From the President s2

Probuzz… Monthly News Letter from Probus Club of Chennai (Sponsored by Rotary Club of Madras ) Registered under T N Registration of Societies Act 1975 (148 of 2004) An Association of Retired Professionals, Businessmen, Govt Servants and Others. In servicsince K46, Anna Nagar East Chennai-102. Ph:26216767 1992 Vol 20 No 1 May 2009

1.0 The First Column S. Krishnaram Davey President From the President 18-5-2009. Dear Probians, My hearty Greetings to fellow Probians for BE GOOD — DO GOOD showing their keen interest and participation Love more than you desire to be loved. in the Master Health Check-up Programme, organized by our Club at the Government Serve more than you desire to be served. General Hospital, Chennai by the good offices Give of yourself more than you demand of of the Health Secretary, Thiru V. K. Subburaj, others. I.A.S., who has been pleased to give us an opportunity to conduct the programme for two THIS IS NOBLE LIVING weeks from 15th to 30th of April 2009, for the — Swami Chidananda benefit of Senior Citizens. Courtesy : After the two week long Health Check-up Devine Life Society, Bairagah Branch, Madhya Pradesh. Programme, the valedictory function, to honour those Medical staff engaged in Health Hail our Hefty Helping Hands ! Service, was held on 11th of May 2009. The Probus Scholarship Scheme : Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Donors of Rs. 10,000 and more: Thiru K. S. Sripathy, I.A.S. was the Chief 1. Shri Sadayappan … Rs.10,000 Guest. The Health Secretary, Thiru V. K. S/o. Probn Dr. S. Ponnuswamy Subbaraj, was also present with other L.M. (ID L 071) dignitaries and it was a well-attended Paid in March 09 function. I once again thank Probians and special invitees who attended the meeting 2. Probn K. Rengarajan … Rs.10,000 L.M. (ID L 145) and made it a grand success. 3. Probn K. Narasimhan … Rs.10,000 The Chief Guest, in the course of his address (ID A 064) to our members commended the activities of our Club and also in having agreed to come Total … Rs.30,000 forward to organize such a Health Check-up Note : Thank you for the handsome donations. Camp for Senior Citizens. He was glad to Once you donate Rs. 10,000/- (and above), its note that more than 300 Senior Citizens came interest will go to educate a deserving poor child forward to avail of this medical facility offered from Std. VI to Plus two. Your name will be for a meagre sum of Rs. 150/- per head. associated with the scholarship. You will be provided with full details of the child you are I am happy that our Club has been getting a educating. wide publicity for being able to provide social service to the poor and the needy in the matter of health care and organize Health Camp which is so vital for senior citizens in 2.0 Editor’s space the evening period of their life. SCIENTIFIC TEMPER & WE Yours Sincerely, “Science without religion is lame, behind the diversity, seen by it in actual life. religion without science is blind”. For the purpose, various Gods were — Albert Eiestein approached/appeased with offering/sacrifices. This is the uniqueness of the ancient With the dawn of independence, rose an Hindu society. Different sacrifices had to be awareness to boost the scientific temper in organised to propitiate different Gods to Indians. There was a keen debate on whether achieve different ends! The procedures ran we had it at all. It was an age of ‘isms’ like : into hundreds and any deviation/departure communism, socialism, fascism, nazism. In from the stipulated procedure was not schools and colleges then; was a movement tolerated. So, a special class or group of men known as YUKTHI VAADHAM (in Malayalam) emerged towards this. In the 6th century B.C., which literally means ‘debate with scientific Buddhism and Jainism came into existence, reasoning’. The practice was to subject the as a protest against this religion based on prevalent conventions and beliefs to sacrifices and scientific scrutiny. Thus a rationalist was caste system. known as YUKTHIVAADHI. Buddhism was essentially an Ethical religion. To wean us away from the influence of It did not talk of God, Heaven or Hell. Atheism, some of the educational institutions Buddha’s attitude indicated his rationalism. run by Christian missio-naries; like the one When asked about the existence of God, it where I studied, arranged non-curricular was a deafen-ing silence first; followed by classes for teaching ‘Ethics’ for Non- words “Where of one cannot speak; catholics and Catechism for catholics. thereof one must be silent”. This gave me an opportunity to know something about christian beliefs of Even before the advent of Buddhism, there existence of God by a theory known as was SAAMKHYA school of philosophy. ‘Creationalism’. Fr X K, a strict disciplina- Nireeshwara (Atheism) branch of Saamkhya rian, elaborated on ‘theory of Utilitarianism’ school went to the extent of saying that there developed by Jeremy Bentham, a British was no pramana (proof) for the concept of Philosopher. However, a healthy ‘working Eeshwara (God). Saamkhya conviction was arrangement’ between some of the Atheist “Naa vasthu — naa vasthu siddhi” (Nothing faculty members, and the managements material can be realised from non-material). (irrespective of religions) was apparent. There By the way, this concept might have helped was tolerance on both sides. (late) Shri Kovoor, our contemporary atheist in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to challenge some A study of our hoary past would show that we of our God-men (who created rings and small Indians had ‘scientific temper’ and a ‘spirit of artefacts from thin air) to materi -alise things enquiry’ too. However, it was waxing and much bigger than their first-size. But none waning in different ages. Let us examine accepted his challenge and a reward of Rs. 1 some of these trends. Lakh from him. One glaring fact is that One strange thing about our ancient history is some of our God-men have been doing that it is left to the foreigners to write it for us! laudable service to the society, at large. On religion of