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Silver Personality of the Month – August 2009
Environmentalist Mohan Pai was born on July 25, 1938 into the Pai-Dhungat family of Verem, Goa. He spent his early childhood in Goa and in Mumbai. He did his Education in Mumbai and Retired from Advertising & Marketing a decade ago. He is also an avid photographer and writer on environment and ecology. He did his school in Ram Mohan High School, Mumbai in 1951. He now lives in Bangalore and is involved with the running of an old age home. He Founded and involved with the running of OMASHRAM, an old age home at Bangalore. One out of seven elderly in the world is an Indian. Average expectation of life from 60 years in 1991 is expected to reach 70 years by the year 2025. Dramatic demographic changes pose multiple challenges. The country is not geared to manage such a large older population. The rapid rise in elderly population is not met with expansion of health care and social security measures. There is a very realistic fear that the quality of life of the population might be compromised. The age-old joint family system in India is steadily breaking down. About 40% of elders live separately. Loneliness, dependency, poverty, lack of protection for their lives and property are some of the main problems faced by the elders. Majority of the elderly population remains uncovered without any social security protection. Government support and efforts have been tardy and half hearted, lacking both resources and political will After retirement, at the age of 63, Mr. Mohan Pai along with Mrs. Geeta Shankar he founded the Omashram Trust in the year 2001 with the main objective of providing care and succour to the old. The Old Age Home, now located in three separate rented premises in Vijaya Bank Layout, Bilekahalli, Bangalore South, presently accommodates about 35 residents. The ashram provides comfortable, clean and hygienic boarding and lodging facilities with nursing and medical care and nutritious diet. It’s an experience in community living where every member is made to feel at home without the impersonal atmosphere of an old age home. The Trust is now in the ninth year of its existence and in spite of many difficulties and some serious financial problems, continues to undauntedly strive for its objective. This has been possible only due to the whole-hearted support that it has mustered from many kind-hearted and altruistic individuals and donors, and a few corporates. Any kind of Government assistance is nil. At 71 young age he has adapted internet and is reaching out to people with social networking site. His active and energetic lifestyle is envy to many youngsters. Books authored: The Western Ghats, Mahadayi/Mandovi River Valley, The Flight of Gods, The Elderly Contact: 4, Gayathri Apartments, 29th Main, BTM Layout, 1st Stage Email: pai.mohan38@gmail.com Website: http://www.omashram.org Blogs: http://mohanpaiblogger.blogspot.com/
Silver Personality of the Month – July 2009
Professor Lalage J. Bown was born in Surrey, U.K. in 1927. She attended Cheltenham Ladies' College and the University of Oxford, where she took Second Class Honours in Modern History (1949) and then continued on to an M.A. (1952). She taught briefly at the University of Edinburgh before relocating to Africa where she taught at the University College of the Gold Coast, Ghana; Makerere University College, Uganda; University of Ibadan, Nigeria; University of Zambia; Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria; and the University of Lagos. She was involved in many programs for teaching African literature and arts in the various parts of Nigeria, and among other things in the organization of the first-ever conference on African culture to be held on African soil. She was also the first organizing secretary of the International Congress of Africanists. Her book Two Centuries of African English (Heinemann, 1973) arose directly from efforts to Africanize the curriculum, both in formal education and in the wider community. Much of her career has been spent in Africa where she was instrumental in establishing and expanding adult education programmes at universities in Ghana, Uganda, and Nigeria. Her research into adult female literacy led to her groundbreaking report “ Preparing the future - women, literacy and development: the impact of female literacy on human development and the participation of literate women in change”. She explains why she owes the particular path her life took to her remarkable mother. She headed for Africa where she became involved in programmes for teaching African literature and arts and, among other things, organized the first-ever conference on African culture to be held on African soil. Her book Two Centuries of African English (Heinemann, 1973) arose directly from efforts to Africanize the curriculum, both in formal education and in the wider community. Her Africa sojourn also led to her becoming a foster mother to twin Nigerian girls she brought up from the age of five. “I was amazed to discover it had never been researched before. I think this is because it is still the way of the world that when we think of literacy we think of schools and children. Of course everyone male and female has a right to literacy but it is still a fact that in most societies, even where the males don’t have access to reading and writing, they have access to what I call the levers of power such as village committees where decisions are taken. The problem is that women don’t.” Dr Lalage Bown, who spent more than 30 years working in Adult Education at Universities in Zambia and Nigeria will give the International Literacy Day Lecture on ‘Literacy and Empowerment’ at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on September 8 2009. Contact: Adult and Continuing Education - Honorary Senior Research Fellow Faculty of Education, St. Andrew's Building, 11 Eldon Street , Glasgow G3 6NH
Silver Personality of the Month – June 2009
Padma Shree Nana Chudasama is an eminent jurist and a former mayor and Sheriff of Mumbai. He is the founder of the NGO Giants International which has over 500 branches in India and branches across the world including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Mauritius and Ukraine. Giants undertake projects which have an impact on society, such as family welfare, disaster management, education, and environment and so on. On June 17th 2009 Nana Chudasama celebrated his 75th birthday in Mumbai. Constantly in the lime light he is the author of the catchy, popular and thought stimulating banners which appear regularly at Marine Drive in Mumbai which he has now been writing for a record breaking 30 years, a feat which deserves a entry in the Guinness Book of World Record. He is truly an active social commentator and his satirist style of "banner art" is one of the best-known facets of the city. Social Activist and Fashion Designer Shaina NC is daughter of Nana, He has 4 grand daughters, and a grandson. His oldest granddaughters are Aahana and Aashti Miller. Contact:
Silver Personality of the Month – May 2009
