MADESNANA RITUAL - THE CIVILISED SOCIETY NEEDS INTROSPECTION

The MADESNANA ritual is the most talked issue these days. The recently concluded legislative session also had a hot debate . An article of mine appears in today's Kannada Prabha which throws light on the need for checking these kinds of social evils before which a consensus must reach between every one who is party to it.

Pls read and I wish to know your comments.

S.SURESH KUMAR

A little effort to restore faith in the system

The 10th October last, I had attended the world health day programme organised by NIMHANS, an institution of great repute. In fact, I had  represented the Chief Minister, who deputed me on this assignment. The registrar, Dr Ravi while rendering his vote of thanks had come up with a request. He had put forth an appeal for a shuttle bus service between Victoria Hospital and NIMHANS touching Kidwai, Jaideva and Govt Hospitals that would cater to the need of hundreds of weary Patients.

I assured the Hospital that their truly essential request will be met as early as possible. In the meanwhile, I had taken up the matter with the transport department. And today, I was glad to be a part of the function to flag off that service. My efforts have indeed yielded results. Two brand new buses started their shuttle service between all these hospitals from today.

I could see happiness and little disbelief on the faces of those present in that small, yet meaningful function. Their mixed feelings had a reason too. After all, the universal acceptance of definition of a politician being 'one who shakes your hands before elections and shakes your confidence after elections’ obviously would not have given them sweet feelings.  


This day was different. A promise was met to everyone’s satisfaction.My colleague and Transport minister Mr Ashok and myself inaugurated  the service by helping the patients and children to board in to the buses.. I thank the BMTC for responding to my desire. It was a little effort of trying to restore people's faith on the system. It made  my day.

- S.SURESHKUMAR

CHILDRENS DAY AN EVENT TO RELISH

Sirigere is a tiny village in Chitradurga District. It is a well-known place in our Karnataka, as a religious spot, thanks to immense societal initiatives of Sri Taralabalu Mutt. The pontiff Dr. Shivamurthy Shivacharya Maha swamy, who heads the religious institution, is a university by himself thanks to the enormous literary achievements of him. The mutt runs numerous educational Institutions, especially in Rural Karnataka.  It is a real yeomen service to the rural poor families, whose children are being given quality education, more so the value based education.

Yesterday being former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Birthday, which is observed all over the country as Children’s Day because of Nehru’s immense love and affection for the children, I was invited to a function organised by ‘SRI JAGADGURU TARALABALU MUTT’. It was truly a programme with a difference. It was Of the children, By the children and For the Children anyway. The Dignitary who presided over the entire function was Ku. Manvitha B Patil.

Who is this person?  It is interesting to know that this very young dignitary is a 6^th standard student in Sirigere’s Higher Primary School.  How she was selected?  In a debate competition held exclusively to select the right person to chair this November-14 occasion, she was the victor. And her victory was really, really, well deserved.

The whole audience consisting children, their Parents and Teachers, were flowered by this young lady’s oratory when without an iota of any sort of inhibitions, Chi Manvitha narrated the purpose of the Childerns Day, and also highlighted in Nehruji’s life in a wonderful manner.

I must have been a witness to nearly thousands of welcome speeches in all my working years, but it was the little girl “PRAKRUTHI’ another 6^th standard student who brought life and meaning to the Welcome Speech, which otherwise will normally be lifeless and just ritualistic. 

I must appreciate that the Talents exhibited by those rural students were in no way inferior to any of our sophisticated, so called 5 star schools.

And the way in which Swamiji who had his education in Vienna (Germany) about 3 decades back, connected himself to the children was something marvellous.  He sang a Nursery Rhyme in German language as he cherished the sweet memories of those 30 years. He translated it to Kannada too, for us to relish.

Yes! It was a children’s Day in the real sense, For the Children, Of the children and By the children. My best wishes for all those young, talented, disciplined students of those rural schools of quality managed by the great Sri Jagadguru Taralabalu Vidya Samsthe. My heartfelt salutes to Swamiji.

-

-         S.Sureshkumar

A PHILANTHROPHIC ACT BY SRI HS DORESWAMY- AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SET THINGS RIGHT!

Every Bangalorean knows about Sri HS Doreswamy the nonagenarian freedom fighter. This most adorable person is one of the conscience keepers of our society. Even at this age of early Nineties, his daily schedule will put many a youngster into shame. Gandhian in true spirit, his righteous anguish filled actions give hope for many.

I had the opportunity of meeting him a couple of days back at my residence. He had brought an unusual issue to me about which he was emotionally very much disturbed. He desired to set right a wrong committed for which her required my intervention.

His elder brother HS Seetharam was also a veteran freedom fighter. In fact, he was one of the first Mayors of Bangalore City, in early nineteen fifties. His son Sri Srinivas had the passion for Bonsai plants and had cultivated nearly a thousand beautiful Bonsai trees. When he thought that these trees for which he had given his life, can be more suitably and safely sheltered in Lal Bagh, he donated these valuable trees worth few lakhs to Horticulture Department. His simple desire was that this Bonsai Park at Lal Bagh be named after his parents. In 2002 in a function held in the presence of the then Minister for Horticulture Sri M Shivanna, a foundation Stone was laid naming the park as HS Seetharam - Padmavathamma memorial Bonsai Park. Srinivas who was popular as Bonsai Srinivas was nominated as the Advisor for this Bonsai Park too. After all this, Srinivas had left for US to stay along with his only son. After his return some time back, he has visited Lalbagh. Only to his chagrin he has found that the Foundation Stone depicting the name of the Bonsai Park after his Parents name had been unceremoniously removed and it was nowhere to be found.

Sri Doreswamy who visited me, expressed his strong displeasure about  the utter disregard shown for this act of philanthropy. Yesterday, I personally paid a visit to Lalbagh and inspected. Sri HS Doreswamy, Bonsai Srinivas, Director of Horticulture and officers were with me. All of us felt the need to take the necessary corrective step immediately. This visit was followed by a meeting in which Minister for Horticulture was also present. We resolved that the foundation stone shall be restored and the park shall be named after Srinivas' parents immediately.

My view is that we can’t become so much insensitive and impassive when it comes to respecting such really great philanthropic acts.

For having contributed those invaluable Bonsai Plants whose value one cannot measure in terms of money, this was the simplest demand one could make. At the end of everything, Bonsai Srinivas remarked 'at last I have reason to smile'.  This outwardly very small incident which brought smiles back on that Donor's face made all of us delighted.

