A Chronicle of Social Currents

Volume 3 I Issue 5 I May 2012 I For Free Circulation Only I A CSIM Product Conv e r sationsinside

Focus Pg 3 Never Say Die Ujala Begum’s efforts to empower women

Profile Pg 9 With Little Help, They Can About Friends for the Needy — a rehabilitation centre for mentally challenged women

Cover Story >> Pg 6 Chit Chat Pg 12 The God Makers of Kosapet “If you help an old lady cross the street, that is social work.” About lives of doll makers in An interview with Dr. Balaram Biswakumar Photo:AK

Dear Friend, around you as well—your family, friends, appreciate others. It also aids us to live All of us are alike in many ways. and colleagues. Attitude is truly the life of our dreams and to make a However, one little difference always contagious, and from time to time we positive difference in the lives of others. makes a big difference. The little need to ask ourselves, “Is mine worth I am grateful that I have been given this Printed and published by: difference is ‘attitude’. It has been said catching?” opportunity to share my thoughts with Mr. P. N. Devarajan on that people can alter their lives by altering The first step for us would be to you. Enjoy reading our stories of real behalf of their attitude. This is indeed true! What develop an attitude of gratitude right heroes with a great attitude! Do share Centre for Social Initiative most people fail to realize is that your away. Gratitude is an energizing emotion them with all whom you meet and spread and Management attitude not only impacts your happiness that motivates our thoughts and actions in the goodness! 391/1, Venkatachalapathi Nagar, Alapakkam, Chennai -600 116. and your success, but can also impact the a positive direction. It helps us to P .N. Devarajan Phone: 42805365

From the Editor the From happiness and success of the people appreciate the life we already have and to Website: www.csim.in 2 / News Conv e r sations

Information provided by the Commissioner of Traffic News Police, Chennai for the month of April 2012

Loss of lives due No. of accidents to accidents reported 126 823

Number of cases booked for:

n Signal violation - 22,697 n Wrong side driving - Nil n Over speeding - 6,945 n Violation of one way rule - 12,097 /Alumni talk 3 Conv e r sations

“CSIM gave me ample exposure to funding agencies and modalities. I found the course really useful in bettering the activities at Paropakar Amaippu.”

KCRDS, Mr. Abu Bakker, is Ujala relentless hunt to infuse positivity into girls Begum’s mentor of sorts. “He was the first who come to her centers. “Earlier I used to person who listened patiently to my sink in self-pity, but today I realize that we are worries. He gave me courage and had all born to help each other. Women should immense confidence in me,” says Ujala, help other women. In my tailoring centre or adding that, “The founder of KCRDS, Mr. night schools, I sometimes find girls crying R.S. Mani who has worked with Mahatma silently. I walk up to them and hear them out. Never Gandhi in the olden days, reassured me by Whenever the girls show a sign of saying: “You were born to live.” I have hopelessness, I reassure them with real taken these words as my talisman and have stories, such as mine, and ask them to move ever since remained positive and hopeful at on. It works!” says a passionate Ujala. all times.” Ujala’s association with CSIM goes back Say Die! to the early days of Paropakar Amaippu. jala Begum lost her parents during She enrolled in the Social Entrepreneurship her childhood and was raised by her Outlook Programme in 2007. “CSIM gave Ugrandmother. Coming from a me ample exposure to funding agencies conservative family in Vandavasi and modalities. I found the course really (Wandiwash), she may have continued to live useful in bettering the activities at within the confines of her home, following Paropakar Amaippu,” says Ujala. Funds the rigidities put in place by her immediate for Paropakar Amaippu mainly come from surroundings, had it not been for a major corporate donors. She has ever since illness that drastically changed her way of life referred several people to also enlist for and in the process, her world view. training at CSIM. “A few years ago I was diagnosed with a In these last eight years of running the mild form of leprosy that rendered me Paropakar Amaippu, Ujala has added temporarily immobile. I was hospitalized several feathers to her cap. She has been for almost three months,” she says, awarded a fellowship by former President recollecting the days that signaled the of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and her ending of a rather uncomfortable efforts have been featured in leading Tamil arrangement of living with her media. Thanks to Paropakar Amaippu, grandmother. “This illness triggered some Vandavasi today offers better exposure to unexpected conflicts with my grandmother, women who would like to work outside who was no longer willing to keep me at their homes. The rigidity and the taboos home. In time though, I did recover from Amaippu, a welfare establishment that At KCRDS Ujala earned Rs. 100, then have been gradually reducing and the proof being completely immobile to being fairly helps women become self-reliant through her income grew upto Rs. 300 as she of it is in the increasing numbers of women independent, and then I moved out to live engaging them in various vocational undertook vocational training and self-help enrolling in college. As Ujala Begum on my own,” says Ujala. training and educational activities. It group training. Immediately after her continues her quest to transform people’s Once Ujala decided to live on her own, presently has a tailoring centre, four night- training, she helped start 7 self-help lives for the better, her family has started she could see that her home town of school centres and one self-help group. groups. From there on, she started her recognizing her for her exemplary Vandavasi was not in the least welcoming Over 450 women have become certified tailoring centre. Growing step-by-step qualities. “Those relatives who shunned of her decision. “I was subjected to tailors through this centre, four girls have through her efforts, she helped mobilize me and shut their doors on me once, are enormous ridicule as I was living on my been sent for nursing training though a funds for the heart operation of two needy now praising me,” says Ujala with a giggle. own without a family. This town is still collaboration with the Ramakrishna individuals, totaling to an amount of Rs. It is often said, that perseverance moves very conservative. Women here have to Mission at , several needy 75,000. Today, 100 to 150 students are mountains. Ujala’s perseverance has abide by rules put in by a hardcore patients have been granted free and gifted with uniforms, dictionaries, and indeed proven the saying to be true. chauvinistic society. Until a few years ago, successful surgeries through a books every year. “I want underprivileged it was rather difficult to see a working collaboration with the Maruvathoor children to have the education that I could —Archanaa R. woman here. It used to be considered as a Welfare Hospital, and several more have never have in my time,” says Ujala who has shame to a man if his wife was sent to work. started attending the night schools to helped a disabled student successfully In such a rigid society, I wanted to see some complete their basic schooling. complete B.Com. Right before she started Paropakar changes in the attitudes of the people. And The Paropakar Amaippu has come as a If you wish to support Paropakar unless women realized their own freedom, Amaippu, she used to work with the breath of fresh air to Vandavasi, Kaveripakkam Comprehensive Rural Amaippu, please contact Ujala there was no other way out for them from encouraging women to get out of the four Begum at 9841730877 this oppression,” says a defiant Ujala. Development Society (KCRDS), an NGO walls of their homes and training them to In 2004 she started the Paropakar in Wallajah Block. The secretary of be independent. Ujala Begum is on a

