In This Issue

Pg. 1

Project Snegidhi & Project Uplift

Pg. 2

World Aids Day

Pg. 3 & 4

PMF Report & Gallery

Pg. 5

Forthcoming events and RCMC

News

21st Nov. 2011 (10 AM to 1 PM) - Project Snegithi

Mrs.Krishna Iyyer, the renowned professional Counselor of REACH OUT, an NGO

has sensitized 72 students of class XI at Govt Higher Secondary School, Okkiyam

Thoraipakkam on protecting themselves against sexual advances & HIV. Once she

established a comfort level with the girls, she was able to pass on the message to them

effortlessly. It was a surprise that the students have opened up their problems to her

without any reservations. With her experience and professionalism, Mrs.Krishna Iyyer

has handled the delicate subject at ease and gave the students simple but very powerful

tips. The Head Master and the teachers felt that those tips would be a life time gift to

the students.

21st Nov. 2011 (2 PM to 5 PM) - Project Uplift The Head Master of Govt Higher Secondary School, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam had

requested us to take up this project for the 10th

and 12th

standard students as many of

them are from very poor family background and have not been able to concentrate on

their studies. RCMC also felt the need to provide necessary tools and apt training to

“UPLIFT” these under-privileged students. x

THE CONCH (For Private Circulation Only)

Fortnightly bulletin

Rotary Club of Madras Coromandel-RI Dist.3230

Club No: C0000 26227 Chartered on: 23rd

Feb’89

Issue Date: 15th

December 2011

Mr.Venkat, Asst. Director of MAX Academy for Excellence mesmerized 75 Students (both the boys and girls) of

12th

Standard with his humour and “easy to practice” scientific techniques that would enormously help the students

to excel in studies and score high marks, effortlessly. Mr.Venkat‟s training has also dealt with self confidence,

concentration techniques, study planning, memory techniques and motivation to set lofty goals. The Head Master

and the teachers were so impressed with the result that they want us to conduct this programme for other students as

well.

Snegidhi Govt school-21st Nov Govt School upliftment

Dec 1, World AIDS Day

On 1st December, 2011, the Rotary Club of Madras Coromandel together with Nalamdana had conducted special programs

and activities on HIV & AIDS in two of the local schools namely: Avvai Home and Government Higher Secondary school

Thoraipakkam and one college - Dr.M.G.R.Janaki College of Arts & Science for Women.

Programs at the schools

At both the schools, Nalamdana‟s three-in-one jigsaw puzzle was used to facilitate discussion on HIV & AIDS. Before

commencing the session, a pre-questionnaire was administered to the students to asses the knowledge level on HIV/AIDS.

The pre-assessment showed that majority of the students‟ had low level of awareness on issues related to HIV/AIDS.

The students were split into groups and were given three set of puzzles addressing on the modes of transmission, prevention

and misconceptions on HIV. Representatives from each group presented the puzzle to the rest of the group and following this

activity, basics of HIV was taught to the students. A total of 120 interact students were covered through these sessions. 60

students from the 11th grade attended this session at Avvai home and 60 students from the 8

th grade both boys & girls were

present at Thoraipakkam site.

Dr.M.G.R Janaki Arts & Science College for Women

Nalamdana‟s short video film title “Azhage vaa” and the African animated film “The story of BoBo” on HIV & AIDS was

screened for the 120 Rotaract Club students on the World AIDS Day.

Pre & Post questionnaire was administered to assess the knowledge level of the students on HIV prior to the session and also

after the session. Some of the findings showed that most of the students had misconceptions on HIV and AIDS prior to our

session.

Post film screening, the students interacted with the facilitator and discussed issues related to HIV and AIDS.

TV Telecast: Nalamdana‟s short video advertisement on “Safe sex” was telecasted 20 times throughout the day in

the Tamil TV news channel - Pudhiya Thalaimurai.

Radio Broadcast: Two of Nalamdana‟s radio jingles titled “Nambikaiyudan Vazhvom” and “ Thottathan

pathikaadhu…” was broadcasted throughout the day in the leading FM Radio channel -Suryan FM.