Prof. P.V. Ramamurti was born in 1936 at Madras, now Chennai. He has graduated with Honours in Psychology (1956) from the Madras Christian college (MCC) and Dip. in Anthropology from Madras University. He briefly served at the MCC before joining Sri Venkateswara University in 1959. He superannuated in 1996 as Professor of Psychology, Co-ordinator UGC, DSA Programme; and Dean of School of Social and Behavioural Sciences. He was the first Ph.D in Psychology of Aging in India; first to secure a Research Project on Psychosocial aspects of Aging (from ICSSR); first to author a scientific paper on Psychology of Ageing (1956) first to introduce the teaching of Ageing as a subject in India, and was the founder Director of the Center for Research on Ageing in the Department of Psychology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. He secured the Sandox International Project Award, on the study of successful Ageing, the Basu Medal of the Association of Physicians India. The Distinguished Gerontologist Award of Age care (India). The Indian Science congress Association Platinum Jubilee lecture Award, Pranavananda Trust lecture award and Award for life Time achievement in Research in Psychology and the Life time Achievement Award of the Association of Gerontology India. He was also awarded the US Fulbright senior fellowship. He was a member of the National commission on older persons. His Academic distinctions include being a consultant to the United Nations on the Agenda for Ageing Research, consultant UNFPA and continues as faculty for the United Nations international Institute on Ageing, Malta, short training programmes. He is also a consultant in the area of Ageing for INIA,UN Malta, UGC, ICSSR, ICMR, DST, MSJ & E and NIHFW and is patron of the Association of Gerontology India and its former President. Professor P. V. Ramamurti, after a distinguished academic career including a Fulbright fellowship to work at the Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, in 1983, is presently Professor Emeritus and Honorary Director, Center for Research on Aging, Department of Psychology, S. V. University, Tirupati, India. As a pioneer in the area of aging research in India, he was responsible for introducing, for the first time in India, the subject of aging as a Master- and Doctoral-level specialization at his university. He has to his credit a score of research projects, and more than a hundred publications in the area of aging. He has been involved as an Expert Consultant for the formulation of National Policy for Older Persons, India, and is a member of the National Council for Older Persons. He is also a member of the Expert consultant group for preparing an agenda for aging research at the United Nations. Widely traveled, Professor Ramamurti is recipient of several national and international Awards for his contribution to aging. He has to his credit 8 books 162 Research papers (141 national and 21 international), Eleven major Research Projects (Two International) and twelve Ph.Ds all in the area of Human Development and Ageing. He is widely traveled on academic assignments (17 countries) and was instrumental in introducing the study of Ageing in the country. His citation appears in the American Psychological Association Publication “International History of Gerontology in Biography”. At 73 years of age he still contributes for the future of many youngsters, Salute to the Father of Modern Indian Gerontology. AWARDS:
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Silver Personality of the Month – April 2009
Nirmala Narula now 78 years young is part of many meaningful projects initiated by non-profit Public Foundations including, organizations like the Ford Foundation - that maintained the larger vision of: implementing programs for the welfare of the country. Narula maintained organizational liaison with the concerned Ministry assuring them of maximum cooperation, in furthering their population and family welfare plans. She also served with Welfare Project All Bengal Women’s Union. During the late 60’s, with a social-welfare bent of mind, and at ease with her B.Ed. degree, she introduced the Doman-dela Cato method of teaching – (of producing ‘maxi kids’ - with proven success in the U.S. which, Smt. Narula learned through a prescribed correspondence course), turning her home into a ‘neighborhood school’. Children unable to get admissions in bigger schools were admitted. In her desire to reach out to more kids, she went to the Institutes of Neurological Development in Germantown, Pa., to learn more. She carried a burning desire in her heart for opportunities to serve society, which pointed her in several directions, which became apparent as time went on. Unfortunately, on her return to India, she found a total lack of support from the medical personnel with whom she had maintained rapport (in relation to her continuing commitment to family-welfare-planning issues). Thus, no funding came forth to implement her larger, ground breaking visionary project - to provide children who were slow learners a means of receiving special education. Although to no avail, there was however, a lot of recognition shown by the media (copy of articles enclosed) and families, who had children with reading and learning disabilities. (Note: As and when time allowed from her busy schedule, she provided social services to many welfare organizations in Calcutta which included a home for the aged, and some of Mother Teresa’s projects) It is commendable that in addition to her desire to serve the younger generation in the reproductive age and, efforts of starting a special education program for the little ones, she graduated into serving the young-old, the old with physical and mental problems of aging and, the very old with symptoms of the dread Alzheimer’s disease – also known specifically as the disease of old age, starting at 65+. Narula’s attention was reverted to a national cause of: family welfare programs, which were now moving in many directions. She was compelled to respond to the issues of a population boom that was out of control, impacting the health of people in many other developing countries on multiple fronts. What followed was a direct result of the above. During the period 68-79, As Director of Programs for South Asia and the Far East, for a non-profit Public Foundation, deeply committed to Population and Family Welfare Projects - she had the vision of a global platform. She saw how that would facilitate implementation of her vision, through use of sustainable programs rather than simple – often faltering funding methods, a common practice of that period. She also attended the first All Women’s Conference in Maxico in 1969. Narula’s Master’s degree (Boston, Mass.) in Management/Admin., allowed her to put her theory into practice. With a creative use of funds, sustainable programs were established. Local professionals were trained to enable them to continue with implementation of projects through local funding initiatives and through the utilization of local man power. At the same time she became member of the prestigious American Association of Advancement of Science (AAAS). For Social Work she joined ZONTA International as the first Indian representative. The particular benefit of such an approach, she was convinced - was a broader application of resources such as funding, training, consultants etc.., with sustained value-added programs. Her outreach capabilities increased, due to the availability of funding resources thus expanding to a larger canvas. Narula brought India into the fold and, as President of Pathfinder Fund, India - established a small local office, first in Jangpura Extn. and later, as the projects increased, moved to a larger office in Hauz Khas Encl., headed by (Retd.) Gen. Amar Dev of the 3 Armed Medical Services, as the local Managing Director.