Success stories 2009-2010

SUCCESS STORIES

As Vidial has grown over the years, our definition of the term ‘success’ has considerably broadened in scope and we are extremely happy to have achieved measurable societal impact in our own little way. We are proud to present below some snapshots of our success stories over the academic year 2009-2010.

Scholarships:

Rajesh, from Chennai, who completed his Diploma this year, has got a job in Ashok Leyland. We have been supporting Rajesh for the past 2 years. One of our Vidial member’s friend Ms. Joy introduced Rajesh to us. He plans to save some of his earnings and use it for his future Studies.

Suresh, from Rajapalayam, who completed his Bachelors in Veterinary Science last year, had a double whammy this year. He got placed in Arokaya Dairy farms, Thuraiyur, Trichy district and then later in the year cracked the TNPSC Veterinary Sciences exam to obtain a state government posting. He has made us more proud by getting involved in ‘Helping Hands’ a grassroots social initiative in his school.

Nagalaxmi and Karthiga, our Chennai beneficiaries studying in Dr.M.G.R.Janaki Ammal College got selected in campus interview for CTS, in the Life science domain with a Project Executive designation.

Jayalakshmi, from Coimbatore, a very hard working and enthusiastic girl with a never-say-die attitude was bought to our attention by a friend of one of our members. Though she was not able to continue her education after 12th due to financial constraints, she was determined to move on. When we came to know about her, she was working in a factory and was eager to learn tools such as DTP and Tally to take up a reasonable clerical post. Vidial helped her to finish her DTP course. After that she wished to learn Tally, which we encouraged her to finance with her own resources and she successfully did. Now she is working in a clerical position in an automobile firm in Coimbatore.

Suganthapriya, from Coimbatore, had just joined B.Com when we came to know about her. Suganthapriya’s mother, the sole bread winner of the family, was doing odd jobs here and there to run the family afloat. We thought that it was appropriate that we support her. Members from our college chapter used to have constant touch with her and we supported her till she completed her Under Graduation this year. She has now got a job in a computer firm in Coimbatore.

Lakshmi from Nagercoil, was a very unique case of scholarship. Considering her father’s bedridden condition and family’s lack of income, her college had substantially reduced her fees for her B.E Computer Science course. But her family was unable to fund even this amount and given the subsidized arrangement, she could not get a bank loan. Vidial took up her case and now we are proud to know that she has got placed with a software firm for a salary of 10-12K per month.

Vivek, who completed his B.Com at Kumbakonam this year has got a job in Areva, Chennai. He is also trying to complete ICWA to enhance his career choices.

Rahul our beneficiary from Trichy, to whom we had provided partial financial assistance, got career placement in TCS on Feb 5th.

Miss.Nagalakshmi from Chennai got placed in DELL Perot systems. She is confident and determined enough to break the obstacles in her way to success.


Vidial Beneficiaries


Beneficiary Meets – We continued our regular and essential beneficiary meets in most our zones, especially Bangalore and Chennai. We tried our best to conduct lots of interactive games and exercises to provide more exposure to our beneficiaries and extend our relationship much beyond simple financing measures. Some of these included memory games, Pictionary, food chart games etc to provide a more holistic learning experience. We also arranged for sessions with external speakers such as Mr.Elango, a pioneering grassroots reformer from Kuthambakkam near Chennai.

ARAVANAIKUM ANBU ILLAM – As expressed earlier, we have had some practical issues in continuing with our daily activities in the Aravanaikkum Anbu Illam.. However we would definitely try our best to keep alive our ties and bonds with the Ilam and one such initiative is the periodic programs in Illam kids. What was most special about this was the below events were organized and conducted for a great extent by the Illam students themselves,guided by vidial members and headed by Satheish one of our initial beneficiaries


PARTNERSHIPS:

A very positive step in the partnerships space was our arrangement with the holistic grassroots movement Village Youth Social Welfare Organization (VYSWO) based out of Somanahalli, Dharmapuri district. They are involved in a wide range of initiatives in the region and we have pledged our support to their educational initiatives. To start with, we agreed to support 10 of their students for a sum of Rs.21000. These are students spread across various age groups in school with strong motivations to excel. We view our current initiatives with VYSWO only as a starting step and hope to take it to much higher levels over the coming years.

Illam Games, 15th November

On 15th November, games were conducted for the Children at Anbu illam, Coimbatore.

In Ocotber, CIT management exprressed concerned over the security of CIT students visting Anbu Illam on a daily basis. Hence the daily tutions session to Illam has come to a halt.