This publication could be viewed online at www.csim.in/conversations.php. Please mail your feedback to [email protected] 4 / Trailblazers Conv e r sations RUHSA- An Integrated Model for Health and Development Program he Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs (RUHSA), a community Thealth care and development program of the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, is serving over 120,000 people of the K.V. Kuppam Block in the Vellore district for more than three decades. Its intervention has changed thousands of lives in 97 villages of the block. Since its inception RUHSA’s intervention is guided by three principles: health and development should not be separated; any program is based on community participation; and voluntary approach. At present RUHSA is focusing on: health care, education, social development, Training, CERT (consultancy, evaluation, research and training), animal husbandry, agriculture, income generation and socio- economic project. It has a community college project, a six- month program; a one-year post graduate diploma course on Health Management at CMC; three-year course on B.Sc. Medical According to RUHSA officials, during population. They maintain a data-base of health aid for 200 families or 1000 Sociology under MGR University, and a the initial stage they used to provide door to their patients and two mobile teams visit the population, and 5 to7 family care volunteers Ph.D. programme. door primary health care services for the villages with doctors and nurses and (FCVs). Family care volunteers implement RUHSA also conducts workshops for people living in the target area. Then a provide door-to-door basic health care all the health care related programs at the colleges and it has a placement program for CMC doctor came forward and started a services every day. Cases that require village level. Everyday, they visit 10 to15 nurses. Besides, it has a waste management project called ‘RUHSA’, an integrated greater medical attention are referred to the households and make 2 to 3 visits to each program coordinated by a 14-member self- primary health care model. base hospital- CMC, Vellore. family in a month. FCVs identify pregnant help group, who collect tree leaves and S. Sekar, training Officer of RUHSA, mothers and children who are below two domestic waste. At a later stage the group says, “At present 300 to 500 out patients How It works: years of age. They also motivate parents to plans to go to villages and teach waste receive basic health care services at At the village level, RUHSA has Rural come to the mobile clinic with their children management techniques. RUHSA Base Health Centre everyday. Community Officers (RCO) who are full- and provide them with health education. RUHSA was started as an inter-sectoral Doctors from CMC also come here to treat time staffs. RCO coordinates all the The family care volunteers also collect all Primary Health Care Programme of patients every week. The Centre has a volunteers who are responsible for the vital information on villagers. Christian Medical College and Hospital, dental clinic, a diabetes clinic, and an organizing various groups like woman self- Besides, each sub-centre has a village Vellore, in 1977. The target community for ophthalmic clinic. All the clinics charge help group, youth group, farmers’ group, agricultural guide who looks after all the its health services were children and their only Rs. 10 for services.” economically weakened section group, etc. agricultural programs and each sub centre mothers’, and for its development services At a briefing during our visit Mr. Muniraj, They also organize various co-operative has a village veterinary guide. it were the poor, youth, and women. Among Rural Training Coordinator of RUHSA, societies like: milk co-operative society, For successful implementations of its children the focus was on those who were explains to ACJ students the activities weaver’s co-operative society, ship- projects RUHSA ensures community below two years of age. coordinated here. builder’s co-operative society, poultry participation and local government help. The primary purpose of RUHSA was to Apart from centre-based service RUHSA grower’s association etc. Apart from these, provide health and development services in has 18 sub-centres called Peripheral Service RCO helps sub-centre (PSU) volunteers —Hashim a defined area (a block covering Unit (PSU) to cover the entire block. Each implement other programs. Asian College of Journalism approximately 100,000 people). PSU serves around 5000 to 7000 At each sub-centre level, there is one LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Dear Editor,

Thank you so much for sending us It was fascinating to read about a I look forward to reading I enjoy reading the stories on backward your article in Conversations. The kids workshop where visually impaired Conversations every month. The way communities that are being featured will be going home today for summer people are working together. It is only stories are being told is simple to read, every month in Conversations. holidays and those in the photograph by reading more such examples that and I encourage my children to read as are happy and proud that they can our own mindset changes. well. My appreciation to the your team for carry this issue with themselves in it bringing these communities to light. home! With Regards My best wishes to your team. Gouthami Best wishes, Warm regards, Regards, Narasimhan Hanne Rajeswari / Spot Light 5 Conv e r sations A New Lease of Life