(Father of artist Ela Menon). The need of the times was to control a run-away baby boom. Family Planning programs were instituted with collaboration with government and private hospitals. Narula provided Culdoscopes, Laproscopes and Hysterscopes etc., for the purposes which were not available in India at that time. Some of the Gynaecologists are perhaps still around- to name a few, she supplied equipment to Dr. Kanti Giri in Nepal–later with WHO, Delhi and Dr. Mohinder Kocchar, then - Medical Supdt. Janana Medical Hospital in Jama Masjid area. Nirmala Narula created path ways in the newly formed country of Bangladesh in 1972. She was also invited to attend International Seminar chaired by President, Shiekh Mujibar Rehman. Narula, in order to compliment her efforts in implementing “Family Welfare Programs”, hired Country Heads (in the area of her jurisdiction) – who had a Medical degree, since her expertise lay in Management Practices. During the early 80’s Narula went into Spiritual Retreat with H.H. Swami Chinmayananda at “Sandeepany Sadhanalya”, Powai Park, Bombay and Napa Valley USA. She formed the group of elderly at the Chinmaya Mission Lodhi Road and responsible for initiating programs for the elderly and named it Chinmaya Bam Prastha Sasthan and did lot of article writing. Nirmala Narula taught (gratis) at the Nl. Maritime Inst., for several years – There was a tremendous sense of spiritual elation - as she bid goodbye to each batch of Marine Cadets after graduation and helped them prepare for saying goodbye to India, before sailing to different parts of the world. Narula considered it a great privilege for the opportunity of molding young minds to inculcate “moral values” – in addition to their nautical curriculum.” Young cadets preparing to leave their shores to work abroad opened their minds to advice on moral codes, applicable to every phase of their lives.Narula’s - studies at the Chinmaya Mission, was a God-given gift, as she became a ‘grand mother–counselor’, to them; some wrote for advice even after leaving the country. Since 1998 she has served the cause of dementia – Her instigation was, when one of her closest friends from Calcutta who she met after several years, did not know her at all, due to Alzheimer’s disease. Although she knew that it was a serious disease, because of President Regan making a public announcement about his own plight, but face to face however, the reality of non-recognition by a dear old friend left her numb. Nirmala Narula’s services (gratis) to ARDSI, (Alzheimer’s and related disorders society of India) are exemplary. Over a period of 12 years (selfless service), and as she accepted the responsibility of becoming President of the Delhi Chapter, she has continued to raise Public awareness about the seriousness of the disease. Apart from the challenges of administrative responsibility of heading the Society in Delhi, she visits homes of patients, to give counseling and, to comfort them. She has a dedicated team of about 25 experienced volunteers trained in-house as counselors by her, who give support to families and to care givers. They all work gratis. Narula is at present deeply involved with opening the Center in Delhi for people with early Alzheimer’s, to bring respite/relief to family members for a few hours in a day . She has received well deserved achievement awards over the years and she continues to serve society through ARDSI, in acknowledgement of what the‘elders’ did for the country. She considers it everyone’s duty to help the elderly in their time of need. In 2007 she was conferred Rashtriya Bhushan Samman by Vishwa Jagrti Mission in recognition to her services to the man kind. She received ARDSI National Award for her outstanding services for the cause of Alzheimer’s. Government of India, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, while recognizing her selfless devotion to the cause of dementia and the welfare of the elderly, conferred ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’. The Samman (award) is constituted at National Level. At 78 years of age Nirmala Narula is still going strong and is truly ‘Ever Green’ Social Worker. Contact:
Silver Personality of the Month – March 2009
Dr. S.D. Gokhale was born on September 21st 1925 at Pune.He is serving as the President of International Longevity Centre-India, President Emeritus CASP. He is the former President of International Federation on Ageing. Dr. S.D. Gokhale was the UN Consultant to prepare the Madrid Declaration on Ageing, and in response to this Declaration, CASP established The Longevity Centre (TLC) in collaboration with University of Pune, Athashri Foundation and Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University. Dr. Gokhale, a Master of Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Bombay, earned his Doctorate from Varanasi University (Banaras). He was awarded a Fellowship by the United Nations in 1959-60. International Longevity centre-India The Longevity Centre (TLC), was set up on May 4th, 2003, with a view to understanding and addressing the problems of the senior citizens, providing them with a forum to voice their thoughts, opinions, and suggestions, to sensitize the society to the concerns of these senior citizens, as also to establish their role in society as a major resource of knowledge and experience that could be tapped for the benefit of society in general. The mission of ILC-India is to function as a not-for-profit organization in the areas of Education, Training, Research, Media, Documentation and Advocacy and also undertaking Pilot Projects for the benefit of the population ageing. The primary objective of ILC-India is to work towards healthy, productive and participative ageing, to promote and support all activities which would upgrade the quality of life of the ageing population. He is true inspiration for many youngsters and Elders; he is living example of Active Ageing. Post held:
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Silver Personality of the Month – February 2009