Live drama performance - A full length drama on HIV & AIDS was staged for the in-patients & the caregivers at

the open air auditorium, Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine, Tambaram Sanatorium at 5.30 pm. Some of

the patients participated in the pre-play entertainment. Around 150 people were reached through this performance.

Role play - A 30 minutes role-play was performed at the ART O.P centre and before the ART female wards,

Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine, Tambaram during the morning hours. Counsellors and dietician from

the campus were also involved in the program. A total of 120patients and the caregivers watched this roving

performance.

5 Dec 2011 Press Release

ROTARY CLUB OF MADRAS COROMANDEL

“Music Technology and the Differently Abled”

3 December 2011, World Disabled Day, was commemorated by Rotary club of Madras Coromandel who dedicated

the day as a day of music since music is entertainment, therapy and creativity benefited by and benefiting technology.

Three events marked the day – CarnaTech between 10 am to 1 pm, Parallel Music Fest between 3 pm to 5 pm and

Karnamrit, a Carnatic concert between 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm by Smt. Ranjani and Smt Gayatri who volunteered to

perform in aid of the visually challenged – all the events at The Music Academy Main Hall.

Our associates for the day, Carnatica webcast all the events live on www.carnatica.net and Sankara TV covered the

proceedings of CarnaTech.

CarnaTech, the brainchild of K.N.Shashikiran, was a three pronged event bringing together tradition, modernity, and

technology in the most innovative way. “It is a tribute to the genius who brought in aesthetics to computing; the

one who always thought differently and revolutionized the way people work - Steve Jobs”, observed Shri

Shashikiran, in his opening address.

1. Presentation by eminent artistes

The following presentations were made in the CarnaTech Session:

Technological milestones in Carnatic music-Sridharan Shankaran

Carnatic music learning on line pros and cons with a live teaching session online- Neyveli

Santhanagopalan

Multimedia and web portals in carnatic music- Some Challenges - Ramanathan Iyer

Digital Tanpura-V.Shankaranarayanan

2. CaranaTechie Talent

The session had performances by employees of the Corporate World who have been selected by

conducting auditions live and online.

A first ever virtual quiz-CARNATIQ (I)nternet (Q)uiz, open to all, to fans across the World, was conducted and

streamed online with five teams participating in the finals. It was moderated by Sriranjani Santhanagoplan.

The winners got a prize worth Rs.2500, the Runners up Rs.1500 and Rs.1000.

CDs would be given to people who participated online, for every right answer they gave.

In the Rasikas round, each right answer was rewarded with a cash prize of Rs.100

To RCMC, the day had a very special significance. The day is being celebrated by RCMC every year as Parallel

Music Fest with the patronage of Shri N. Murali of The Hindu and with Airtel as the title sponsors. This year, at

the event “Music for and by Differently Abled” Shri Guruvayoor Durai was conferred the title – Distinguished

Differently Abled Artiste. It was followed by a vocal concert by Prof. P.P. Ramakrishnan, a visually challenged

disciple of late M.D. Ramanathan. As in the past, the Club also felicitated the Sangita Kalanidhi designate of 2011,

Mridanga Vidwan Dr. Trichy Sankaran. In his absence, the plaque was received by his grandson, Sivasubramanyan.

“Karnamrit”- a fund raiser concert by Ranjani- Gayatri was the last event. The illustrious sisters volunteered to

perform for the cause of the visually challenged. They started the concert with a varnam in Begada. After

elaborating the krithi Pahi Jagajanani in Raga Vachaspathi, they rendered their piece de resistance a Ragam, Thanam,

Pallavi in Karna Ranjani. The pallavi aptly chosen for the occasion was also rendered in raga malika. The abang

“Dhanya dhanya hey tey shareera”was a fitting finale to the 2.5 hrs concert. The audience gave a standing ovation to

the artistes after the mangalam.

Photo Gallery…….

Weekly Meeting – FAMILY QUIZ – Dec 11

This was one such Sunday when RCMC members gathered in good numbers alongwith Anns and annets - for a

FAMILY QUIZ conducted by our own Quiz Master Rtn P S Suresh, ably assisted by his entire family Ann

Aruna & Annets Anjana & Sanjana.