vedic times, Maxmuller, Contributions of the atheists who chal German indologist, writes that it is a religion -lenged the God men, are virtually NIL. of ‘Nature-worship’ – the most natural of the Now switching over from Theology to the Natural religions. The Vedic Hindus Science of Medicine. Charaka, in his treatise worshipped the Sun, the Moon, Wind, Fire, on Ayurveda CHARAKA SAMHITA, mentions the Sky, lightning, the rain and the Dawn. about three kinds of medicines viz. 1. DAIVA These manifestations were identified with (Devine) depending on prayers, pilgrimages acts of God and worshipped. Regularity of etc. 2. MENTAL depending on mind-control certain natural phenomenon gave an like yoga and 3. YUKHTHI (rational expression of amazement (and its ferocity approach), largely depending on “Material fear) in the primitive man. This led to a practices which use herbs, diet-control, yearning in him to discover the secrets surgical and other procedures. Notably, behind those too. It is often said ‘God is the Charaka’s conviction was that every creation of man out of fear and not love! disease has a cause and diagnosis (not a Pre-Vedic society sought to grasp the unity visitation of curse of Gods). He opted for YUKHTHI medical practice and adopted Here is an excerpt of the observation of surgical procedures too (some of the text Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, an agnostic himself, books on Ayurveda give sketches of our first Prime Minister; who rekindled the surgical instruments used by Charaka). fire of Scientific temper in his countrymen. Now coming to Astronomy, Aryabhatta (476- “The burden of the past pursues us, and it 520 AD) a great Mathematician and Astromer, is a burden and an inspiration, for it drags was of firm opinion that Eclipses appeared us down and at the same time pushes based on shadows, whereas, Brahmagupta us on”. (7th Century AD) disputed Aryabhata’s theory supporting the Puranic theory that eclipses The thought for the NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY appeared when Rahu and Ketu (two DAY is that it is time for us to develop our serpants) swallowed the Sun! Many of us still technological potential and at the same time not stick to the Puranic version. Aryabhata had to bar import of advanced technology from the last laugh when Modern India named its abroad. This is in line with the view of Mahatma first Satellite launched by it after Gandhi, our father of the nation, who expressed Aryabhathas. his view thus : Now, coming to contemporaneous “I want the windows of my houses to be kept out-standing contributions to scientific temper open so that fresh breeze blow from doing their research works everywhere, but I DO NOT WANT TO BE in India, two names shine as pole star. Shri BLOWN OFF MY FEET” (not verbatim). Jagadish Chandra Bose, (1858-1937), doyen JAI HO to our brilliant Scientists and of Indian Science. He did original work in Technologists. Electricity but credit seems to have gone to a Western Scientist. Sir C. V. Raman, Nobel Reference : Laureate, is said to have excused himself 1. Malayala Manorama Year Book 2009. from personal appearance to receive Bharat 2. WE INDIANS by Shri R. Minoo Masani. Ratna award; due to his preoccupation with 3.0 Events and Activities finalising a Thesis of his student, in 1954. 3.1 E.C. Meeting held on 11th April 2009 at This was not taken amiss then. Indian 10.30 a.m. at Automobile Association scientists are religious with a firm mooring in of South India Meeting Hall, Chennai. science. Followed by one minute silent prayer Probn “Science has achieved more for the S. Krishnaram Devey, the President called emancipation of masses than the wisdom of the meeting to order and welcomed the sages”. members who turned out in large numbers. The above quote of our revered Philosopher He thanked the Probians for nominating him President, Sri S. Radhakrishnan, Bharat as President for the rest of the (year) period. Ratna; clearly brings out the distinction • The E.C. confirmed the minutes of the E.C. between Science which is knowledge and meeting held on 14th March 2009 wisdom which cannot be defined precisely. communicated already to E.C. members. Science involves studies of Natural • The following new members were phenomena — systematically through admitted. observation, validation by experi- mentation and formulation of laws of its (a) (i)Probn Sri. V. N. Subramaniyar, general principles, Like that of money Annual Member ID A 358 (money is what money does), worth of (ii)Probn Dr. (Ms.) P. Nagabooshanam Science depends on its practical utility. M.A., M.L., Ph.D. Life Member ID L 149 Technology is practical employment of Scientific knowledge in Industry and Every (b) Conversion into Life Membership day-life of the common masses. Thus the approved. need for use of Science and Technology in (i)Probn Dr. N. Rajagopalan tandem for the progress of a nation. To create ID A 245 to Life L 150 an awareness and spread this message, we (ii)Probn K. Sivagaminathan Indians celebrate 11th May as NATIONAL ID A 235 to Life L 151 TECHNOLOGY DAY. • As regards, the approval of affiliation to the 3.2 Inaugural function of MASTER Federation of Senior Citizens Associations HEALTH CHECK UP FOR SENIOR of Tamil Nadu; the E.C. “Resolved to have CITIZENS. a network with the Federation of Senior Our club, in association with the authorities of Citizens Associations of Tamil Nadu in its Govt. General Hospital, Chennai, organised a activities as services for attainment of our MASTER HEALTH CHECK UP exclusively clubs extended objectives” and to authorize for our members and other senior citizens, the President for incurring an annual against payment of Rs. 150/- per head as expenditure of Rs. 500/- towards affiliation against the usual normal fees of Rs. 250/- fees, as fixed by the Federation now. (with a long waiting time). The camp was • The subject related to Master open to those sponsored, for free of Health Check up scheme for Senior charges, by our members too. The camp Citizens the E.C. resolved to conduct the was held from 15th April 2009 to 30th April scheme from 15-4-2009 to 29-4-2009 at 2009, at the pay ward, exclusively allotted General Hospital Chennai with the for the purpose, at the Govt. General permission and full support of the Principal Hospital, Chennai. Secretary, the Health and Family Welfare The medical camp was inaugurated by Sri V. Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Probn K. K. Subburaj, I.A.S., Principal Secretary, Venkatachari, PP and Probn R. Subbaraj, Health Department, Tamil Nadu; at 10 a.m. Secretary, were authorised to make on 15-4-2009. The inaugural function was necessary arrangements towards the attended by Dr. Rajendran, Dean-in-charge, conduct of the scheme. departmental heads and other doctors • As regards the proposed visit to Sripuram besides a large number of our members. Golden Temple, it was resolved to have the In his welcome address, Probn S. Krishnaram Tour to Sripuram Golden Temple, availing Davey, the President of the Club, highlighted the concessions of T.T.D.C. Ltd., Chennai the uniqueness of the scheme and the fact on 28-5-2009. It was also authorized to that it was in line with the suggestion of collect Rs. 500/- provisionally per head and Sri V. K. Subburaj, I.A.S., Principal chalk out the programme. Secretary (Health) himself. • The E.C. resolved to approve the Guest Speaker and Host as given below on 23-5- Sri V. K. Subburaj, the Chief Guest, in his 2009 for the Breakfast Meeting. brief address, said that Tamil Nadu Government is focused on affording better Speaker : facilities to the public and Senior Citizens, Rtn. PP. C. S. Devaprakasam in particular. To that end, the Government Topic : has filled up almost all vacancies in its “Service to Community” hospitals, especially doctors and paramedics. Now a days, Primary Health Centres are Host : well-equipped with more sophisticated Aag Rola Magnetics Pvt. Ltd. equipments and medicines too. He gave 491, P. H. Road, Maduravoyal strong indicat- ions that similar Master Chennai 602 102 Check up facilities will made available in • The subject related to Receipts and all District Hospitals. He requested Charges, for the year ended on Association of Senior Citizens, like ours, to 31-3-2009, it was resolved to request the come forward with more suggestions, Treasurer to prepare the statements in the assuring a very careful consideration. Format and guidelines suggested by the Notably, the inaugural function was on a Probn K. Venkatachari, PP and to commu- lowkey mode but the enthusiasm shown for nicate with agenda of the sub committee to the Senior Citizens was ‘infectious’ (in an have a discussion at the next E.C. meeting. otherwise “sterile zone” — to use a medical After vote of thanks by the Secretary, the jargon). meeting was adjourned to 9th May 2009 at The president of the club presented a 10.30 a.m. at AASI Hall, Chennai. bouquet to the Chief Guest and a small (The report is based on the report of memento (books). Probn R. Subbaraj, Secretary. This does not purport to be the minutes of the meeting – Ed.). (Based on the report prepared by Probn R. Subbaraj, Secretary of the Club. – Ed.). 3.3 Probus Group – Theosopical Society of that month. For example, it is chitrai (Mylapore Lodge TS) Spiritual and because in that month, the full moon is in Philosophical meeting held at 4 p.m. Chitrai in that month. Tamil names for some on months have changed during course of the 18-4-2009, at M.P. Aanand centuries. New Year day is not an arbitrary Matriculation School, Mylapore, day. It is when the Sun completes one Chennai-4. cycle and comes back at zero degree celestial longitude. Many proverbs and The meeting commenced with a house hold sayings relate to astronomy and prayer, Probn V. L. Aiyar, co-ordinator astrology. In India, we have an intimacy with welcomed the gathering and requested Probn the cosmos and we delight in the light. T. R. Jayaraman to speak on the subject “Why Astrology and what we all Sun is the life giver of this solar system and should know about this”. physically it is 99.9% of all matter in the solar A summary of his talk is given here. system. The light from Sun is our life. It Astrology is known as “Jyotisha Sastra” in has to matter how this light comes to us India. This is a subject dealing with reflected from the other planets of the Science of Light. The subject is as vast as system. the cosmos and renders humble any learner It is but natural for every one of us to know of this science. Bharata derives its name what is in store in the years to come. How am from the fact this is a country that delights I going to evolve in my life? How does one in the light. Grammatically, it is to be evolve? Nothing evolves out of nothing. explained as Bhasi rataha iti Barataha. Our There has to be some thing involved so source of light for this solar universe is the that some thing evolves. What is that which Sun. Sun is Bhaskara because Bhasam is involved? How am I wound in the karoti iti Bhaskaraha the light giver. beginning that unwinds during my life? The rationale for astrology is in the For these questions the scientific answer is postulate that we are all children of the that we should look into the cosmic force cosmos. Yat pinde tat Brahmande. This related to the individual at the time of his means that macrocosm is the same as birth. microcosm. Secondly, events and Another point of importance is the idea that phenomena are not isolated. They are all time is not just a measure of gap between inter-related and there is a principle of events but that it has a quality dimension simultaneity. We look into the mirror to to it. check up if we are properly dressed. What do we have for examining our mental makeup? Astrology in India is very highly evolved and As the macrocosm is a reflection of sophisticated. Ancient Greece also had their microcosm, we seek the help of the astrology. Westerners too have their system. planetary positions related to each In India, the main schools are of Parasara individual to see what is inside us. In India, and Jaimini. We have Nadi system too. In the we relate very intimately with the cosmos. West, the system is