8th dec '17 district governer's...

REGULAR MEETINGS Every Wednesday at 6:30 pm

5th Floor, EDC House, Dr. Atmaram Borkar Road, Panaji-Goa

DECEMBER 2017 | Volume LV | Issue 06

8th Dec '17 District

Governer's Visit

23rd Dec'17 Christmas

Celebrations

SHUN PLASTIC EVENT

SHUN PLASTIC EVENT

RC Panaji Secretary's Report

ROTRAY CLUB OF PANAJI

CLUB BOARD 2016-17

President

Rtn. Kishor Dhume

Secretary

Rtn. Rohit Pai

Vice President

Rtn. Subhash Sajane

Treasurer

Rtn. Prashant Kaisare

President Elect /

Director Club Administration 1

Rtn. Sadashiv Sirsat

President Elect Nominee /

Director Club Administration 2

Rtn. Viresh Nadkarni

Immediate Past President

Rtn. Nilesh Shah

Community Service Director

Rtn. Sanat Pilgaonkar

Vocational Service Director

Rtn. Ameet Nachinolkar

International Service Director

Rtn. Nester Sequiera

Youth Service Director

Rtn. Parai Dubhashi

Jt Secretary

Rtn. Bhalchandra Amonkar

Sargent at Arms

Rtn. Parag Sardessai

Editor

Rtn. Sanjiv Mirchandani

Rtn. Ian H.S. Riseley

Rtn. Anand G. Kulkarni

Rtn. Prasad Pawar

Dear Rotarians & Friends,

Following were the activities in the Month of December :

Let's continue to involve in 'making a difference'

• 2nd December 2017 : RC Panaji in association with a NGO One World organized the event SHUN PLASTIC -SAVE ENVIRONMENT to create the awareness amongst the youth and general public about the growing menace of plastic related pollution world over. Various activities like drawing, elocution, fancy dress, photography etc competitions were organized wherein more than 300 students participated in various categories. Stalls exhibiting recycled goods, environment friendly products which can be used in our day to day life were on display. GMC students presented a skit depicting the hazards of plastic. There was a panel discussion wherein eminent citizens, environmentalist, scientist, social activist etc participated and discussed on way and means of reducing plastic related menace. The CM of Goa Shri. Manohar Parrikar and Mayor of Panaji Shri Surendra Furtado were the Chief Guest & Guest of Honor respectively. Prizes were distributed to the winners of different competitions.

• 5th December 2017 : Talk on MHM at Our Lady of Merces School Dr. Sandhya Kadam addressed the gathering of about 100 girl students.

• 6th December 2017 : Regular meeting Talk/ Demonstration of My Rotary by Rtn, Sanat Pilgaonkar.

• 8th December 2017 : DG visit meeting with President & Secretary followed by Club assembly & Public Function.

• 13th December 2017 : Regular meeting Talk on Biodiversity by Mrs T Dsilva.• 19th December 2017 : Annual Art Competition was held at Children's Park Campal

wherein about 600 children participated. The competition was organised in different age categories and different topics were given to different age groups. Year after year the response to this annual event is increasing which is very evident by the participating no of children and the crowd outside the park which includes parents, relatives and teachers of the children.

• 20th December 2017 : Talk by Dr Kedarnath Padte on Disease prevention & Treatment. Felicitation of GMC students for their participation in SHUN PLASTIC event.

• 21st December 2017 : MHM Equipments donated to Our Lady of Merces school this includes sanitary pad dispenser & Incinerator. Two lady teachers from this school have been trained in operation and maintenance of these equipments. Benches were also donated to one division of Std X class of the same school. RC Panaji has also donated these MHM equipments to three other schools in and around Panaji.

• 22nd December 2017 : Interact Club at Our Lady of Merces School organised card making competition for students of 5th -7th std and Christmas decor competition for 8th -10th std students. The winners were awarded with prizes.

• 23rd December 2017 : Members of RC Panaji & their Families were treated to one of the memorable Christmas night function organised at Ferns Kabamba. Special efforts taken by Rtn. Carlito & Rtn. Siddesh in organising a wide variety of activities like games, dance, music, magic show & performances from professionals in entertainment industry kept the audience enthralled. One more memorable and successful Family Fellowship event.

• 27th December 2017 : AGM for the year 2017-18 of RC Panaji wherein the board for the year 2018-19 and president for the year 2020-21 was elected and announced. Release of November issue of SPARK.

• 29th December 2017 : Signing of MOU between management of Kasturba Matoshri High School, Panaji Goa & RC Panaji for reconstruction and redevelopment of the school. This school is existing in panaji for more than 60 years presently about 400 students from poor and underprivileged families study here. The present structure of the school is in dilapidated condition and need immediate attention. RC Panaji and its members have taken the onus of reconstruction & redevelopment of this school.

• 29th December : 6 BOD of the year 2017-18. Various on-going projects and activities were discussed.

Yours-in-RotaryRTN ROHIT PAI, Secretary - R C Panaji 2017-18

DECEMBER 2017THE SPARK

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Dear Fellow Rotarians,

Seventy-two years ago, the United Nations was founded "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war ... [and] to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors." Despite those worthy aspirations, and generations of investment in achieving them, the "scourge of war" is still with us: Last year, more than 102,000 people died in 49 armed conflicts around the world. Some of those conflicts were in their fifth decade or beyond. Terrorism, intolerance, and extremism; the refugee crisis; and environmental degradation are now global challenges.

Collectively, we seem further than ever from achieving the goals that were set with such ambition and optimism in 1945. Yet hope endures, as long as there are people willing to work for a more peaceful future – not only through their governments, but also beside them and beside each other. Today, Rotary is better placed than ever to have a real and lasting impact for peace: through our peace-focused programs, such as Rotary Peace Fellows, and through every area of our service. Water, sanitation, health, education, and economic development are all interrelated and part of the complex interactions that can lead to conflict – or avert it. To best leverage our service in all these areas, and to maximize their impact for peace, it is essential to understand these interactions and plan our service accordingly.

For these reasons, we have scheduled a series of six presidential peace building conferences between February and June in Canada, Lebanon, the UK, Australia, Italy, and the United States. These conferences will focus not on peace but on peace building: We will share ways that we can work to build peace through the service of our Rotary clubs and districts. Five of the one-day conferences will illuminate the connections between peace and another area of focus. The first conference, in Vancouver, B.C., will explore the link between peace and another sphere of great concern to us in Rotary: environmental sustainability. You can view the full schedule and register at www.rotary.org/presidential-conferences.

The goals are simple: to help Rotarians find new ways to advance peace through their service, to learn from experts, and to strengthen our abilities to build peace. It is my hope and belief that these conferences will help us move closer to a more peaceful world, through Rotary: Making a Difference.

RTN. IAN H. S. RISELEYPresident, Rotary InternationalRotary year 2017-18

Message from RI President

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Yes Rotary was growing really fast: to form a new club reduced from 25 to 20.

1991- District numbers changed by adding a zero to Last of rotary's regional conferences-Asia th thall the district numbers to make t h e m f o u r Regional Conference in Bangkok (25 to 27

digit ones. October1996).

Rotary and Rotaract to observe March 13 as After the successful conclusion of the pilot project of District Leadership Plan (DLP), RI World Rotaract Day.board approves DLP for worldwide adoption

“Significant Achievement programme” to from 1997-98.be adopted as presidential Recognition

1997- RI decides that while redistricting new districts Programme.should have 50 clubs and 1800 Rotarians.th1992- TRF celebrates its 75 anniversary year of For the first time RI agrees to fund Low Cost service. “Service above self Award” Housing Projects. Programme proves an introduced.instant success.

Bill Cable and his wife Miriam contribute US $ 1998- July designated as “Literacy Month”.1.6 Million to TRF.

Annual Rotaract dues to RI discontinued.1993- Silver Jubilee year of Rotaract.

Attendance credit for attending club theorized 1994- RI President Clifford L. Dochterman calls for service projects.relief for refugees fleeing the conflict in the

former Yugoslav Republics of Croatia and thTRF registers 10,000 Matching Grant Bosnia; Rotarians respond with more than US $ application.5 million in money and supplies.

Pooling $ 10 million from RI funds and TRF “Preserve Planet Ear th” and “Rotary funds, Children's Opportunities Programme Volunteers” become official programmes of RI. launched. Applications pour in.

