal. Left with no choice we left it at the footstep.After fighting the crowd, we got our darshan and sighed a relief.

Beating the noon heat, we walked out of temple to realise that all is not over here.We could take our chappals after initial fight, as it was left near the partition. However the ladies had left their chappal at the other end. The only way we realised was to get back into the incoming crowd and fight for your chappal. After some desperate moments, the ladies could only recover one pair and other was missing.Nobody realised the problem they were causing to old people or children but were focussed on finding their chappal.It was an utter chaos.It took nearly 1 hour to fight and take our chappal . On way back, we started telling all devotees to leave the chappals in the shops or outside before getting into queue.Fuming i came out and asked the temple administration that how come such a famous temple does not have a free chappal stand for devotees or atleast somebody informing them to leave chappal before joining the queue.

The man took me and showed board at entrance which read, "Remove your shoes here". Then i noticed the problem.An umbrella carrying some ad agency banner on top was blocking the board and nobody was there to guide through a mike system or in person.What a chaos?

I request all persons to make note of "Chappal System" in Mahalakshmi Temple to enjoy their temple visit.

Persisitence always pays

For Amit Chaturvedi of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan, Nungambakkam, Wednesday’s Class XII CBSE results were rather special. His nearly-70 per cent aggregate has made his family, friends and teachers extremely happy.

Amit, who has very low vision, could have opted for a scribe, citing his impairment. The CBSE even offered him one. However, he was determined to write the examinations himself, and did so with a reader who merely read out the questions from his question paper.

“I couldn’t take a chance, you see. What if the scribe wasn’t good enough? I thought I should trust myself and give my best and now, I am pleased with my results,” said Amit over telephone. He is now holidaying in Jabalpur. While opting to write the examination himself was one bold decision the teenager made, the manner in which he prepared himself for the same is a lesson in grit and confidence.

“My learning was more through listening carefully in class, than actual reading. Even if I study, I can’t read for too long, as it would hurt my eye. I would take frequent breaks.”

To read, Amit would have to place his book right in front of his eye. And to write, he would have to get really close to his notebook or answer sheet to be able to see what is being written.

Seeing his eagerness to learn, teachers and friends did all they could to support him. The school provided him with specially enlarged question papers, gave him extra time and encouraged him. His friends would read out from the text book and help during practical sessions in the lab .

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Chartered accountants can finally go ahead and advertise their services in the media

New Delhi: Doctors and lawyers will still have to wait, but chartered accountants, or CAs, can finally go ahead and advertise their services in the media.

“We discussed the subject at length at our council meeting before allowing CAs to advertise their services through mass media,” said Ved Jain, president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, or Icai.The meeting was held on 13-15 May.

In 2006, the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, was amended, permitting CAs to advertise, subject to guidelines framed by the Icai council. “This has been formally passed by the council,” said Jain.

“CAs can now approach both the print and electronic media to advertise their services. And, they can advertise both in their individual capacities as also in the name of their firms.”

Jain said CAs will also be able to showcase various services being offered by them, particularly those that are not in their exclusive domain. These include services such as risk management and consulting.

“Today, only very few CAs are known, through word of mouth,” notes Richard Rekhy, chief operating officer of consultant KPMG India. “Advertising will change all that. However, one has to see what the guidelines permit and in what manner are they implemented.”

A detailed guideline is ready and the Icai Council will soon formally notify it, said an official who didn’t wish to be identified.

CAs are allowed to advertise through billboards and other mass media in many countries, including the US and Canada.Icai’s earlier brand-building exercise included a dress code and a logo, which they can use on business cards, cars and their firm’s name plates.

“With the provision to advertise, we will be able to showcase our specialities and we can function in a corporate form. This move will also help the firms choose their CAs and get the right fix of services provided by them,” said a Delhi-based chartered accountant who wouldn’t want to be identified since the issue isn’t concluded.

According to ICAI officials, 8,000-10,000 new CAs join the profession in India every year.

In 2007, around 47,000 students appeared for the final examination, which enables them to become full-fledged chartered accountants. Some 8,200 passed.

At least 125,000 students cleared the entrance common proficiency test in 2007. Human resource consultant Anil Sachdev, chairman of Right Grow Talent, said the chance to advertise will allow CAs to get a lot of visibility. “Today, every CA’s dream is to be into analytics and advertising will provide him/her the legitimate route,” he said.

“Besides, they will find their way to important decision-making groups of their clients rather than just dealing with tax and finance departments.”