tropic oriented, movable Our festivities and religious functions are zodiac. The difference was explained during detailed on astronomical chart — like the talk. It is noteworthy that all through pushyam star in the month of Thai, Krithika the world, the qualities attributed to the star in the month of Adi etc. Our planets and “houses” are identical. panchangams (of which we have some Notable is a recent system founded by Shri K. hundreds) give five essential features of each S. Krishnamurthy of Chennai who did a day — day of the week, thithi, nakshatram, painstaking research as he found that the yogam and karanam. Thithi is the longitudinal traditional astrology could not give difference between the Sun and the Moon. satisfactory answer in case of twins. He Nakshatram is the group of stars in which the developed a system known universally as Moon is then situated. Yogam is the addition Krishnamurthy Paddhati, based on some of longitudes of the Sun and the Moon. old principles. His birth centenary was Karanam is a further division of yogam. We recently celebrated in Chennai. look for our birth anniversary on the basis As explained earlier, astrology is the most of not only the Sun but also the Moon. useful in deciphering the innate nature of Even the names of months are not arbitrary an individual. It is used extensively for event (or based on the name of any king) but based prediction, health, marriage matching, on the asterism of moon on the full moon day selection of propitious time for important events, choice of line of education and Culture, at 9.00 a.m. on 25th April 2009, profession, remedies including selection of Chennai-18. deities for worship and mantras, mundane matters concerning the nations, climate, Probn S. Krishnaram Davey, the President, economy and the like. Prasna branch of called the meeting to order. astrology is for answering specific Two minutes silence was observed to pay question on the basis of time of the homage to Probn J. W. R. Livingstone who question. passed away on 24th April 2009. A few cases of astonishing predictions made by some astrologers were cited to illustrate The President welcomed the gathering and the points. introduced Probn P. Badrinath, whom he knew intimately. Many terms were explained at the meeting and it is not possible to put that down in this The President highlighted the salient features summary. These terms are: Ayanamsa, of the MASTER HEALTH CHECK UP Houses, Graha, Gochara, Drishti or aspects, SCHEME FOR SENIORS of the club, chalked evolution of Indian Standard time and the out in the lines suggested by Sri V.K. various standards that prevailed earlier, Subburaj, I.A.S., Principal Secretary, the vargas or divisions of chart, on how Rahu Department of Health and Family Planning, and Ketu do not represent planets but are Tamil Nadu Government. He appealed to virtual points and known therefore as members to avail themselves of it, besides, shadows diagrammatic charts used in the South, North and East of India and in the sponsoring some poor senior citizens. He Western countries with their merits and briefed the audience on the proposed demerits. What we term as Rasi is the zodiac workshop on SENIORS’ HEALTH CARE, sign in which Moon is situated at the time of jointly with the Federation of Senior Citizens birth. Lagna is an important point in the Associations of Tamil Nadu (FOSCATAN) on horoscope and this is the longitude of the 24th April 2009 at Gokhale Hall, Mylapore. Eastern horizon at the time of birth. For (Please see report in para 3.5 in this issue. – determination of Lagna you need to know Ed.). the time of birth and the place of birth too. Probn K. Venkatachari, PP, formally The factors involved in analysing a chart are introduced Probn Ln P. Bhadrinath, the manifold and every chart is unique. This speaker of the day. The President honoured difficulty can be explained by a simple the speaker with a ponnadai and memento of demonstration. If you take a large and thin books. Probn T. S. Ramaswamy, Sr. paper and try to fold it, you may find it Advocate added more details about the deep possible to fold it seven times but not the eighth; for with eight fold twin possibilities, the knowledge of the speaker. thickness of paper becomes 256 times the In his introductory remark of his speech, original thickness! Probn P. Bhadrinath desired that more time Research in astrology is very essential. could be given to the main speaker by The great art and science should be firmly avoiding other speakers, however well-versed established. A great figure like U. V. they may be, speaking on the same topic. Swaminatha Iyer is needed to gather various Probn P. Bhadrinath’s speech was more or manuscripts scattered in different parts of less an interaction with the audience. There India was a general view that the topic ‘Introduction and secret knowledge available to Bhagawad Gita and on personality only with some persons and families. A development’ required more time for any number of dedicated teams are speaker. then required to work on large date banks to establish an irrevocable basis for predictive Probn V. N. Subramaniyar, a new member, astrology. was requested to introduce himself and he (Based on the gist of the speech, furnished spoke briefly on his activities, especially, his by Probn T. R. Jayaraman, the speaker, which is connection with Civic Exnora. acknowledged with thanks.– Ed.). Probn R. Subbaraj, Secretary, proposed a vote of thank thanking the Guest speaker and 3.4 Monthly breakfast meeting Vasuki Builders for sponsoring the breakfast. held at Russian Centre of Science & (Based on the report prepared by Probn R. However, most of the retirees do no save Subbaraj, Secretary. – Ed.). enough to meet the eventualities in the post- retirement stage. With the cost of medicate 3.5 Workshop on Seniors Health Care, flying through the roof, it is very organised by the club, jointly with necessary for one to have adequate health Federation of Senior Citizens insurance coverage. He appealed to all Associations of Tamil Nadu, from 10 Senior Citizens Associations, especially a.m. to 5 p.m., on 26th April 2009, at the FOSCATAN to send their Gokhale Hall, Mylapore, Chennai-4. recommendations to the Tamil Nadu Government, which will be given serious The workshop on SENIORS HEALTH CARE attention for effective implementation. He was organised by the club, congratulated the Probus Club and the jointly with the Federation of Senior Citizens FOSCATAN for arranging regular seminars Associations of Tamil Nadu (FOSCATAN) inviting eminent doctors. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 26th April 2009, at Gokhale Hall, Mylapore, Chennai-4. A panel of doctors and specialists in various specialities spoke at length, with visual aids. The seminar began with an invocation by Probn K. Venkatachari, PP, Vice President of 1. Prof. Dr. V. S. Natarajan, Geriatrician on FORSCATAN. GERIATRIC CARE. 2. Dr. G. S. Kailash, Chest and Allergy Probn S. Krishnaram Davey, President of the specialist – HOW NOT TO GO A DOCTOR club, welcomed the gathering. In his welcome (Yoga, Exercise and Healthy habits). address, the President paid rich encomium to Sri V. K. Subburaj, I.A.S., the Principal 3. Dr. A. G. Ramesh, Opthalmic Surgeon on Secretary (Health and Family Planning), for VISION CARE, eye diseases and the need enabling the Probus Club of Chennai to for early detection. conduct its scheme – MASTER HEALTH 4. Dr. V. Balaji, Diabetologist on DIABETICS CHECK UP FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, from AND FOOT CARE. 15th April 2009 to 30th April 2009, at the 5. Prof. Dr. V. Chockalingam, Cardio-logist on Government General Hospital, Chennai. He CARDIAC CARE. highlighted the active part played 6. Er. V. Hariharan, Adviser to IRDA in the society by the eminent doctors who on MEDICAL INSURANCE. consented to deliver lectures, on various disciplines of medicines. Shri D. Probn Er. V. Hariharan explained how Rajasekharan, the President of FOSCATAN, different General insurance companies have introduced Sri. K. R. Gangadharan, the different norms and tariffs. Hence insureres National coordinator and requested him to have to carefully study the prospectus of the brief the delegates on the further company before taking a policy and warned developments since the last workshop held in against the rosy pictures given by Chennai, couples of months back. Sri. Development officers who are more Gangadharan, in his brief speech dwelt on the interested in canvassing than servicing of the policies of the Govern- ments, at State, policies sold. He disclosed that some of the National and International levels and insurance companies have now extended the emphasized the dire need to work with a coverage upto 90 years (only the ones which concerted effort for effective representation are current) and covering pre-existing of the problems of the Seniors. He urged diseases. He pointed out some of the lacunae on the Central Government to implement the which call for the attention of the IRDA. The recommenda- tion of K. S. Shastri follow up of these is a continuous exercise. commission. Panelists of the seminar and special Sri V. K. Subburaj, I.A.S., the Chief Guest, delegates were honoured with mementos while inaugurating the Seminar on SENIOR (books donated by PF C. R. Vaitheeswaran). CITIZENS HEALTH CARE commenced his Sri V. K. Subburaj, I.A.S., The Chief Guest, with an introductory remark that every was honoured with a shawl. It was nice to see individual has to prepare himself for retire- the Chief Guest sitting through the entire ment with a plan well ahead of the inevitable proceedings, showing a keen interest. The and expected event. To this end entire proceeding was Government servants are being counselled. ably co-ordinated by Probn Dr. V. Balambal, Madhava Perumal Street PP. Chennai-4. The delegates present had a nice Sunday, B. Donee interacting with highly knowledgeable Udhavum Karangal panelists and special invitees. 480, NSK Road, Chennai-106. Probn R. Subbaraj, Secretary of the club, C. Details proposed a vote of thanks, with a special 1. Medicines tablets and liquid medicines – word for the co-sponsores – DINAMALAR in strips and bottles – Tamil Daily, Probn Dr. G. V. Rao and abc 8 items from item A1. Professional Services (our courier) for their 2. Used dresses like Pants-4, T-Shirts 2, liberal contributions. Light refreshments were Shirts-7 Total 13 Nos from item A2. served after the meeting with hot samosas 3. Sarees-3, tracksuit-1 from item A3. and biscuits. 4. New blouse-bits-7, from item A4. The meet ended with a national anthem. D. Despatched by (Report based on the input received from Probn R. Probn K. Venkatachari, PP on 2-5-2009. Subbaraj, Secretary, Probus Club of Chennai. – Ed.). Thank you donors for your thoughtful gesture. 4.0 Welcome New Members – Ed. 6.0 Train Calendar? Life member : Are you searching for train availability? Here Nagabooshanam Ms. P. Dr. Probn is an easy way to find seat avai-lability in all Professor of Law, Department of trains with a single hit. Train availability Legal Studies University of Madras, Chennai calendar – Autho-rized site (Retd.), DOB: 18-09-1943, http://www.cleartrip.com/ trains/calendar. Res: “Balaji” 10, (Old No. 18) Raja Street, Do check it out... it’s amazing! Mandavelli, Chennai-600 028.,E-mail: Source: E-mail from [email protected] [email protected], Phone: 24616564, Received from Probn K. Venkatachari, PP. 9444751455, Membership ID L 149, Introduced by Probn R. Subbaraj, Secretary. 7.0 Sunshine Fund Annual member : Subramaniayar V. N. Probn, Civil Engineer, 1. S. P. Ambrose, I.A.S.