Kalpana

he story of Kalpana Gore, who my toe,” she says. Kalpana earned a employed were taken care of. Considering work as a cook and my husband has a rolled bidis for 20 years, is meager Rs 9 for every 1,000 beedis she the deteriorating health conditions of the steady job as well. The children are Tsynonymous with the many rolled and continued working until the women employed in the trade, medical educated and I plan on concentrating on women in Ahmednagar and their night her second child was born. Recalling expenses form a major chunk of their settling their lives.” struggle to make ends meet. Nidhi the incident, Kalpana says, “I still household expenditure. “The 20 years I Pointing out the irregularities and Adlakha has her story. remember the day my daughter, Rani, was rolled beedis I suffered from constant exploitation of workers, Kalpana says that She was married at the age of 17 and born. I had rolled the last set of beedis for joint pains and severe backaches. I even though they were provided with the started rolling beedis a year later. A task the day and slept around 12 am. She was developed gaps in my spinal cord that led yearly Diwali bonus, rent allowance, Kalpana learnt from her mother and born a few hours later.” to Spondylitis and I suffer from backaches many workers, including her were taught her siblings, rolling beedis was an Kalpana’s husband, a gardener, even today,” says Kalpana, who cheated as there were a number of integral part of her daily routine for 20 deserted the family for three years and discontinued the trade five years ago. middlemen involved in the settling of years. “I picked up the trade from my Kalpana had no option but to continue the “My son, Devendra, developed asthma accounts. “The provident fund that I was family members and it was a great pastime trade and fend for her children. “It was a due to the constant exposure to tobacco. entitled too was not paid entirely. after school hours. As a kid, I noticed most tough time but I had to keep myself He used to have severe attacks and the Middlemen get us to sign papers in the women were forced into the trade due to engaged and earn money,” she recalls. consequences of rolling beedis took a name of bonus and at the time of payment lack of other avenues of employment and The beedi industry in Maharashtra is huge toll on our lives.” It is unfortunate we receive only half the amount. Most it was easy money,” says Kalpana. huge and private companies that exploit that most women do not live long enough women are uneducated and thus With her father’s death when she was labourers such as Kalpana thrive in to avail their pension. “Companies pay exploited,” she adds. just 2 months old, education never took districts such as Solapur, you a pension if you work till the age of — Nidhi Adlakha priority. She studied only till the fourth Sangamnagar, and Ahmednagar. The 58, but most women fall sick and don’t grade and was married early. “Post my company that Kalpana worked for live to collect the money,” she says. Nidhi Adlakha is a media fellow at the marriage, I had to continue rolling beedis back then, paid for the delivery of her Ask her why she quit, Kalpana says, National Foundation for India (NFI) as it supplemented our household income. children a sum of Rs 240. “Although, today, they pay Rs 100 for researching on the links between Poverty I used to be from 5 am to 11 pm and slept Provided with the tendu leaves, tobacco every 1,000 beedis you roll, the task is and Tobacco, and is a Correspondent at with the thread of my sons cradle tied to and thread, the medical expenses of those physically straining and I chose to quit. I the Times of India, Chennai 6 / Cover Story / Cover Story 7 Conv e r sations Conv e r sations

Jayanthi

Conversations team spends an evening with the doll makers in Chennai

Meena and Govindasamy

paint layer after layer. While my employees work on the base coat, I draw the features and add glitter for each of the idols,” she said. Jayanthi has two children Latha, 14, and Kumar, 12, who study in a private school. The God Makers “I want to educate them as much as I can. My daughter wants to become a computer engineer. I should get her a computer when she goes to the tenth standard,” she sighed. Hundreds of Krishna and Ganesha idols were lined up to get dried. Jayanthi began giving finishing touches to a baby Krishna. Lakshmi and Kumar inding through the Jayanthi paused for a while, delegatedof filled with differentKosapet colors. “A mould costs between Rs 500 to Rs narrow lanes at work to her employees, and started the Sensing my curiosity to know 10,000. The Krishna mould costs Rs 500 left to invest for my next season. This the neighbourhood to interact with the Kosapet, a shantytown conversation. I stood gingerly in a corner how these dolls were made, and I can make only 1,000 dolls from one cycle continues.” other doll-makers, dodging the many in central Chennai, we of the room, careful not to step on any of Jayanthi explained: “Making mould. The wholesale dealers procure Perumal, her father, joined our kittens and stray dogs that lay scattered in reach the cluster of 20 the gods while my friend AK got busy these idols is a cumbersome about 15,000 to 20,000 idols from us conversation and said, “The cost of paint the narrow byways. families which are engaged in making with his camera. process. The last two days I every year at a price of Rs 20 per piece has increased three times in the last four I was led to the home of Kumar and W and sell it for Rs 30. These idols have a gods and other figurines out of clay. These “I am engaged in doll-making since the was working at another site years due to the rise in diesel price. Lakshmi. The couple spoke casually about families belong to the Kuyavar age of five. My father Perumal was where we store the clay. My lot of demand during the navarathiri Likewise, the cost of other products has their lives as doll-makers and when I asked community and had been engaged in managing this unit and I used to mould feet ache now. A lorry season. It is only during the month of also increased.” if working together and staying under one pottery for over three generations. about 300 dolls a day for which I was load of clay costs Rs September and October that we have Jayanthi is a leader of a self-help group roof all the time led to any As the city expanded, these families paid five rupees. I spent two to three 2000. We do not have sales happening. Until then, we stock (SHG) that offers a micro credit of Rs misunderstanding, Kumar remarked: found it difficult to continue their hours a day and worked even on any machines to these idols in our own homes.” 3,750 to each member. “The micro credit “Misunderstanding happens only when occupation due to lack of space. They Sunday,” she said. soften the clay, so we I asked how she managed her monthly offered by the SHG would hardly fetch me the husband is away from the wife and a shifted their occupation from pottery to “As I was allowed to spend the money need to keep family expenses until then. 15 tins of paint, which is a drop in the third person barges into our lives. We making of clay dolls. that I earned on chocolates and ice stamping on it until it “I borrow around 25,000 rupees a month ocean of expenses that I have,” she said. don’t allow this to happen and so we are Jagadeesh, our NGO contact, led us to cream, I was more than willing to work turns soft. The from private moneylenders on a five “Banks do not offer loans either, so I have very happy.” percent interest. I need this money to Jayanthi’s home. A 100-square feet space, here. In those days, five rupees a day neighbours object to to depend on private moneylenders. I had I continued visiting more houses in the live with one of our daughters and we which is supposed to have been the was quite a substantial amount to spend the fumes emitted manage my family as well as to meet the borrowed 6 lakh rupees three years ago to vicinity. While most of them were winding doll-making unit expenses. When I need don’t want to be a burden on her,” drawing room, doubles as a cottage on snacks though.” while firing the construct this home, and am yet to repay up their day’s work, I found a senior We bid adieu to the couple and walked industry. The room was piled with Speaking of her education, she said, “I clay, so we to pay my children’s school fees or when it,” she complained. couple still working. Govindasamy, 66, I need to meet a medical expense, I towards our car. On the way, we saw an old hundreds of clay gods of different sizes studied up to the eighth standard in a choose a “Then, why do you want to work in this was moulding dolls along with his wife house where women were busy making and colours. The strong odor of paint did corporation school. As my father could different site to borrow an extra 10,000 rupees,” trade if you can’t earn enough?” I asked. Meena, 55. Jayanthi explained. bigger gods in bright purple and yellow. not seem to bother the women. Jayanthi, not afford to educate me further, I started work on this.” “Well, I don’t know any other trade. If I “We are paid three rupees for each doll Outside their home, a man and his wife 33, was seated in the middle of the room, to work full-time. Now, I manage this “The dolls are I asked her how she earned from this work in an export company, I would earn that is moulded. The mould and clay is doll-making. were stamping on clay on the roadside. painting one of the idols of Krishna, while doll- making unit as my father has grown then brought only around Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. This provided by our owner. On an average we Life was just about beginning for the next Koushalya and Indira were applying the old. He is 62.” home. We apply “I earn an annual income of around five would not suffice to maintain my family. are able to earn Rs 150 a day and this is lakh rupees, most of which is used to repay set of dolls which some day would sit base paint for the rest. For a moment I got distracted when I patti to adjust The solace I have is that I can work from enough to meet our living expenses,” said pretty in homes across the city. “I am an ordinary person. What is it that saw a coconut shell half-filled with gold any defects in the loan. The moneylender offers me a home, my children are studying, and we Meena. “I used to sell vegetables, but after Photos: AK fresh loan only after I have cleared my you want me to say?” Jayanthi replied paint. I looked around the room and the figurine, have enough food to eat,” she concluded. getting all my three daughters married, I —Marie Banu when I asked her to tell me her story. noticed that there were many such shells and then dues. Therefore, I have hardly any money As the evening neared, we went around joined my husband in moulding dolls. We 8 / Focus Conv e r sations