Kisan Baburao Hazare, popularly known as Anna Hazarewas born on January 15, 1940 in a poor family. His father Baburao Hazare was an unskilled labourer and his grandfather worked for the army. Anna's grandfather was deployed in Bhingar which made Baburao and family to move to Bhingar, where Anna was born. Anna'a gradfather passed away in 1945 but the family continue to stay in Bhingar until 1952 when Anna's father resigned from his job and returned to Ralegan Siddhi. Anna had completed his education up to fourth standard and also had six younger siblings. The family's financial situation was tough. Baburao's sister, who was childless offered to take care of Anna and took him to Mumbai. In a couple of years Anna fell into bad company and started wasting his time and money on vices. He also started getting involved in brawls and fights, especially when he found some simple person being harassed by goons. He became irregular in sending money to his family. The word went around in Ralegan that he had become a bad character himself. In one such fight, Anna bashed up a person rather badly. Fearing arrest, he avoided coming to his regular work and residence for some time. During this period (in April 1960) he appeared in Army recruitment interviews and was selected to join the Indian Army. For his initial training, he was sent to Aurangabad. After training, he was posted in Punjab as a truck driver. Being far away from home and separated from all his friends, Anna felt lonely. He also had bouts of depression and a feeling of aimlessness in life. He had once resolved to end his life and even wrote a suicide note. However, on further reflection, he realised that his suicide may affect the marriage prospects of his younger sister. Therefore, he decided to postpone the implementation of his resolution until his sister got married. In yet another incident, Anna had a near escape when he was posted in Nagaland. One night, underground Nagas attacked the military post and killed all the inmates. Anna had gone out to answer nature's call at that time and, hence, he was the lone survivor. These two events had a deep impact on Anna's mind. He realised that his life was not to be wasted and he came to believe that God considered his life to be precious. Otherwise, he thought, he could have had died along with his colleagues in either of these incidents. Vivekananda's thoughts gave meaning to his life and he decided to devote the rest of his life working for the society. He read many more books by Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. His thoughts started developing and in 1970 he told his parents about his decision not to get married. He urged his parents to go ahead and arrange the marriage of his younger brothers. The new-found desire to live beyond his narrow self interest later drove him to seek voluntary retirement from the Army and come back to serve his own village. In 1974, he was transferred to Jammu. In 1975, he completed fifteen years of service in Army, a statutory requirement for being entitled to a pension. He sought retirement and, finally, in August 1975, he got relieved from the Army and came back to Ralegan Siddhi for good. Ralegan Siddhi was one of the worst victims, hopeless social and economic situation and irresponsible village leadership before 1975 when Kisan Baburao Hazare, affectionately know as Anna Hazare served in Indian army, until he retired voluntarily in 1975. His close brush with death in the 1965 war changed the course of his life. He decided to dedicate himself to work for the welfare of others and returned to work for the betterment of his own village, starting with the re-building of the temple. Anna Hazare believes that religion has a strong influence on people. He says: “God is everywhere, but a child is first introduced to him in the temple. It is here that he receives education on the important values and morals of life. In a broader sense, the village itself is a temple where people serve and pray and learn the meaning of life.” The dilapidate condition of the temple in Ralegan Siddhi, from where wood had been used to fuel the liquor dens, symbolized to Anna the condition of the village . Since the temple represents the cultural heart of a community, Anna felt that renovation of the temple would be the best way to demonstrate his unselfish motives and created an interest in his activities. With his provident fund of Rs.20, 000+/-, Anna began the Renovation. Inspired by his selfless devotion, first the youth, then the rest of villagers slowly began to rally around him. Villagers, especially the youth group began gathering here everyday to discuss their problems and matters related to the welfare of village. Anna Hazare says, you cannot expect a hungry man to live by principles. His first priority will be to feed himself and his family. Even though jobs, mostly government and army, provided economic certainties for a few most of the population still dependent on agriculture in Ralegan Siddhi. Anna realized that the only way to increase agricultural production in a sustainable manner was to build better irrigation system. Taking into account the geographical location of Ralegan, located in the foothills, Anna Hazare persuaded villagers to construct a watershed embankment to stop water and allow it to percolate and increase ground water level. The first embankment that was built using voluneteer efforts developed a leak and had to reconstructed this time with government funding. Anna also take steps to stop the second big problem, soil erosion. In order to conserve soil and water by checking the run off, contour trenches and gully pluges were constructed along the hill slopes. Grass, shrubs and about 3 lakh trees were planted along the hillside and the village. This process was supplemented by afforestation, nullah bunds, underground check dams and cemented bandhras at strategic locations. The Watershed Development programme turned into a huge success and helped increase the fortunes of many farmers as they now had a reliable source of water. Ralegan has also experimented with drip and bi-valve irrigation in a big way. Papaya, lemon and chillies have been planted on a plot of 80 acres (320,000 m2) entirely irrigated by the drip irrigation system. Cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugar cane was banned. Crops such as pulses, oilseeds and certain cash crops with low water requirements were grown. The farmers started growing high yield varieties of crop and the cropping pattern of the village also changed. As the next step towards social and economical change, Anna Hazare and the youth group decided to take up the issue of Alcoholism. It was very clear that there could be no progress and happiness in the village unless the curse of alcoholism was completely removed from their lives. At a meeting conducted in the temple, the villagers resolved to close down the liquor dens and ban the drinking of alcohol in the village. Since these resolutions were made in the temple, they became in a sense religious commitments. Over thirty liquor brewing units were closed by their owners voluntarily. Those who did not succumb to social pressure were forced to close down their businesses, when the youth group smashed up their liquor dens. The owners could not complain as their business was illegal. Through the closure of liquor brewing reduced the alcoholism in Ralegan Siddhi, some villagers continued to drink. They obtained their liquor from neighboring villages. The villagers decided that those men would be given three warnings, after which they would be physically punished. Twelve men who were found in a drunken state even after initial warnings were tied to a pole with help of youth group and flogged. Anna Hazare says, “Doesn’t a mother administer bitter medicines to a sick child when she knows that the medicine can cure her child? The child may not like the medicine, but the mother does it only because she cares for child. The alcoholics were punished so that their families would not be destroyed.” Today Anna has almost acquired the stature of a saint. He donated his land for the hostel building. He gives his pension money to the village fund. A confirmed bachelor, he lives in the village temple with a bare minimum of personal belongings. He eats simple food normally cooked for the hostel boys. Both his parents and brothers stay in the village but