1995- The Western Hemisphere is declared Polio free. 1999- Week of October 28 designated as World thRotary celebrates 90 anniversary. Interact Week.

th All Rotarians Group Study Exchanges The Rotarian magazine publishes its 1000 discontinued.issue.

Rotary Centres for International Studies in Regions disappear, 34 zones emerge with Peace and Conflict Resolution established.almost equal number of Rotarians in each zone.

1996- RI opens World Wide Web site on the New Year 2000- TRF receives the posthumous gift of $ 7 day. (http:/www.rotary.org) million of Paul Elder and his wife Jean, the

highest ever gift received by TRF.Minimum number of charter members required

Rtn. Anil Sardessai

GROWTH OF ROTARY

This fourth of series of articles in this year’s spark issues is an attempt to retrace the steps of this great organization which is striving to bring world understanding and peace in the world through its humanitarian programs.

FRIENDSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP existed in the world from the very birth of humanity. But Rotary was the first ever institution that could harness the tremendous energy that could emerge from the friendship and fellowship of the right people for doing good in the world.

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1999-2000 contributions to TRF- total $ 73.7 CoL. No more automatic termination of million. (Annual Giving 61 million, Permanent members for non attendance or default in fund 9 million, Polio Plus Fund 1.9 million and payments of dues. Club's Board given more Pledges 1.8 million). powers. Clubs can cancel up to four regular

meetings in a year, in addition to cancellations Both RCC and Interact record quantum jump in already allowed by the rule book.extension during 2000-01, more than 600 clubs formed in each category. For benefit of those who could not make it to

the San Antonio Convention, a virtual Western Pacific region certified polio free on convention at the website. More than 52,000 th29 October 2000. registrations for the virtual convention.2001- Rotary ropes in modern communication The motto, He Profits Most, Who Serves Best,

technology extensively to disseminate dropped.information. RI President Frank Devlin's CoL

Community assistance Programme (CAP) site gets 10000 hits on an average per day.enabling clubs to use 10% of its previous year's

The epoch making CoL considers a whopping contribution to annual giving or $ 10,000 631 pieces of legislations and passes 98 of whichever is less for projects in its community or them. country.Types of membership reduced to two, TRF introduces Humanitarian Transportation Active and Honorary. Grants, from funds pooled from contributions

from DDFs, grants of $ 500 to 5000 for No more ceding or sharing of territory (now transportation of donated humanitarian locally) necessary for new club formation. 20 supplies.cyber clubs and 200 clubs with their own

constitution and bylaws get clearance from ¡¡¡

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President Harris then could depend for assistance in working out some of our a d d r e s s e d t h e national problems.Convention in substance

Executive Co Operation.as follows:Now as to the workings of our offices in Chicago. It has "Gentlemen, with my

been Secretary Perry's practice to activities in my profession and as send all communications of any President of this Association I importance over to my office. really have not had an opportunity Sometimes he answers them to prepare a written report.before sending them over and

Development of National Rotary. sends me a copy of his answer; at other times he waits for my

"This National work impresses me suggestion in the matter. Likewise as being a tremendous project and

communications received by me I believe we are being awakened are referred to the Secretary's as to what the National Association

office for the addition of such means. It has been difficult to get information as can be furnished members to take a broad national

there. In other words, it is a custom view of Rotary. There have been between his office and mine to many who have been disposed to

consult on matters as they come up see the entire national project so that in matters if importance through the vision of their own Club

whether our combined judgment and measure its scope by the be, good or bad you have usually limitations of a local Club. However,

gotten the combined judgment of it will only take a Convention or two Mr. Perry and myself. We have of the character of this Convention

sometimes varied a little at first, but to make all naturally good in time we have been able to arrive

Rotarians National Rotarians. at harmonious conclusions in "I do not mean to say that there almost every instance, and I want have not been many workers in the here to call your attention to one National organization work. Mr. thing, that the longer Rotarians Fitzwilson has done some splendid deliberate upon any particular and helpful work in New England, subject pertaining to Rotary the Mr. Eberhard has been very active more certain they are to arrive at in his Committee work out here on pretty nearly uniform conclusions.the Pacific Coast, and Mr. Skeel (Mr. Harris then outlined some of has likewise distinguished himself,

the details pertaining to the and there are others whose names organization of new Clubs and told I might mention, were there time, of his visits to Cleveland, Detroit, who have taken a national view of

Pittsburgh, Louisville, Indianapolis, things, upon whom I have felt that I

Rtn. Subhash SajaneVice President

Article Compiled by

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Message to the 1911 ConventionPRESIDENT'S REPORT


New York City and Buffalo, attending Club meetings and consulting w i t h m e m b e r s o r o r g a n i z e r s , a n d demonstrated that the National Association could well afford to pay some traveling expenses when the organization of new Clubs resulted, as such new Clubs would at once begin paying dues t o t h e N a t i o n a l Association.)

Exchange of Ideas and of Business.

"The greatest reason that I can see fo r t he existence of the National Assoc ia t i on i s t he exchange of ideas either through the medium of profits of his inter city Rotarian business.the Association's publication or through the medium of

"Americans are a migratory people. I think statistics gatherings of this character; the exchange of ideas show that only about one half of the American people which enables us to raise our standards and get are both born and buried at the same city. Some of our ourselves on higher planes. The exchange of ideas Rotarians are going to migrate for instance, a member between members engaged in the same lines of of the Boston Rotary Club decided to move to Chicago business in different cities is also destined to be a strong and open an establishment there. He came to our city as feature of the work of the National Association. The a stranger and presenting myself at my office asked me lawyers are already organizing. Other lines will follow. A to put him in touch with Chicago Rotary. He had tradesman is naturally slow to give up valuable trade thousands of dollars ready to spend in fitting up his secrets to his competitors, but he will freely give them to establishment and he wanted to patronize Rotarians. As brother Rotarians living in other cities.his line was open he joined the Chicago Rotary Club and

We shall some day have many small wheels rotating many of our members were among his first patrons within the great National wheel. when he opened his store.There are many other ways wherein business Extension of Rotary to Foreign Lands.relationship between Rotarians of different cities may be

"Now I am a little optimistic I have thought this Rotary wisely encouraged. Perhaps to most members the most idea so great an idea that it might be permitted to extend apparent opportunity to patronize members of other beyond the confines of this country. I myself have been clubs is while traveling, but that is only one of many. The in a position to realize the advantages of having American cities are connected by great railway systems. personal friends on the other side of the water. Perhaps This means inter city commerce. Rotarians are entitled it was that, more than any other consideration, that to their share.induced me upon my own initiative and without any

Scores of instances can be cited to show that Rotarians authority from the Board of Directors to take up with Mr. are working together from city to city for each other's Harvey C. Wheeler of Boston Rotary the matter of benefit personally I have transferred clients to the establishing, a Rotary Club in London. Only a few days lawyers of the Portland and Spokane Clubs, which are ago Mr. Wheeler reported to me that the Club had been some distance from Chicago. I have forwarded a good successfully started in London and unless we are deal of business to Rotarian lawyers in other cities and interfered with in some way I have reason to believe that have received a good deal of business in return. In every Mr. Wheeler will by next year have established a club in instance the relationship has proven very satisfactory Paris, France. I have also been in communication. with and has given promise of permanency. gentlemen in Glasgow; Scotland, and Melbourne and

Sidney, Australia, and it is not unlikely that there will be I could name individual members of certain clubs, each Rotary Clubs in these and other foreign cities."one of whom could pay the entire expense of his club's

membership in the National Association out of the ¡¡¡

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On 1st January 2018, Vidarbha cricket team created some common traits of exceptional team building history and stunned the cricketing fraternity in India by leadership. Both of them were able to connect with their lifting the prestigious Ranji Trophy by beating formidable team members and influence, manage and motivate Delhi team. The victory was stunning as it was achieved them towards the desired result. They ensured that their with a bunch of totally unknown players. After the win, teams shared their ‘crystal clear’ vision and performance the whole team lifted and chaired the coach of the team expectations. They managed to nourish ‘can-do’ attitude Chandrakant Pandit . This was quite unusual as normally among the team members with focus on ultimate goal after such a momentous win either a star performer or than on problems and incidental aberrations. Above all, the captain of the team is chaired by the team. That they created uplifting culture where team members ‘lift’ clearly showed who was the “leader of the pack” for each other with their thoughts, words and actions thus Vidarbha’s incredible performance this season. creating positive energy and exceptional results.