emember when you were a child and you believed that life was magical? Well, the magicR of life is real, and it’s far more The Magic exciting and awe-inspiring than you ever imagined as a child. You can live by Rhonda Byrne your dreams, you can have anything you want, and your life can touch amazing revelation is that the key to a wealth to work and relationships. the stars! In ‘The Magic’, a great truly abundant and happy life lies in Have we got relationships in our mystery from a sacred text is the practice of gratitude. lives that perhaps aren’t what they revealed and with this life-changing This might not sound like much of a should be? At work, how often do we knowledge Rhonda Byrne takes you revelation to start with, but evidence harbour bad feelings about how on an unforgettable journey for 28 shows that the more we practice things are? What about our finances days. Step-by-step, day-by-day, gratitude and give thanks on a daily and how we feel about money? Any secret teachings, revelations, and basis, the more abundance will begin to fears, doubts, or worries that we scientific law are brought together flow to us. As well as the well known carry around with us will be into one breathtaking book—a book metaphysical facts about energy, she producing more of the same. that will lead you to a life and a bases her opinion on the evidence of Following the exercises in the Magic level of happiness beyond your her own life and many others who have will change this situation by helping wildest dreams. transformed theirs since discovering us to monitor our thoughts easily, Rhonda Byrne is the lady the Law of Attraction. and so by building up gradually over responsible for the popular film and Rhonda’s book features a course of the 28 days new ways of thinking bestselling book, ‘The Secret’ and her exercises, helping us to practice become part of everyday life, sequel book ‘The Power’. Her gratitude so that we can improve allowing us to see the things we experiences in life led her to discover every area of our lives and dissolve normally take for granted in a totally the Law of Attraction which then the problems or negative situations different light. turned her life around. Her amazing we experience. Many of us believe Rhonda helps us to really ability to see the best in everything, to that we are already grateful, but as appreciate what we have, even if it is feel love for everyone and Rhonda points out, she thought this not what we are ultimately aiming everything, and to help many people was true of herself until she for and just by the simple act of across the world has given her a discovered the real power of practicing gratitude regularly, we wonderful insight into how we can all gratitude, and by practicing daily start to attract more and more of the change our lives for the better. gratitude in every part of our lives good stuff into our lives every day! Rhonda opens her book with a what a difference this can make. Read ‘The Magic’ and bring magic stunning revelation. After explaining Every exercise is designed to help into your lives! how the Law of Attraction works, and us appreciate and enhance a different —Latha Suresh revealing how ‘like attracts like’, her area in our lives, from health and