(Retd.)1,000/- Associate Consultant, Chennai, DOB: 11-06- (His Birthday) 1945, Spouse: Malathi S. Mrs., DOB: 29-10- 2. S. Krishnaram Davey 1,000/- 1954, WD: 31-05-1974, Res: 2A, Lasya,,94, (His Birthday) Old 189A, St. Mary’s Road, Abhiramapuram, 3. Mrs. Kalyani Namasivayam500/- Chennai-600 018. Phone: 24986838, W/o Probn R. T. Nama- 9840613799, sivayam (Her Birthday) E-mail: [email protected], Member-ship ID A 358, Introduced by Probn R. Subbaraj, Thank you, very much for your donations – Secretary. Ed. 5.0 Medicine Bank and Sundry items 8.0 Special Announcement A. Donors Annual General body of the club would be 1. Members of the Club (anonymous). convened on 27th June 2009 (4th 2. Shri S. Chellappa, 31/1 (New) Sathya Saturday). A formal notification will be Apts.Madhava Perumal Street mailed by the Secretary separately. Chennai-4. Such of the members, who desire to raise 3. Smty. S. Sri Devi any point for the deliberation at the AGM, 93, M. K. Amman Koil Street may please send it in writing to Probn R. Mylapore, Chennai-4. Subbaraj, Secretary, on or before 5th 4. Smty.G. Hemavathi June 2009. This would be taken up for 31 (New)/17 (Old) Sathya Apts. discussion only if deemed necessary. KINDLY HELP US TO HELP YOU 9. Rajendra Kumar Jalan 6 2836 5280 99620 81010 9.0 Directory update 10. Panduranga Rao N 7 2825 6104 1. Probn Kalkulam Madhu, (ID L 84) 11. Raghavan P S 9 2254 2358 Cottage No. 4 12. Ramaraju S 9 2259 1050 Womens Indian Association 13. Venkatachari K 9 2498 1099 B8, Greenways Road, 14. Suryanarayanan S 10 2499 8282 R. A. Puram, Chennai-28 15. Subramaniayar V N112498 6838 Cell No. 94449 43091 98406 13799 16. Narayanan R Dr 12 2441 8554 2. Probn A. Balakrishnan, (ID 303) Phone No. 2448 8615 ,(a correction to a 17. Gopinathan V 13 2836 4791 typographical error) 18. Raman K V 13 2662 2916 19. Ranganatha Rao 15 2499 5290 3. Probn Nelson Philip, (ID L 122) 98412 98848 Vasanth Apartments 20. Tamilarasan L 16 2442 0804 22/9, Viswanatha Puram 1st Street 98414 28044 Kodambakkam, Chennai-24 21. Sakunthala 1728114 00394 Phone: 2375 1635,Mobile: 97100 25720 Sundaram Mrs 4402 4003 22. Hariharan V (Ch-102) 19 2626 10.0 Probus T-Shirts 1011 PF Rtn P. Sridharan designed a white T- 23. Mani Chebiam 19 2495 6014 Shirt with Probus Logo on the front pocket 24. Ramaswamy T S Dr202844 2526 and a message “PROMOTE PROBUS RI 25. Desikan K 26 2481 2823 3230” on the back in three sizes M, L and XL. 26. Raman H Dr 28 2446 5413 He donated a few shirts to our club with a 94449 62696 view that the sale proceeds of which could go to the club. It is prized reasonably at Rs. 11.2 Probus spouses having Birth 150/- each. T-Shirts in sizes M, L and XL Anniversary in June 2009 have been sold out like hot cases. There are a few T-Shirts of L size, available with 1. Padmalalitha K 2 4213 6514 Ramavadhani Probn R. T. Namasivayam. Those Probians who desire to buy one may please contact 2. Vasantha Sugunaraj8 2374 2728 Probn R. T. Namasivayam, EC Member. His 3. Hamitha A Mrs 10 5567 5892 Cell No. 97789 974100. The club records its 4. Murugan A V M Shri132499 2909 appreciation of the novel idea and the kind 2376 0463 gesture of PF P. Sridharan. 5. Jayalakshmi G 14 2245 1933 Dakshinamoorthy 11.0 Felicitations 6. Shankari Mony 15 2445 6168 11.1 Probians having Birth 7. Gomathi Subramanian 16 2492 Anniversary 8769 in June 2009 8. Kalpakam 17 2499 0967 Srinivasamurti 98403 92155 9. Meenakshi Srinivasan 18 2441 1. Abdul Rahim 1 2243 0062 1640 2. Vijayarangam R 2 2376 0815 10. Vijaya Lakshmi Bhat 19 3. Subramanian T S 3 2847 4866 98409 76254 4. Kumarasamy S 4 2441 2087 11. Indrani Maniarasan22 2245 2444 5. Vijayarangam M D 4 2621 6767 12. Shri Thiagarajan 23 2493 5983 6. Chakravarthy K V 5 2481 6588 13. Vimala Unnikrishnan 23 2445 7. Durai S 5 2499 2799 2530 8. Govindan S 6 2491 0207 14. Vijaya Ramakrishnan 24 2828 1112 15. Gita Vittal 29 2836 5533 17. Raman KV Dr Probn & 10 2445 11.3 Probus couples having Wedding 6063 Anniversary in June 2009 Saroja Raman Dr Mrs 1. Nelson Philip Probn & 1 3091 18. Chakravarthy K V 10 2481 6588 4174 Probn & Mrs Kalpakam Grace Nelson Mrs Chakravarthy 2. Gandhi R Probn & 1 2491 0974 19. Govindan S Probn 11 2491 0207 Visalakshi Gandhi Mrs & Padmavathy Mrs 3. Rajagopalan Dr. N 2 2450 1169 20. Ramachandran S 12 2435 8953 Probn & Vijayakumari 99405 25904 Probn & Mrs Nirmala Rajagopalan Mrs Ramachandran 4. Rao B S Probn & 2 2374 4064 21. Chandrasekaran C 12 2499 3477 Lakshmi Rao Mrs Probn & Mrs Vasantha 5. Thangaraj S Probn & 2 2670 Chandrasekar 3536 22. Narayanan R Dr Probn 12 2441 Phelomena 8554 Thangaraj Mrs & Anandhi 6. Prabhakar M G Probn 2 2844 Narayanan Mrs 1380 23. Krishnan A Probn &122499 2998 & Ramani P Mrs Mrs Revathi Krishnan 7. Alaghiakrishnan K 3 2847 6468 24. Ramanathan V K 13 2243 5124 Probn & Padma Probn & Manikekalai Alaghia Krishnan Mrs Ramanathan Mrs 8. Lourdusamy P M 4 2551 1728 25. Srinivasan S Probn & 13 2436 Probn & 0068 Maria Roase T A Mrs Rajalakshmi Srinivasan Mrs 9. Arumugam S Probn & 4 2377 4650 26. Ragunath R Probn & 15 2499 Chandrika 6108 Arumugam Mrs Shanta Raghunath Mrs 10. Thyagarajan K Probn 5 2485 27. Augustine B Probn & 16 6529 1204 5049 & Punithavathi Asha Latha Thyagarajan Mrs Augustine Dr 11. Gnanaraj P Dr Probn 6 4218 28. Sathyanarayanan B Dr 16 2472 2465 1268 Probn & Sukanya 98400 30703 & Rathnavathy 98401 51589 Sathyanarayanan Mrs Gnanaraj Mrs 29. Ganesan S Probn &172493 6825 12. Saptha Rishi G 7 2436 1449 Kalyani Ganesan Probn & Shakunthala Saptha Rishi Mrs 30. Sriram N Probn & 17 2811 4923 Alamelu Sriram Mrs 13. Unnikrishnan P 7 2445 2530 Variyath Probn & 31. Sri Ram N C Probn & 18 2474 Vimala Unnikrishnan 3106 Mrs Subhadra Sriram N C Mrs 14. Venkatakrishnan A 9 2447 0200 Probn & Soumya 32. Viswanathan V S 18 2253 0534 Venkatakrishnan Mrs Probn & Kamala Viswanathan Mrs 15. Mony S V Probn & 9 2445 6168 Shankari Mony Mrs 33. Pandian G S Probn & 18 93810 57750 16. Gopalakrishnan K S9 2493 8224 Mangayarkarasi Probn & Parvathy 98410 96866 Pandian Mrs Gopalakrishnan Mrs 34. Suganthi Premkumar 18 2641 3252 Mrs Probn & Prem- 12.0 Appendix to the speech on “Bhaja kumar V Williams Mr Govindam” delivered at 4 p.m. on 35. Namasivayam A Probn 18 2620 21-3-2009 at M. P. Aanand 2689 Matriculation School, Chennai-4. & Somasundari Bhaja Govindam Namasivayam Mrs by Shri P. S. Venkataraman 36. Sampath S Mr Probn 18 2449 Introduction: 0227 & Jayalakshmi Adi Sankara’s Bhaja Govindam is worded in Sampath Mrs such lucid Sanskrit that one is tempted to read the verses repeatedly to savour their 37. Ramachandran N 19 2248 3645 beauty and melody of the expressions used. Probn & Lakshmi Adi Sankara was walking along the streets of Ramachandran Mrs Kashi