Pandit was sacked as coach by Mumbai Cricket A leader with exceptional team building ability basically Association after Mumbai lost to Gujarat in the Ranji final asks four basic questions for an honest self-appraisal last year. Probably stung by that ignominy, he before building a team:transformed a talented bunch of ‘boys’ from Vidarbha into 1) What is my vision and who can help me achieve my ‘ men’ of mettle. How did he do it? First and foremost, he vision?inculcated in the team the ‘khadoos’( tough) attitude that

2) What are my strengths and weaknesses?he had learnt in Mumbai cricket by getting the players out of their comfort zone and helping them to have self belief 3) Who can contribute to compensate my weaknesses?to win big matches. He created a hunger for winning

4) Will I be fair to all my team members?among the team members by motivating them to push the boundaries of their physical and mental abilities. The Answer to the first question helps the leader to determine fact that Vidarbha won six of their eight matches outright the objectives and goals and identify people who can at league stage is testimony to this fact. The players had help him to achieve the objectives and goals. Answer to absolute clarity about their respective roles in the team the second question helps him to identify various roles and there was no room for complacency. Players were available for his team members to complement his skills. encouraged to enjoy each other’s success thus a very Answer to third question helps him to assign role and good bond of camaraderie existed among the team responsibilities to his team members based on their members. individual strengths and attributes and answer to the

fourth question keeps the leader grounded and makes Another example of a leader with exceptional team him empathetic towards his team members.building ability that comes to the mind is that of ex

Pakistan skipper Imran Khan,who picked up talented It is said that “people in a working lift(elevator) is a group players like Inzamam Haque and Waqar Younis from while people in a broken lift is a team”. In a working lift, dusty maidans of Karachi and Lahore and put them on people in the “group” may have different destinations ( flight to a major cricketing tourney like world cup floors) to alight but people stuck in a broken lift have one tournament in 1992 and motivated them to win the world single minded destination of getting out of the broken lift cup . He believed in the philosophy of “ horses for to safety and all the members of the group work as a courses” with clearly defined roles for each team team and use all their resources and strengths to member. He never believed in “ bits and pieces” players, achieve their objective. The above words of wisdom bring without any specific role, in his team. He was a hard task out the whole essence of what team building is all about. master and expected his team members to give their The old Greeek saying goes “ a fish rots from head first” best at all times. so does a dysfunctional team. A team with exceptional

team building leadership “thrives from the head first”If we try to analyse the attributes of Chandrakant Pandit and Imran Khan as leaders who nurtured and helped their teams to achieve stupendous success, we find

¡¡¡

LEADERSHIP: EXCEPTIONAL TEAM BUILDERRtn. Vaman Gaitonde

" The author is a corporate coach and currently conducts transformational leadership programs for organisations in Goa, for improving their productivity and profitability,as the sole license in Goa of world's largest transformational leadership development organisation Leadership Management International (LMI)Texas, USA"

The author can be contacted on [email protected]

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Rtn. Viresh K NadkarniPresident Elect Nominee/

Director Club Administration2

Jab we met-My meeting with a Rotarian-

Gujarati one having all the elements reflecting the Rajiv Marathe, more affectionately called as Raju, is an regional traditions and habits like the swings and all. I extremely close personal friend of mine, on more than remember our evening strolls to the nearby beach one occasion he has been a true guide and a motivator.

Raju has been responsible for educating me about the accompanied by our Parents, my elder sister Rekha and Rotary Movement and subsequently convincing me to my younger brother Sanjay.Join the Rotary Club of Panaji. Presently as the Project

I would quite fluently speak the Gujarati language during Coordinator, he is spearheading the ambitious Project those days and was well acquainted with the local of the Club to rebuild the iconic Kasturba Matoshree culture. We returned to Goa when I was 8 years old. School in Panaji. Back here I was admitted in the Peoples High School

Mala in Std II to In this “Jab we Met” I continue my schooling.ta lked to Ra ju to

understand what lied Can you share any within the core of this Memories of “Peoples interesting man.High School”and your

Raju, can you start young er days in your story? Mala?

thI was born on the 6 of Well, early schooling is O c t o b e r 1 9 6 6 i n the time where one Mapusa, I am the makes strong bonds s e c o n d c h i l d o f with friends before they

disperse in all directions R a j a n i k a n t a n d to make a living, I was C h a n d r a p r a b h a no different. My close Marathe. We had our group consisted of ancestral house in Shekhar Sardessai, Fontainhas on the S a c h i n D e o , hillock near Lyceum and

have grown up in this Mahendra Pednekar house which I lived in and a few others with until my marriage. whom I stil l share

m u t u a l a f f e c t i o n . Raju can you tell us a Peoples High School l i t t l e about your was then managed by childhood? the Surlakars and the

Te a c h e r – S t u d e n t My father during those relation was that of one big family. Our evenings would times managed the business of Mr.PurshottamKeni in be spent with our cricket kit near Precy Building, Mala Daman. Daman then was a part of the union territory of and in Neuginagar where my office now stands. I had a Goa, Daman and Diu. My early schooling till Std.I was very common childhood and unlike today where in an English Convent School in Daman.children spend their evenings with electronic gadgets,

Do you recollect anything of your Daman days? Facebook, WhatsApp and other material luxuries. We spent our time on the playgrounds. Communication for Yes, I remember we stayed in a house belonging to a us was physical, involving a lot of bonding unlike today's local Gujarati. Our house was a typical traditional

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within us. We often found ourselves on the wrong side of e-communication. Entertainment in the form of a TV the college law but managed to wriggle out. Our Mehfils arrived in 1982 with the Asiads. I Cherish my days in the in rooms extending into the wee hours of the mornings Peoples High School until I passed my SSC in 1982.are still remembered. The madness of greeting new

What Plans did you have post the School? inmates to the hosteI with late night Bombs and fire crackers in their rooms and the obsessive cricket I was always keen to pursue Electrical Engineering and matches in the corridors of the hostel were the real hence joined the Science Stream in the Dhempe stress busters in our College life. I also remember the College of Arts and Science, Miramar. The rigours of

th th frog hunting adventures during the monsoons and the XI and XII during our times was much more feasts that followed. Life was one big picnic but only until reasonable as compared to today. Unlike today the the Semester dates were announced. Then started the factor of Parental pressure was also minimal or close to

th great grind racing against time to coverup all that we lost nil. I cleared my XII Science with adequate marks but academically. I finally graduated as an Electrical unfortunately fell short of getting an admission in the Engineer in 1990.Goa College of Engineering. I joined a Regional

Engineering college (REC)in Rourkela, Orissa in the Now what?Mining branch.

I joined Kurtarkar Construction as a site Engineer for 3 This was my first tryst with independence. Life in the months and then worked for another 3 months for Hostel was tough with sometimes ruthless seniors. “Powerlite” belonging to Prabhakar Verekar to get Ragging at times brought you to the brink of break down, some experience in Electrical Engineering. During but the experience taught us lessons of a life time. Hard those times my father operated a transport business times need to be overcome to get to the more sweeter called “Shivram Transport” from our shop opposite ones. Cine Ashok. We had trucks plying all over the country.

My food habits changed from my staple fish curry to an I started “Shivram Electricals” in the same premises. almost daily diet of Dal, Rice, Omelettes. I thought the The transport business was eventually phased out and only vegetable grown on earth was cabbage. I wonder as I took an agency for Anchor Electrical Products, our why all hostel messes love cabbage vegetable. In shop was converted into an all out Electrical shop. If you Rourkela all our food would be cooked in soya oil. remember the shop was also a meeting point for all of us

post our working hours every evening. The days How did you land in Goa Engineering College?unwinding was done here by our whole bachelor gang.

Well I had sort of adjusted well in the college at Rourkela Yes, Raju I remember, there was not a single day we and loved my independence, my mother though had would miss to meet at your shop.other plans. She was not too keen to allow me my new-

found freedom in Orissa for long and without my Do you remember any of your first professional knowledge put in my application for admission into GEC jobs?in 1985.