Young saviours pull out rickshaw pullers from the abyss

t first glance, 43-year-old Jamun repair it at our own cost. Let alone looks like any other rickshaw demanding fair play from the contractors, Apuller in Delhi - a lean body and a we are often beaten up, and abused in face with distinct cheekbones and unkempt public,” says Girija Shankar, another graying stubs. As he pulls his rickshaw rickshaw puller helped by SRCC SIFE. closer, his face glows like that of a child The students help them to not just showing off his new, prized possession. procure loan from Punjab National Bank, Jamun’s new acquisition is a but also buy customized rickshaws. The customized cycle rickshaw. With padded daily repayment of Rs 40 to the contractor seats, a bottle-holder, the day’s is now navigated to the bank, which is newspaper, dust bin, a fixed tariff, only a one-year window repayment advertisement space, and an extended towards the eventual ownership of the roof that covers the rider and not just the rickshaw. In addition, they have the passenger – it’s a modern-day rickshaw. advantage of accidental insurance But it is not the looks of the brand-new premium and revenue from vehicle that makes Jamun upbeat. That he advertisements, which is shared ‘owns’ it – thanks to a socially-engineered between the rickshaw puller, and SRCC project – is the fact that he finds SIFE fund. So, in one year, a rickshaw overwhelming. “In my 13 years of work, I puller can manage to save Rs 20,000 to had not even dared to dream of having my 25,000. own rickshaw,” says Jamun, who is not “As an extension of our moral duty, we alone in basking in the new-found have recently entered into a tie-up with freedom from usurious clutches of Max HealthCare, providing health ‘contractors’. chase their dreams. deposit, often on the guarantee of a benefits to the rickshaw pullers and their Liberating rickshaw pullers and offering “The project helps rickshaw pullers to fellow rickshaw puller. It’s a simple families,” says Ashima Gupta, another them a hope in life is in fact the dream of take a loan and buy their own customized process of lending, but it triggers an SRCC SIFE volunteer. an enterprising group of students from Sri rickshaws, setting off a secured system exploitative system of mortgage. The current team of SRCC SIFE Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). of savings for themselves and their While the contractor merely lends his graduates next year. But before they leave The good-hearted students, along with family,” sums up Radhika Goel, rickshaw, in exchange for an exorbitant the campus, they will pass the baton on to an international non-profit organization, President, SRCC SIFE. rental of Rs 40 a day, the rickshaw puller their juniors. So the dream lives on to Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), are Of the 2,500 rickshaws plying on the also pledges his dignity, his very existence illuminate more faces like that of Jamun. doing something more than their streets, 95 percent are not owned by and that of his family! academic pursuits. pullers. They hire the rickshaws from “The rickshaws are not well- —Roohi Saluja Sehgal Get, Set, Go! Rickshaw pullers can now local contractors, without giving any maintained. If it breaks down, we have to the weekendleader.com / Profile 9 Conv e r sations With little help, they can “Very few understand the difference between mental retardation and mental illness. For those who are mentally retarded, training can be given to control their behaviour while for the latter, treatment is available.”

rom mental illness to mental The challenge in rehabilitating health, we have come a long way. mentally ill patients is the high FSubjective well being has come probability of relapse. Despite all into focus and the mentally challenged guidance and support given, the individuals are viewed as a whole. Yet, relapse phase once again brings to light the reach of awareness on the different the lacuna in awareness. “Very few forms of mental illness and their understand the difference between symptoms is still not appreciable. mental retardation and mental illness. Mental illnesses can be functional or For those who are mentally retarded, organic. While the former can be treated, training can be given to control their the latter has limited scope for behavior, while for the latter, treatment betterment. Depending upon the level of is available.” damage, the severity of symptoms In our country, even today, patients are varies. Lack of awareness makes it taken to temples to drive away the evil impractical for the families to cope with spirits. Promoting awareness on mental the affected persons’ illness and take care illness is a huge task that calls for of them. sensibility, patience and perseverance. This is where, community efforts Presently the home houses 35 patients. hallucinations, develop their own “Wanting to do something and being able come in, making life more comfortable “We cannot take in more patients as words with changing meanings to do something are two different things.” for the mentally challenged. Given the individual attention would become (neologism), and ask repeated Inadequate funds and staff have not multiple discriminations prevailing in impractical,” she explains. Although questions (echolalia). “With suicidal allowed Friends for the Needy to make a our society, being mentally challenged most of the inmates here have been tendency being very high, we cannot dent in the awareness of the communities. and a woman is certainly a cause for referred by Schizophrenia Research risk leaving them to themselves. A What lies ahead is a thought Sr. Geetha concern as they are easily abandoned by Foundation of India (SCARF), based in recent incident where a man in would not pay heed to. “When everyday their families. Chennai, some also come from contacts burnt himself to death, for sustenance is in itself a challenge, I Friends for the Needy in made on the helpline. no reason at sight, is a case in point.” cannot think of the future,” says she, who Thirumullavoyal, Chennai is an effort to During every intake, the woman’s case The behaviour of these patients is was interrupted twice during the treat and rehabilitate such women. It was history is thoroughly analysed, which highly unpredictable. Sr. Geetha conversation to interact with her established in 1997 as Public Charitable includes details about the family illustrates a case where the patient sponsors. As a message for our readers, Trust, in a temporary shelter. Within a background, childhood trauma, and defecated and began to consume her own she concludes, “All I would want to year, a small house was purchased in the like. excreta. Their poor socialising makes it a communicate is that, with little help through a bank loan. “Regular “The most difficult of all tasks is to get herculean task to help them connect their patients of mental illness can lead better funds remained a challenge then, and their family members believe that these thoughts and associated people. and comfortable lives. Friends for the continue to be one today also,” says Sr. illnesses can be treated,” laments Sr With its own team of dedicated needy is just one such effort. Kindly Geetha Mathews, Founder, Friends for Geetha. Most of the women here are doctors, Friends for the Needy provides support us in whichever way you can.” the Needy. abandoned, divorced, or separated. regular counselling services for the Soon, they could move to their own Some have parents to support while inmates and their care givers. So far, 250 —Shanmuga Priya. R home. “Hard work will always be paid. We others are totally rejected by their near women have been re-united with their were noticed. A textile owner (Lalchand and dear ones. families after recovery. “The role of the Mangaram) gifted this land for us,” Mentioning about Schizophrenia, she family and society is a very important mentions Sr. Geetha. Although the case of expounds that it is one of the most factor in patient’s recovery. Every family If you wish to support Friends illegal occupants is still on, she is hopeful terrible sicknesses that is often mistaken who has a mentally challenged member for the Needy, please contact that it will all be resolved. “It is the purpose for depression. It’s very diagnosis is needs a lot of support and education to Sr. Geetha at 044-26376755 that matters,” she smiles. tricky. The patients experience auditory deal with the patient.” 10 / Inspirations Conv e r sations