they are no different from him than any other family in the village. This moral authority growing out of his selfless life has made him an unquestioned leader of the village. Anna's moral code of conduct is also quite strict. Anna believes that punishment is an essential component of the process to bring about conformity to social morality. When a child stole a fruit from a tree on the common lands, he was tied to a pole and the fruits were kept before him to teach him a moral lesson. The fruit bearing trees are not protected by any watchman. Not a single fruit is stolen and ripe fruits are distributed to balwadi children and the school children. Public beating was used not to create terror but to bring public shame on the defaulter so that he/she exercises more self-control. People are proud of Ralegan's achievements and they have a share and a stake in its glory. Therefore they would not do anything which will hurt Anna or bring a bad name to the village. He says “The dream of India as a strong nation will not be realised without self-reliant, self-sufficient villages, this can be achieved only through social commitment & involvement of the common man.” Awards
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Silver Personality of the Month – January 2009
Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India exhortation as a youngster, Mrinal Gore (born 1928) chucked in a promising career in medicine to devote herself to organizing the poor and the disenfranchised. For more than half a century, she has been involved with a series of organizations and leading protests both on the streets and in the corridors of power, focusing on women’s rights, civil rights, communal harmony, and trade union activities. She was fortunate to have had extremely enlightened parents: her father was a professor of physics at Mumbai’s Elphinstone College, and her mother came from a family of intellectuals. Of her six other siblings, three went on to become doctors and two engineers … It is said: Mrinal Gore’s sacrifice of her medical career for lifelong social activism was one of a kind with post independence idealism and the establishment of a democratic superstructure of governance. (1000peacewomen). A Socialist State leader, (she) was a Member of Parliament, Member of State Legislature and Mumbai Municipal Corporation, uninterruptedly from 1961 to 1990. A staunch supporter for Women’s empowerment and is in public life as a socialist since 1948. (Nagari Nivara Parishad). It was during a family vacation to the nearby town of Palghar that Mrinal came in contact with the Rashtriya Seva Dal RSD (named on UNIFICATION OF HINDUS), a voluntary organization connected with the Indian National Congress. At the time, India’s freedom struggle was at its height, and the atmosphere was charged by Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India exhortation. She spent a year with the Congress, leaving in 1948 with a group of Socialist youngsters who decided to form the Socialist Party, which became a critical thorn in the Congress party’s flesh. The same year, Mrinal married Socialist leader Keshav “Bandhu” Gore. The two were from different castes and were breaking the prevalent caste taboo by marrying. The Gores lived and worked in Goregaon, a rural area that has now become part of suburban Mumbai. In 1950, Mrinal joined the Goregaon Mahila Mandal as its secretary. The Mahila Mandal worked for the uplift of women in the area; in 1951, the organization put in place the Family Planning Center under Mrinal’s guidance. She was a step ahead of the Indian government, which introduced its family planning programs only in 1952. In 1952, Mrinal and Keshav had a daughter. A year later, Mrinal was back and active again and was elected to the Village Council. In 1954-55, the couple also participated in the Goa liberation movement from the Portuguese, and the movement for the establishment of the linguistic state of Maharashtra. She organized a series of protest rallies with women satyagrahis for the Sayukta Maharashtra Movement, occasionally being jailed. Mrinal also resigned from the Village Council around this time with many others who were part of representative bodies in Maharashtra, on the issue of the Sayukta Maharashtra Movement. Keshav died in 1958. Mrinal and other colleagues of Keshav’s set up the Keshav Gore Smarak Trust, which supports community-centered activities and social awareness campaigns and actions. This was the year that Mrinal became actively involved with civic rights, among them water and toilets for people in hutment’s and shantytowns. She also questioned civic planning that ignored the needs of the poor, and opposed the state authorities and builders’ lobby which work together to demolish slums. Over the years, she has succeeded in rehabilitating thousands of people in pucca houses on government-allotted land. The campaign stuck her with the sobriquet “Paaniwali bai” (literally, water-woman). Mrinal also organized a conference on water in Goregaon in 1962, followed by a siege of the BMC commissioner; meanwhile, the struggle for water and toilets in slums and shantytowns, and housing for the poor, continued apace. In 1972, Mrinal was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on a Socialist Party ticket. She raised issues of atrocities on marginalized farmers, indigenous people, Dalits, and women. Indira Gandhi’s power was cresting. After the India-Pakistan war and the formation of Bangladesh in 1971, prices of essential commodities rocketed up; shortages of foodgrains and kerosene were created thanks to the government’s policy of compulsory rationing; blackmarketing took root and came to stay. Mrinal was at the forefront in setting up in September 1972 the Anti-Price Rise Committee, which mobilized the largest-ever turnout of women since the Independence movement. A whole arsenal of peaceful devices was used for protests, which carried on for two or three years. In the meantime, Mrinal also worked with other Socialists, succeeding in getting the government to focus on drought conditions in rural Maharashtra and chalk out a plan for the drought-affected. In 1975, Indira Gandhi imposed the much-reviled internal Emergency. Constitutional rights were withdrawn, and strict censorship became routine. Mrinal went underground to guide a women’s protest against the Emergency. She was arrested in December that year and jailed, initially in solitary confinement and then with women who were seriously mentally unwell. The Emergency was withdrawn in 1977. Mrinal was elected to Parliament with the highest margin of votes in the entire state of Maharashtra on the ticket of the Janata Party, a merger of four anti-Emergency parties. When the merger crashed in 1979.Mrinal lost the elections, but continued engaging with public issues, especially housing for the poor. Around this time she became involved with women’s groups and participated in protests against rape and dowry. In 1983, she established Swadhar, a support center for women victims of domestic violence, and the Committee for Action Against Atrocities on Women. The Shramjeevi Mahila Sangh was also organized during those days, expressly for women employees who were not taking part, for various reasons, in the activities of the common union. In 1985, Mrinal was again elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Her most notable legislative action was introducing a Bill to prevent sex determination tests that directly led to female foeticide. The government agreed to ban these tests through a resolution in 1986. From 2000, Mrinal has only been sporadically involved, although she continues to provide guidance to her many projects. She celebrated her 75th birthday in June 2008 and has been slowed by health concerns, but remains mentally agile. Some of her main concerns, at the moment, are the Hindu-Muslim communal divide, fundamentalism, and the politics of hatred. Contact: Smriti, Aarey Road Near Abhi Goregaonkar School Goregaon (W) Mumbai - 400062 Email : kgst@bom5.vsnl.net.in