Well I was given my first break by Late Arch. Auduth I got the admission call from GEC by a Telegram, during

Sardessai whereby I started my Electrical Contracting those days that's how instant official communication for a Bungalow. I also remember one of my first jobs was was done. I joined GEC in 1985 in the first year and in the to fix and commission four exhaust fans at Zeneith, second year branched into Electrical Engineering.Sancoale.I would ride with my electrician every day on my Yamaha Rx 100 and as he did the wiring I would hold Can you tell us a little about life in The Goa College the ladder for him. My colleagues from GEC working as of Engineering?Electrical Engineers in Zenith would watch this in

Goa Engineering College was again an experience of amusement. Perhaps they didn't know I was holding the the life time. I have encountered all the things good and ladder of my eventual success(laughs).bad as any normal student would. We had a great group

As months passed I had an impressive list of clientele of batch mates including you and shared a strong bond

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like the Kurtarkars, Essar Builders, Advalparkars the first to get married in our group. Manisha being the first spouse in the group had soon become our Group and friends like you to name a few.leader. We have two children, our daughter S achi who

Any special experiences in your career which you is pursuing her Bio Medical Engineering at VIT Vellore would like to share? rdis presently in the 3 year and our son Atharva who is

doing his schooling.Yes, I have done the project for Kiran Thakurs “Wilderness Nest” at Chorla Ghat. How did you join Rotary?We would drive to Chorla in the jungles where the resort Well my association was initially with the Rotaract Club now stands. We have encountered several animals of Panaji. Do you remember, way back in 1991I including a striped tiger on our way back. I can swear it

partnered you to participate in a Treasure Hunt for two was a terrifying and hair-raising experience seeing the wheelers organised by the Rotaract Club of Panaji? I big cat meters away. The only reaction I could give was think it was riding your Hero Honda motorcycle that we to screech the vehicle to a halt and silently wait for the won the First place in the Treasure hunt with 10 seconds majestic animal to cross the road. We have done to spare. I was since very impressed with the approximately 8.5 Kms. cabling for their entire Project in organisation of the Club and instantly wished to be a the jungle. One day while laying a cable in a trench one part of it. I later joined the Club and enjoyed the way they of my electricians picked up a python mistaking it to be a conducted their business. I went on to be the President cable .We were also almost attacked by a wild boar in of the Rotaract Club of Panaji in 1993-94.the area. Inspite of all these experiences we managed to

complete and commission the project satisfactorily. My association with Rotaract got me in connect with the Rotary Club of Panaji however another factor also How did you land in the Construction Business?played an important role in my joining Rotary ,as my

Well I had established myself as an Electrical other friends got married the evening attendance at my Contractor, but Life was getting monotonous and I had shop dwindled and to overcome this vacuum Manisha an inner urge to do something different. Finally and me felt the urge to get socially connected.opportunity knocked the door and In 2007I started a

Rtn. Dinesh Sinari was finally instrumental in getting Construction Company called “Mafcons Builers and thme in the Club. I joined the Club on the 5 Oct.2005 Developers”. We have executed several projects and when my friend Rtn. Sandesh Helekar was the even built the “Hotel Alua” at Verna for our friend Late President. I was immediately lapped up to be the Rtn. Andrew Dsouza.Director of Youth Service by Rtn. Vijay Priolkar who

What are plans for the future? would take over the reins of the Club from Sandesh in the subsequent year.

I have now ventured into Dairy farming in a big way in partnership with a few more friends. The project will bear Raju you are a very senior Rotarian, when do you us fruits by the time this interview is printed. wish to be the President of the Club?“TazaTokri” a retail vegetable outlet to be headed by

At the moment I am winding up with a little of my my better half Manisha is another venture on the anvil. domestic and professional Commitments and if the Club Beyond this I wish to take it as it comes.and the Past Presidents feel so then maybe in 2022-23

Tell us a little about your family? you could see me heading the Rotary Club Of Panaji.th Thank you for talking to me and Wish you all the I got married to Manisha Swar on the 14 March 1994. It

was an arranged marriage. Manisha has been a best. wonderful friend, companion and wife and I could not

¡¡¡have asked for anything better. If you remember I was

Rtn. Siddhesh Shetye

Benefits of Investing in Mutual Funds versus directly in shares

Some investors may think that, since mutual funds What are mutual funds?invest in stocks, they are better off investing in stocks Mutual fund is a financial instrument which pools the directly through a broker instead of investing in mutual money of different people and invests them in different funds. Some people cite fund expense ratios and lack of financial securities like stocks, bonds etc. Each investor control over the investments as key reasons why stocks in a mutual fund scheme owns units of the fund, which score over mutual funds. However, in our view, mutual represents a portion of the holdings of the scheme. The funds, is a much better investment option for retail securities are selected keeping in mind the investment investors, since the benefits of investing in mutual funds objective of the scheme. Mutual funds are managed by far outweigh the costs. In this blog post we will discuss asset management companies (AMCs). AMCs appoint the 7 key benefits of investing in Mutual Funds versus fund managers to manage different mutual fund directly in shares. Before, we discuss the advantages of schemes and ensure that the scheme investment mutual funds let us explain for the benefit of investors, objectives are met. For fund management and other how mutual funds work. services provided by AMCs, they charge a fee to the

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Siddhesh founded InvestWell in the year 2015 with the sole motive of providing prudent advice and fine solutions to the various investment needs of the investors. He offers a wide range of services keeping in mind the challenges faced by the customers with the aim to provide them a fulfilling and rewarding investing experience with him. In a short span of two years, InvestWell has earned a quality clientele with its prudent advisory skills and consistent performance backed by deep market research and advanced software tools.

He can be contacted on [email protected]


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investors. These expenses are charged against Mutual funds also offer investors flexibility in terms of proportionately against the assets of the fund and are modes of investment and withdrawal. Investors can opt adjusted in the price of the unit. for different investment modes like lump sum (or one

time), systematic investment plans, systematic transfer Let us now discuss the major advantages of investing in plans (from other mutual fund schemes), systematic mutual funds versus directly in stocks.withdrawal plans, switches from one scheme to another

1. Risk Diversification: etc. You can invest in growth option of mutual funds if you want to take advantage of compounded returns over a The biggest advantage of investing in mutual funds long investment period. You can invest in dividend option versus stocks is riskif you want income from your investment. No other

diversification. Every stock is subject to three types of investment product offers such wide array of investment risk – company risk, sector risk and market risk. modes.Company risk and sector risk are unsystematic risk,

7. Disciplined investing:while market risk is known as systematic risk. What is the essential difference between unsystematic and Share prices are highly volatile and can induce the systematic risk? The stock price of a company may fall if investor to buy or sell in short the company’s financial performance is poor, even if the

time periods due to fear or greed. Frequent trading often market rises. On the other hand, even if the company leads the investor to incur losses. Mutual funds performs well, the stock price may still fall, if the market encourage investors to invest over a long time horizon, falls. Mutual funds help investors diversify unsystematic which is essential to creating wealth. Furthermore, risks by investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks systematic investment plans encourage investors to across different sectors. Hence mutual fund risk is much invest in a disciplined manner to meet their long term lower than individual stocks.financial objectives. Many investors fail to build a

2. Smaller capital outlay: substantial investment corpus because they are not able to invest in a disciplined way. Savings not invested Investors will require a large capital outlay to build a regularly often gets spent on discretionary lifestyle diversified portfolio of related expenses. Systematic Investment Plans in

stocks. On the other hand, since mutual funds work on mutual funds help investors to maintain a disciplined the basis of pooling of money, mutual fund investors can approach to savings and investment. SIPs also help have the beneficial ownership of a diversified portfolio of investors take emotions out of the investment process. stocks with a much smaller capital outlay. Investors can Very often investors get very enthusiastic in bull market buy units of a diversified equity fund with an investment conditions, but get nervous in bear markets. It is an as low as Rs 5,000/- only established fact that investments made in bear markets

help investors get high returns in the long term. By 3. Investment expertise:investing through SIPs in a mechanical way, investors Investing in stock market requires a lot of experience can stay disciplined, which is critical to achieving their and expertise. In our view understanding the risk return financial objectives.trade-offs in stock market investments is the most Conclusionimportant part of equity investing. Many retail investors

have lost a lot of money in share trading because they In this blog we have discussed the key benefits of made poor risk return trade-offs. Mutual funds are investing in mutual funds versus directly in shares. While managed by professional fund managers who have investing directly in shares may give you a greater sense sufficient expertise and experience in picking the right of control, the benefits of investing in mutual funds stocks to get the best risk adjusted returns. outweigh that of investing directly in shares. If you have

expertise in picking stocks and are devote able a lot of 4. Economies of scale in transaction costs:time to attending annual general meetings, dial in to Since mutual funds buy and sell securities in large results conference calls, reading and analyzing balance volumes transaction costs on a per unit basis is much sheets and income statements, you can invest directly in lower than what retail investors may incur if they buy or shares. In reality vast majority of retail investors neither sell shares through stock brokers.have the expertise nor can they devote sufficient time to