Though this happened Vidial didn't want to break their relationship with Illam which has been going on for 4 years, a venture which has inspired us pretty much. Hence Vidial members who have passed out from CIT are taking turns to organize games for the illam Students whenever possible.This was the first occurance of that initiative.

Though things started only after 2.30 pm on that sunday, things went on quite well. For this event some students from Illam were invloved in the planning and co-ordination. The response from them was nice and it was a nice learning experience for all. We could see how some of them have matured over the years and there are some fruits of labor from 4 years of association with Anbu illam.

Believe Pictures speak more than words, kindly see the below picasa album to feel what happened on the day.

Illam Games - Nov 15, 2009

Congrats Suresh & Vivek

Something to cheer about.

Suresh, whom we were helping till 2007 and was working in Arokiya Diary farms at Thuraiyur, has cleared TNPSC interview and has got the job of Junior Assistant Veterinary Surgeon. It seems he will be given the posting and training about a month from now. Suresh has started an initiative called 'Helping Hands', along with his friends from Rajaplayam, through which he is determined to do some good things, financially and mentoring, in the school he has studied.

Vivek, who completed his B.Com at Kumbakonam this yeas has got a job in Areva, Chennai. He is also trying to complete ICWA which would enhance his career choices.

Vidial team congratulates Suresh & Vivek and wishes them success in their future endeavors.

We also would like to thank all hearts who contributed to Vidial and played a role in lives of Suresh and Vivek.

Our partnership with VYSWO

We are extremely pleased to share our new partnership with Village Youth Social Welfare Organization (VYSWO). Mr.Murugan and his enthusiastic team founded an organization in 1994 for the improvement of their village Somanhalli, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. The registered as an Organization, under Societies act, in 2000. VYSWO executes social welfare schemes in different areas, more details can be found in their website http://vyswo.com/.

During the early part of this year, Vidial came in touch with VYSWO. During the month of May, our members, Amresh, Bharat and Swaminathan got a first hand view of VYSWO's activities at Somanhalli. They were pretty much impressed by the things happening there. We got the chance of interacting with VYSWO during the Theasthirku Thol Kodu program which we held in April. We were impressed by our experiences with them and were looking forward to work with them.

Mr.Murugan gave us a perfect opportunity by asking whether we chip in the area of education, which we readily agreed. After that he came out with a request for scholarship for a set of students. After various discussions, Vidial took up the responsibility of supporting 10
students for their education.

The details of the students whom Vidial have taken up is as follows,

S.no	Name	Class	School	Ambition
1	Mullaiventhan	IX	Govt Higher Sec School, Thirumalvadi	IAS
2	Thenmozhi	IX	Govt Higher Sec School, Thirumalvadi	Teacher
3	Suguna	VIII	Panchayat Union Middle school, Beluhalli	Teacher
4	Vanitha	IX	Govt Higher Sec School, Thirumalvadi	Doctor
5	Chinnadurai	IX	Govt Higher Sec School, Thirumalvadi	Police
6	Palani	VI	Panchayat Union Middle school, Beluhalli	Police
7	Anupriya	VI	Panchayat Union Middle school, Beluhalli	Doctor
8	Kalaivani	IX	Govt Higher Sec School, Thirumalvadi	Doctor
9	Deepa	IX	Govt Higher Sec School, Thirumalvadi	IAS
10	Kaaturaja	IX	Govt Higher Sec School, Thirumalvadi	Police

We can assure you that the each of these students are deserved candidates. Considering the sensitivity of the information, we are unable to share them. Hope you can understand the situation.

The budget of this endeavor stands at Rs.21,000 for this year (May 2009 - April 2010). Apart from this we are also considering other projects with VYSWO. We will keep you posted regarding the same.

Vidial team takes this opportunity to thank VYSWO for providing us this opportunity and all our donors for making this possible.

Chennai & Bangalore Beneficiary meets

In the month of July, Beneficiary meets were held at Chennai & Bangalore by Vidial.

It was a day long fun filled event at Cubbon Park, Bangalore. Various activities in Bangalore meet were as follows,

• Team split & Introduction
• Know the Fruits and Veggies + Clay modeling
• Lunch
• House game
• Pictionary - One from each team has to draw and show some simple items and other team members have to identify the same.
• Memory game - Ten items were displayed, 20 secs given to the teams for memorizing the items and 20secs to rename them.
• Snacks time
• Food Chart - To create awareness among the kids about the importance of good food
• Chart signed with thumb impressions by all participants

The Chennai meet took place on the same day at Gandhi Mandapam, Adayar, Chennai. The meet began at 3.30 pm and winded up by 6.00 pm. The number of children whom we support is comparatively large at Chennai and hence the could not be held for a full day.