Master lay in removing the attitudes and D.: All our questions are from our automatically. There is a Power guiding the interests that were base and making the standpoint and Sri Bhagavan’s replies are destinies of nations. These questions arise Attitude devotee long for realizing the supreme from his standpoint. The questions are not only when you have lost touch with truth. only answered, but are also undermined. Reality. Is America apart from you, or M.: The ego is the root of all diseases. India apart? Get hold of it and see. A few inspiring conversations on Give it up. There will be no disease. Attitude… D.: Sri Ramakrishna prepared D.: In the quest of I, the seeker is at a D.: If all renounce will there be a Vivekananda. What is the power behind? certain stage directed to keep the mind in a practical world? Who will plough? Who M.: The power is only one in all. negative attitude for Grace to enter. How will harvest? can a negative yield positive result? M.: Realise first and then see. The help D.: What is the nature of that force? M.: The Self is always there - not to be through Realisation transcends all the help M.: Just like iron filings drawn towards newly got. through words, thoughts and deeds, etc. If a magnet, the force is inside and not you understand your own reality then that outside. Ramakrishna was in Vivekananda. D.: I mean to ask, what has been done in of the rishis and masters will be clear to If you think Vivekananda to be a body, the negative attitude to deserve the Grace? you. There is only one master and that is Ramakrishna also is a body. But, they are M.: Are you asking this question without the Self. not bodies. Vivekananda could not go into Grace? Grace is in the beginning, middle Samadhi had not Ramakrishna been within and end. Grace is the Self. Because of the D.: Why do masters insist on silence and him. false identification of the Self with the receptivity? body the Guru is considered to be with M.: What is silence? It is eternal D.: Why should one suffer when stung body. But from the Guru’s outlook the eloquence. by a scorpion? arious are the attitudes with which Guru is only the Self. The Self is one only. M.: What is the cause of the appearance one may approach a saint. Sceptics He tells that the Self alone is. Is not then the D.: What is receptive attitude of mind? of the body and of the world? and agnostics, theists and atheists, V Self your Guru? Where else will Grace M.: Not to be distracted in mind. seekers of miracles, and hunters of psychic come from? It is from the Self alone. D.: It is part of the cosmic mind. phenomena—all used to go to the Manifestation of the Self is a manifestation D.: Is there use in bringing America and M.: Let the cosmic mind worry about Maharshi. Each would naturally put of Grace and vice versa. All these doubts India closer by bringing the intelligentsia such happenings. If the individual wants to questions that came uppermost to his or her arise because of the wrong outlook and of the two countries together, say, by know let him discover his Self. mind; and the nature of the questions consequent expectation of things external exchange of professors, etc.? would depend on the attitude and interests to oneself. Nothing is external to the Self. M.: Such events will take place —Excerpted from Sri Ramana Maharishi teachings of the person concerned. The glory of the

A Series on ‘Belongingness…nurturing Organizational Climate - CORDS people connect.’ o understand the extent of The size of the organization is not as high can limit the openness where ‘knowing is connected may turn out to be a boon or belongingness it is essential to tap into important as what connects each of the stops them from knowing more’. There can bane depending on their sensitivity to others Tidentifying the elements that are members to the organization. For the be seniority only for administration purpose in the organization. When an organization prevalent in the culture and climate of the organization to experience a high level of but for development and growth the begins to grow and numbers expand, admin organization. The organizational culture belongingness, “CORDS” has to be nurtured chronological age or years of experience need issues come into existence, the lowering simply put, is the way of life in the and present in the organizational climate. not dictate. layers of sensitivity may disturb them leading organization. What one experiences when we to frustration and irritation. The interact with the organization which includes CORDS refers to: R = Relationship and recognition organizational processes have to be formed the systems, processes, symbols, expressions, C = Convergence and Connectivity Social entrepreneurship is a thankless, keeping the sensitivity of the people and and openness, and so on gives the The main connecting factor is the purpose serious, tough journey. Living on edge and processes. High levels of sensitivity will also understanding of the kind of culture that is and vision of the organization. This has to be uncertainty will be the way of life. Hence, sustain the energy, vision, speed and nurtured by the members of the organization. a shared vision. In a social entrepreneurship members require high emotional connect connectivity within the organization. The Research has shown that along with organization members may vary from built on trusting relationships. When things sustainability of the organization and its organizational culture, organizational climate permanent full-day commitment to total are good, it is usually taken for granted, and primary vision depends to a large extent on plays a very important role in the growth and voluntary no-payment dynamic, flexible when things go wrong it is taken up seriously. the retention of the members with the evolution of the organization. commitment. Resources are This heavily compromises the recognition of organization. Members stay when they feel a The internal environment is usually limited and there is a the contribution factor. Ability to appreciate high level of belongingness. They are willing called ‘organizational climate’ need for high convergence in all and give feedback on an ongoing basis is to face several odds to ensure sustenance of and refers to the human decisions and resource possible if the organizational climate is built the organization. environment within which utilization. The connectivity on trust and love. CORDS create a climate that is conducive members work. It may refer to between people needs to be high and will stimulate the feeling of the environment within a and the communication D = Development belongingness amongst the members of the workgroup, a department, a structure has to be simple and The organization based on social organization. Serious attention has to be paid strategic business unit, or the straight. There may be several entrepreneurship is mostly people intensive. on an ongoing basis to measure the climate entire organization. ideas and approaches to reach The development and growth of the and ensure there is fine tuning of the Organizational climate has been defined as: out to the community but, there has to be a organization is limited to the extent of processes. Like how a garden is to be “the relatively enduring quality of the internal convergence of all efforts. The sun’s rays are maturity levels of the leadership of the maintained, the climate also requires to be environment of an organization that is very useful by themselves but when they are organization. Learning has to be seen as an nurtured on an everyday basis with all experienced by its members; influences their focused through a magnifying glass they get ongoing process and it has to be evolutionary appropriateness. behavior; and can be described in terms of the the power to create fire, an additional energy in nature. ‘If we always think what we have values of a particular set of characteristics (or force. There is power in convergence. thought and do what we have done, the Reflections: attitudes) of the organization.” (Taguiri and outcome will be what we have always got.’ • What are the dimensions experienced Litwin, 1968, p.27). The climate cannot be O = Openness to new ideas / innovation To get something new, we need to shift our in my organization’s climate? seen or touched, but it is like the air in a room; A social entrepreneurship organization has locations, understand self and continuously • In a scale of 1 to 10 to what extent does it continuously influences members of the to ‘learn to learn’. Learning cannot happen update knowledge and gain new insights. each dimension of CORDS exist in organization. In turn, the climate is affected without openness. The speed of change my organization? by everything that occurs in an organization dictates the growth potential of an S = Sensitivity and Sustainability • At a personal level how much do I (Pattanayak and Mishra, 1999). organization. When the reach out work is Social entrepreneurs are usually a highly contribute to the CORDS dimension An organization nurtured around social huge, the climate needs to foster and sensitive lot. It is their sensitivity which is while working in organization? entrepreneurship has deeper challenges and stimulate new ideas and innovation their strength. Passion and dedication issues with regard to organizational climate. continuously. Many a time conviction being towards the purpose for which the core team —Kalpana Sampath, PhD / Trendsetters 11 Conv e r sations