5. Variety of products: this. For retail investors, therefore, investing in mutual fund is definitely a much better option than investing in Mutual funds offer investors a variety of products to suit stocks.their risk profiles and investment objectives. Apart from

equity funds, there are also balanced funds, monthly income plans, income funds and liquid funds to suit Mutual Fund Investments are subject to market risk, different investment requirements. read all scheme related documents carefully.6. Variety of modes of investments: Source – Advisorkhoj.com ¡¡¡

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District Governer's Visit- 8th December 2017

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District Governer's Visit- 8th December 2017

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Weekly Meeting - Presention by Rtn. Sanat - 6th December 2017


Weekly Meeting Dr. Kedar Padte

20th December 2017

Weekly Meeting -Release of Spark 27th December 2017

Annual Drawing Competition - 19th December 2017(700 School Students Participated)

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Annual Drawing Competition - 19th December 2017 (700 School Students Participated)

MHM Project at Our Lady of Merces School - 21st December 2017

Donation of Benches at Our Lady of Merces School- 21st December 2017

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Annual Drawing Competition - 19th December 2017 (700 School Students Participated)

MHM Project at Our Lady of Merces School - 21st December 2017

Donation of Benches at Our Lady of Merces School- 21st December 2017

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Christmas Night Celebrations - 23rd December 2017

Rtn. Madhan R

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India’s independence and the rebirth of Germany after Science & Technology (DST), India and The Federal world war II happened at a very similar time in history. Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany Today, both countries have grown in strength and are in 2007 to promote bilateral industrial R&D Cooperation accepted global players although the geography, with participation of private industry and academia (2+2 culture, demography and path through history has major model) from both sides in the joint research projects. differences. If there is one area where Germany has [more on www.igstc.org]. IGSTC started operating from taken off far ahead of India it is their approach to Gurgaon in 2011. The IGSTC collaborative research technology development. projects involve participation of one academic institution

and one industry from each country. A total of 27 One aspect that stands out in the German model is the projects have been supported on various themes of creation of an effective linkage between Academia and

national priority areas such as Advance Manufacturing Industry with effective use of Vocational training. This in (Make in India), Embedded System & ICT (Digital India), turn has encouraged industry to go back to the

Sustainable Energy/ Environment, Biotechnology / Bio-academia (Research Institutes and Universities) for economy (Food Security), Bio-Medical Technology product/service value addition (improvements and

(Healthy India)/ Water & Wastewater Technology (Clean newer products) which in turn has driven academia to India), Smart Cities, etc. The IGSTC had a committed be more innovative. This mechanism is also strongly

funding of 4 million euro per year for each side upto linked to involve young minds and create a scientific 2022. Additionally, IGSTC supports proposals for

interest and temper. Academia in this case are the organizing Indo-German workshops on areas of mutual universities and the research institutions.interest with an aim towards creating platforms for

Down the road, such an initiative has to be structured to interactions between researchers from academia and encourage industry to revert to the R&D institutes for industry.improvement and value additions based on market Another important program with Germany is in the area feedback and customer satisfaction. As a result, this will

of high energy physics. On 4 October 2010, India signed directly couple industry with the R&D institutions to the Convention, as a founder member-country of an provide time bound innovative and concrete solutions.

international consortium of nations, to construct the Additionally, R&D institutions will have to effectively link Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) at with universities for solutions through young minds to

Darmstadt in Germany. India is the 3rd largest complete the inclusive innovation cycle and overcome contributor in the consortium in financial terms. FAIR will the present weak inter academia (R&D Institutes and be the next front-ranking accelerator facility for particle Universities) link and academia-industry link in India.

physics and nuclear physics research after the Large One of the initiatives to promote such an approach was Hadron Collider (LHC). The cooperation will allow the establishment of the Indo-German Science and Indian scientists to carry out scientific studies on cutting-Technology Centre (IGSTC). The IGSTC was edge topics in addition to introducing budding Indian established under an MOU between Department of scientists to the facility.

Indo-German partnership in Science & technology

Construction of FAIR facility

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Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg - In addition to the above there are numerous Another mega collaborative project has been funded by collaborations between India and Germany in the areas the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of sustainable studies, antimicrobial resistance, big data under Nano Mission to enable Indian scientists to have research, clean & green technologies, bioinformatics in access to the world’s best high-energy high-brilliance health research, and computer science.synchrotron light source PETRA-III and be at the fore- The Indo-German S&T relationship is growing to new front of basic and applied materials research. Including

heights every year and will definitely help to enhance the current beam time schedule, more than 900 shifts our technical strengths and scientific capabilities. The (one shift equals 8 hours of beam time) have so far been

present relationship is also catalyzing the young allocated for experiments of Indian research groups generation to gear up for the long-term collaboration on corresponding to a total of 100 different experimental

innovative, cutting edge science and technology. With sessions. Already more than 22 institutes and numerous the Indian student population in Germany growing from young students & researchers in India have already

4070 in 2009 to 15308 in 2017 we can definitely expect used the facilities. An exclusive Petra III beam line for increased participation and positive S&T atmosphere India was commissioned at the extension hall on 14th

between the two countries in the years to come. September 2016.¡¡¡

FAIR facility after completion

Key to the PETRA III Beam line facility

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For many years the picture of Nargis troubled my headed by a woman allowed women to be insulted, midnights, and my noon reposes. She remained a lovely, molested and raped. 'There is a rape here and a rape distant apparition beyond the approach of earthly there! Every day we hear of rape, rape, rape,' she mortals like me. Then one morning my telephone rang shrilled. Nargis who was sitting next to me became and a dulcet voice announced: 'This is Nargis Dutt suddenly very animated. 'Why are you getting so speaking. Can I speak to Mr. so-&-so?' excited?' she shouted. 'No one will ever rape you.'

Mercifully, only a few members sitting near her heard her 'It is so-&-so speaking. Would you by any means be remark and laughed jovially. Nargis the film star?' Nargis was very sick. I tried to see her in New York. 'Jee-haan.' The receptionist at the Sloane-Kettering was not

'Mother India and all that?' impressed by my telling her that I had come across half the world to see her. 'Are you her husband?' she 'Jee-haan. Can I come and see you?' demanded somewhat exasperated at my insistence.

An hour later, she breezed into my office setting 'Alas no,' I replied, 'only a distant friend and an many a heart wildly aflutter. She was as beautiful as she ardent admirer.' was unassuming and friendly. 'I have come to ask you for a personal favour,' she said. 'I believe you have a house So Nargis is gone. I for one had never believed that in Kasauli. My children are at Sanawar and I can't find she had been discharged from Sloane-Kettering as anywhere to stay during the school Founder's Week cured; they were of the opinion that nothing more could celebrations. I was wondering if you could let me stay in be done for her and she decided to come home to die. your house.' Now boast thee, death, in possession lies

'Of course!' I replied. 'But only on one condition.' I A lass unparalleled.paused to create the necessary suspense. She looked quizzically at me: 'What?' Beautiful she was in all senses of the word. Shaped in

classic mould enshrining a heart of gold which went out 'Provided thereafter I have your permission to tell to the poor, the blind and the paraplegic. Her smile was anyone I like that Nargis slept in my bed.' bewitching, her laughter contagious. She had the gift of She burst into peals of girlish laughter. 'Done!' she eternal youth and died looking as young in her fifties as

said, putting out her hand to make a compact. 'I stay in she had in her teens. your house; you say I slept in your bed.' One thing that intrigued me was her faith. Was she

Nargis repeated this dialogue many times without Muslim or Hindu or both or nothing? She wore a bindi on the slightest embarrassment. She had the knack of her forehead, married a Brahmin, gave her children making people happy. And a malicious sense of humour. Hindu names and was often seen in Swami But the last time she was in Delhi to attend the session of Muktanand's ashram at Ganeshpuri. Nevertheless, she the Rajya Sabha, she was somewhat lacking in her was buried with Muslim rites in a Muslim graveyard with usual exuberance. 'I shouldn't be here. My doctor told her Hindu husband reciting the fateha (prayer). I can't me I have some kind of jaundice. I promised the local think of any Indian family which better exemplified the Rotary I would come—I couldn't break my word, could I? principle of Sarva Dharma Samabhav (equal respect for And there is this debate on Baghpat.' all faiths).