My special thanks to the nonagenarian Sri HS Doreswamy who brought this injustice to my notice and thus gave an opportunity to correct it.

S.SURESHKUMAR

A TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT SAINT OF OUR TIMES

If there is one personality who is an inspiration to every youth of this land, it must be undoubtedly Swami Vivekananda. Millions and millions have been influenced by his life and his noble mission. Incidentally, Anna Hazare’s path of social reformation is an influence of this great saint. That being the case, it is my firm belief that we should bring Swami Vivekananda emotionally nearer to everyone and wherever it is possible. Government of Karnataka got an opportunity recently and it was done exactly what it was expected to.

Everyone knows that Belgaum City is a historical town. All India Congress Committee Conference that was held in 1924 here was presided by none other than Mahatma Gandhi. And that was the only time that Gandhiji presided a Congress session ever.  Very few know another significant feature of this City. In 1892, Swami Vivekananda, when he visited Belgaum for over a week stayed in a house. This house went on to become a centre of attraction for all the social and political leaders during the freedom movement. The road on which this house is situated is also named after him.

In fact, Mahathma Gandhi during his visit in 1924 stayed in this very own house. Many other eminent personalities also drew inspiration after their visit here. The entire house is a place of great historical importance and sanctity. And incidentally, this year happens to be Swami Vivekananda’s 150^th birth anniversary year.

Unfortunately in these days of real estate “allurement”, the historical value takes a backseat to commercial craving. One third of this house is owned by Ramakrishna Mission of Belgaum. But the owner of the remaining 2/3^rd of the property had his own ideas. Infact, the authorities of Ramakrishna Mission of Belgaum requested the owner to sell the remaining portion of the property to them so that entire property could be preserved. But the owner had refused the request saying he neither had an idea to sell it nor alienate it. A few days later, an advertisement in a vernacular daily made the intentions of the owner clear when he had announced his intentions to demolish it. The Ramakrishna Mission authorities were flabbergasted and the Swamiji of Ramakrishna  Ashram communicated to me the sinister design of the owner to demolish and probably come up with a commercial complex.

Being aware of the importance of the holy place, I immediately swung into action and instructed the officers to act. In less than 24  hours the Government Order was issued as per the provisions of concerned laws (Karnataka Town and Country planning act  1961) declaring the house as a "heritage site". The restoration and maintenance of the house will be taken up by the authorities concerned immediately and this place will soon become a centre of Inspiration in its real sense. Of course, the present owner will be compensated monetarily. He will be paid the guidance sum of the property by the Government itself.

I think that was the minimum one could have done from the Government’s side and I am happy the Government did it.

- S.SURESHKUMAR

RELIGION AND RITUALS - THE DIVERSITY AND THE INTEREST THEY OFFER

Religion is something which you live with your soul. Most diversified Country as ours, India is home to many religions and sects which follow different rituals in a bid to connect with the omnipotent.

Although I am not very ritualistic, I am always quite curious about the ways and the means people follow them. It was one such experience that I went through yesterday through one of my friends.

Jainism is a sect which prescribes the path of complete non violence. It advocates the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards consciousness. Here was a Sadhwiji called Sarveshwari Sri Yash Varji who must be in her late thirties sitting on a complete fast for the last 100 days. Mind you, she is surviving only on hot water and just that and she desires to complete 111 days of her Vrath. She hails from Nagpur and is a lady born to a very rich family. She has left every material pleasure of hers to take up sanyas. Her routine is that she keeps travelling through the whole of country barefooted spreading the message of Jainism. There were around 800 people who assembled to celebrate the 100^th day of Sadhwi’s fasting. Mind you, the Sadhwi was still able to stand up to wish the gathering.

It was quite an interesting experience for me which left me in high spirits. Felt I shared this piece with you.

S.SURESHKUMAR

Judgement reserved!

HOW DO YOU DECIDE THIS CASE IF YOU WERE TO BE A JUDGE? THIS ONE IS AN INTERESTING, HILLARIOUS ONE! AND SO ELOQUENT! 

In a small town, a person decided to open up a brothel, which was right opposite to a church. The church and its congregation started a campaign to block the brothel from opening with petitions and prayed daily against his business. Work progressed. However, when it was almost complete and was about to open a few days later, a strong lightning struck the brothel and it was burnt to the ground.The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the brothel owner sued the church authorities on the grounds that the church through its congregation and prayers was ultimately responsible for the destruction of his brothel, either through direct or indirect actions or means.In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection that their prayers were reasons for the act of God. As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented:

"I don't know how I'm going to decide this case, but it appears from the paperwork, "we have a brothel owner who believes in the power of prayer and we have an entire church that doesn't."

S.SURESH KUMAR

WILL THE MENACE OF CORRUPTION END?

It happened yesterday in Chikmagalur District which is my 'Incharge' District. From 10 00 am to 1 00 pm, we had the review of Chikmagalur City Municipal Council. Then after lunch, inspected few places and then chaired a meeting to review the civil works progress at Datta Peeta. After the meeting, as I came down from the Deputy Commissioner's office, one of my friends brought before me a visually completely impaired person aged about 35-40 years. He was Chandrappa a villager from Tarikere Taluk. His Disability Pension has been stopped from July this year. He depends solely on this small amount of money.(Rs 1000/-per month) His many visits to the Village Accountant has not helped. Latest development was when one person approached this hapless man asking him to pay Rs 500/- to the village accountant as the necessary 'favor' to get the pension which is actually his right.   Chandrappa has become desperate. This poor man somehow managed to reach DC's office at Chikmagalur and incidentally came to my knowledge.

After hearing his sordid situation, I necessarily became furious. But instead of asking the DC to look into the case in the usual manner, I decided to take the matter myself. I made him to sit in my official car. I had a programme at Tarikere. I took this new victim friend of mine to Tarikere. On the way I came to know about his family and made him even to sing a song too.  He sang a beautiful prayer song on Ganesha. But his Vighna had not been resolved yet.