Silver Personality of the Month – December 2008
Born on December 25, 1924 at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh to Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee and Smt. Krishna Devi, Shri Vajpayee brings with him a long parliamentary experience spanning over four decades. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1957. He was elected to the 5th, 6th and 7th Lok Sabha and again to the 10th, 11th 12th and 13th Lok Sabha and to Rajya Sabha in 1962 and 1986. He has again been elected to Parliament from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh for the fifth time consecutively. He is the only parliamentarian elected from four different States at different times namely - UP, Gujarat, MP and Delhi. Elected leader of the National Democratic Alliance, which is a pre-election coming together of political parties from different regions of the country and which enjoyed a comfortable backing and support of the elected Members of the 13th Lok Sabha, Shri Vajpayee was earlier elected leader of his own Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary party which has also again emerged as the single largest party in the 13th Lok Sabha as was the case in the 12th Lok Sabha. Educated at Victoria (now Laxmi Bai) College, Gwalior and DAV College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Vajpayee holds an M.A (Political Science) degree and has many literary, artistic and scientific accomplishments to his credit. He edited Rashtradharma (a Hindi monthly), Panchjanya (a Hindi weekly) and the dailies Swadesh and Veer Arjun. His published works include "Meri Sansadiya Yatra" (in four volumes), "Meri Ikkyavan Kavitayen", "Sankalp Kaal", "Shakti-se-Shanti", "Four Decades in Parliament" (speeches in three volumes), 1957-95, "Lok Sabha mein Atalji" (a collection of speeches); Mrityu Ya Hatya", "Amar Balidan", "Kaidi Kaviraj Ki Kundalian" (a collection of poems written in jail during Emergency); "New Dimensions of India's Foreign Policy" (a collection of speeches delivered as External Affairs Minister during 1977-79); "Jan Sangh Aur Mussalman"; "Sansad Mein Teen Dashak" (Hindi) (speeches in Parliament - 1957-1992 - three volumes; and "Amar Aag Hai" (a collection of poems) 1994. Shri Vajpayee has participated in various social and cultural activities. He has been a Member of the National Integration Council since 1961. Some of his other associations include - (i) President, All India Station Masters and Assistant Station Masters Association (1965-70); (ii) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Smarak Samiti (1968-84); (iii) Deen Dayal Dham, Farah, Mathura, U.P; and (iv) Janmabhomi Smarak Samiti, 1969 onwards. Founder-member of the erstwhile Jana Sangh (1951), President, Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1968-1973), leader of the Jana Sangh parliamentary party (1955-1977) and a founder-member of the Janata Party (1977-1980), Shri Vajpayee was President, BJP (1980-1986) and the leader of BJP parliamentary party during 1980-1984, 1986 and 1993-1996. He was Leader of the Opposition throughout the term of the 11th Lok Sabha. Earlier, he was India's External Affairs Minister in the Morarji Desai Government from March 24, 1977 to July 28, 1979. Widely respected within the country and abroad as a statesman of the genre of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Shri Vajpayee's 1998-99 stint as Prime Minister has been characterised as 'one year of courage of conviction'. It was during this period that India entered a select group of nations following a series of successful nuclear tests at Pokharan in May 1998. The bus journey to Pakistan in February 1999 was widely acclaimed for starting a new era of negotiations to resolve the outstanding problems of the sub-continent. India's honesty made an impact on the world community. Later, when this gesture of friendship turned out to be a betrayal of faith in Kargil, Shri Vajpayee was also hailed for his successful handling of the situation in repulsing back the intruders from the Indian soil. It was during Shri Vajpayee's 1998-99 tenure that despite a global recession, India achieved 5.8 per cent GDP growth, which was higher than the previous year. Higher agricultural production and increase in foreign exchange reserves during this period were indicative of a forward-looking economy responding to the needs of the people. "We must grow faster. We simply have no other alternative" has been Shri Vajpayee's slogan focussing particularly on economic empowerment of the rural poor. The bold decisions taken by his Government for strengthening rural economy, building a strong infrastructure and revitalising the human development programmes, fully demonstrated his Government's commitment to a strong and self-reliant nation to meet the challenges of the next millennium to make India an economic power in the 21st century. Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 52nd Independence Day, he had said, "I have a vision of India : an India free of hunger and fear, an India free of illiteracy and want." Shri Vajpayee has served on a number of important Committees of Parliament. He was Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances (1966-67); Chairman, Public Accounts Committee (1967-70); Member, General Purposes Committee (1986); Member, House Committee and Member, Business Advisory Committee, Rajya Sabha (1988-90); Chairman, Committee on Petitions, Rajya Sabha (1990-91); Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Lok Sabha (1991-93); Chairman, Standing Committee on External Affairs (1993-96). Shri Vajpayee was conferred Padma Vibhushan in 1992 in recognition of his services to the nation. He was also conferred the Lokmanya Tilak Puruskar and the Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Award for the Best Parliamentarian, both in 1994. Earlier, the Kanpur University honoured him with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in 1993. True to his name, Atalji is an eminent national leader, Most respected Politician in India, an erudite politician, a selfless social worker, forceful orator, poet and literature, journalist and indeed a multi-faceted personality…Atalji articulates the aspirations of the masses… his works ever echo total commitment to nationalism. Books Published: Literary, Artistic and Scientific Accomplishments: Favourite Pastime and Recreation:
Silver Personality of the Month - November 2008