The debate, as you might recall, was largely the My chief claim to fame as a Member of the Rajya tirade let loose by the Opposition on the shooting of Sabha was that I sat next to Nargis and was the envy of three men and the alleged rape of Maya Tyagi in the my brother parliamentarians. That seat has remained police station. The atmosphere in the House was unoccupied since last August. No doubt someone else surcharged with emotion. A lady member somewhat will be nominated to fill her place. But the void she leaves dark and corpulent exploded a volcano of angry in the hearts of millions of her countrymen will never be epithets, pouring lava on the government which though filled. ¡¡¡

This piece has been reproduced with the kind consent and courtesy of Roli Books Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, from their book ‘DEATH AT MY DOORSTEP – OBITUARIES’, authored by KHUSHWANT SINGH.

Nargis Dutt: Mother India

Dr. Vidya Kamat- Parthan

A Contemporary artist, research scholar and Professor of Comparative Mythology. As an artist she has exhibited her works in India and abroad, and her works are in various prestigious museums. She was also the recipient of cultural scholarship by HIVOS Netherlands for her study on “Documentation and study of roadside shrines in Mumbai”. She has been engaged in teaching and designing courses on comparative mythology for many years. She is an accredited research guide for doctoral students of comparatives mythology at the University of Mumbai since 2003. Currently, she is a co-founder of Talking Myths Project -the online archive on traditional tales from the Indian subcontinent. She is also the Founder Member and Secretary of Center for Study of Mythology and Culture, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the research and study of Indian mythology.

BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS

Dharnendra and PadmavatiOn my recent visit to As I stood in prayer, I conduct a workshop at heard the peop le Aurangabad, I visited a running around and Jain temple on the way their footsteps echoing to Shahpur near Nasik, and disappearing at M a h a ra s h t ra . T h e some spot behind the temple is popularly temple. Slightly irritated k n ow n a s M a n a s by the noise and Mandir and stands atop disturbance, I asked the a hill. It is considered to p r i e s t w h o w a s be a replica of famous standing in a yellow temple complex of dress as to what was Palitana, which is a going on. He spoke to great pilgrimage site for me as i f he was Jainas. While entering addressing a young t h e h u g e t e m p l e person not versed in the complex, I could see ways of the temple and many different temple said “Kshetrapal dada spires and found out that it had been built a few years has given his darshan, you also please go to see him ago by a very famous Jaina monk, Shri Bhuvan Bhanu and pray, he will fulfil all your wishes.”Vijayji with help from his disciples. Slightly curious, I went behind the huge temple and saw Surrounded by many small temples, each devoted to a big temple created for Kshetrapal. Also known as Jaina Sutra, I walked towards the main temple which Kshetrapal Dada he is a snake which takes care and appeared very big. The main idol here is that of the first protects the deity from any mishaps and also takes care Tirthankar Rishabhdev (also known as Adinath). Apart and protects all his worshippers and temple complex. from his idol there are those of many other Tirthankaras The temple of Kshetrapal was situated below a huge in the sanctum sanctorum. Banyan tree with thousands of branches hanging out. To

my surprise, these branches had red colour cloth tied in

Traditionally myths are oral tales. They are passed down the generations either as a sacred story or as an aphorism and treasured by a community as a valuable source of their heritage. When people migrate, their stories travel with them and over time even if the narratives change their relevance and meaning remain intact. The national and cultural character of India and subcontinent was maintained through such narratives. The Talking Myths Project will attempt to capture and engage with this shared mythological heritage of the region.

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thousands. On closer view, I realised it was a coconut Parshva’s meditation. He brought down torrential rain. and may be some money tied in a red cotton cloth and Water levels rose and came up to the knees of hung by all the believers on them. Parshvanatha and kept rising. At this juncture

Dharnendra and Padmavati came and created a big There was a small temple made with mud just below the lotus, which lifted Parshvanatha above the water. Banyan tree with icons of two snakes. A ghee lamp had Dharnendra made a hood (snake hood) to prevent been lit with some incense sticks and red kumkum Parshvanatha’s head getting wet. Parshvanatha was (vermillion) pasted there. People who undertake a vow still in deep meditation. Meghmali at last gave up his evil to fulfil a need or desire come to this Kshetrapal temple acts and apologized. Parshvanatha forgave him.and tie the coconut in red cloth once their wishes have

been realised. It is their way of offering their gratitude for This story of obstacles created by Meghmali is quite his help in their endeavour. famous. Dharnendra and Padmavati saved

Parshvanatha and people believe that they still come On that day the mad rush near the tree was because a and save anyone who in is trouble. Hence the whole huge snake had coiled itself around the trunk and was myth of Kshetrapal and his story of wish fulfilment.on its way towards the temple wall.On coming back home, I read more about Dharanendra “To get a darshan of the KshetrapalDada while visiting and Padmavatidevi and realised that Padmavatidevi is the Kshetrapal Temple is considered very auspicious revered more than Dharnendra. In fact, she is the single and wish fulfilling” my guide, the priest said. He also most popular goddess among Jainas. She is, as stated said that there are two snakes living there and are before the dedicated deity of Lord Parshvanatha, the believed to be Dharanendra and Padmavatidevi.23rd Tirthankara. Her colour is golden and her vehicle is

The story goes that: A very famous 23rd Jaina the snake with a cock’s head. Padmavatidevo’s idols are Tirthankara Parshvanatha was a prince in the kingdom found seated in ardhpadmasan position wherein her of Kashi. He was known as prince Parshva then. Once right leg is resting on the ground and the left leg is he went to see an ascetic who was performing some resting on the right thigh. Some images are found in a penance by lighting the logs of wood. On the outskirts of lotus position as well. Most images have snake hood the city this ascetic, whose name was Kamath, was over head.performing the ritual of penance. Parshva had divine

She has a red complexion and has four arms and her vision and only he could see that there were two snakes two right hands hold a lotus and a rosary. The two left (male and female).He asked Kamath to remove that log hands hold a fruit and a rein. There are different forms of but Kamath could not see anything and accused goddess Padmavati. Shvetambaras usually have her Parshva of trying to break the penance. Parshva was the idols with four hands. Digambara image of Padmavati only person there who knew what was happening. When has up to 20 hands. There is a famous mantra and also his request was turned down, Parshva ordered one of yantra created to venerate the Goddess.his servants to remove the log in question. When the

servant did as he was told, everybody saw that there The Sadhna of Devi Padmavati is basically a Jaina indeed were two snakes inside the log. The snakes Sadhna for the purpose of attaining wealth and unfortunately did not survive and died. But before their prosperity. It seems, on the eve of Diwali, every Jaina death Parshva recited Namaskara Mantra and the Sadhak performs the sadhana of Devi Padmavati to get snakes died in peace. blessed with wealth and prosperity. As per Jaina

scholars, Devi Padmavati sadhna is so fruitful that every These snakes in their next birth were born as individual irrespective of religion or community should Dharnendra (one of the Indra Gods with the name of try it and gain prosperity. For Devi, there is no religion or Dharan) and Padmavati. Kamath was very angry but he caste barrier and she bestows her blessing on each and could not do anything, as he was proved wrong.every one who worships her with dedication, devotion

After few years Parshva left everything and went away in and purity of heart.search of eternal happiness and became a monk. One

Story collected by: Parul Doshiday Parshva was standing in a meditation in a large forest where a demon called Meghmali arrived. Location: MaharashtraMeghmali was none else but Kamath who had died and