A BUMPER Special Breakfast was sponsored by Rtn PP Pandu, on the occasion of completing 20 years in

RCMC!! A very big „Thanks‟ to Pandu!! We wish you many more years in RCMC!!

After an initial few minutes of chaos, the crowd was divided into 5 teams and once we settled, Suresh went thru

the 5 rounds of Questions with aplomb. Other than the customary audio round, there was also a Rotary round to

test our knowldege about the movement. The teams did well to outshine each other in their decibel levels . The

team comprising of Rtn Brajesh, Rtn MRN, Rtn Anand, Rtn srini & Ann Viji emerged winners of the Quiz.

The quiz was preceded by a short presentation on the World Aids Day events that RCMC and Nalamdana did

jointly.

The day was special since we also had 2 guests, Mr Krishnan & Mr.Sashikiran(of CARNATICA.COM), both

prospective members of RCMC. Mr.Krishnan has decided to join RCMC, after having seen our club website and

being impressed with our activities and member spread! Kudos to Rtn V Subbu for keeping the website updated

with impressive content!

Forthcoming Events

9 am Sunday, 18th December, Boat Club - Annual Meeting to elect office bearers for

2012-2013

7 pm Friday, 23rd December, Family Fellowship at Cosmopolitan Golf Annexe,

Nandanam.

Editorial Team:

Ann Vijaya Kalyan

Rtn Raj Shankar & Ann Rekha Raj

Rtn V Subramanian

Reach us at:

F2, Nikhil Apartments

19 M.G. Road, Shastri Nagar,

Adyar, Chennai- 600 020

For information on Rotary International log on to:

www.rotary.org

For information on Rotary Club of Madras Coromandel log

on to:

www.rotarymadrascoromandel.com

CLUB MEETING:

The Club meets at the Boat Club

every Sunday at 9.00 am

OFFICE BEARERS 2011-12

President

Rtn PHF G. Balasubrahmanyan

Imm. Past President

Rtn PP PHF C. Perkinian

President Elect

Rtn PHF Dr. V. Jaisankar

Vice President

Rtn PP PHF S Ramanathan

Secretary

Rtn S. Suresh

Treasurer

Rtn S. Jayapandi

Sergeant-at-arms

Rtn PP PHF P.Thangamuthu

DIRECTOR

Club Service

Rtn V.Subramanian

Community Service - Health

Rtn PHF S.Anand

Community service - Development

Rtn PHF S.Anand

Vocational Service

Rtn PHF A.Anjaiah

International Service

Rtn PP PHF R Ravi

Club Advisor/Trainer

Rtn PP PHF N.Srinivasan

New Generation

Rtn Karthik Narayanan

CHAIRPERSON

Membership Development

Rtn PP PHF S .Ramanathan

Public Relations

Rtn R.Jeevanandham

Rotary Foundation

Rtn P.S.Suresh

Polio Plus

Rtn PP PHF Panduranga Rao

Fellowship

Rtn PP PHF.N Subramanian

Fund raising

Rtn O.S.Arun

Birthdays

Ann.Pushkala Ramakrishnan - Dec 25

Annet Jackson Visctor - Dec 31

No Wedding Anniversaries this fortnight!

No Wedding Anniversaries this fortnight!

Wedding Anniversary

Rtn Jaishankar & Ann Nalini Oct-24

Rtn Balasubramanyan & Ann Bharathi Oct-25

Rtn Raj Shankar & Ann Rekha Oct-28

RCMC News: Induction of New Member Major Balram

Maj Balram did his schooling from St Patricks Higher Secondary School, Asansol (West Bengal) and 11th and 12th from Jawahar Vidyalaya(Chennai). Completed graduation in Commerce from D G Vaishnav college(Chennai). Joined the Indian Army in June 1999 into 17th Battalion the Rajputana Rifles. Major served predominantly in Jammu and Kashmir. Left the Army in Jun 2007. Worked in ICICI Bank in Mumbai for a year and a half. He completed MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur in 2010. Presently working in MARG Ltd. As DGM - HR looking after Talent Management. Major‟s hobbies include running, yoga and reading.