with his disciples when he noticed a 38. Narayanaswamy M21 2814 3973 very old man, inside a house, loudly Probn & Kamala 98841 90473 memorizing Panini sutras of Sanskrit Narayanaswamy Mrs grammar. He wondered why he was doing it 39. Nathen V V IAS 21 2493 9557 instead of Harinama Sankeer-tanam! Of what (Retd) Probn & avail would be these Sutras when soon he Mrs Janaki Nathen faces yama? At that moment the idea of 40. Narayanan V Probn & 22 2432 “Bhaja Govindam” as a guide for the 2659 layman was born. Saroja Narayanan Mrs It is usual to begin with an invocation, but 41. Ramachandran N 22 2377 2124 here he straightaway starts the poem Probn & Maithreyie 99405 46854 addressing the old man, reciting Panini Ramachandran Mrs sutras, as ‘moodha mate” (one who is 42. Sridhar N Probn & 22 2435 0924 foolish)! Malathi Sridhar Mrs There are 31 stazas in all. The first 15 were 43. Sivagaminathan K 2498402 81833 composed by Sri Sankara; the next 10 by his Probn & Muthammal disciples viz. Sureshwara, Hastamalaka, Sivagaminathan Mrs Totaka etc; and the last 5 again by Sri 44. Ramakrishnan V 24 2828 1112 Sankara. Perhaps, Sri Sankara used this a Probn & Vijaya “training module” for his disciples and the Ramakrishnan Mrs disciples had more than fulfilled his 45. Kripa Shankar Probn & 25 2491 expectations. 9098 Bhaja Govindam contains the essence of Shantha Shankar Mrs Vedanta in simple Sanskrit easily 46. Deivasigamani N 26 2493 3886 understandable to the layman. Sri Sankara Probn & Geetha 98411 44215 cautions us against the pitfalls we face in Deivasigamani Mrs day-to-day life and the ills prevalent in 47. Thyagarajan P Probn 26 3291 present day-society and suggests ways to 2951 steer clear off them. He comes down & Varalakshmi heavily on those wasting their life-time in Thyagarajan Mrs the pursuit of sense plea-sures, greedily acquiring wealth by any means and using 48. Sridharan G N Probn 26 2491 false pretences to cheat the public (by 2725 wearing saffron robes etc.). He exhorts & Rajalakshmi everyone to lead a dharmic life and pursue Sridharan Mrs the path of knowledge with the guidance 49. Vittal N Probn & 28 2836 5533 of a Guru. By following these percepts Sri Gita Vittal Mrs Sankara assures one would ere long get over the bonds of samsara and attain the goal of Wish you all many happy returns of the day. May God bless you all with good health, happiness and self-realisation. a peaceful life. Probn D. Sugunaraj, will be There are 2 commentaries available on Bhaja sending, Probus greetings to all the above. Govindam – one by Rajaji and the other by (Thank you, Probn Sugunaraj – Ed). Kindly Swami Chinmayananda. donate to our Sunshine fund generously – Ed. Since it will not be possible to discuss all the – Born again and again, dying over and over 31 slokas due to paucity of time, I have again and getting into a mother’s womb over chosen 10 slokas for detailed study. The and over again. It is hard to get over this translations are from Sri Rajaji’s commentory. ocean of samsaara; save me from it merciful Lord. Stanza 3. Naari sthanabhara naabhi desam drshtva maa gaa mohavesam Etan Stanza 22. Shayya charpata virachita mamsavasaadi vikaram manasi vichintaya kanthah, punyaa apunya vivarjita pantah; vaaram vaaram. Yogi yoganiyojita chittah, ramate – Enticed by woman’s beauty, her bosom and balonmattavadeva. the region of her navel, do not allow Yourself – Clad in rags picked from the street, to be lost. They are only forms of mere flesh. travelling the path beyond good and evil (i.e. Think of them as such every Time you Not bothering to earn merit by good deeds look at them. and never doing anything bad or evil) lost Stanza 4. Nalinigatajalam ati taralam in contemplation of the self, the yogi tadwat jeevitam atichapalam; Viddhi revels in the supreme, and behaves vyadyabhimaanagrastam lokam sometimes like a child and some-times shokahatam samastham. like a mad man. – The water drop on the lotus leaf trembles. Stanza 24: Tvayi mayi cha anyatraiko So too is human Life, precarious and vishnuh, vyartam kupyasi mayi unstable. Know it to be in the grip of asahishnuh; Sarvasminnapi pashya disease and anxiety, and smitten with aatmanam, sarvatra utsruja bhedajnanam. sorrow. – In you and me and elsewhere, there is but Stanza 10. Vayasi gate kah kaama vikarah; one Vishnu. Unable to bear with me and be shushke neere kah kaasarah; Ksheene patient you get angry with me in vain. See vitte kah parivaro, gnaate tatve kah your own self in every other being. Give samsarah up the sense of difference from other beings everywhere. – When youth is gone where is room for sport in lust. Where is the lake when the water has (Stanza 25 has to be read along with this dried up? When wealth is gone where are the stanza). family/kinsfolk? When truth has been Stanza 29: Moodha jahihi dhanaa-gama realized where are the worldly bonds? thrishnaam, kuru sath buddhim manasi Stanza 18. Suramandira tarumoola vithrushnaam Yat labhase nija nivasah, Shayya Bhootalamajinam vaasah; karmopatham, vittam tena vinodaya Sarva parigraha bhoga tyagah, kasya chittam. sukham na karoti viraagah. – Eschew the greed for more and more wealth. – If one can be happy living in the open halls Live and be happy with what you have earned of temples or under the trees, lying on the by your own labour. The thirst for wealth is bare ground and wrapped in skins giving up something which can never be quenched. every possession and enjoyment, who can Stanza 31: Guru charanaambuja nirbhara disturb such a person’s happiness? bhaktah, samsaarat achirat bhava muktah, Stanza 19. Yogaratho vaa bhogarato vaa, Sendriya maanasa niyamaad evam, sangarato vaa sangha vihinah, Yasya drakshyasi nija hrdayastam devam. brahmani ramate chittam, nandati nandati – Trust yourself wholly to the lotus feet of the nandatyeva. Guru. Be free from the shackles of Samsaara – When one is religious-minded and practising soon. Only with the senses and your mind yoga, or enjoying his wealth and pleasures, controlled in this manner, you will be able to whether he is one who likes to be in company see Brahman residing in your own heart. (extrovert), or he prefers to be in solitude (The appendix is to be read along with the gist of (author), if one’s mind finds delight in the speech given in the report in para 3.4 of April communion with the supreme Brahman, 2009 issue. – Ed.). such a person enjoys total bliss. 