By Sangeeta Singh

http://www.livemint.com/2008/05/21000653/CAs-clear-last-hurdle-in-using.html

DASOPADESAM by Sage of Kanchi

Let us remember the holy sage of Kanchi- Paramacharya Maha Swamigal JagadGuru Shri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati. He was born on 20 May1897 and his star birthday coincides with his date of birth this year. He is a great master, an acharya who lives amongst us and will continue to guide us in our path of righteouness and dharma.The best reverence we can pay to Maha Periyava is by way of following his Ten Commandments:-

1. One of our duties as human beings is to avail ourselves of every opportunity to do good to others. The poor can serve others by their loyal work to the country and the rich by their wealth to help the poor. Those who are influential can use their influence to better the condition of the lowly. That way we can keep alive in our hearts a sense of social service
2. Man by himself cannot create even a blade of grass. We will be guilty of gross ingratitude if we do not offer first to God what we eat or wear - only the best and choicest should be offered to Him.
3. Life without love is a waste. Everyone should cultivate "Prema" or love towards all human beings, bird and beast.
4. Wealth amassed by a person whose heart is closed to charity, is generally dissipated by the inheritors: but the family of philanthropists will always be blessed with happiness.
5. A person who has done a meritorious deed will lose the resulting merit if he listens to the praise of others or himself boasts of his deeds.
6. It will do not good to grieve over what has happened. If we learn to discriminate between good and evil, that will guard us from falling into the evil again.
7. We should utilise to good purpose, the days of our life-time. We should engage ourselves in acts which will contribute to the welfare of others rather than to our selfish desires.
8. We should perform duties that have been prescribed for our daily life and also be filled with devotion to God.
9. One attains one's goal by performance of one's duties.
10. Jnana is the only solvent of our troubles and sufferings.

Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara

For more details visit- http://www.kamakoti.org/miscl/das.html

AN ICON OF INSPIRATION- DR. A R K PILLAI

In today’s fast moving world, when man is busy pursuing material gains there is no room for the word “social obligation”. It is very much grieving to note that today’s man has forgotten his obligation towards fellow human beings. However there are good people who are working in silence to eradicate the social evils which has gripped our society due to centuries of injustice heaped on the downtrodden and poor.

Dr.A R K Pillai is a one such humanitarian, silently toiling for the good cause for past 4 decades. IDF (previously ILEF) is the brainchild of Dr A R K Pillai. Dr.Pillai was grief stricken at the plight of underprivileged and disabled people right from his childhood.

Born in 1928, Dr. Pillai saw various turn of events as his family went through financial hardships. Faced with question of survival, Dr.Pillai had to suppress his social inclination. He understood the stark reality of having sufficient resources, if one has to fulfill his dreams of helping fellow human beings. Difficult times drove Dr.Pillai from his hometown in Kerala to distant land, Mumbai. For months he struggled with new language, place and people and survived by doing odd jobs. Sheer luck got him a job in Railways at clerk level. With determination and hardwork, he climbed ladder after ladder and completed his MA and LLB. His creative nature took him to advertising agency backed by new qualifications in advertising, PR and journalism. He soon realized that media is the best medium to highlight the evils of society.

At a time when Dr.Pillai was brooding over increased role towards society, he got married and was blessed with a son. With a need to sustain his family he had to postpone his social obligations for some more years. In the meantime he continued growing in his career path and led a rich life. Years passed with lots of deliberations and discussions in family and one day he quit his work to take up the cause of eradication of leprosy. He continued his life by writing to papers and managed his affairs with limited money he had saved. During this time, he was approached by Germany and Switzerland to take up Public Relations role for their Leprosy Projects in India. He spent years visiting Germany and Switzerland raising funds for leprosy patients in India. In one such meeting he was asked by a German as to why he had to raise funds from Germany and be a dependent. Dr.Pillai’s ego was hurt and he decided to form an Indian NGO. With the help of some friends ILEF (Indian Leprosy Foundation) was formed in 1984.

It was a daunting task to run ILEF with meager resources. Dr.Pillai could not even raise a 4 figure amount in his first year of operation. But as was his nature, he never gave up and worked hard to raise funds. He has done this successfully year after year for last 25 years with public participation. IDF today works with hundreds of health and education institutions. The service model is unique and Dr.Pillai has been invited to assist not only Indian but also international organisations. People who work with him do not work for money (as NGOs cannot pay handy salaries like corporates) but they are social soldiers who are continuously inspired by their leader, As 80, Dr.Pillai starts his day before sunrise, spends lots of time in corresponding with various agencies, visits to projects, inspires people continuously to strive for development. He is truly an `icon of inspiration’. To learn more about Dr.Pillai, visit www.idf.org.in.

http://www.bigadda.com/index.php?L=blogs.blog&userid=1735367&type=myblogs

A Soldier for Society

At the age of 80, this man wants the Indian Development Foundation to continue bringing change through an army of volunteers, not fundraising

A soft-spoken man dressed in a humble white veshti and kurta greets visitors with a childlike smile at his office-cum-residence in Jogeshwari. Quite proudly, he says: "I gave up ties and coats a long time back. I can connect better with the average poor man dressed this way."