I had sent words to the local Tahsildar to make the delinquent Village Accountant to be present at my destination. Once I reached Tarikere circuit house, I exchanged pleasantries with our local MLA friend Sri DS Suresh and other persons. After my informal Interaction with my press friends I came out and that VA was brought before me. He was a young officer with a very long innings in this Govt service lying before him. As I had planned I asked the blind man to offer Rs 500/- (given by one of my friends earlier) to the village accountant in front of more than one hundred on lookers and the team of Taluk Officers and the local MLA. Words are not sufficient to explain the situation in the Circuit House then. Everyone was stunned. The village accountant stood crestfallen. I just asked the VA, what if he himself was to be that blind man in that hopeless situation. After some initial blah-blah excuses, the village accountant fell silent. Then I turned towards the concerned Assistant Commissioner and Tahsildar (incidentally both were lady officers) to see that Chandrappa gets pension immediately and this should serve all those responsible in this social welfare schemes a lesson. Then the on lookers came and said that this is the best lesson one could teach to these heart less officers who make the people hapless.

It is another matter that the Village Accountant will face necessary action and the disabled man will be sanctioned his pension immediately. But if I had lost  my cool and had done  some unpleasant act against that errant officer in my lost temper what would have been the immediate result. The  whole story would have become a negative story by the next hour and the real human angle would have gone missing. Obviously Anna (yes, i meanAnna Hazare) has obviously not reached   these merciless though young officers. The sight of the blind man and his bitter state of helplessness do not touch the chords even to the minimum extent.

It may appear as a solitary solution to a stray incident. One may ask, what as a person in authority I am doing to cleanse the entire system. That question is very  relevant and my answer is that I shall  continuously send this message wherever I go and or I am in charge that these inhuman attitudes will not be tolerated. Yes for me Corruption  more than anything else is 'Inhuman' pure and simple.

S.SURESHKUMAR

GOD SAVE US

WHERE ARE BHAGAT SINGH ,RAJGURU ,SUKHDEV,CHANDERSHEKHAR AZAD,UDHAM SINGH AND
OTHER MARTYRS WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR THIS COUNTRY HAPPILY

The following are some of the Government Schemes and Projects that have been named after the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Central Government Schemes:

1. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, Ministry
2. Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM), Ministry of Rural Development.
3. Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers.
4. Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana for benefit of NE entrepreneurs, Ministry of  Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India.
5. Indira Awas Yojana, Ministry of Rural Areas and Environment.
6. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme – objective to provide social security to workers in the unorganized sector in a phased manner. Budgetary allocation in 2008-09 is Rs. 3,443 crore
7. Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, Ministry of Urban Development,Govt. of India – 7 years time frame, 50,000 cr.
8. Jawaharlal Nehru Rojgar Yojna – Ministry of Labour and Employment – A Self- employment programme for urban poor
9. Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojna, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
10. Indira Gandhi Canal Project, Funded by World Bank
11. Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana, Union Ministry of Textiles, in association with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
12. Indira Vikas Patra

State Government Schemes:
1. Rajiv Gandhi Rehabilitation Package for Tsunami Affected Areas, Govt. of  Tamil Nadu, Budgetary Allocation Rs.2347.19 crores
2. Rajiv Gandhi Social Security Scheme for poor people, Department of Revenue and Disaster Management, Govt. of Puducherry
3. Rajiv Ratna Awas Yojna – Congress party president and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
5. Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission , Madhya Pradesh
6. Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Food Security , Madhya Pradesh
7. Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Community Health, Madhya Pradesh
8. Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Ltd is a Govt. Co. established by the Government of Karnataka to cater to the housing needs of the Economically and Socially weaker sections of the society.
9. Rajiv Gandhi Tourism Development Mission , Rajasthan
10. Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy Programme , Assam
11. Rajiv Gandhi Swavlamban Rojgar Yojana, Govt. of NCT of Delhi
12. Rajiv Gandhi Mobile Aids Counseling and Testing Services, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
13. Rajiv Gandhi Vidyarthi Suraksha Yojana, Maharashtra
14. Rajiv Gandhi Mission for Water Shed Management, M.P.
15. Rajiv Gandhi Food Security Mission for Tribal Areas, MP
16. Rajiv Gandhi Home for Handicapped, Pondicherry
17. Rajiv Gandhi Breakfast Scheme, Pondicherry
18. Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Divas, Punjab
19. Rajiv Gandhi Artisans Health and Life Insurance Scheme, Tamil Nadu
20. Rajiv Gandhi Zopadpatti and Nivara Prakalpa, Mumbai
21. Rajiv Arogya Sri programme , Gujrat State Govt. Scheme
22. Rajiv Gandhi Abhyudaya Yojana, AP
23. Rajiv Gandhi Computer Saksharta Mission , Jabalpur
24. Rajiv Gandhi Bridges and Roads Infrastructure Development Programme for the construction of new roads and bridges and strengthening of the existing ones in the state of Haryana
25. Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Niwara Prakalp, Maharashtra Govt.
26. Indira Gandhi Utkrishtha Chhattervritti Yojna for Post Plus Two Students, Himachal Pradesh Government Scheme, Sponsored by, Central Government
27. Indira Gandhi Women Protection Scheme, Maharashtra Govt.
28. Indira Gandhi Prathisthan, Housing and Urban Planning Department, UP Govt
29. Indira Kranthi Patham Scheme, Andhra Pradesh
30. Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, State Govt. Scheme
31. Indira Gandhi Vruddha Bhumiheen Shetmajoor Anudan Yojana, Govt. of Maharashtra
32. Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), Jaisalmer, Govt. of Rajasthan
33. Indira Gandhi Niradhar Yojna, Govt. of Maharashtra
34. Indira Gandhi kuppam, State Govt. Welfare Scheme for Tsunami effected fishermen
35. Indira Gandhi Drinking Water Scheme-2006, Haryana Govt.
36. Indira Gandhi Niradhar Old, Landless, Destitute women farm labour Scheme,Maharashtra Govt.
37. Indira Gandhi Women Protection Scheme , Maharashtra Govt.
38. Indira Gaon Ganga Yojana, Chattisgarh
39. Indira Sahara Yojana , Chattisgarh
40. Indira Soochna Shakti Yojana, Chattisgarh
41. Indira Gandhi Balika Suraksha Yojana , HP
42. Indira Gandhi Garibi Hatao Yojana (DPIP), MP
43. Indira Gandhi super thermal power project , Haryana Govt.
44. Indira Gandhi Water Project, Haryana Govt.
45. Indira Gandhi Sagar Project , Bhandara District Gosikhurd Maharashtra
46. Indira Jeevitha Bima Pathakam, AP Govt
47. Indira Gandhi Priyadarshani Vivah Shagun Yojana, Haryana Govt.
48. Indira Mahila Yojana Scheme, Meghalaya Govt
49. Indira Gandhi Calf Rearing Scheme, Chhattisgarh Govt.
50. Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Vivah Shagun Yojana, Haryana Govt.
51. Indira Gandhi Calf Rearing Scheme, The government of Andhra Pradesh helped most of the respondent families in acquiring female calves through this scheme.
52. Indira Gandhi Landless Agriculture Labour scheme, Maharashtra Govt.See More