At the same time Onus should not be taken away from the Bangalore team, which had a more clinical performance. Our Chennai team is eagerly awaiting for the next beneficiary meet to showcase their ability.

The various activities of Chennai meet as below,

• Prayer song – “ Manathil Uruthi Vendum”
• Team Introduction - Name telling game – all the participants tell their name first and person who identifies another randomly pointed stays on. A nice and simple to know about others with fun.
• Couple of Games which involved team work
• Elango Anna ‘s Speech about Importance of Village Development.

Though Chennai meet was short, it was a sweet one and people had good memories to carry when they parted ways at the end of the day.

The impact of Elango na's speech was seen when Dhivya, studying 7th Standard, remarked that "From this I see that we can develop our country by doing small things in our to day lives."

You can view some of the photos taken during the meet in the below Picasa album.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Vidial/ChennaiBangaloreBeneficiaryMeets2009#


We sincerely apologize for the communication lapses from our side. We don 't want to provide excuses, going forward we will strive more to provide proper communication.

One of the decision taken during our Annual meet at Coimbatore, during August was to provide more transparency. In the coming weeks you would receive further communication from us regarding the details of the students we support, our finance data, etc.

We would be extremely happy and glad if we you can let us know regarding what kind of updates you would like to receive.

Happy to share this Joyous moment

Happiness is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
- Helen Keller

We believe you are reading this because both of us believe in these words uttered by Helen Keller.

At Vidial, we are trying our best to move in a direction which is worthy of its purpose. A direction, we hope which might bring dawn to at least few people, if not many.

We are extremely, happy, elated and proud to say that four of the persons whom Vidial has supported got jobs.

Rajesh, from Chennai, who completed his Diploma this year, has got a job in Ashok Leyland. We have been supporting Rajesh for the past 2 years. One of our Vidial member’s friend Ms. Joy introduced Rajesh to us. He plans save some of his earnings and use it for his future Studies.

Suresh, from Rajapalayam, who completed his Bachelors in Veterinary Science last year, was preparing for Civil Services and TNPSC exams. He gave his best and is waiting for the results. He considered it wise to use this waiting period purposefully and has joined Arokaya Dairy farms, Thuraiyur, Trichy district. Though he is working, he is continuing to prepare for his civil service exams and is determined to crack it. Jeeva, Suresh’s college senior, bought to our notice that Suresh required help in late 2006. Being the eldest son of the family, it was extremely important for Suresh to complete his education and to take care of his mother and two younger brothers. We decided it is extremely vital to support him and started our association with him in 2006 and supported him till he completed his college.

Jayalakshmi, from Coimbatore, a very hard working and enthusiastic girl with a never-say-die attitude was bought to our attention by a friend of one of our members. She is one of those persons who plans and thinks about the future despite the hardships currently faced in life. Though she was not able to continue her education after 12th due to financial constraints, she was determined to move on. At the point of time when we came to know about her, she was working in a factory and was eager to learn tools such as DTP and Tally to take up a reasonable clerical post. Vidial helped her to finish her DTP course. She started this course with right earnest and completed in quick time. After that she wished to learn Tally, which she thought will give her an edge to secure a clerical post. Since she was already working, we encouraged her to manage it with her own savings and her known sources, which she successfully did. Now she is working in a clerical position in an automobile firm in Coimbatore.

Suganthapriya, from Coimbatore, had just joined B.Com when we came to know about her. Suganthapriya’s mother, the sole bread winner of the family, was doing odd jobs here and there to run the family afloat. We thought that it was appropriate that we support her. Members from our college chapter used to have constant touch with her and we supported her till she completed her Under Graduation this year. She has now got a job in a computer firm in Coimbatore.

It would not be fair on our part to say that we mentored these people and were with them all the way long during their journey, but we are proud to be associated and contributing a little for these persons, who have worked the hard way around to start a journey that will bring stability and prosperity to them and their family.

We congratulate them for their persistent hard work and wish them success in their life.

We also thank everyone who have Vidial in all possible ways, be it physically, emotionally or financially. Though you may not have been involved directly with these aspirants, certainly your contribution is one of the reasons for beautiful and joyous moment.