Meet Dr Ananthan Ramakrishna Pillai, president and founder of Indian Development Foundation (IDF), formerly known as Indian Leprosy Foundation. As the organization turns 25, the octogenarian ARK Pillai is readying to launch 'Project Goodness', an initiative to make available basic education, health and development facilities to all, through the establishment of additional IDF gurukuls, bridge schools for rag-pickers and street children, arranging health camps and blood camps, honouring leprosy cured persons and networking with other NGOs to achieve the mission.

Having joined Central Railway as a junior assistant at the age of 20, Pillai quit despite successive promotions. "I found a government job to be very rigid and binding. I was over qualified, so I quit the railways and joined Clarion McCann," he says, simultaneously replying to an email and chatting online with a volunteer. "One makes a lot of money in advertising but when I saw acute poverty around me I felt the need to do something for the underprivileged."

Born in Malvelikari near Allepey, Kerala, Pillai belongs to a deeply religious family and has an array of degrees, ranging from a Masters in Sociology to a Diploma in Advertising and Journalism. He successfully completed his LLB degree from Government Law College and also finished a management course from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Mumbai.

At age 44, he resigned from his high-paying job and gave up that lifestyle to be able to serve those suffering from leprosy ¿ and the consequent stigma — in India. According to him there were around 4 million leprosy cases in India before 1980. "Due to the social stigma attached to this disease, people used to fear doctors and hence the figures were on a rise," he says.

Then, in 1984, he and his wife Shyama started IDF. With its meager resources and sheer hard work, it became one of the few organizations working for leprosy eradication. "My family had declared me insane. No one could believe that I had given up my career for a cause that was at such a nascent stage in those days," Pillai says.

He adds: "Indira Gandhi had given a statement in the United Nations that India will be a leprosy-free nation by the year 2000. That's when she urged citizens to work towards this goal." Around the same time, Pillai happened to visit Germany and Switzerland as an honorary member of international NGOs like the German Leprosy Relief Association and Leprosy Work Emmaus in Switzerland. He is still a member of these organizations and has been advising them on various social projects.

"During one such visit, while collecting funds for the India project, I was questioned by a young German on why India cannot generate funds independently. I had no answer," he says.

That's how the self-reliance principle of IDF was born. Without taking any monetary support either from the government or corporates, Pillai raised an army of volunteers instead, a network of lakhs of them. After deep research, having concluded that nothing much had changed despite the Government of India and a number of doctors being involved with the cause, Pillai had made up his mind that awareness and advocacy were the key to satisfactory results.

"Dr Pillai is a media man," says Dr Narayan Iyer, national co-ordinator of IDF. "He has always used mass communication and various media channels to spread the word about the issue. Through street plays and slide shows he attempted to attract the attention of a lot of youngsters from various schools and colleges in Mumbai."

Pillai also wanted to put to use his area of expertise — management. Today, IDF has more than 15 schools operational in different states and tribal areas and 10 more in the pipeline. "I wish that my young volunteers take forward the initiative I started 25 years ago and continue with their good work," Pillai signs off, optimistic as ever.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/A-Soldier-for-Society/311547/

Leprosy foundation launches 'Project Goodness'

Indian Development Foundation (formerly Indian Leprosy Foundation) was established as a Charitable Public Trust and Society with the Charity Commissioner, Mumbai-1984. Coinciding with its 25th anniversary and backed by its long standing expertise and experience, IDF on May 16 announced in a press conference a new project embarked called, "Project Goodness".

IDF through its Project Goodness, aims at empowering the citizens of country by making available to them basic education, health and development facilities through its awareness programme and support systems.

Speaking to FPJ, Dr A R K Pillai, President, IDF said," With a humble beginning of providing service to the leprosy affected people and creating awareness, IDF has contributed and networked with various agencies in achieving the leprosy elimination status in India.’

In line with its commitment to play a larger role in society, IDF felt the need to review its vision and mission. Empowerment will be the key issue of the foundation. IDF also aims to involve the youth of the people, by way of inducting them as social ambassador and carrying the message of social responsibility to general public.

IDF invites young people to come forward and contribute their mite in creating a better India." Project Goodness will also involve sponsoring the basic education of needy and poor students, establishing additional IDF gurukuls, bridge schools for rag-pickers and street children, arranging health camps and blood camps, honoring leprosy cured persons, networking with other NGO's to achieve the mission.

http://freepressjournal.in/19052008/state4.htm

A look alike Mahatma- brought to you by IDF

What a co-incidence of thinking.Like Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our nation, who was a crusader of leprosy work, his look-alike, Dr. Sharad Nayampally is also a crusader of leprosy work.Dr. Sharad Nayampally who is an international Yoga Therapist and an Alternative Medicine expert having intense knowledge in wheat-grass, accupressure and allied therapy is an Ambassador of Indian Development Foundation (formerly Indian Leprosy Foundation).

Keen on doing social work, Dr. Sharad joined IDF to help humanitarian causes in national interest. Retired from the Hindustan Lever Limited, Dr. Sharad has been a great person with a lot of social commitments. Dr. Sharad has directed over 60 dramas and also acted in a couple of movies.

