THE CREEK A PUBLICATION OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF MADRAS BESANT NAGAR Issue AUGUST 2016
President: N Ramamoorthy Secretary: P G Kuppuswami, Club Trainer: K V Krishnan Imm Past President: S Krishnan President- elect: Aroonkumar Treasurer: V N Krishnan Dir Club Service: K Suresh Dir Community Service (Health): Dr Arasu Mohan Dir Community Service Development: M Krishnamurthy Dir Vocational Service: R Krishnamurthy Dir New Generation: V C Krishnan Dir International Service: K Ravindran Chairman Membership Development: R Ramakrishnan Chairman Public Relations: S Krishnan Chairman Rotary Foundation: Raja Kuppuswami Chairman Polio Plus M K Subramanian Seargent-at-Arms S Venkataraman
Know Your new District Governor Nagoji Natarajan Nagoji, hailing from a traditional village of Tanjore called Thippirajapuram which even today has not lost its march to modernity and the roots are preserved. Born in a traditionally carnatic music loving family in Chennai, he had his education and cosmopolitan upbringing in the banks of Brahmaputra, Kolkata. Student of St Lawrence High School and graduated from St Xavier’s College. He was very active in debates and cultural activities in his school days. He was very much involved in the LTS (Leadership Training Services) both in School and College where students are trained to be leaders.
He moved back to Chennai along with his parents in 1981 and went on to support his father’s business in fine chemicals. His involvement in LTS helped him to start the same in Stella Maris College, Presentation Convent & St Bede’s where he had conducted various seminars & orientation to students. He was a faculty member in engineering college for soft skills. Alongside, he pursued his education as he went on to do his Master’s in Business Administration in LIBA.
He went on to start his own Shipping and Logistics business called Marine Dimensions in 1986. The same year opened up another dimension to his family life by meeting Ann Nandini for the first time in Drive in Woodlands... He married her on 1st June the same year. Ann Nandini was a celebrated Bharatanatyam Dancer who travelled all over the world for her dance performances.
He is blessed with two children Annett Chandni & Annett Suraj. Annett Chandni is a popular RJ, Media Person, Sun TV anchor and also a versatile singer. She is married and has a daughter. Annett Suraj a mechanical engineer is a budding actor & has begun a career in Modelling too.
Late Narayana Aiyer sensed the leadership potential in Nagoji in 1990 and encouraged him to take to Rotary. He joined Rotary Club of Madras South in May 1990... He sincerely followed his dreams in Rotary by taking on the mantle as President of the club in 1998-99. His Rotary Career never looked back from there on, he was GGR in 1999-00, he has served as Chairman in all the avenues in the District, 2004-05 he became Assistant Governor, 2010-11 he was the Chairman for District Assembly with record 1500 registration, 2011-12 as Chairman for Rotary Convention ensured a record 160 plus registration and received recognition from the RI President Kalyan Banerjee. He is the recipient of Best Rotarian Family Award & Rotary Ratna Award. December 2014 at the Rotary Institute he was the Chairman for Entertainment and programs. He was elected as DGN in 2013-14.
His hobbies include reading and sports. He has developed keen interest in Hindi films and music and is regarded by many as a Mobile Encyclopaedia on Hindi Films.
His vision as incoming Governor is to make clubs stronger and vibrant with fellowship, family participation and service to humanity.
