July - September 2018 | Vol 1 - Issue 2 | An AIM for Seva Quarterly Vedic Studies | Education | Free Student Hostels | Schools | College Healthcare | Special Needs | Community Development Projects Foundation for the future New Beginnings in Bengal india Organic Fair 2018 The Unstoppables Dear Friends of AIM for Seva, Accreditation Contents We, at AIM for Seva, have always been inspired by Seva and for us, Seva is spiritual. For it is through Seva, we 2 metamorphose as individuals; from consumers to Foundation for the future contributors. We achieve this through giving and reaching out and thereby mature emotionally too. Guided by this spirit as well as our moving force and founder, 4 Highlights Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, we are currently present across 16 states with 97 Free Student Hostels. We began our journey in 2000 and the first Free Student Hostel 6 Aspire was built in Anaikatti near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Since then, we have come a long way. I am also happy to announce that 12 new and upcoming projects are under various stages of completion. 8 Hostel Focus It’s been a busy second quarter at AIM for Seva. Our annual fundraiser was held on August 16 and 17 at the Music Bridge Number 1505669533 Academy, Chennai. Spirit of the Earth, an initiative of ours 9 aim for seva Krupa home organised the first edition of the India Organic Fair 2018 with concept support from the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The fair was held from September 7 to 11 at the Mother Teresa Women’s Complex, Valluvarkottam High 10 Straight from The heart Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Over 65 vendors from 18 states I N D I A | A M E R I C A participated in this fair. From north to south, our hostel students continue to make 13 The unstoppables us proud. We feature two such trail blazers—Rahul Gaur and R. Gayathri in this Quarterly. Another momentous moment during this period was our 14 NEW and High entry into Bengal. We have acquired land near Bardhaman, 100 kms, north west of Kolkata, West Bengal. National Institution for Transforming India Lastly, please do read our cover story on the Swami No: TN/2009/0007789 16 Break Free Dayananda Rotary Matriculation School in Kadalur, Cheyyur Taluk, Kanchipuram District. The school took shape in 2005 and this project was part of a larger rehabilitation effort in 18 India Organic fair 2018 the region post the tsunami of 2004. The proceeds from our annual fundraiser held in August will go towards this institution. 20 Annual Fundraiser We welcome you to join our journey and with your continued support, we would be able to penetrate the last mile and thereby empower and educate every child in rural India. 21 Words of Wisdom Thank you, Sheela Balaji 22 Swami Dayananda educational trust Updates Chairperson and Managing Trustee, AIM for Seva 24 spirit of the earth On our cover page: Students from Venkat Shanker AIM for Seva Free Student Hostel for Boys in Mulvoy, Tamil Nadu Veerattikuppam (55 km from the school). He aspires to become an aeronautical engineer and he lives at our Free Student Hostel within Foundation the same complex. Like Mukesh, another 8th grader, J. Lokeswaran from Palayam Village (187 km from Kadalur) wants to get into for the future government service after completing his education while Afrosa Begum studying in class 8 and hailing from the village of Kathankadai How many students call their school a (12 km from Kadalur) wants to become a pilot. second home? How many would Most of them are first generation learners and excitedly rush to the school in the if they go on to achieve their dreams, they morning and say with a glow in their would become the first ones from their village to eyes, “We enjoy every bit out here.” That step into the corporate world. The Swami Dayananda Rotary Matriculation is what the Swami Dayananda Rotary School advocates all round development. Last Matriculation School in Kadalur, Tamil Concurs V. Sundaram, administrative officer of the year, our boys and girls bagged the first position Nadu has created for its students – a school, "Our students are filled with dreams. That in the Junior (U14) zonal level category in hand place where learning is fun. is what makes our institution stand all. As staff of ball. This year (2018-19), our institution is the the school, we take it as our duty to show them the centre for conducting the zonal sports meet. T h e S w a m i D ay a n a n d a Ro t a r y path of goodness. Take the case of 16 year old G. Matriculation School was part of a The strength of the school lies as much in its Spread over 3 acres, the school's strength has Gokilan who has been studying in the school since larger rehabilitation effort undertaken by AIM for teachers as in its students. Maths teacher, today swelled to 700. With our infrastructure of Kindergarten. The son of a farmer, his ambition is Seva post the tsunami of 2004. The huge tidal Smt. Suguna Baskar is one of the oldest tutors in classrooms, well equipped labs and buses to to become a volleyball player. We encourage him to waves swept away homes, boats and fishing the school.