I felt bad when i could not get through playing Mahatma Gandhi's role in the famous `Lage Raho Munnabhai', said Dr. Sharad. Quoting Gandhiji's words, `We must be the change we wish to see', Dr. Sharad did a further practice and finally got a entry in to India Today's Ad doing his most endearing role. Finally Dr. Sharad got a chance to act the role of Mahatma Gandhi in India Today's ad. I feel elated and extremely happy to have played the role of Bapuji. It is interesting and revealing. One need to know Bapuji fully before enacting the role.

I love doing social work and also teaching yoga to people, Dr. Sharad said. I am happpy with IDF, as i am able to engage my self in social service activities.My wish is to visit South Africa and see the work done by our Bapuji. Conducting AIDS awareness programme in rural areas and doing village development work are in the cards, expressed Dr. Sharad.

Dr. Sharad is well known as Gandhi of IDF. I would like to assure those who would serve Daridranarayana that there is music, art, economy and joy in the spinning wheel...Mahatma Gandhi.

Leprosy work is not merely medical relief, it is transforming frustration in life into joy of dedication, personal ambition into selfless service.....Mahatma Gandhi.

Tension nai leneka, Bapu hai na !

http://indiandevelopmentfoundation.blogspot.com/2007/05/gandhi-of-idf.html#links

Vimala Dermatological Centre- A project supported by IDF

Today i visited Vimala Dermatological Centre, one of the health projects which is supported by Indian Development Foundation.Accompanying me was Dr.Narayan Iyer, National Coordinator of Indian Development Foundation.

Vimala Dermatological Centre is a premier institution which was established in 1976 and located close to sandy beach of Versova in North Mumbai.The centre is run by Congregation of Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate(founded in Italy). Close to 900 sisters are involved in active humanitarian services in India and abroad.It is funded by IDF, GLRA and other NGOs

During my visit i met with Sister Bertilla Capra, who is the Director of the centre. Closing 70 years Sister Bertilla spend almost 38 years with Vimala Dematological Centre. Her compassion for fellow beings who are under priveleged has brought her to India leaving her hometown Italy.We also noted the beautifully maintained garden which seems to be personally supervised by Sister Bertilla.

We were taken around the project by Sister Sisily, who is the administration incharge.The centre houses a OPD (Outpatient department) in centre with buildings both sides. There is a convent where sisters stay, attached to a chapel.The atmoshpere in the chapel is serene. We met leprosy patients in the rooms who narrated their sufferings and also how they were taken care of by the Sisters. Looking at the sisters who patiently and persistently took care of each children, i was moved by their selfless service.The projects aims at embracing the leprosy, TB patients in the surrounding areas and provide free medical facilities to them.

The center has also taken up boarding since 1995 , covering childrens from age of 4-15 years.This was an additional attempt to ensure a better tommorrow for the childrensL

Leaving the Vimala Centre, I recalled the IDF theme "Why postpone goodness in Life" I appeal to readers to contribute their mite to NGOs like IDF who are working for the empowerement of India.

Bhootnath- Review

Amitabh Bachchan starrer Bhootnath is a direction of Vivek Sharma.The other major star cast are child artist Aman Siddiqui, Juhi Chawla and Shahrukh Khan.


While the movie targets child audience mainly it has something for everybody.Bhootnath is story which is aimed at Late Kailash Nath.Nath Villa is a haunted house and everybody is afraid to come there. Banku and family(Shahrukh Khan, Juhi and Aman) move into this house on rent.Bhoot tries all trick to chase away the little boy to no avail.However one incident brings them closer and the boy takes him for angel.We are shown the bhoot tricks.There is a twist in the movie when Bhootnath’s son returns from US and decides to sell the mansion. Bhootnath chases them away.We are told that Kailash Nath has very difficult life when his son leaves for US and settles down and never comes to visit his ailing mother.He comes only after her death and tries to sell the house to which Kailash Nath does not agree.In a fit of rage he leaves with his wife and son and never turns back to see his dying father who slips from the staircase.Later we see how the child helps Bhoothnath to get salvation by getting his death rituals performed by his son.

Director Vivek Sharma, has managed to extract an award-worthy performance from child artist Aman Siddiqui and good performances from the rest of the cast too. A brilliant performance from Amitabh Bachhan and decent performances from all makes it all more good.Overall, Bhootnath has comedy, drama, emotions and the performances are brilliant. It has something in it for every generation. Do catch it this weekend. At the box-office, at lot depends on word-of-mouth. Should do well!