Sports/Tournaments/Trophies :
1. Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup Kabaddi Tournament
2. Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Run
3. Rajiv Gandhi Federation Cup boxing championship
4. Rajiv Gandhi International tournament (football)
5. NSCI – Rajiv Gandhi road races, New Delhi
6. Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race, Kerala
7. Rajiv Gandhi International Artistic Gymnastic Tournament
8. Rajiv Gandhi Kabbadi Meet
9. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Roller Skating Championship
10. Rajiv Gandhi memorial marathon race, New Delhi
11. Rajiv Gandhi International Judo Championship, Chandigarh
12. Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Trophy for the Best College , Calicut
13. Rajiv Gandhi Rural Cricket Tournament, Initiated by Rahul Gandhi in Amethi
14. Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup (U-21), football
15. Rajiv Gandhi Trophy (football)
16. Rajiv Gandhi Award for Outstanding Sportspersons
17. All Indira Rajiv Gandhi Basketball (Girls) Tournament, organized by Delhi State
18. All India Rajiv Gandhi Wrestling Gold Cup, organized by Delhi State
19. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Jhopadpatti Football Tournament, Rajura
20. Rajiv Gandhi International Invitation Gold Cup Football Tournament, Jamshedpur
21. Rajiv Gandhi Mini Olympics, Mumbai
22. Rajiv Gandhi Beachball Kabaddi Federation
23. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Trophy Prerana Foundation
24. International Indira Gandhi Gold Cup Tournament
25. Indira Gandhi International Hockey Tournament
26. Indira Gandhi Boat Race
27. Jawaharlal Nehru International Gold Cup Football Tournament.
28. Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey TournamentSee More

Stadium :
1. Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Delhi
2. Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
4. Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium, Bawana

5. Rajiv Gandhi National Football Academy , Haryana
6. Rajiv Gandhi AC Stadium, Vishakhapatnam
7. Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Pondicherry
8. Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Nahariagun, Itanagar
9. Rajiv Gandhi Badminton Indoor Stadium, Cochin
10. Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Kadavanthra,Ernakulam
11. Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex , Singhu
12. Rajib Gandhi Memorial Sports Complex, Guwahati
13. Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
14. Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Cochin
15. Indira Gandhi Stadium, Vijayawada , Andhra Pradesh
16. Indira Gandhi Stadium, Una, Himachal Pradesh
17. Indira Priyadarshini Stadium, Vishakhapatnam
18. Indira Gandhi Stadium, Deogarh, Rajasthan
19. Gandhi Stadium, Bolangir, Orissa

Airports/ Ports :
1. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport , New Hyderabad , A.P.
2. Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal, Cochin
3. Indira Gandhi International Airport , New Delhi
4. Indira Gandhi Dock, Mumbai
5. Jawaharlal Nehru Nava Sheva Port Trust, Mumbai Total budgetary plan outlay 2008-9 - 69.92crore Total budgetary plan outlay 2009-10 – 324 crore

Universities/Education Institutes:
1. Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management, Shilong
2. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, Ranchi , Jharkhand
3. Rajiv Gandhi Technical University , Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal , M.P.
4. Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, Kharagpur, Kolkata
5. Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy , Secundrabad
6. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala , Punjab
7. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Tamil Nadu Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Budgetary Allocation 2008-09 – 1.50crore Budgetary Allocation 2009-10 – 3.00 crore
8. Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy , Begumpet, Hyderabad , A.P
9. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam, Kerala
10. Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering Research & Technology, Chandrapur, Maharashtra
11. Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
12. Rajiv Gandhi University , Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
13. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Chola Nagar, Bangalore , Karnataka
14. Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal , M.P.
15. Rajiv Gandhi D.e.d. College , Latur, Maharashtra
16. Rajiv Gandhi College , Shahpura, Bhopal
17. Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi
18. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Raebareli, U.P.
19. Rajiv Gandhi Homeopathic Medical College , Bhopal , M.P.
20. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Post Graduate Studies, East Godavari District, A.P.
21. Rajiv Gandhi College of Education, Thumkur, Karnataka
22. Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Pondicherry , Tamil Nadu
23. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of IT and Biotechnology, Bhartiya Vidhyapeeth
24. Rajiv Gandhi High School , Mumbai, Maharashtra
25. Rajiv Gandhi Group of Institutions, Satna, M.P.
26. Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu
27. Rajiv Gandhi Biotechnology Centre, R.T.M., Nagpur University
28. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
29. Rajiv Gandhi Mahavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh
30. Rajiv Gandhi Post Graduate College , Allahabad , U.P.
31. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Bangalore , Karnataka
32. Rajiv Gandhi Govt. PG Ayurvedic College , Poprola, Himachal Pradesh
33. Rajiv Gandhi College , Satna, M.P.
34. Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
35. Rajiv Gandhi Madhyamic Vidyalaya, Maharashtra
36. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary Studies, Islamabad , Pakistan
37. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
38. Rajiv Gandhi Industrial Training Centre, Gandhinagar
39. Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Andhra Pradesh
40. Rajiv Gandhi Institute Of Distance Education, Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu
41. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture , Tamil Nadu
42. Rajiv Gandhi University ( Arunachal University ), A.P.
43. Rajiv Gandhi Sports Medicine Centre (RGSMC), Kerela
44. Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Mauritus
45. Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda, Goa
46. Rajiv Gandhi Vidyalaya, Mulund, Mumbai
47. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Polytechnic, Bangalore , Karnataka
48. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Circle Telecom Training Centre ( India ), Chennai
49. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Pharmacy, Kasagod, Kerala
50. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial College Of Aeronautics, Jaipur
51. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial First Grade College , Shimoga
52. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial College of Education, Jammu & Kashmir
53. Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Barkacha, Varanasi
54. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Teacher’s Training College , Jharkhand
55. Rajiv Gandhi Degree College , Rajahmundry , A.P.
56. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
57. Indira Gandhi Institute of Development & Research, Mumbai, Maharashtra
58. Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy , Dehradun
59. Indira Gandhi RashtriyaUran Akademi, Fursatganj Airfield, Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh
60. Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai
61. Indira Gandhi National Tribal University , Orissa
62. Indira Gandhi B.Ed. College , Mangalore
63. Smt. Indira Gandhi College of Education, Nanded, Maharashtra
64. Indira Gandhi Balika Niketan B.ED. College, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
65. Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur , Madhya Pradesh
66. Smt. Indira Gandhi College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
67. Smt. Indira Gandhi Colelge, Tiruchirappalli
68. Indira Gandhi Engineering College , Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
69. Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kashmere Gate, Delhi
70. Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Sarang, Dist. Dhenkanal, Orissa
71. Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, Pune, Maharashtra
72. Indira Gandhi Integral Education Centre, New Delhi
73. Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, Delhi University , Delhi
74. Indira Gandhi High School , Himachal
75. Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh
76. Indira Gandhi Medical College , Shimla
77. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, Andhra Pradesh
78. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarakashi
79. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Business Management, Vikram University
80. Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi
81. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore
82. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, AP
83. Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College in Aurangabad , Maharashtra
84. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for advanced Scientific Research, a deemed university, Jakkur, P.O. Bangalore
85. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Social Studies, affiliated to Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith (Pune, Maharashtra )
86. Jawaharlal Nehru College of Aeronautics & Applied Sciences, Coimbatore , (ESTD 1968)
87. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Technology, Katraj, Dhankwdi, Pune, Maharashtra
88. Kamal Kishore Kadam’s Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College in Aurangabad , Maharashtra
89. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Education & Technological Research, Nanded, Maharashra
90. Jawaharlal Nehru College , Aligarh
91. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad
92. Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur
93. Jawaharlal Nehru B.Ed. College , Kota , Rajasthan
94. Jawaharlal Nehru P.G. College , Bhopal
95. Jawaharlal Nehru Government Engineering College , Sundernagar, District Mandi, H.P.
96. Jawaharlal Nehru PublicSchool, Kolar Road , Bhopal
97. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada , A.P.
98. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Technology, Ibrahimpatti, Andhra Pradesh