1st Birthday celebrations Rtn Ravindran celebrated his Grandson, Tanmay,s 1st Birthday- Ayush homam on the 16th July 2016. Rtns Pres N Ramamoorthi, Vichu, Ramki, Surendra Galada, M KSubramanian, S Krishnan, V C Krishnan, R Krishnamurthy with Ann Padma, M Krishnamurthy, Raja, and Venkat, attended the function that was followed by a sumptuous lunch. President starts off in a big way It is that time of a Rotary year when lot of exciting things happen. July is the month when a new team takes over. Plans for the year are made. For our club, Governor’s visit comes quite early in the year usually and hence preparations start for this momentous event. Rotary International dues are paid in July. Rotary District dues are paid as well as Rotary magazine dues. For those of you who may not know, subscription to a Rotary magazine is mandatory just like RI dues and District dues. Lots of installations take place during July. Many clubs combine CharterNite celebrations along with their Installation. All-in-all, July is an exciting month for Rotarians. President Ramamoorthy started off his term in a big way by participating in District projects as well as conducting his board meeting in style
1. Speaker of the Month: Rtn Dr Arasu Mohan was the speaker of the month on our regular weekly meeting held on 13th July 2016 at St Patrick’s school. Dr Arasumohan graduated in Medicine and specialized in Nephrology and also has done fellowship in the branch. Dr Arasu dwelt on the benefits of morning walk. He took the topic around the physiological aspects when we walk and explained how the circulatory system helps in providing oxygen to the body as we walk. The fresh air we breathe as we walk provides oxygen which in turn helps better body metabolism and thereby energy. This helps to keep both the blood pressure and sugar levels under control. Further the skin has Vitamin D which is required to be synthesized and the sun-rays help in doing just that as we walk. This in turn keeps the skeletal bones healthy. He then emphasized on the importance of breaking the fast in the morning –– Breakfast .The body craves for energy in the morning and the lack of it results in the body using up reserves reserved for situations of absolute need of energy. As a Nephrologist he also touched on the functioning of kidneys without getting into technical aspects. He gave the members the benefits of taking water emphasizing on the need to consume when thirsty only. Dr Arasu was very lucid in his talk and all the members enjoyed his presentation and found practical ways of keeping oneself healthy. His – Mantra -Practice to Listen to the Body –It guides you. All the Rotarians were impressed so as to request him to talk again as part II, which he condescendingly did on July 27 again at the Wednesday weekly meeting. This time he talked about the functions of liver and kidney. He also answered a lot of questions from the anxious and curious Rotarians. Thank you Dr Arasumohan. 2. Educational Assistance: A sum of INR 5,500- was donated to two employees of Gandhinagar Club, Adyar as educational assistance to their children. This amount was donated by various members of the club. Since club members meet at this club for their weekly fellowship after the weekly meeting, it was quite appropriate to serve those who serve us at the club. This also marked the first project of the club in the new Rotary year. 3. Asha Kiran: President Ramamoorthy, along with Rtn K V Krishnan, attended a district seminar on Community services, WINS, Literacy, Happy schools &Women empowerment held on 05th June, 2016. During this seminar, District chairman (Community Services) Rtn Ramamoorthy explained the salient aspects of Project Asha Kiran that envisages to educate destitue children at a cost of INR 2,100 per child. He appealed to all Rotarians to donate INR 2,100 towards this project. Our club has come forward with sponsorship of 10 children. Rtns President Ramamoorthy, V N Krishnan, P G Kuppuswany, Aroonkumar, S Krishnan and a non-Rotarian well wisher B K Sreelatha (niece of Rtn Raja Kuppusaami) have together donated an amount of INR 21,000 to cover the educational expenses of 10 children under this noble project. The club expresses its thanks to B K Sreelatha for her magnanimous gesture. This project is being undertaken by RI Dist 3230 in association with Asha Kiran, a project conceived by Rotary India Literacy Mission, Kolkotta. 4. Lunch-cum-Board Meeting: 19th July 2016 saw Rotarians from RCM Besant Nagar assembling at T Nagar for their monthly lunch get-together. This time around the meet was coupled with the first board meeting of the new Rotary year. Members assembled at Andhra Club, T Nagar at 1200 hrs. President Ramamoorthy started the board meeting. Upcoming projects of the club were discussed. He thanked the members for their generous contribution towards Project Asha Kiran. Meeting was followed by a sumptuous and delicious spread of lunch. The lunch and fellowship was hosted by Rtn Surendra Galada. Rotarians President Ramamoorthy, M K Subramanian, R Ramakrishnan, M Krishnamurthy, V C Krishnan, S Krishnan, K V Krishnan, R Krishnamurthy, Suresh, S Venkataraman and Raja Kuppusaami and Aroonkumar participated in the lunch-cum-board meet. 5. The club donated one artificial limb to a needy person identified by Andhra Orthotics Centre, with whom the club is in association for more than a decade. News From The District RI District 3230 has tied up with the British Council to impart high value English language education to school children, as part of its emphasis on Literacy program. This is expected to turn out to be a high impact literacy project that has the potential to positively influence thousands of school children in grades 6, 