A girl called Andrilla

Once there was a girl called "Andrilla"
Who would never take here "Umbrella"
I don't care if it "pours and pours"
She said-Am going "Outdoors"

Her mother begged her,She said "Please"
Andrilla's answer was a "Sneeze"
"That is enough" her mother "said"
You have caught a cold, go right to "bed"

I will bring you hot milk and "a pill"
No ice creams if you are "ill"
Andrilla said-"I am a fool"
I would rather be in "School"

Contributed by Agnes Francila - Francilla studies in Carmel Convent School, Jay Nagar and likes to write poems and stories.Please tell her if you liked her poem by posting your comments

My kid My teacher

It was Sunday morning and I was gazing out through the window and let my vision stretch the distance until things faded away.With a lightening speed my thoughts travelled back home

There was this loud conversation. My son wanted to go out to play and my wife rejected his plea. I could see the reason in her harsh tone. She wanted him to avoid the scorching heat of Chennai.

Felt dejected he went on rampage throwing his toys and went inside his room.I was keenly watching his action and followed him to his room.He played computer games and later got busy with TV.A few hours later he came running to his mother asking for food as he was hungry.I was startled at his innonenct behaviour.There was no trace of envious feeling for the morning incident.

I wondered and smiled to myself.We do advice and try to teach lot of lesson to our kids, but ultimately they turn out to be our best teachers teaching us the simple management lesson on how to live life happily without any spiteful thought for any person or incident allowing stress free and healthy living.

-Jayaraman

Tribute to Baba Amte- From letters to editor

Murlidhar Devidas Amte, famously known as Baba Amte, was a great leprosy crusader of India. His passing away is a great loss to the nation. Baba Amte selflessly devoted his life to the welfare and rehabilitation of poor leprosy patients. He transformed a forest into a blissful place which is aptly called Anandwan. Caring for the poorest of the poor in the country, Baba Amte dedicated his life and blood to the welfare of poor people. Leprosy is not just a medical problem, but a social one too. Embracing leprosy patients and living with them is not an easy task. Leprosy affected lot are termed untouchables and ostracised from the society even in this modern world. Baba Amte came as a helping hand for the underprivileged in the society and became their Messiah.Magsaysay Award winner Baba Amte will always be remembered in the annals of Indian history for his great contribution to the society at large. The number of leprosy cases in India has come down from 40 lakh in 1982 to less than 1 lakh today. Our salutations to the great soul. Baba Amte will for ever remain in the hearts of the poor.

– Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, National Co-ordinator, Indian Development Foundation (formerly Indian Leprosy Foundation), Mumbai

Epitome of Architectural Excellence – My first date with the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad

Of late with lot of skyscrapers cropping up in urban agglomerates, it has become a sort of routine to reject any new project as, just another one. In midst of all these, the new airport at Shamshabad, Hyderabad has really carved a niche for itself with its humongous appearance, grandeur style and to its architectural excellence.

I had read and followed with interest, the various developments leading to the grand opening of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad. The airport remained in news for a long time due to various issues relating to naming of airport, employee strikes etc. Hearing the personal experience of some my colleagues who visited the airport, my keenness to see it for myself, increased.

Finally, I had my chance and share of proud moment when my flight landed in the Shamshabad airport on April 2, 2008. I got into the airbus with other passengers and could view the silhouette of the airport behind the glittering lights. After the halt at arrival terminal, I headed towards the escalator leading to baggage section.

I was literally awestruck by the majestic appearance of the airport from inside, the big tall pillars with beautifully shaped dome, see thru glass roof allowing open view of the sky and beautiful sight of plane taking off and landing, spacious walk ways etc. Mobile shops, catering to need of passengers like fast foods, book stalls, snacks, garments, watches, jewelers etc were a new and welcome sight.

I walked with my laptop towards the conveyor carrying baggages and noted that a different mechanism is in place as against the conventional style. This allowed easier accessibility, reduced physical exertion and more comfortable experience.

I walked with my luggage towards the exit door and saw my driver was waiting to receive me. It’s not all over here, I went along with him down the escalator to parking area and learnt from him that 3000 plus cars can be parked here

I wanted to spend more time to see the engineering excellence peeping through every nook and corner of the airport smiling proudly, but time had a different plan. I checked out and got into the car. Behind me was one of the biggest airports in Asia. A strange thought crossed me and I hoped that we should all as citizens of India, follow the rules of cleanliness and maintain all our engineering marvel and architectural excellence.

By Jayaraman

Policing with a Difference

Shri J.K. Tripathy, an IPS officer of the 1985 batch from the Tamil Nadu cadre, currently IGP (EOW), received the Prime Minister's Award For Excellence in Public Administration on 21-04-2008 from the Prime Minister of India, for introducing in Trichy an innovative Community Policing Module during 1999-2001.

The policeman had broadened the normal police role towards more personalized service delivery by instituting ‘Community Policing’.

The situation of Tiruchirapalli at the time when Shri J.K.Tripathy took was worse, In the year 1999, the fundamentalist forces challenged the City’s tradition of religious tolerance. The community witnessed the barbaric murder of a Hindu front leader. Bombs were planted in police establishments and a senior police officer was attacked with grenade.