Vimla Patil was born and raised in Mumbai, India. Prolific writer, a well-known media person and a social activist of merit, she is recognized as a multi-faceted personality in India and among people of Indian origin in many other countries. Her phenomenal rise in the fields of journalism, writing, public speaking, textile promotion, show business, radio and TV appearances, social work and cultural activities has been unprecedented in the history of modern women journalists and media persons in India. Mrs. Patil was brought up in a Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family with a tradition of learning. Her father, the late G. Mangesh Rao, was a publisher and the distributor for all medical books throughout British India. A man who started at the bottom rung of the success ladder, he became one of the most prominent publishers in British India and built a sizeable fortune. A freedom fighter, he was known to throw foreign clothes in bonfires at Flora Fountain in downtown Mumbai and participate in civil disobedience movements with leaders like Morarji Desai and Gulzarilal Nanda, both of whom had stints as prime ministers of India for brief periods. He wore Khadi, the fabric of freedom, all his life. An admirer of Max Mueller, he was a patriot, devoted to learning and knowledge and a social activist par excellence. Mrs. Patil owes her career success and the joy she has derived out of living, loving and learning to his blessings, vision, generosity and encouragement. As a young girl playing with words was her favourite past time and she took immense pleasure in reading William Somerset Maugham. Her father, a publisher of medical books, though felt that she should be a lawyer. She graduated from Bombay University with a degree in English literature and Indian culture, and a degree in law. Thereafter she acquired a degree in Journalism from the Regent Polytechnic, London. Mrs. Patil graduated from Mumbai University with a degree in English literature and ancient Indian history and culture. She has a degree in law as well from the same University. (She is a distinguished member of the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa). She also has a degree in journalism from London University. Ms Patil finds place among the 20 most well-known women in India. She has an interest in the Viva Paschim restaurant which is among Mumbai's top ten eateries. It specialises in the deluxe cuisine of the western states of India, namely Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat and the west-coast up to Mangalore in Karnataka. She is a partner in a restaurant consultancy company named Sai Consultancy which has designed and created Nizam's Heritage, a Hyderabadi deluxe restaurant in the Heritage Hotel, Byculla, Mumbai and designed the Tavern & Beyond Cocktail lounge at the Fariyas Hotel, Colaba, Mumbai. She undertakes writing, events, TV script writing, interviews, and Internet work. The company is in to various activities organizing food festivals, speech, script and feature writing etc. Ms Patil has also authored over ten books on cookery.
Website: http://www.vimlapatil.com/
Silver Personality of the Month - October 2008
Prem Sagar Relli was born on 18th Jan 1943 at Sialkot Punjab now in Pakistan, His father late Shri Thakur Dass Ulfat was an Urdu Poet and Journalist in various Urdu Daily Newspapers of New Delhi. Though born in Hindu Panjabi family, Mr Relli lived in a Hindu Muslim Community which resulted in secular and positive mindset. He always thought beyond family and care for needy and downtrodden people of society right form his childhood and growing years. He felt an unending urge for publication of a magazine which can be beneficial and provide guidelines for better lifestyles to the senior citizens of India. His efforts and prayers found answer when Mr Mathew Cherian – CEO of HelpAge India liked the idea of publishing the magazine and extended support and also offered financial support to the publication. Thus, a new magazine - HAPPY OLD AGE was published in 2008.At 65yrs of age Mr.Relli started this excellent quality 64 page magazine. The Inaugural Issue of HAPPY OLD AGE Magazine was published in Jan – Mar 2008.Most important thing to note is that he distributes this quarterly magazine Free for senior citizens. To meet the expenses of publication of the magazine he plans to solicit sponsorships, donations and advertisements from Corporate and individuals concerned with the welfare of senior citizens and willing to participate in our endeavor to render social obligation in improving lifestyle of elderly persons. Prem Sagar Relli:
Silver Personality of the Month - September 2008
Ashis Nandy is a political psychologist and sociologist of science who has worked on cultures of knowledge, visions, and dialogue of civilizations. At present he is Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for the Study of Developing Societies and Chairperson of the Committee for Cultural Choices and Global Futures, both located in Delhi. Ashis Nandy has worked for more than thirty-five years on two diametrically opposite domains - social existence, -human potentialities or creativity and human destructiveness, particularly mass violence. It is the oscillation between these two domains that has defined his life and work. Even in his ongoing study of genocides in South Asia, the emphasis is not only on human destructiveness, but also on the resistance offered by ordinary people to organised machine violence and ethnonationalism. This has brought him close to social movements and non-state political actors grappling with issues of peace, human rights, environment, and cultural survival. During the last thirty years he has served in a number of commissions, hearings and investigations into communal riots, violence of development, racist crimes against women, electoral malpractices and human rights abuses . His Blog: Address:Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, 29 Rajpur Road, Delhi
Silver Personality of the Month - August 2008
Mansukhlal Ruparelia was born on 1st March, 1934 in Karachi, now in Pakistan. Karachi, at that time was a very well-planned, nice, neat and tidy city, where people from all communities were living peacefully and happily. There were sufficient number of gardens, grounds and open spaces for children to play freely. His childhood passed very happily- playing and studying. He had large number of friends, ten of whom are in Mumbai and remain in contact through phone on every Sunday and meet on various family functions even after more than 61 years of leaving Karachi and cherish happy childhood memories. His primary education up to Standard IV was in a nearby school about a mile away. A teacher used to come to take him and bring back. There was no heavy load of books, there were hardly one or two small books with slate & pen (like chalk). There were no note books, pencil, and pen for Primary classes. No uniform! These things were not even available freely in those days! Every thing was scare. People were not able to afford. Mansukhlal was admitted to a very renowned Gandhian School called Shri Sharda Mandir. This was the foundation of his life. The medium of teaching was Gujarati his mother tongue. This school was like Ashram with bright airy classes covered with green creepers. Principal & Teachers were real Gurus and very much devoted with deep love towards children & Nation. In addition to education, their main aim was to develop good human beings with national spirit. It was always a pleasure to go & remain in school for as much more