Awards:
1. Rajiv Gandhi Award for Outstanding Achievement
2. Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award
3. Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Awards, Delhi Labour Welfare Board
4. Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award
5. Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award
6. Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award
7. Rajiv Gandhi National Award Scheme for Original Book Writing on Gyan Vigyan
8. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
9. Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award, Instituted by Bureau of Indian Standards in 1991
10. Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India
11. RajivGandhi Travelling Scholarship
12. Rajiv Gandhi( UK ) Foundation Scholarship
13. Rajiv Gandhi Film Awards (Mumbai)
14. Rajiv Gandhi Khelratna Puraskar
15. Rajiv Gandhi Parisara Prashasti, Karnataka
16. RajivGandhi Vocational Excellence Awards
17. Rajiv Gandhi Excellence award
18. Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
19. Indira Gandhi Prize for National Integration
20. Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award
21. Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Awards, Ministry of Environment and Forests
22. Indira Gandhi Memorial National Award forBest Environmental & Ecological
23. Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Purashkar
24. Indira Gandhi NSS Award
25. Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration
26. Indira Gandhi Official Language Award Scheme
27. Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film
28. Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Awards for The Town Official Language
29. Indira Gandhi Prize” for Peace, Disarmament and Development
30. Indira Gandhi Prize for Popularization of Science
31. Implementation
32. Indira Gandhi Shiromani Award
33. Indira Gandhi NSS Award/National Youth
34. Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Pushar award – search n correct
35. Indira Gandhi N.S.S Awards
36. Indira Gandhi award for social service, MP Govt.
37. Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme
38. Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Award Scheme
39. Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Shield Scheme
40. Indira Gandhi Vision of Wildlife Conservation Zoo, a seminar organized by Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy.
41. Jawaharlal Nehru award for International peace worth Rs 15 lakh cash given to many international figures, every year, including Yasser Arafat of Palestine Liberation Front in 1988 and U Thant in 1965.
42. Soviet Land Nehru Award, a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 given to Shyam Benegal in Dec 89, in recognition of the above film.
43. Jawaharlal Nehru Balkalyan awards of Rs.10,000 each to 10 couples by Govt. of Maharashtra (ToI-28-4-89).
44. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, New Delhi , for Academic Achievement
45. Jawaharlal Nehru birth centenary research award for energy
46. Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding
47. Nehru Bal Samiti Bravery Awards
48. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medal
49. Jawaharlal Nehru Prize” from 1998-99, to be given to organizations (preferably NGOs) for Popularization of Science.
50. Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Competition
51. Jawarharlal Nehru Student Award for research project of evolution of DNA

Scholarship / Fellowship:
1. Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for Students with Disabilities
2. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for SC/ST Candidates, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Budgetary Allocation for 2008-9 – 26.40 crores, for 2009-10 – 23.70 crores
3. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for ST Candidates Budgetary Allocation for 2008-09 – 29.00 crores Budgetary Allocation for 2009-10 – 42.00 crores
4. Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship, IGNOU
5. Rajiv Gandhi Science Talent Research Fellows
6. Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship, Ministry of Tribal Affairs Budgetary Allocation for 2008-9 - 16.00 crores Budgetary Allocation for 2009-10 – 22.50crores
7. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes candidates given by University Grants Commission
8. Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship sponsored by the Commonwealth of Learning in association with Indira Gandhi National Open University
9. Rajiv Gandhi science talent research fellowship given by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for advanced scientific research (to promote budding scientists) done in tandem with Department of Science and Technology and Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
10. Rajiv Gandhi HUDCO Fellowships in the Habitat Sector (to promote research in the field of sustainable Habitat development) for MPhil, {PhD Students for 2 to 3 years, conferred by HUDCO
11. Indira Gandhi Memorial Fellowships check
12. Fullbright scholarship now renamed Fullbright- Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarship
13. Cambridge Nehru Scholarships, 10 in number, for research at Cambridge University , London , leading to Ph. D. for 3 years, which include fee, maintenance allowance, air travel to UK and back.
14. Scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships for Post-graduate Studies, Govt. of India .
15. Nehru Centenary (British) Fellowships/Awards