Image copyright: Parul Doshihad been thus reborn.http://www.talkingmyths.com/Meghmali wanted to revenge for what he had suffered in

¡¡¡his past life. He did everything he could to break

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In the heart of Tamil him to Gingee. It stopped Nadu, a little distance for a while at a spot that away from Chennai, lay to the west of Gingee flows the Varahanadi and dug up a spring for a l s o k n o w n a s the king who had grown Cankaraparani River. It is quite thirsty by that time. a perennial in a land of The king slaked his thirst seasonal r ivers and and gave chase to the carries the mythologies boar again who led him of the region within her east and as it fled, it dug waters as it rushes into a course with his tusk for t he sea , sou th o f the water to follow. Pondicherry. This is the Finally the king and the river around which the old and famous kingdom of Gingee boar reached a place called Cinkapuram where the boar flourished and where the epic heroine Draupadi came to entered a cave and dropped the plants on his tusk to the reside and establish her cult. ground. The plants flourished on the spot. The king followed

into the cave and to his utter amazement saw that the boar The story of the river however has nothing to do with had become Vishnu in a human avatara. The king built a Draupadi but is linked with that of Vishnu and Shiva. Its temple at the spot for Varadarajaswami and the river took name Cankaraparani is another name for the Ganga; it is on the name of the boar (Varaha)the Tamil version of Shankarabharani which means the

ornament of Shiva. In ancient times Gingeewas Hiltebeitel points out that the story carries a common motif considered to be a holy site, much like Benares where the found in many myths of Tamil Nadu: a boar destroying a Ganga flows. It was known as SheoGingee (Shiva’s flower garden. He also records several versions and in Gingee). The main story of the river has more to do with some the founding of the kingdom is attributed to another Vishnu than Shiva. According to Alf Hiltebeitel (The Cult of king. He also points out that the story presents a parallel to Draupadi 1-Mythologies: From Gingee to Kurukshetra), the popular myths. Through its name, it reminds us of Ganga’s birth of the river is linked to a relatively unknown king of fall to earth and how she was caught in Shiva’s mane. And Kanchipuram known as Nantacola Raja. the boar running away with the bushes on his tusk is similar

to Vishnu in the Varaha avatar where he carries his wife The king was a devotee of Vishnu who he worshipped in the Bhudevi or earth to the surface from the bottom of the form of Varadarajaswami. In his kingdom, he had built a cosmic ocean.temple in honour of the god and a flower garden which

would provide an inexhaustible supply of fresh flowers for Story collected by: Arundhuti Dasguptahis worship. His plans were dashed when a group of boars Text source: Alf Hiltebeitel, The Cult of Draupadi 1-devastated his garden. They ran amuck among the flower Mythologies: From Gingee to Kurukshetrabeds, digging up the plants and bushes. The king chased

Location: Tamil Naduthem all away but one big boar escaped with a lime tree bush, a flowering bush and some earth (mud) from the ¡¡¡garden on his tusk. The king rode after him. The boar led

MYTHUpon a boar’s tusk

The Roman God Janus , for whom January the month not slow down. gets it’s name is depicted as two faces look-ing in So between December and January, I have the privilege opposite directions . As we stand looking at the first to think about what we have accomplished over the past month of the two thousand and eighteen year, which year and what we hope to do in the year to come and it is way do we look ? the month that al-lows us this rare human experience of At this time, I feel I pulled into looking backwards and reflection. reflecting on what has passed and then feel propelled to Woman/ Man is the only species on planet earth that look forward and reflect on what can become and both can reflect. We have the ability to think and imagine and directions are equally compel-ling. So for much of this to feel deeply with or without direct experience and we month I suspect I will simply be split down the middle. need to harness that in 2018. So much seems amiss in Being fractured seems right. the world today. We find that we are being divided by The old year brings much celebration and happiness forces larger than we imagined and in ways that we do into Goa. For Bookworm it means we have got through not understand. Our differences are being highlighted the year and our resources and the New Year brings and we are being split down the middle quite like Janus. fund raising to the top of our list. In January, I try and It is important to know this should not be our state for the devote at least 60 hours per week soliciting donations rest of the months to come. for the Jumble, organising the biggest sale for For us as part of the human family, we need to look back Bookworm and looking forward. and remember the love and relationships that have The jumble sale is very much a Janus experience. We nurtured and sustained us. It is this very remembering look back on people who can be relied upon to support that will bring us strength to go forward. We need to our mission. We look forward upon them to donate, recall the acts of joy that have remained with us. Story spread the word and ensure that our momentum does telling, simple sharing of our days events, arguments

Sujata Noronha

Sujata Noronha is an educator with a focus on early literacy. The heart of her work is supporting processes that enable more children to read, write and think.She has two Masters Degrees, one in Financial Management from Goa University and one Masters in Education from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Sujata has an M Phil in Education and is presently, pursuing a PhD in Education from the Tata Institute of Social Science.

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that ended badly or well , humour, pain, sadness, doors, which represented the twelve months and the laughter, food, meetings and partings, surprise and four seasons. In times of war the temple gates were kept disappointment will all be part of these remembering wide open since people were continually making and then the realisation that we have endured, we have offerings to the god, but whenever there came a time of grown stronger and that we are still here, poised upon peace, the gates were at once closed. As we know the another year. Romans were continually fighting, it does not surprise

us to find that the gates of the temple were closed only The act of remembering lives lived is richest when read three times in seven hundred years.in books. It is captured in this repository that we call Literature. Literature is nothing but the grain of our lived As we approach 2018 we must look at it as a time of war, experience captured in words strung together a difficult time in the world as we know it today. People of powerfully enough to allow us to live lives again and every community are experiencing some tension or the again and understand from them. Literature allows us a other , all man made and all demanding of reflection. Our reflection that enhances our lives as human beings. It is gates must be open. We must use this time to make that one as-pect of life that makes our Janus experience choices, to remember , to act and to do this responsibly.richest. In the absence of reflection on lives in literature Everything is possible when we realise how far we have or reality, we miss the opportunity to be looking in come but there is the danger of imagining that EVERY opposite directions at the same time. We become one thing is possible and then we may become reckless and sided creatures and limit our human experiences. thoughtless and cruel and insensitive. We are human for Janus was worshiped on the Janiculum (Hill of Janus), a reason and that reason is to use our abilities wisely one of the seven hills on which Rome was built. Since he and well . To make choices that will sustain us in the was the God of Gates, all the gates of Rome were under Janus month next year so that when we look back , we his care, especially the archway through which the army are strengthened and purposeful. I hope you make a marched to war, and by which it returned. This archway choice in 2018 to never close your gates of op-portunity was afterwards replaced by a temple which was called to reflect, opportunity to read and engage with ideas and Janus Quadrifrons--that is, four-sided--because it was the opportunity to be kind. square. On each side of the building there were three windows and one door, making twelve windows and four

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Grounding education and learning in cultural ethos of India

Dr. Madhulika Sagaram is a researcher, educator, and artist working to improve quality of education for all children. Madhulika is the founder and president for Adhya Educational Society, a non –profit engaged in improving quality fo education in underserved government and private schools. Madhulika, is also the founder of Ajahn Books, Ajahn Education Foundation and AjahnCenter for Pedagogy. She works with a vision to develop research and development engaging with theory, practice and outreach of pedagogical perspectives in education across socio -cultural diversity in India and the world; the manifestation of VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM!.