This serene city witnessed such an adverse communal climate for the first time. Mutual distrust divided the fabric of the community, which was exploited by criminal gangsters. The community was losing confidence in the police and the widening gap denied any community support. It posed a serious challenge to the police. The adverse police-public ratio and highly stretched resources left the police to face these challenges alone , with a very low morale.

Thus, the main problems for police were gaining the confidence and acceptance of the public, getting information on crimes and criminals and mobilizing public support, in maintaining harmony among various racial and religious groups. To achieve this, the Trichy City Police had not only to challenge the forces of communalism and lawlessness, but also to instill sense of confidence amongst the citizens.

Partnership:
As the traditional policing methods proved inadequate to tackle the prevalent complexities of challenges, we had to look for alternative solutions. We decided to face these challenges by introducing new paradigms, through a wide range of initiatives.

The novel initiatives aimed at bringing about a synergistic effect, by partnering with the Community, Government Agencies, Elected Representatives, NGOs and other service -oriented organizations, to prevent crimes of all types, through pro-active approach, by identifying areas of concern and the interventions required for solutions, leading towards a better quality of life. He reoriented operations to focus on local problem solving, developmental and welfare activities, crime preventive education and developing good relations with the community

He instituted the Beat Officers System (BOS), which localized policing and built good rapport with the community, led to greater transparency and officers having a greater sense of accountability and responsibility. Crime rates came down considerably because of a direct policing approach and the community’s participation.

The lower level police staff, which is a major (86%) section in police department, was trained and given better understanding of this approach, leading to implementation of the concept effectively at the grass root level. Other innovations were Wide Area Network connecting all Police Stations, Helpline for women in distress, slum adoption programme and boys’ clubs for checking juvenile delinquency.

The officer successfully met the challenges through contemporary as well as traditional policing practices by leveraging the existing organizational structure and resources. Initiating an innovative philosophy is a notable achievement and this initiative is being replicated in other States as well.

This project also received numerours awards and honours from within the country and abroad -
1. First Indian Police Project to receive “International Community Policing Award” for 2001, from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Washington, during their 108th Annual Conference held at Toronto.
2. “Dr. Malcolm S. Adiseshiah Special Award” for 2001, conferred by State Resource Centre, Chennai, under The Union Ministry of Human Resources Development.
3. “Innovation in Governance Gold Medal” for 2002, presented by the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management (CAPAM), at Glasgow.
4. “The Innovation for India Awards” for 2006, conferred by the Innovation for India Award Foundation, headed by then Chairman and Director General, CSIR.

It is heartening to read about such sons of India who work silently to eradicate the various evils which has gripped our society. JAI HIND

Change Management

Change Management is a term generally coined for Management Studies.However look deep into it and you will understand that it is applicable to each and every living being in this earth.

Many of us fail to understand that change is inevitable at times.Many times in order to survive we have to start a change process.

The life of Eagle beautifully exhibits the concept of Change Management.We all know that eagle has long wings, sharp beak and strong talons which makes it a admired species in its kind.Eagle can live upto 70 years and is one of the longest living birds.

However, in order to do so it has to undergo a rigorous process of change.At 40, its sharp beak bents, its talons are no longer strong to grab its prey and its wings are stuck to its chest due to thick feather, making it difficult to fly. Also it becomes vulnerable to attacks from its predator.It is left with no option but to go through a painful process of change.

The process of change includes finding a nest at the topmost mountain devoid of predator, breaking it’s beak against the rock and then waiting for the new one to grow, plucking it’s feathers’ and talons to be replaced with new one.The painful process of change lasts for 150 days and during these days the eagle upkeeps it patience with no food and water.Change process gives a lease of life to the eagle and then it makes the famous flight of rebirth.

-Jayaraman

Cheers to the Cheerleaders

Its morning and getting ready in a modestly dressed shalwar kameez for the college.
Waiting for the bus quite irritated for the number of times having been brushed pushed or pinched.

The mood for the day is already set humiliated,irritated,tormented .The bus comes full with the men on one half and the women in the other half having two entrances on both ends. But everytime a hero (need not be a young guy)needs to get down,pushing and rubbing through the women giving a deaf ear to all the complains.This is no special day for the outfit worn and the way she looked .It was there every day and as she spoke to her friends some didn't complain and some did. Realizing it would get better someday.

When so much is spoken on cheer leaders it simply amuses ...........

Today if a movie is marketted its with a girl in a swin suit or a boy in towel.The skimpily clad dance we see in most of the movies what do we call them....yeah "item girls". Dont say that.. its our rich culture.....ahem

A small piece of news we see every day not knowing what was the action.The crimes spoken so much about and nothing done."Rape".Has the so called politician done anything for that for the rate to go down....sush .....kya baath kar rahi ho....izzath ka kachda karo gi kya...

The kick on the plates of the bar girls with no alternate employment given to them and brought into this topic of cheer girls.