“Our success lies in the fact that people have started to value education and so do their children.”

Me and my DROPS Education is the chief defense of a an added incentive. Over the years, parents and care givers cannot afford to team continues to attend to the needs of nation,” said Burke. Little did he Arakkattalai’s presence in the region get them educated. As they work during its inmates. As for the children between “know of the multiple forms of was acknowledged and their work got the day, the children learn their basics 5 to 15 years of age, who do not wish to discrimination that would make its noticed. Today, Arakkattalai houses 85 here. “It is important to sow the seeds of continue their studies, vocational accomplishment an onerous task. children who go to government schools. learning in the formative years of life,” training in carpentry, tailoring are Obstacles are aplenty, especially in our “Our success lies in the fact that people says Jayanthi. organized and vocations are stabilized country. “Enrollments are not the have started to value education and so do Jayanthi narrates the story of three through loans from the Rotary Club. figures to go by,” says Jayanthi their children. One of our boys is an children who were sent out of school for “Since parents are disinterested and Raghavan, Founder, Adi Parasakthi engineer today and he inspires the other not paying their fees. On meeting preoccupied with making both ends Kuzhandaikalvi Arakkattalai, an NGO children to take up professional Jayanthi at a function, the kids meet, it becomes very difficult to in , Chennai. courses,” states Jayanthi with pride. approached her for support. After motivate these children. Yet, we With increasing facilities and Having begun this institution as a completing classes V and VI at emphasise our students to complete programmes to make elementary President of the Rotary Club, Jayanthi Arakkattalai, these children were tenth standard,” she says. education universal, the obstacles have has received immense support from Ms. admitted to a Government High School. Talking about future plans, Jayanthi also grown manifold and complicated. Sakunthala Chidambaram (the school’s “One of them, Yamuna, has stood first shrugs. The debates on “Whatever be the reasons, there are Principal) and Ms. Parvadavardhini (the in class from seventh to twelfth institutionalization do not seem to children out there who need care, who standard. What more do you need,” bother her. “This work will go on need to be taught clean habits, who need exclaims Jayanthi. forever. I don’t have big plans and just a place to acquire basic skills”. “Whatever be the These children come to meet their want to continue what I could do,” says This institution is one such place. reasons, there are teachers at Arakkattalai as often as they Jayanthi who misses her friends at the Registered as a trust in 1986, it has can. “You have given us our lives,” are home even if she is out for one day. One managed to make a mark in the lives of children out there who the words echoing in all their minds and of them, Saraswathi, says: “I have been several underprivileged children. With hearts. “One of the boys, a first here for one month. My son is abroad just twelve children to begin with, they need care, who need to be generation learner, is now earning seven and I do not wish to stay with my never imagined the responsibility to taught clean habits, who thousand rupees a month. He donates relatives. I got to know about ‘mami’ stand at the present proportion. five hundred rupees every month to through a friend and decided to come “We began with the children in need a place to acquire Arakkattalai. It is important to give here. I really feel at home.” , engaged in land mines. Our back,” says Jayanthi. Jayanthi is all smiles to see her care team found it very hard to convince the basic skills.” With the education programme and concern for the needy evolving parents of these children that education making its mark, Jayanthi and team felt constructively. “All I want is to see this was necessary for their kids to lead the need to help the abandoned elderly. institution become a landmark to this better lives. Socio economic conditions Coordinator). The children are taught Jayanthi stays with them and takes care locality in the future,” she concludes. compelled these parents to prefer their English, Tamil, Hindi and basic of their schedule, specifically, their children to work than study. Going door- arithmetic. With this foundation, they food. “When they approached us, we —Shanmuga Priya .R to-door was the only option that seemed are admitted in government schools in could not say no,” says Jayanthi, who workable. Leaving no stone unturned, the neighbourhood. “Private schools are has also performed the final rights to the we managed to garner attention in the here to stay, but not for the deceased. Apparently, the institution is If you wish to support Adi Parasakthi locality,” recollects Jayanthi. underprivileged,” she laments. bogged by inadequacy of funds, so much Primarily, the children were taught Recently, another house has been so that they cannot afford to recruit Kuzhandaikalvi Arakkattalai, please basic hygiene practices—use of soap, taken up for rent at Uzhaipali Nagar to many care takers. contact Jayanthi at 9941835393 comb, oil. Provision of noon meals was accommodate the children whose The challenge of funds persisting, the 12 / Chit Chat Conv e r sations “If you help an old lady cross the street, that is social work.” Dr. Balaram Biswakumar shares with Marie Banu and Latha Suresh his experience in the army and his passion for social causes