Dr. Madhulika Sagaram

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In the modern world, education has come to be larger good; wellbeing and empathy, care is understood as implementation of curriculum as reserved for the select few who do not pose a content and corresponding to it, instruction as threat to him/her. This is just one aspect of long guidelines from a teacher to the learner. term issue, competition causes to lives of However, instruction is all about creating a children as well as the society at large.If the child learning environment where curriculum can be grows in an environment of compassion, love, interpreted in relation to experience and social acceptance, creativity and social responsibility, consciousness. On the same lines then, the child reflects the same into the curriculum becomes the ‘lived experience’ of the consciousness of the society.learner. Mere adaptation of western ideas and practices In contemporary times, Indian education has will be quite detrimental in the long run leading to been strictly limited to grades, competition and a a lack of progress in understanding and total abandonment of ethics and values rooted in developing pedagogy suitable to Indian contexts. the varied and diverse ways of life in Indian Children learn through observation of culture and ethos. Exams associated with a blind surroundings and from parents, peers, teachers evaluation do not result in understanding of and other people they meet! It is important for concepts or result in learning, leading to a teachers and parents and all adults interacting mismatch between qualification or grade with children to set suitable examples for them. acquired and actual learning skills. Authentic Children tend to focus on what an adult does assessment focused on the intensity and depth rather than what an adult says. Adults need to of the child’s engagement with life processes and align their intent, action and compassion learning is required. Such an approach will together when working with children. If adults are automatically contextualize learning to social ethical and rooted in cultural ethos, children and cultural way of life and thereby to values and imitating them will be ethical. There will not be a ethics rooted in the myriad Indian ways of life! requirement to teach ethics and value based

education separately and such separation is the It is imperative that we commit to creating crux of various distortions of collective learning spaces devoid of competition and strife. consciousness. We cannot be saying something Because of competition in learning situations, to children and doing something else! Nature has children start seeing all social situations as tests made children highly observant and keen and contests to be won. This tendency leads to imitators. It is of utmost importance that parents, skewed emotional development with a facilitators and teachers should work on transactional approach to life rather than a themselves and their conditioning. Unless that transformational one. As the child becomes a happens, ethics and values cannot be learned by young adult, he/she shows a lack of empathy the next generation. The scope for integrating towards other individuals, the community and Indian values and ethics lies in the realm of

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integrating lived experiences into classrooms of ethics and life that do not contribute or convert and by dissolving the boundaries between the into civic responsibility or engagement.school and the community!! We take our senses for granted and perceptions Learning of life processes and awareness about to be true all the time! Our senses and outward the connection between our inner world and the sensory perceptions can be used to enhance our external world must be the basis of engagement with our environments. All our understanding learning as ethics. It is imperative experiences emanate from within our being and that learners understand the basis of fear, guilt, our limited sensory perceptions can become s h a m e a n d d i s a p p o i n t m e n t , g r i e f , barriers that can cloud clarity, originality and untruthfulness, and finally the illusion of authenticity. It is very important that our senses separateness created by the mind (intellect and and their perceptions must be clearly senses). understood to engage them appropriately in

living and learning environments. Modern education is engaging intellect in the process of learning through words, but the Everything inside of us humans, all our thoughts, learning of ethics also pertains to the domains of emotions, perceptions, memories i.e. all our lived senses, intelligence of the body and human experience is auditioning for our attention. consciousness. Sensory perceptions and lived Whatever experience is generated in terms of experiences cannot be turned into words, it is emotion, thought, memories; all of it is inside us these lived experiences that create the and in relation to external stimulus. What we pay framework for learning of ethics in any cultural attention to will grow and manifest; what we context. For example, a story about a child withdraw our attention from will wane and helping an old man can never substitute the lived disappear. It is essential that children master experience of a child helping an old man in a real- their attention and learn to focus on life, life situation. In the former, the child may or may compassion, love, kindness, interconnectivity in not imagine the experience because the the world and a sense of purpose, and they will description is out of their experience but when have mastered their mind (intellect and senses). one really becomes a part of the lived This constitutes real education where values and experience, the memory and emotion of that ethics will not have to be taught separately as moment lingers forever. In accepting that lived another discipline or subject. They will have to be experience can be turned into words, the current learned through lived experiences at school, education system in India is focused on home and other environments of engagement.theoretical engagement and superficial learning ¡¡¡


RECIPES

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Swad Chakras

SERVES 4 to 6

THESE disc-shaped almond enriched savoury corn cakes are an irresistible temptation. They recall the sansar chakra—the eternal cycle of birth, death and rebirth caused by karma. Transcend the tasty temptation if you can.

INGREDIENTS

Fresh corn on the cob / canned sweet corn kernels ~ 2 / 350 gm / 12 oz

Almonds ~ 4

Garlic clove ~ 1

Onion, chopped coarsely ~ 1

Coriander powder ~ 1 tsp / 5 gm

Vegetable oil ~ 2-3 tbsp / 30-45 ml

Gram flour ~ 45 gm / 1½ oz

Coconut, desiccated ~ 2 tbsp / 30 gm / 1 oz

Spring onions, finely shredded ~ 2

Celery leaves, finely shredded (optional)~ a few

Salt to taste

Deep-Fried Corn Cakes

These recipes have been reproduced with the kind consent and courtesy of Roli Books Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, from their book ‘Buddhist Peace Recipes’, authored by Pushpesh Pant.

STARTERS

METHOD

Ÿ Cook the corn on the cob in boiling water for 7-8 minutes. Drain, cool and, strip the kernels from the cob. If using canned kernels, drain them well.

Ÿ Grind the almonds, garlic, onion, and coriander to a fine paste in a food processor. Heat a little oil and fry the paste until it exudes the typical aroma.

Ÿ Add the aromatic paste to the gram flour and make a batter of coating consistency. Add the coconut, spring onions, celery leaves, and salt.

Ÿ Heat the remaining oil in a shallow-frying pan. Drop large spoonfuls of batter into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden. Turn the fritters over and cook until golden brown and crispy. Cook in small batches. Serve hot.

MAIN COURSE

combining protein-rich tofu with vegetables providing Piyadassi Purnahara the bounty of vitamins and roughage.

INGREDIENTSFirm tofu, cubed ~ 275 gm / 9 ozSERVES 4Cumin powder ~ 2 tsp / 10 gmPIYADASSI means pleasant to look at and this, Paprika ~ 1 tbsp / 10 gmindeed, is a dish beautiful without compare. What is Ginger, ground ~ 1 tsp / 5 gmmore it is purnahara (a perfectly balanced meal)

Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables with Tofu

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Cayenne pepper ~ a good pinchCaster sugar ~ 1 tbsp / 15 gmVegetable oil for frying ~ ¼ cup / 60 mlGarlic cloves, crushed ~ 2Spring onions, sliced thinly ~ 1 bunchRed and yellow bell pepper, deseeded, sliced ~ 1 eachBrown-cap mushrooms, halved~ 250 gm / 8 ozCourgette, large, sliced ~ 1French beans, stringed, cut into large pieces ~ 115 gm / 4 ozWalnuts ~ 1 tbsp / 15 gmLime juice ~1 tbsp / 15 mlClear honey ~1 tbsp / 15 ml

METHOD

Ÿ Mix together the cumin, paprika, ginger, cayenne pepper, and caster sugar with plenty of seasoning. Coat the tofu with this spice mixture.

stir-fry the garlic and spring onions for 3 minutes. Ÿ Heat a little oil in a preheated wok or a large frying Add the remaining vegetables and stir-fry over

pan. Cook the tofu over high heat for 3-4 minutes, medium heat for 6 minutes, or until the vegetables turning occasionally. Take care not to break up the begin to soften and turn golden. Season well.tofu too much. Remove with a slotted spoon. Wipe

Ÿ Return the tofu to the pan. Add walnuts, lime juice, dry the wok or pan with paper towel.and honey. Heat and serve.

Ÿ Add a little more oil to the wok or frying pan and

Tejomay

FRUITS and nuts are considered the light foods—best source of nourishment that purify the system and hone discriminating intelligence. This dessert is truly tejomay (incandescent).

SERVES 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS

For the almond jelly:METHODMilk ~ 1 cup / 250 ml / 8 fl ozŸ For the almond jelly, boil the milk with sugar and Sugar ~ 75 gm / 2½ oz

set aside to cool.Agar-agar ~ 1 tbsp Ÿ Mix agar-agar with lukewarm water and stir into the

milk.Almond essence ~ ½ tbspŸ Add the almond essence and place the mixture to Kiwi, medium ~ 1

set in the deep freezer. Remove when set.Papaya ~ 30 gm / 1 oz

Ÿ Cut all the fruits and the set almond jelly into small Watermelon ~ 30 gm / 1 oz pieces in desired shapes.

Ÿ Pour the sugar syrup over the cut fruits.Strawberries ~ 3-4Ÿ Serve cold, garnished with blades of lemon grass Sugar syrup ~ ½ cup / 125 ml / 4 fl oz

or any colourful flower.

Almond Jelly with Fresh Fruits

DESSERTS

SHUN PLASTIC EVENT

SHUN PLASTIC EVENT

8th dec '17 district governer's...

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