“The driving force behind this institution facilitate our students, it is natural that our balance his sporting goal with his academics; equipment in many coastal regions across Tamil is very different. Knowledge, intellectual capacity institution is much sought after by parents living education is fulfillment at the end of the day." Nadu. Kadalur was one such fishing hamlet in the and technological prowess alone have never been nearby. Cheyyur Taluk in Kanchipuram District. sufficient to meet life's challenges. To be a In addition to the regular academic curriculum, the complete human being, we must have values.” After the tsunami, AIM for Seva volunteers stepped school also conducts 'Art for Development' and Salient Features Our two-day annual fundraiser in August, in into the region and worked round the clock to 'Theatre for Development' programmes. These Chennai was for this institution. provide the poor and needy with food, clothing and Holistic development of children workshops help our students develop their temporary shelter, fishing boats, nets and engines. For an ordinary man, Kadalur appears to be a dot creative and communication skills, thereby Kindergarten to class 11 on the Indian map, located 83 km from Chennai, In 2005, the Swami Dayananda Rotar y blossoming them into confident individuals. Well-stocked library capital of Tamil Nadu. But to the parents and Matriculation School, Kadalur opened doors with The testimony to that is many of them are thinking guardians of the students, Kadalur is their heart 14 students. One of the early sponsor of the Smart board enabled classrooms big. Take the case of 13 year old R. Mukesh who and the school, a hope for a better future. institution was the Rotary Club of Madras Chenna studies in class 8 and hails from the village of Spacious playground Patna. State-of-the-art science and computer laboratories. If you wish to donate towards Values of community service construction of a new classroom imbibed through Junior Red block in the school, write to us at Cross [email protected] 100% pass rate 2 3 For Pujya Swamiji, with love AIM for Seva celebrates Founder's Day throughout the month of August every year. Highlights Remembering Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, children across all our 97 Free Student Hostels in 16 states of India light the lamp, distribute sweets, chant slokas and offer Pujya Swamiji's Murti unveiled prayers. Prayers bind them together a n d s p r e a d t h e f e e l i n g o f In March this year, the Swami Dayananda Memorial Centre was inaugurated in Manjakkudi, Tirvarur District, Tamil Nadu. brotherhood. All these children hail The inauguration stood complete with our founder Pujya from the poorest section of society. Swami Dayananda Saraswati's Mürti which was installed on That they have got an opportunity to August 3, 2018 at the same venue. The idol installation has study, find proper shelter, food and given soul and fulfillment to the Memorial Centre that now guidance is a blessing to them. It is serves as a place to conduct retreats by Arsha Vidya teachers. the feeling of gratitude that all these children carry in their hearts and The Mürti was unveiled by Pujya Swamiji's senior disciple, hence try their best to excel in their Swami Prasantananda Saraswatiji in the august presence of own chosen direction. Swamis and Swaminis of the Arsha Vidyä Parampara. The Swamis and Swaminis were received with Pürëakumbham in a procession leading up to the venue where they paid their respect to their Guru, Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati. The Swamis and Swaminis shared their memories of Swamiji. Swami Prasantananda Saraswatiji Independence Day delivered the Anugraha Bhä˜sanam. On India’s 72nd Independence Day, the tricolour was hoisted across our Free Student Hostels in the country. Devi Award for The biggest asset to a nation are our Chairperson its children and across our 97 Free Student Hostels, our The Chairperson and Managing students imbibe value-based Trustee of AIM for Seva, Smt. Sheela education, the foundation of Balaji received the Devi Award at a which is understanding and grand function held at ITC Grand appreciating one’s culture and Chola on September 11. traditions. It is this ignited spirit The award instituted by The New of patriotism that takes a country Indian Express was conferred on our forward.