13.0 Probn J.W.R. Livingstone – a true Stanza 21. Punarapi jananam punarapi Christian – passes away maranam punarapi janani jatare sayanam Iha samsare bahudussare krpaya paare Probn J.W.R. Livingstone (84 years) passed paahi muraare. away on 24th April 2009. He was a true practitioner of Christian virtues. He loved all, hated none, helped all, never complained of What happened when Julius Caesar added a his personal sufferings and made others feel Month to the year in self- aggrandisement, happy. He had a charitable disposition. July and his successor Augustus Caesar, not Recently, he established an Oldage home to be outdone added August, taking the cum orphanage near Madurai, run by his Months tally from earlier ten to the present close relatives. He was the Editor of a twelve! spiritual Monthly News letter, managing it Editor’s reply : Our President and yours truly single-handedly. He shared his almost had not mentioned greetings as “Tamil New” every happy moment like marriages in his year greetings, in view of the controversy. family, births of grand and great grand April 14th is a new year (it is 15th April, once children etc., with fellow Probians and by in 36 years). Tamil Nadu (traditionally) and sending contributions to our Sunshine Kerala (Vishu) who follow Solar calendar fund. Perhaps, there is none among us have April 14th as New year. In Bengal, who encouraged three generations of his New year falls on 15th April and it is known as family members to participate in our “Pahala Vaisaakh”. Thus, commencement of cultural programmes. a New year differs from place to place. We Probn Livingstone was a soldier of Second have members hailing from different World War vintage, having served in the far states of India. Fate of the dispute in Tamil east. On getting himself discharged from Nadu (which is sub-judice) will not armed services, he worked in Ceylon (now Sri influence our club. Thank you, Sir, for other Lanka). On his return to his motherland, he information. was absorbed in Department of Atomic 2. Editor’s space : Speaking of Health in the Energy (Madras Atomic Power Project, context of World Health Day sponsored by Kalpakkam, near Chengalpet). WHO, the definition of Health, translated from When admitted to a city hospital in Chennai, Samskrit term Arogyam does not meet the with terminal stage of cancer, he desired to bill. see Probn K. Venkatachari, PP and yours The WHO official definition is “Health is state truly. He was a picture of serenity, despite the of complete physical, mental and social well- nagging pain he was suffering. That is the being and not merely the absence of disease mental make up of a great personality who is or infirmity”. no more now. His memory and his philan- I vividly remember this, displayed on the thropy would live in the hearts of his friends entrance of Cordite Factory Aruvankadu and admirers for ever. Notably, Probn Hospital. Livingstone passed away on a Friday, in the month when Jesus Christ was cruxified. We Should not the Editor be provided with Net- send our heartfelt condolences to Smt. enabled PC, ex-officio? Saramma Livingstone, his wife, and the rest Editor’s reply : I had only given the theme of of the bereaved family. We join them in their WHO for the year 2009. and an overview of prayers for the eternal peace of the departed the norms of good health in general. – Thank noble soul. you for the additional information furnished by you. 14.0 Condolence Message 16.0 Our Net Works I heard about the sad demise of our fellow Probian J.W.R. Livingstone, on 24th instant. It Probus Club of Cheyyar held its 4th AGM on is indeed a great loss to us, may his soul rest 24th April 2009. Probn G. S. Pandian, our in peace. former Secretary, inducted the new office Probn A. James, E.C. Member bearers. Probn R. Subbaraj, Secretary of our club, felicitated the new office bearers. I join you to pay homage and tribute to Probn Probians of Cheyyar Probus Club evinced Livingstone. keen interest in our Master Health Check up Probn Scbian Singaraja, PP and 32 members had the check up done on 24th April 2009, a day set apart or them 15.0 Feed back exclusively. The following office bearers were inducted : 1. Feed back from Probn Dharmes-waran, President’s New Year Greetings appears President: Probn T. G. Sambandan nebulous! We are neither in January 01 or 2, Kamarajar Street,Narasimma Nagar, January 14 the revised Tamizh New Year Cheyyar 604 407,ph: 04182 - 220321 (sub. judice). Vice President: Probn N. Gurunathan Secretary: Probn T. D. Narayanasamy 47/17, K. V. Pilliar Koil Street, Tiruvathipuram 604 407 Cell: 97510 81677 Joint Secretary: Probn E. Sundaresan Treasurer:Probn G. Viswanathan 82, Sannathi Street,Tiruvathipuram 604 407 Cell: 94445 56533 17.0 Dates to Remember

JUNE 2009 13-06-2009 (Saturday) 10.30 a.m. EC Meeting at AASI

20-06-2009 (Saturday) 4.00 p.m. Probus group–Theosophical Society, Mylapore Lodge (TS)–Spiritual and Philosophical Meeting at M.P. Anand Matriculation School, Mylapore, Chennai-4. Contact: Probn T. R. Jayaraman Phone: 2466 1998 Probn V. L. Aiyar,Phone: 2499 2329 27-06-2009 (Saturday) 9.00 a.m. Annual General Body meeting at Russian Centre of Science Culture, Chennai-18. (Notification to you on separately – Ed.). Contact: Probn R. Subbaraj,Ph: 2442 2839 Note : Programmes are subject to changes of time, venue, speakers and the like. Kindly contact the person(s) indicated against each programme, in case of doubt – Ed.

18.0 Degrees of Arrogance !

Dr. George Bernard Shaw define arrogance as follows : The least arrogant is the person who does not respond to your greeting. The more arrogant is the person who nods when you greet him. The most arrogant is the person who nods when you are not greeting him. Received from Probn S. Srinivasan.

PROBUZZ greets you all ANYTIME ! – Ed.