National Parks/ Sanctuaries/ Museums :
1. Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarhole) Wildlife Sanctury, Karnataka
2. Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctury, Andhra Pradesh
3. Indira Gandhi National Park , Tamil Nadu
4. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park , New Delhi
5. Indira Gandhi National Park , Anamalai Hills on Western Ghats
6. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Vishakhapatnam
7. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS)
8. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Pollachi
9. Rajiv Gandhi Health Museum
10. The Rajiv Gandhi Museum of Natural History
11. Indira Gandhi Memorial museum, New Delhi
12. Jawaharlal Nehru museum in Aurangabad , Maharashtra opened by state govt.
13. Jawaharlal Nehru memorial Gallery, London
14. Jawaharlal Nehru planetarium, Worli, Mumbai.
15. Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition for Children

Hospitals/Medical Institutions:

1. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science, Bangalore , Karnataka
2. Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Delhi
3. Rajiv Gandhi Home for Handicapped, Pondicherry
4. Shri Rajiv Gandhi college of Dental ... Science & Hospital, Bangalore , Karnataka
5. Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Bio Technology, Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala
6. Rajiv Gandhi College of Nursing, Bangalore , Karnataka
7. Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital , Raichur
8. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, Bangalore , Karnataka
9. Rajiv Gandhi Paramedical College, Jodhpur
10. Rajiv Gandhi Medical College , Thane, Mumbai
11. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Pharmacy, Karnataka
12. Rajiv Gandhi Hospital , Goa
13. Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Community Health, Madhya Pradesh
14. Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital , Delhi
15. Rajiv Gandhi Homoeaopathic Medical College , Chinar Park , Bhopal , M.P
16. North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, , Shilong, Meghalaya
17. Indira Gandhi Medical College , Shimla
18. Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore
19. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna
20. The Indira Gandhi Paediatric Hospital , Afghanistan
21. Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health Hospital , Dharmaram College , Bangalore
22. Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Heath, Bangalore
23. Indira Gandhi Medical College , Shimla
24. Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Science, Kerala
25. Indira Gandhi Memorial Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital, Bhubaneshwar
26. Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur
27. Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital And Research Centre, Kolkata
28. Indira Gandhi Hospital , Shimla
29. Indira Gandhi Women and Children Hospital , Bhopla
30. Indira Gandhi Gas Relief hospital, Bhopal
31. Kamla Nehru Hospital , Shimla
32. Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya
33. Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry
34. Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal
35. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Raipur .
36. Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi
37. Nehru, Science Centre, Worli, Mumbai
38. Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Bhopal
39. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Homoeopathic Medical Sciences, Maharashtra

Institutions / Chairs / Festivals:

1. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development. (RGNIYD), Ministry of Youth and Sports
2. Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training & Research Institute, Faridabad , Haryana
3. Rajiv Gandhi Food Secu...rity Mission in Tribal Areas
4. Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development
5. Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission , Chhattisgarh
6. Rajiv Gandhi Chair Endowment established in 1998 to create a Chair of South Asian Economics
7. Rajiv Gandhi Project – A pilot to provide Education thru Massive Satellite Connectivity up grassroot Level
8. Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited (Government of Karnataka Enterprise)
9. Rajiv Gandhi Information and Technology Commission
10. Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Peace and Disarmament
11. Rajiv Gandhi Music Festival
12. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture
13. Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas
14. Rajiv Gandhi Education Foundation, Kerala
15. Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Convention
16. The Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Educational and Charitable Society, Kasagod,Kerala
17. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial trophy ekankika spardha, Prerana Foundation, Kari Road
18. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Janpath, New Delhi
19. Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj & Gramin Vikas Sansthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan
20. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam
21. Indira Gandhi Institute for Development and Research , Mumbai
22. Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC), Patna
23. Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, New Delhi
24. Indira Gandhi National Foundation, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
25. Indira Gandhi Mahila Sahakari Soot Girani Ltd, Maharashtra
26. Indira Gandhi Conservation Monitoring Centre , Ministry of Environment & Forest
27. Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
28. Jawahar Shetkari Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd.
29. Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan
30. Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary celebrations
31. Postal stamps of different denominations and one Rupee coins in memory of Jawaharlal Nehru.
32. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Trust ( U.K. ) Scholarships
33. Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House Nhava Sheva, Maharashtra
34. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for. Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore
35. Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Embassy of India , Moscow
36. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Udyog Kendra for Juveniles, Pune, Maharastra
37. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru college of agriculture and research institute , Pondicherry

Roads/Buildings/places:

1. Rajiv Chowk, Delhi
2. Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung, New Delhi
3. Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan, New Delhi
4. Rajiv Gandhi Park , Kalkaji, Delhi
5. Indira Chowk, New Delhi
6. Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi
7. Nehru Yuvak Kendra, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
8. Nehru Nagar, New Delhi
9. Nehru Place , New Delhi
10. Nehru Park , New Delhi Nehru House, BSZ Marg, New Delhi
11. Jawaharlal Nehru Government House New Delhi
12. Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Park , Gurgaon, Haryana
13. Rajiv Gandhi Chowk, Andheri, Mumbai
14. Indira Gandhi Road , Mumbai
15. Indira Gandhi Nagar, Wadala, Mumbai
16. Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Mulund, Mumbai
17. Nehru Nagar, Kurla, Mumbai
18. Jawaharlal Nehru gardens at Thane, Mumbai
19. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Hall, Chennai
20. Jawaharlal Nehru Road , Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamilnadu
21. Rajiv Gandhi Salai (Old Mahabalipuram road named after Rajiv Gandhi)
22. Rajiv Gandhi Education City , Haryana
23. Mount Rajiv , a peak in Himalaya
24. Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, Goa
25. Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Chennai
26. Rajiv Gandhi Park , Vijayawada
27. Rajiv Gandhi Nagar in Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu
28. Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
29. Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, Hinjewadi, Pune
30. Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Bhav , Palanpur Banaskantha
31. Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park , Chandigarh
32. Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van, Jharkhand
33. Rajiv Gandhi statue, Panaji, Goa
34. Rajiv Gandhi Road , Chittoor
35. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial at Sriperumbudur
36. Indira Gandhi Memorial Library, University of Hyderabad
37. Indira Gandhi Musical Fountains, Bangalore
38. Indira Gandhi Planetarium , Lucknow
39. Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC), High Commission of India , Mauritus
40. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park , Eastern Ghats of India
41. Indira Gandhi Canal , Ramnagar, Jaisalmer
42. Indira Gandhi Industrial Complex, Ranipet, Vellore District
43. Indira Gandhi Park , Itanagar
44. Indira Gandhi Squiare , Pondicherry
45. Indira Gandhi Road , Willingdon Island , Cochin
46. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden , Kashmir
47. Indira Gandhi Sagar Dam, Nagpur
48. Indira Gandhi bridge, Rameshvar, Tamil Nadu
49. Indira Gandhi Hospital, Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation
50. Indira Gandhi memorial cultural Complex, UP Govt.
51. Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium , Rohru District, Shimla
52. Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sansthan , Bhopal
53. Indira Gandhi Nagar, Rajasthan
54. Indira Nagar, Lucknow
55. Roads are named after Jawaharlal Nehru in many cities e.g. in Jaipur, Nagpur , Vile Parle, Ghatkopar, Mulund etc.
56. Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad
57. Jawaharlal Nehru Gardens , Ambarnath
58. Jawarharlal Nehru Gardens , Panhala
59. Jawaharlal Nehru market, Jammu .
60. Jawaharlal Nehru Tunnel on the Jammu Srinagar Highway
61. Nehru Chowk, Ulhas Nagar, Maharashtra .
62. Nehru Bridge on the river Mandvi, Panaji, Goa
63. Nehru Nagar Ghaziabad
64. Jawaharlal Nehru Road , Dharmatala, Kolkata
65. Nehru Road , Guwahati
66. Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur
67. Nehru Vihar Colony, Kalyanpur, Lucknow
68. Nehru Nagar, Patna
69. Jawaharlal Nehru Street , Pondicherry
70. Nehru Bazaar, Madanapalli, Tirupathi
71. Nehru Chowk, Bilaspur. M.P
72. Nehru Street , Ponmalaipatti, Tiruchirapalli
73. Nehru Nagar, S.M. Road , Ahmedabad