The question is not about the cheer girls that made politicians realize women are objects of respect and Indian culture is rich .Its for him and us to retrospect. Is our old heritage and respectful culture that our mothers sisters wives and daughters who are walking on some street are being disrespected.

This is

For all women, girls who think when will i be not commented looked down upon pinched pushed or abused........We have fought and will
For all men,kudos to you who think that we have a rich culture and have to "keep it" and have "kept it"and for the rest hope you realize like every politician says your mother,sister,wife,aunt,daughter is also on the road walking should be respected .

Cheers!!

By Priya

Young ambassador for IDF

Dear Friends :

Greetings and good wishes from IDF !

Shanker Sai, a nine-year old kid from Kendriya Vidyalaya, MEG & Centre, Bangalore joined as IDF young social ambassador on May Day.


Click on Shanker Sai for reading the complete report.

If you are not able to see the report, visit our blogger's park - http://indiandevelopmentfoundation.blogspot.com/

With kind regards,

Dr. Narayan B. Iyer,
National Co-ordinator
Indian Development Foundation (IDF)

Failure is the stepping stone of succes

Failure is often counted as stepping stone of success. The moot question which comes to our mind is whether failure is direct result of mindset or action we perform?

Abraham Lincoln failed more than he ever won and which made him world famous for his persistence, but the opinion swings more in favor of why we should keep on doing things to fail, rather we can do certain things within our purview to be neutral rather than to fail.

We need to understand and analyze our situation with the descriptions below:

1) Lack of persistence:

More people fail not because they lack knowledge or talent but because they quit. The total secret of success lies in two words, persistence and resistance. Persist in what must be done and resist what ought not to be done. When problems seem insurmountable, quitting seems to be the easiest way out. Winners are struck but not destroyed. We all have had setbacks in life. Failing does not mean we are failures.

2) Lack of Conviction:

People who lack conviction take the middle of the road; and guess what happens in the middle of the road? You get run over. Something which reminds of “cat on the wall” situation; People without conviction do not take a stand. They go along to get along because they lack confidence and courage. They conform in order to get accepted even when they know that what they are doing is wrong. They behave like part of a herd.

3) Rationalizing:

Winners may analyze but never rationalize. That is a loser's game. Losers always have a book full of excuses to tell you why they could not. We hear excuses like: I’m unlucky, not born in auspicious time and under the right star, I don’t have contacts, I’m not good looking and many more, the list can go on and on.

4) Not learning from past mistakes:

Some people live and learn and some only live. Wise people learn from their mistakes. People who do not learn lessons from history are doomed. Failure is a teacher if we have the right attitude. Failure is a detour, not a dead end. It is a delay, not a defeat. Experience is the name we give to our mistakes..

5) Lack of discipline:

Anyone who has accomplished anything worthwhile has never done so without discipline. Discipline takes self-control, sacrifice, and avoiding distractions and temptations. It means staying focused. Steam does not move the engine unless it is confined. Niagara Falls would not generate power unless it was harnessed.

6) Poor Self-Esteem:

Poor self-esteem is a lack of self-respect and self-worth. It leads to abuse of one's self and others. People with low self-esteem are constantly looking for identity. They are trying to find themselves. One's self is not to be found but to be created. Idleness and laziness are consequences of poor self-esteem and so is making excuses. Idleness is like rust that eats into the most brilliant metal.

7) Fatalistic Attitude:

A fatalistic attitude prevents people from accepting responsibility for their position in life. They attribute success and failure to luck. They resign themselves to their fate. They believe and accept the predestined future written in their horoscope or stars, that regardless of their effort whatever has to happen will happen.

Hence they never put in any effort and complacency becomes a way of life. They wait for things to happen rather than make them happen.

Mission accomplished: Brakes on leprosy

ORISSA SMILES

It is heartening to note the success story of leprosy elimination in the state of Orissa `Mission accomplished: Brakes on leprosy" (The Telegraph – 1st May). A journey of nearly a quarter century in eliminating the dreaded disease is really commendable. Leprosy, an age old disease, carrying a lot of misconceptions and wrong notions has been finally combated. The State of Orissa along with various national and international agencies deserves compliments for accomplishing this great mission. Orissa was one of the hyper-endemic states in India which harboured maximum number of leprosy cases as compared to the national level. With a prevalence rate of 121.4 per 10,000 population and 3.2 lakhs leprosy cases in 1983, the hyper-endemic state Orissa has been able to eliminate the disease today by bringing down the number of cases to 3283 with a PR of 0.8 per 10,000 population. It's really praiseworthy.

The southern belt of India too was endemic during 80s with prevalence rate more than national level. However, awareness and education on the subject helped the people to volunteer for treatment which finally helped them in reaching the elimination stage soon.