apt. Prof. Dr. Balaram range into the enemy territory. I had to who was compassion personified. He was The satisfaction it gave me to light up Biswakumar, served the Indian look after the health of the jawans and always for service to the people and cared their homes is something that cannot be CArmy as an Emergency the officers here. little for money. I wanted to be someone measured. Commissioned Officer in the Army It was a very rewarding experience in like him and this naturally kindled in me to Medical Corps from 1963 to 1967 and was the sense that it makes you a disciplined do something for the people. You have been the personal doctor for honourably discharged with the rank of person. One gets to learn manpower Going up in the social ladder, life gave Kanchi Paramacharya. Can you share Captain. He saw active service in Jammu management, leadership qualities, and me plenty of opportunities to join your learning? and Kashmir and the Indo-Pakistan War, in many things about administration. You are organizations. It is very difficult to do Looking at him bless people and recognition of which he was awarded the the confidante of the Commanding Officer charity by yourself. You need likeminded listening to the advice that he gave to those J & K Service Medal as well as the 1965 and treated at the level ‘of a couple of steps people to carry your ideas forward and who came to him with various problems War Medal. below God’ by the jawans! That situation execute them, and an organization can do a naturally gave me a lot of wisdom. In 2010, he was awarded the Degree of taught a lot of things to me, more lot more. That is how I was moulded into Wisdom you absorb; when you don’t even D.Sc. (Doctor of Science Honoris Causa) importantly humbling me and to develop doing things and my innate desire got talk to him. Just looking at him was enough at the 20th annual convocation of the endearing qualities despite a fierce- fructified when I got associated with the and that was an experience in my life which Dr. M. G. R. Medical looking moustache! Rotary and Freemasons. has moulded me in a very big way. I learnt University in 2010. D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) I had the opportunity to serve in the 1965 what compassion and wisdom was. When is awarded in recognition of the scientific, Indo-Pakistan war in which my regiment Other than health, which other issues people were longing to get a glimpse of him I academic, and social contributions of an took place. Those of us who were in the are you passionate about? had the unique privilege to touch and feel the eminent person and is the highest Degree fore-front were given the Army Medal, In the more recent times, in the last one God who walked the earth. conferred by the University. and that is how I got that. year particularly, I have come to witness Dr. Biswakumar is an active member in the abject poverty of people in our country Can you tell us the charities you are many professional bodies like the Indian When you were honorably discharged and the miserable state of living they are associated with? Medical Association and Neurological from the army, were you willing to in. I had the opportunity to visit the tribal I am Chairman for five Trusts. I have Society of India. He is the Grand Master of come back? areas all over the country. A dream came to instituted one Trust in memory of my late the Freemasons of India and has been the Yes, even though it is a very satisfying me that I must do something for the people wife called Dr (Mrs.) Indira Biswakumar first doctor to get this post. He also served life for a young unmarried man to be living in these areas, and I named that Memorial Charitable Trust through which as President for Rotary Club of Madras in exploring, climbing mountains, and doing dream ‘Jyotirgamaya’—meaning leading we support the needy people—oppressed 1995-1996. only preventive doctoring. There was very from darkness to light. We planned to women, destitute women and children, and Dr. Biswakumar has received many little doctoring to do except treating the electrify these villages using solar lights. visually impaired persons. awards for his service and has been Kashmiri civilians which was not To our horror, we found in certain hamlets I am also the Chairman of Sri Kanchi organizing many free health care camps satisfying for me. that people have not seen an electric bulb. Paramaguru Medical Trust. Paramacharya for children and senior citizens in and As a student I had never failed in any They were managing the entire ordered me to look after the health of the around Chennai. subject, hence I wanted to come back family with just one old people who were residing at the old In an interview, Dr. Balaram and do my post-graduation. The army kerosene chimney. We, age homes in Kalavai and Srikalahasti. For Biswakumar shares with Marie Banu did not relieve me after three and a the Freemasons of this the past 25 years, I am regularly taking a and Latha Suresh his experience in the half years, and so I remained for country, have team of doctors and volunteers and army and his passion for social causes. one more year. provided lights in attending to the health needs of those their homes through living in the old age homes here. This Can you share your experience in the How did the passion to engage solar power and have project was initially started by my good Indian Army? in social service set in? Was it literally led them friend Late Dr.N. Mathrubootham. My career in the army started after I because you were in the army? from darkness passed my MBBS in December 1962. It The idea of becoming a doctor to light. Who do you think is a social worker? was the time when Chinese invaded the set in when I was 6. My family For me, someone who doesn’t want to be Indian Territory and we were totally doctor was my role model. I called a social worker, but instead thinks overpowered in all sectors. One of the would compare him that he is repaying to the society what he Generals came to our college and to the doctor in has drawn from them in a big way—is a addressed us. He said that the army needed Cronin’s social worker. When you grow higher in a lot of people, especially doctors. I had novel ‘The status—whether they are titles or just passed my MBBS and had not even Citadel’, monetary position, or influence in the finished my internship. I felt that I had to society—the more you have to give back do something, and so I joined the Indian to the society, because that is where it all Army in May 1963. came from. I was one of the early people who joined In fact, everyone should be a social the emergency commission and was worker. If you help an old lady cross the inducted as an Emergency Commissioned street, that is social work; If you lend your Officer. For one year, I served as a shoulder to a person who is in distress to Peace-time Medical Officer in cry, that is charity. Military Hospital, Pathankot, which was the last railway station before Jammu and Kashmir. It was here I completed my internship. After that, I was sent to one of the artillery regiments to Editorial serve as a Regimental Photo: Marie Banu Medical Officer. My regiment was an Latha Suresh artillery unit where they worked with 25 Marie Banu pounder guns that can shoot at a long

Printing Courtesy : The New Indian Express, Chennai