74. Nehru Nagar,. Nashik Pune Road

A SYNONYM FOR SOCIAL SERVICE

In one's life time, what is that a person can achieve? He can become a very good doctor and build a chain of famous hospitals. He can become a big Advocate by winning every case he takes up, He can become a well known social worker and forgets himself in service of others. One can reach a top position in his respective field.

Yesterday I was in Mysore, to participate  in a program to launch two web-sites. One on a great person and the other on an equally great institution.

Late M.Venkatakrishnaiah, popularly known as TATAIAH, remained an amazing personality. When I learnt about his greatness, it was my turn to be left bewildered thinking how could a person achieve so many things in one life time and that too all of them for the public cause?

TATAIAH was a teacher, a journalist, a political activist, a litterateur, a social worker and what not. He was responsible in initiating women education in 19th century, had founded many educational institutions. In a way his life has become synonymous with the history of 19th and 20th century Mysore.

He was a teacher for nearly 40 years. The famous education institutions of Mysore like Marimallappa, Maharani College, Sharada Vilas college, Sadvidya school were all his gifts to the city which have brought the well known name of "Shikshana Kaashi " to the City of Mysore. TATAIAH started a school exclusively to educate girls in those days in-spite of facing resistance from the society. He arranged widow re-marriages. He started skill development institutions for widows. Much before Mahatma Gandhi, TATAIAH came out with steps to fight untouchability and started many Harijan hostels and also started imparting skills that could fetch employment. TATAIAH was also instrumental in finding “Pinjarapol”, the centre for helpless, guardian less animals which has made a name in the entire State.

He was known as the Father of Kannada journalism. Sadhwi, Udaya  Chintamani, Vidyadayini were few among many Kannada papers and Mysore Patriot, Wealth of Mysore, The Civil and Social Journal were the English papers which were nurtured under his stewardship. Many of us might not know that it was because of TATAIAH, the services of another great Engineer-Administrator, Sir M Vishweshwaraiah came to be available for Mysore state and the rest is history. His greatness can be imagined when we learn that Swamy Vivekananda, Ravindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and other great personalities met him at Mysore.

Another greatest contribution of TATAIAH was the orphanage (I should say that this word has a real weak connotation in English) or ANATHALAYA that he built for the destitutes. This ANATHALAYA nourished, protected, educated future famous personalities like HY Sharada Prasad (who went on to become the media secretary to late Smt Indira Gandhi) and SL Byrappa the great thinker-writer of Kannada. Gandhiji, who met TATAIAH while he visited Mysore described him as 'Bhishma of Mysore'. 
TATAIAH was the President of 8th Kannada Sahithya Sammelan that was held at Davanagere in 1922. TATAIAH was a member of the erstwhile Legislative Assembly which was then known as Praja Prathinidhi Sabha. He also served in the then Municipal Council and Economic Conference and he was a true public representative in these capacities.

Yesterday, two websites were launched by none other than Sri SL Byrappa.  One website is on the legendary personality of TATAIAH and the other is on the equally great product of his ANATHALAYA. The programme was organized by the once inmates of ANATHALAYA.

All those present are well placed today in society. One of them was the additional secretary to government of India. He was proudly claiming that what he is today is because of this Anathalaya. One should visit 'www.mysorethathaiah.org' and 'www.anathalayamysore.org' to learn about the Greatness, Selfless service, compassion in the real, real sense of this man. This, in today's murky and vitiated public life is definitely acts like a breath of fresh air. This website gives us the much needed Oxygen.

My special thanks to Ramachandra Hegde, an Infosyan who is responsible for these two websites who made me to participate in this memorable function and hear S.L.Byrappa who took us by awe on to that memory lane. Byrappa said, TATAIAH could achieve all those things even though he was monetarily poor and it was only because of his unquestioned Credibility and Accountability.

S.SURESHKUMAR

ONE OF THOSE AMUSING MOMENTS !

I was party to an unusual event in Judges Colony of Hebbal today. It was an official function on a holiday filled with reverberence of tradition.

We (The Government) are constructing 15 houses for High Court Judges in the locality. The work has been at a fast pace for the past couple of months and today, a formal handing over of a fully built house to the Judiciary happened.
We all know that our Society is bound by many practices which are believed to bring about divine orientation on our everyday lives. This event of house warming was not an exception too. Mantras were chanted and puja was performed.

After the puja, we all were taken to the kitchen portion of the new house. Guess who were all present in the kitchen! Justice Justice R L Dattu – Hon’ble Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Kehar- Hon’ble Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, Sri DV Sadananda Gowda-our Hon’ble CM, Sri CM Udasi-PWD Minister, Sri SV Ranganath-our Chief Secretary and many Judges of the High Court and other courts. We were all standing silently in the new kitchen  witnessing an event which forced us to wait till its fruition.