Leprosy is not only a medical problem, but social too. The disease attach a lot of social stigma which prevented public acceptance due to fear. Lack of awareness labeled leprosy as a scourge to the society. Great Samaritans, like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Baba Amte and many, accepted these discarded daridra narayans and demonstrated to the world that love and compassion can bring immense happiness to the patients which lead them to complete cure.

Leprosy today is completely curable with modern medicines. Introduction of Multi-drug therapy (MDT) in all the districts in India was really a great boon. India today has been able to eliminate leprosy, thanks to MDT and the communication strategies designed by various stalwarts to ward off the disease. The role of student-community in leprosy awareness created a ripple-effect in the society. Leprosy elimination has been the most successful public health programme in the independent India.

India achieved leprosy elimination by 2006 by bringing down the PR to less than 1 per 10,000 population. However, COWBUJ (Chhatisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand) had 66% of the India's pool. Greater emphasis on awareness and strategies are planned to remove the bane from the society. We could soon see leprosy getting eliminated in other states too.

The Australian missionary Graham Staines of Mayurbhanj Leprosy Home in Baripada, Orissa would have been happy to see the success and smiles of leprosy patients. Destiny has its own plan.

Indian Development Foundation (formerly Indian Leprosy Foundation) a leading national NGO too could contribute to the success of leprosy elimination in India. What next after leprosy elimination ? As IDF diversified its activities from leprosy to other health, education and development areas, other NGOs too can take up different health aspects and network with other agencies for making a healthy society.

Empowering the leprosy cured persons and providing them dignity in the society can be the next task in the agenda.

Dr. Narayan B. Iyer
National Co-ordinator
Indian Development Foundation
idfmumbai@gmail.com

Significance of May Day/International Labour Day

Origin

May 1 is celebrated as a International Labour Day across the world. The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the “eight hour day” movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. On 21 April 1856 Stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne, Australia, stopped work and marched from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight hour day. Their direct action protest was a success, and they are noted as the first organized workers in the world to achieve an eight hour day with no loss of pay, which subsequently inspired the celebration of Labour Day and Day. In New Zealand, groups of workers had achieved the 8 hour working day since the beginning of organized British settlement in 1840.

Prevalence

Most countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1, known as May Day and International Workers' Day. In Europe the day has older significance as a rural festival which is predominantly more important than that of the Labour Day movement. The holiday has become internationalised and several countries hold multi-day celebrations including parades, shows and other patriotic and labour-oriented events.

How celebrated across world

1. In Canada, Labour Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in Canada since the 1880s. The origins of Labour Day in Canada can be traced back to April 14, 1872 when a parade was staged in support of the Toronto Typographical Union's strike for a 58-hour work-week.

2. In China, Labour Day is celebrated on May 1, and is a public holiday.In the 1990s, the Labour Day holiday was extended from 1 day to 3 days. The Chinese government made it a 7 day holiday by moving the prior and upcoming weekends together with these 3 days. The Labour Day holiday was one of the three Golden Weeks in China, allowing millions of Chinese people to travel during this period.

3. In Germany, Labour Day was established as an official holiday in 1933 after the Nazi Party, or NSDAP, rose to power. It was supposed to symbolise the new-found unity between the state and the German people. However, just one day later, on May 2, 1933, all free unions were outlawed and destroyed. But since the holiday had been celebrated by German workers for many decades before the official state endorsement, the NSDAP's attempt to appropriate it left no long-term resentment.

4. In Pakistan, Labour Day is a national holiday. Labour unions hold seminars and walks.

5. In Poland, Labour Day May 1 was renamed "State Holiday" in 1990.

6. In Slovenia, May 1 and May 2 are national holidays and work-free days throughout the country.

7. In Sweden, Finland and Norway, May 1 is a national holiday celebrated through widespread demonstrations by the entire workers' movement.

8. In Italy, May 1 is national holiday, demonstrations of the trade unions are widespread. Since the '90s, the trade unions have organised a massive free concert in Rome, with attendances topping a million people.

9. In Jordan, May 1 is a national holiday.

10. In Denmark May 1 is celebrated through widespread demonstrations by the entire workers' movement throughout the country. There are also outdoor activities celebrating the day in many major cities.

11. In Israel May 1 is not officially celebrated, but each year the socialist and Marxist youth movements arrange a parade in Tel Aviv.

12. In Korea, Labour Day is a national holiday for labourers.

13. In Iceland, 1 May is a national holiday.

14. In Ireland, Labour Day (also called May Day) is celebrated on the first Monday in May, and is a public holiday.

15. In Thailand, 1 May is a national holiday.

16. In Vietnam, Labour Day is a national holiday on May 1 following another national holiday, April 30, which is the day the North and the South were unified in 1975.

17. In Romania, 1 May is a national holiday.

How celebrated in India

India started observing Labour Day beginning on May 1, 1927. It is a public holiday with processions carried out by various labour organizations. In Maharashtra (a State in India) Labour Day is also known as Maharashtra Diwas as state of Maharashtra was created on same day in 1960.