Thesathirku Thol Kodu - First-hand account by Santhakumari

Our member Santhakumari gives an account of Elango na’s speech during Thesathirku Thol Kodu

I was very much inspired by Mr.Elango Rangaswamy's speech.

He inspired one and all using the story of his life. He talked about the topics

1) How he became a Panchayat leader?

2) What were the factors which affected him?

3) Who all inspired him?

His speech was very uplifting. To put in the words of Parthi anna, Elango anna is a "Yatharthawathi" (Practical person). He is a real hero. Gandhi's dream of village development has been achieved in Kuthambakkam by Elango Anna. Each and every cell in his body talks about strengthening the panchyats (local self governance). If someone really wants to do something for this society, he/she has to start from the bottom. Without developing/working in the villages, we cannot bring the changes in India.

Kuthambakkam --- the name itself contains "Kuttram" due to liquor addiction of men. Around 95% of men in this village were addicted to alcohol. The main job of men in this village was "sarayam kaachuthal" or 'distilling illicit liquor'. Most of them regularly beat their wife and children. There is also a rigid caste system in the village. This scenario affected anna's heart very deeply. After Anna's hard work in the village, around 85% men have come out of that work.

Anna is a B.E graduate and got a good job as a scientist (He first worked in ONGC and later CSIR). He quit his job in 1993and came to the village. He contested in Panchayat election in 1996 and won. He then started planning his schemes and working towards them. Now in Kuthambakkam, each house has toilet facility, good water, roads and other basic needs for life. There is great progress on rain water harvesting also. He did not stop here. The above things were not enough for the people of the village. There had to be a constant source of family income to run their lives.

Elango anna started small economical activities in village like a rice mill (Kuthambakkam - 3 pogam nellu vilayum bhoomi. i.e. harvest takes place thrice a year), weaving, burner unit, soap unit, oil unit etc. All this generated employment especially for women who also handled heavy machines. Anna made the people develop with "dignity”. The school he started there is running smoothly. It is a middle school and teachers are very happy to work there.

Samathuvapuram - This idea was proposed by Elango anna. Mr.Karunanidhi, the then chief minister of Tamilnadu liked this concept very much and extended this idea to all of Tamilnadu. (Thesathirku Thol Kodu took place in the Samathuvapuram only).

Now his prime focus is development of students, women empowerment, solid waste management and tree plantation. He has made Kuthambakkam a model village. One of the most noticeable outcomes of his work is the Panchayat academy. It’s a training centre for Panchayat leaders, women's self help groups etc

Anna expressed some interesting thoughts about the program "Thesathirku thol kodu". The majority of participants were vibrant youth. The average of people age is around 30.

I want to tell in his words:

'Oru village or town or city nu illama Desathiku thol kodu kka nu teams vanthu irukkanga.Desam engira periya visaythukkaga work panna youth people Entha alavukku commitment oda irukka poreenga?' At what level you are ready to sacrifice? Sacrificing your job, your parents and your loved ones?

Anna told one good folk story, which we all know, but don’t introspect.

பறவைகள் சில இரை தேடச் சென்றன.
வேடன் ஒருவன் வலை விரித்துக் காத்திருந்தான்.
பறவைகளுக்கு இரைகள் தெரிந்தது, வலை தெரியவில்லை.
இரை தின்பதற்கு முயன்றப் பொழுது வலையில் சிக்கிக் கொண்டன அவை.
வலை விரிக்கிப்பட்டது விதி, மாட்டிக்கொண்டதும் விதி.

எப்படி மீண்டெழுவது? நமது நாட்டின் நிலமையும் இது தான் அன்றோ?

பறைவகளின் தலைவன் சொன்னது, "கால்கள் தானே அகப்பட்டுக் கொண்டன, சிறகுகள் இல்லையே?"

பறைவகளுக்கு தெளிவு பிறந்தது, பறந்தன், நன்றாய் வாழ்ந்தன.

நாம்?

Reg. commitment anna told one good sentence:

Vidhai(seed) entha alavukku thannai mannil pinaithu kolkiratho antha alavukku maramaga marugirathu.(The tree is as strong as the bond created by the seed with the soil) how much committed are we? On the second day of the program Anna stressed that ‘if you are working towards your goals, it’s well and good. Do not be too much concerned about the success of your efforts’.

All in all each and every minute spent with Elango anna was a liberal education on a gamut of topics ranging from grassroots development to rural empowerment. We were very fortunate to hear the first hand experiences of such a pioneer in rural governance. And it has certainly rubbed a lot of positive energy into all of us.