7 and 8 in government schools. Distinctly different from e-learning or online learning, “English for Change” is a program that allows 100% access and equity to all its users by making good quality content available at all times in an easy to use offline mode! English for Change is the result of a partnership between RI District 3230 and British Council. RI District 3230 and British Council have signed an MoU for the Rotary Serving Year. Clubs that choose to implement this project need to identify schools that meet the criteria specified by the project committee. British Council’s strategic partner Unlearn™ will deliver and facilitate the program. Clubs need to: WHY English for Change? Identify school/schools based on school identification Enriches Whole language learning brief Makes English functional, easy, interesting and long lasting Nominate a Rotarian/spouse to be the Rotary mentor for for students every school adopted Transforms students into confident speakers Attend the orientation program along with other Rotary Improves communication skills mentors (first half August) Makes students better suited for college education Attend the master training at common venue along with Reduces the dropout rate in the middle grades (especially English teacher(s) from adopted school Stay in touch girl children) with school to ensure continued implementation and be The training and skilling component improves language supportive levels of teachers too! Deliverables: Key Program Features: Digital & graded content (curation & quality control) Digital English language program (100%) Installation process (phone support) Based on 70 + years of experience & research Teacher resource materials British Council (BC) is a credible organizational partner School orientation (through Rotary) BC is an industry leader in English language programs Master training at common venue (School English Content age appropriate & mapped to NCF (India) language teachers + Rotary mentor) Easy to deploy on computers in school lab Level completion certificate from BC (for students) Criteria for selection of Schools: Benefits for Rotary: School should be a government school only. Partnership with a global player with terrific brand Ideally where the rotary club has deep ties and engagement. equity School should have classes 6, 7 and 8 (Tamil or English medium A high value, high impact program (at affordable school is okay but they must teach English as a separate language cost) that directly touches students and teachers§ in these classes) Building skills for life and a sustainable Literacy School should have reasonably qualified teachers for classes 6, 7, project 8 to implement the program once trained to do so. Brand association with BC and positive School should have computers in good working condition. With press/media minimum: OS Windows 7, anti-virus software installed. Deepen Rotary engagement within clubs (with the No of computers: should have the required number of computers Rotary mentor undergoing master training) to service 2 children per device.
Paul Harris Home under restoration. One winter day, Rotary founder Paul Harris took a walk on a well-kept street just outside Chicago. He watched as local children sled down a hillside and thought of his own boyhood in New England. At that moment, he decided that if he were ever to own a home, it would be on top of that hill on Longwood Drive. In 1912, Harris and his wife, Jean, made Paul’s dream a reality with the purchase of a gracious Tudor-style home on that very street, which they named Comely Bank after the street in Scotland where Jean grew up. For almost 40 years, they hosted Rotary meetings and entertained visiting dignitaries in the home. They planted trees, which still grow, in their friendship garden and lovingly displayed items collected from around the globe. The world’s early Rotarians met in the basement of the home and fostered the friendships upon which Rotary was built and thrives on today. After Paul Harris passed away in 1947, Jean sold their home and returned to Scotland. The house changed hands twice more before Rotarians bought it for US$550,000 in 2005 with plans to preserve it as a living monument to our founder. Today, this piece of Rotary history is being restored to the way it looked in the 1940s and will serve as a museum and gathering space for Rotarians and other visitors from throughout the world. Interactive exhibits will give visitors a peek into the personal lives of Paul and Jean Harris.
The Harris Home on Longwood Drive was the home of Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, and his wife Jean for 35 years. Paul and Jean filled their home with friendship and friends. Today it stands as a monument to the neighborliness and goodwill they practiced there and in their travels around the world.
“My wife and I have tried to make the best possible use of ‘Comely Bank.’ We have entertained scores of Rotarians from all parts of the world, sometimes seating at our table guests from as many as eight different countries at one time. In honor of our guests, we have planted many trees in our friendship garden, and, in many instances, guests so honored have passed to the Great Beyond, but the trees still stand as memorials to our friendship.” Paul Harris in My Road to Rotary, p. 274 Towards honoring the founder Paul Harris, Rotary has instituted a PIN to be awarded to those Rotarians who contribute $ 1000 in an year. And as a recognition they are given the title “Paul Harris Fellow.” Members are encouraged to contribute and become a Paul Harris Fellow. Rtns V Vishwanathan, V C Krishnan, R Ramakrishnan, K Prakash, K Suresh, V N Krishnan, Raja Kuppusaami and P G Kuppuswamy are Paul Harris Fellows in our club.
