NEW ARTICLE IN VIJYAKARNATAKA 26-5-10

Hello,

Here is a new article published in Vijaykarnataka. I have written about Swami Japananda who has been recognised for his yeoman service in providing healthcare to the rural poor through Swami Vivekananda Integrated Health Centre, which he founded in 1990. He has waged a crusade against leprosy, tuberculosis and blindness in Pavagada and Madhugiri taluks in Tumkur district and has shown the way for others. One should visit place to know the positive change he has brought in the mindsets of people, and the confidence he has instilled in them through his service.

S.SURESHKUMAR

AN INSTANCE OF MODEL ELECTION CONDUCT

Here is a story that is a reason to hope again. Sridhar is youth who hails from a hamlet named after “Sampige” in Turuvekere taluk of Tumkur district.

Sridhar has been a BJP activist for many years. In the recently concluded Gram Panchayat elections, his villagers asked him to contest and to represent them. He profusely rejected the offer. Villagers persuaded him to agree, as he has always worked for others’ success and it was his obvious turn to contest and emerge victorious.

Still Sridhar resisted. You know the reason? He was a man principally opposed to lavish spending.. and he does not own that much too. His villagers did not leave at that. They knew, here was a man who can make difference for them. They mentioned him that he need not spend a single paise, rather they will contribute for his elections and make him win. They wanted him to lead them. Reluctantly he agreed.

One fine day before elections, he was made to sit in the court yard of a temple in the in that hamlet. People thronged to the place and poured money before him. It was Rs.52500/- collected in a span of an hour. Yes, fifty two thousand and five hundred only .

Sridhar looked equanimous. He handed over the whole sum to an important person of the village. Now Sridhar’s job was just to visit the houses and seek votes and he did just that.

When the results came out, it was a thumping win all the way. He secured 880 out of 1020 votes polled. Margin of victory was more than 600 and the catch, it was just above Rs.7000/- that was spent for the election.

Now the village has decided to spend the remaining the whole of remaining Rs.45000/- to the village Jatra festival.

Is it not an instance of a model conduct? Is it not the thing hoped to be emulated everywhere?
Such methods surely can become antidotes to the present day electoral corruption.

CHILDREN OF THE POOR- THEY HAVE RIGHT TO LEARN TOO

Any government or a local body will always be engaged in developmental activities and so also infrastructure improvement. Now a days, development and infrastructure have come to mean to roads, flyovers, underpasses, metro, mono etc., They mean of course. But social obligation also matter.

Today, I want to share with you one of my dreams in the final step of its nearing. I always wanted the deprived children of urban slums to get the education on par with their counterparts of upper strata of society.

Initiative started two years back, is nearing its completion. Today, I have green signalled to start a state of the art CBSE syllabus school being built by BBMP at a cost of 2.85 crores in my constituency. Situated in Ambedkar Nagar- Ramakrishna sevanagar of Dayananda nagar ward of my constituency- one of the areas where most of the people are poor and ignorant sections, this school will be run under the aegis of able Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan who has been pioneer in the Education sector. Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan will be running a CBSE school with all the latest infrastructure like computer labs, science labs and etal stressing practical education. Co-curricular activities have also been planned to be provided. I have asked them to admit children from now itself, so the ensuing acedemic year should see the children learn here.

Once upon a time, not too long ago, there was an Education Minister of our state, who had infamously quoted to have said, " Education is not a productive sector".

Today we have made it productive of taking oath to crate bright and promising youngsters for the society from the backward areas too.

I only hope and wish this model collaboration be emulated elsewhere. In fact, I have requested Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan to extend their expertise to the downtrodden children of other cities too and initial visits have already been taken up by me and their representatives.

Is it not a news that gives hope?

PROGRESSIVE THINKING MAKES DIFFERENCE!

Sadananda- an enthusiast farmer has shown the way through multifarious activities in his 2.25 acre agriculture land. pisciculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, agriculture - all find the place in his tiny little farm. His is a quite successful story. He handsomely earns- 24 lacs per annum, and still has all the emotional serenity around him.

 

When I visited his small but highly productive farm, what awe-stuck me was the contentment on the faces of all of his family members. His story goes on to prove agriculture still has bright present and future too only if one cares and dedicates.

Agriculture, a primary and vital sector of our nation, to many of us alas, is no more glamorous. No farmer now a day wants his son to become farmer again. Instead he wouldn’t mind his son to take up the post of an attender, a lift operator, or a security personnel.

On the other hand, Sadananda’s is an astonishing story. Once an ordinary employee of Escorts limited, for 15 long years, Sadananda yearned to become a successful agriculturist. He quit his job to take up agriculture in his tiny farm. It was a decision strengthened by his dedication which led to single minded pursuit. His farm named after Laxmi Nursery is not a big one. Its only 2.25 acre extent and as tiny as that. He grows gold here literally. Ferocious dogs, well built sheep, beautiful hen, cultivated fish.. you  find them all here. It is a self sustained (in all respects) farm.

Sadananda’s success story is infectious. His son, himself a law graduate has also quit his field and jumped in to the fray and is actively involved in father’s success story.

One should visit this place of various innovations and experience a mood of self contentment. Tapasihalli, where this farm is situated is just 5 kms away from Dodaballapur . Surely, for me, it was a reason of hope.

NEW ARTICLE IN VIJAYKARNATAKA 12-05-2010

Hi,

Here is my new article appeared in today's Vijaykarnataka. I have spoken about the dire need of love in whatever we do. How an Organisation called Sriramaseva mandali in Chamarajpet of Bangalore is thriving for decades because of pure love of its organisors.. contrast how an organisation like IPL meets its dreadful fate when the founders use it for sheer lust and selfish motives. Pls readon

Regards,

S.Sureshkumar

ESSAY FROM A CHILD

A teacher from Primary School asks her students to write a essay about what they would like God to do for them...At the end of the day while marking the essays, she read one that made her very emotional.
Her husband, that had just walked in saw her crying and asked her: - What happened?
She answered - Read this essay. It's written by one of my students.

Oh God, tonight I ask you something very special: Make me into a television. I want to take its place. Live like the TV in my house. Have my own special place. And have my family around ME. To be taken seriously when I talk... I want to be the centre of attention and be heard without interruptions or questions. I want to receive the same special care that the TV receives when it is not working. Have the company of my dad when he arrives home from work, even when he is tired.
And I want my mom to want me when she is sad and upset, instead of ignoring me... And... I want my brothers to fight to be with me... I want to feel that family just leaves everything aside, every now and then, just to spend some time with me. And last but not least make it that I can make them all happy and entertain them...
Lord I don't ask you for much... I just want to live like every TV.
 
At that moment the husband said: - 'My God, poor kid. What horrible parents !!

She looked up at him and said: -
'That essay is our son's!!!