It was a ritual where a utensil filled with milk was placed over a stove. The milk has to boil over, which is believed to bring in a sort of prosperity for the occupant of the house. No prizes for guessing! Every one of us was waiting for that moment of spilling over of the boiled milk. (Pls see the pic beside). For a full four to five minutes, all of us were just standing in anticipation. While the milk boiled, it was my turn to jovially ask  'if there can be any interim direction by the Hon’ble Court to expedite the process?!' Others who were present enjoyed my question!

It’s again one of those amusing moments, the public life offers to people like us!

S.SURESH KUMAR 

ARTICLE IN KANNDA PRABHA 30-08-2011

Hi,

When the Citizen’s movement against corruption is gaining ground like never before, it is high time for everyone to think and act about root cause of this social and inhuman menace. Fight against corruption should become a passion rather just remain as a fashion..! Please read my views about this in today’s Kannada Prabha.

- S.SURESHKUMAR

CONSCIOUS KEEPERS OF OUR LAND

About 30-35 years back T R Shamanna, V S Krishna Iyer, T D Naganna, G Narayan, Ramdev, J Lingaiah....were the few names familiar to every Bangalorean. They were the city fathers, i.e., Councillors of the then civic body of Bangalore. Bangalore was not this big. The Councillors were taking up the cause of real civic issues and hence were very nearer and dearer to the people.

TR Shamanna was popularly called as Cycle Shamanna. And there was an interesting story behind it. During those days, the most popular mode of transport for the common man was Bicycle. It was more utilitarian and considered as the common man's vehicle. It was common to see cycle stands, cycle shops..etc everywhere. Each cycle had to possess a license. ( yes, you may not believe it now). Once, the municipal body raised the cycle tax. This group led by Shamanna organized a popular movement and succeeded in getting the cycle tax and the licensing abolished. T R Shamanna became Cycle Shamanna.

V S Krishna Iyer, was a well known name then for his generous service to the City. He was the Mayor of Bengaluru and became a big name for his benevolence. He was the Urban Development Minister too in the State Cabinet and later became Member of Parliament from Bangalore South in 1984. In fact he was lone opposition candidate from the state to win in those Parliament elections that were held immediately after the assassination of Mrs Indira Gandhi. Such was his popularity that he could swim against the tough wave  of sympathy that was around then.  I very well remember even now, that how he helped our team in Delhi when we had been to Amarnath Yathra during 1985.

After I became the minister, he regularly called me to congratulate whenever some good deed happened in our department or some news appeared about me. Such a large mind he has. Today, Krishna Iyer is seriously ill, getting treated at Appollo hospital. He is 90 years now. When I sat besides him today, in the hospital, I could see a flash of recognition in his eyes. So energetic person he was during his hey days.. This senior citizen has been our city's proud possession and will remain so. I pray for his health and speedy recovery.

Later I was at Nephron-urology unit located in the premises of Victoria hospital. Sri Patil Puttappa, the grand old man of our state is admitted there undergoing treatment for his prostrate gland surgery. The freedom fighter, noted editor-journalist, a fighter for the cause of Kannada and Karnataka..... Sri Patil puttappa, is popularly called as Papu by everyone.

 

Papu is 95 years young! When I sat with him, it wasn’t surprising that he never uttered a single sentence about his ailment. He relentlessly spoke about the need to save our language. He was explaining about his dream project of Gandhi Gram near Hubli. In fact he invited me to come for foundation stone laying ceremony in September.  Throughout my time with him today, I couldn’t notice a tinge of agony on the face of this just operated nonagenarian.

V S Krishna Iyer and Patil Puttapa, both are the conscious keepers of our land. They have guided, appreciated and at the same time have not hesitated to correct and stop any wrong step or the misdeed that the present people do. The guidance of such personalities is all the more required in these days of everyday turmoil.

I pray that all may go well with them and that they may be in good health for years to come! 

  

S.SURESH KUMAR

I AM IN SINGAPORE IN WATER LEADERS SUMMIT

Till now I had not stepped outside India. I am in Singapore on an invitation to participate in the Water Leaders Summit at the Singapore International Water Week. The theme of the Summit is ‘Sustainable Water Solutions for a Changing Urban Environment'. The summit began the day before, on 4th July with an inaugural address by the Deputy PM and the Finance Minister Mr Tharman Shanmugarathnam. It was one of the simplest and briefest inaugural functions that I have ever seen. Unlike our programs, inauguration itself was not made into an event.

After a brief introduction, the Dy PM was asked to deliver his inaugural words. Yesterday, the PM of Singapore Mr Lee Hsien Loong (yes, he is the son of that legendary builder of modern Singapore Mr Lee Kuan Yew) participated.  The important thing is he did not give any speech. But it was an intense interactive dialogue with the audience. The Chairperson of the Water Leaders Summit Prof Tommy Koh asked the first question about the need that made Singapore to take difficult decisions towards becoming self sufficient for water needs. Till now Singapore depended upon Malaysia for its water. Then about 12 delegates asked various questions, all pertaining to water needs. AND the well-versed PM answered all the questions excellently.

The felicity with which he handled the questions was something wonderful. Without making any note of the questions (some of which were very long and some very complex containing two or more issues) and without seeking any assistance from any aide, Mr Lee gave his insight about how the challenge was converted into an opportunity.

He said that the key to water success is to set the priority right. Mr Lee advocated that there are no magic solutions to overcome urban water problems and achieving water self sufficiency is a slow, painstaking process. He gave this assessment when he was tapped for advice he could give to any other Country.  Saying he was apprehensive to give any advice because every city’s problems are different, he told “I think the most important thing may not be water itself, but it is the ability of the city to administer effective water management.”

Singapore today is focusing on 3 ways for tacking Water needs. a) Conserving Rain water  b) Recycling c)  Desalination. The PM was sipping the 'recycled' water throughout that interaction. The recycled water is labeled as NEW WATER. And in the convention the delegates drank the same water without any reluctance or hesitation.  The PM spoke on the importance of Governance, Public Education & Proper Technology to make Water Management more effective. It was a real, real Demonstration of leading the country by example. Thank you Lee, for showing the insight, vision and determination,

And as the Indian Water Resources Minister Mr Salmon Khurshid said, the 3 priorities for our country are Water, Water and Water. We should focus on clean water, More Water and Affordable Water.

There is lot more to take back to my state from here. I am preparing for my tomorrow’s address at the South Asian Ministers conference. More of my enriching experiences later.

-       S.SURESH KUMAR