Contact Details of Club Members Name Mobile Email address Address Plot no.12,55/12, TNHB Layout, 7th Avenue, Besant Arasu Dr. 9941902780 [email protected] Nagar, Chennai-600090 TC Block 2, Jain Ashraya - 11A, Vempuliamman Koil Aroonkumar 9790985804 [email protected] Street, K K Nagar West, Chennai 600078 Old# L23/4, New# 40, 26th Cross Street, Besant Nagar, Krishnamurthy. M 9841422330 [email protected] Chennai-600090 11/12, Amritavanam, Temple Avenue, Srinagar Colony, Krishnamurthy. R. 9444681324 [email protected] Saidapet, Chennai-6000015 Flat No 2 A , Vee Pee Sagaraika ,Plot No A/5, 58TH Street, Krishnan S 9940659148 [email protected] Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur Extension, Chennai- 600041 Flat ‘R’, Vijayashanthi Apts. 3rd Floor, No.56 (Old No.44), Krishnan, K.V. 9840542912 [email protected] Kalakshethra Road, Thiruvanmiyur,Chennai- 600041. 18(Old 14), 1st Cross St., C.I.T.Colony, Mylapore, Krishnan, V.C. 9840076302 [email protected] Chennai- 600004. F2, Mercy Spring16/22, Ashok Avenue, Kodambakkam, Krishnan, V.N. 9940021451 [email protected] Chennai- 600024. 22, 3rd Main Road, Kasturba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai- Kuppuswamy P G 9840070528 [email protected] 600020 18, (OldNo.50), Subramanian Street, Abhiramapuram, Prakash, K. 9840046437 [email protected] Chennai- 600018. Plot 19, Anna Enclave, Injambakkam, Raja Kuppusaami 9710443600 [email protected] Chennai. 600 119. “Sagageevi”, 10/4, Gangai Street, Kalakshethra Colony, Ramakrishnan, R. 9940172654 [email protected] Chennai- 600090. Plot no. 163A, Kamarajar Road, Kandhasamy Nagar, Ramamoorthy N 9443291431 [email protected] Palavakkam, Chennai- 600 041 New 20/2, First Canal Cross Street, Flat #2, Ramkumar. T.P. 9790997432 [email protected] ”HAMSADHWANI”, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai 600020 E5, RGL Dream Bungalow, Phase 3, Cauvery Street, Ravindran, K. 9884174087 [email protected] Mugalivakkam, Chennai- 600125 4, Balram Flats, 25A, 1st street, Abiramapuram, Subramanian, M.K. 9840096455 [email protected] Chennai- 600018. 8/2, Crescent Park Street, Third Floor, Rajalakshmi Surendra Galada 9840036699 [email protected] Apartment, T Nagar, Chennai- 600 017 18, (OldNo.50), Subramanian Street, Abhiramapuram, Suresh, K. 9840096437 [email protected] Chennai- 600018. Plot No 70, 6th Street, Kandasamy Nagar, Palavakkam, Venkataraman S 9444028028 [email protected] Chennai-600041 “Sagageevi”, 10/3, Gangai Street, Kalakshethra Colony, Vishwanathan V 9940184248 [email protected] Chennai- 600090. Flat No 2 A , Vee Pee Sagaraika, Plot No A/5, 58TH Street, Srinivasa Varadhan K +65 84246853 [email protected] Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur Extension, Chennai- 600041
Many Happy Returns of the Day to History of the club Name Birthday Wedding Anniversary Year 2001-2002 Ann Radha Venkataraman 08-Aug President V N Krishnan Rtn K Ravindran. 11-Aug Secretary K V Krishnan Ann Vedavalli Srinivasa Varadhan 17-Aug No Wedding District Governor R Ganapathi Anniversaries in Rtn K V Krishnan 20-Aug August! RI President Richard D King Rtn Surendra Galada 24-Aug Rotary Theme Mankind Is Our Business Rtn V C Krishnan 30-Aug President: Rtn N Ramamoorthy. Secretary: Rtn. P G Kuppuswami. Club Service Director: Rtn PP K Suresh
Compiled and edited by Rtn PP PHF V N Krishnan, Rtn S Krishnan and Rtn PP K V Krishnan