time, as possible. He was bright at studies and was coaching weak students in free time, there were no tuition’s or Classes in those time. Education was of very high standard. Games & extra-curricular activities were many. While he was in Std V at age of 13, India got Independence in 1947 and unfortunately faced the partition of the Country. They had leave Karachi in Oct, 47, incurring heavy losses and came to Morvi in Gujarat. There were difficulties in settling & ripe years of child-adult were spoiled. But further study was not affected. At Morvi, in Gujarat, his family established a shop, but it was not enough for the family expense. As he was loved by his teachers, one of them suggested to his father that he should be sent to Mumbai for further studies and they shall take care of all his expenses. But his father did not agree and insisted on joining service, though he was only 16. Then same teacher got him a job in Railways immediately after his results. On formation of Western Railway by amalgamating of all railways in particular areas, he came to Mumbai in 1951. Passing departmental examinations in first attempts and getting promotions, he reached the psot of Joint Director in Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS-one of the IAS Central Services). During his employment he passed B.A. and B.Com. by attending morning & evening colleges. He also passed `Rashtra Bhasa Ratna` in Hindi and also appeared in IAS in 1960 and passed the written in the first attempt, though could not come in final panel. Throughout the career, he was liked by superiors and his colleagues’ for being very prompt, sincere & straight forward. After retirement, he took second career and joined a well-known Private Limited Company and worked their for 8 years and completed total employment of 50 years. One remarkable achievement he has to his credit that in the span of 50 years, he has not taken a single paisa or given any as bribe!! His father had a big joint family and he was very much interested in reading. He inherited reading habit from him. His mother was very mild & straight forward and these two virtues came from her. He also developed liking for Music, traveling to different places and social service perhaps from the school. As of now, he has collected almost 1000 books, 200 audio cassettes and many CD/VCD and enjoys reading and listening music. He has traveled the entire country and many places more than once. He is fond of photographs and has a big collection. Mansukhlal day starts at 4’o clock in the morning and ends at 10’o clock in the night. He does Yoga-Pranayam, goes for Walking, goes to nearby Laughter club, Relaxes in afternoon, views Television for 1 ½ hours ,listening Music for about 3 hours, surfs computer, goes to Local Senior Citizen Association regularly for 1 hour daily, sees movies occasionally. Sunday he prefers to be with family. He is enjoying his Silver Years as Grand Parenting and loves his younger grand daughter calling him `Hai Dadu` `Dadu` or `Morning Dadu` in different lovely tones with smiling & sparkling face. This he says increases his joy, spirit & of course life span too. He is happy and lucky to see his grand childrens are matured at tender age and care for the feelings of others! He wonder many a times as to from where they have picked up such good sanskars- from previous birth, genes or her surroundings!! He also keeps himself busy by guiding in his grand children in studies and get important lesson from them on Computer problems. Dada-Dadi are happily living with constantly flowing love of all their six grandchildren and going ahead day by day at 75 and 72 with 50 years of happy married life! After retiring from his Job Mansukhlal has taken Mission for life ‘’Service To Senior Citizens’’. Earlier also during his employment he used to in some way or other would take up some social cause. In 1999, when National Policy of Older Persons was announced he approached organisation and media to take up the cause of Senior Citizens. He contributes his knowledge and skill by addressing large number of issues pertaining to Senior Citizens like Health Problems, Insurance, Relief in Fees of Doctors and Cost of Medicines, More facilities & Concessions from Central, State & Municipal & other authorities, Financial Management, Will, Managing their spare time and creating awareness about their status and rights etc. He utlises his time in being actively involve in (RTI) Right to Information movement and seeks information for welfare of citizens from Municipal corporation, Transport Authorities, and various Government departments. In this way he not only creates awareness but also helps the authority in addressing the issue. He attends and contributes to various forums, meetings and workshops. He is also actively involved and is member of Associations of Senior Citizens and organisations like Retired Railway Employees Welfare Association (RREWA), Silver Innings, and Society for Serving Seniors Global to name few. Writing articles in various magazine and website on various issues keeps him busy and activates his mind for productive ageing. He is a true inspiration to all the elders and younger generation to be aged some day. His friend and family say at 75 yrs. he is “Retired” But “NOT TIRED”. Mansukhlal. V. Ruparelia
Silver Personality of the Month - July 2008
Ela Ramesh Bhatt was born on September 7, 1933 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.She spent her childhood in Surat. Her father Sumant Bhatt had a successful law practice. She completed her schooling from Sarvajanik Girls High School in Surat. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the M. T. B. College in Surat in 1952. After graduation she entered the Sir L. A. Shah Law College in Ahmedabad. In 1954 she received her degree in law and a Gold Medal for her work on Hindu Law. She then taught English for a short time at Shrimati Nathibai Damodardas Thackarsey Women's University in Mumbai. She joined the legal department of the Textile Labour Association (TLA) in Ahmedabad in 1955. Bhatt founded SEWA with the aim of creating a trade union of women who earned a living through their own labour. Over the past three decades, it has evolved, becoming a cooperative movement that has enabled 7.94 lakh women - from rag pickers and vendors to chindi (used garment) makers - to become economically and socially self-reliant, giving them access to education, childcare, banking, insurance and, more recently, housing. Today, SEWA is a self-sufficient NGO, and an example to the world - the model has been replicated in South Africa, Yemen and Turkey. Bhatt was given the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1977. It took Bhatt two years to write We Are Poor But So Many. During the process, she also shot off Laari Yudh, a humourous account of the tussle between vendors and authorities, in Gujarati - the book was later translated into Hindi. Before this book, the only writing she did was in her diary, and for annual reports. "My daughter Amimayi encouraged me to write. Otherwise, I would never have taken up the project," she says, pausing to take another phone call. The fourth in two hours, this one was from the SEWA Bank, which provides micro-finance to self-employed women, requesting her for a meeting. Bhatt is helping SEWA to get permission from the Reserve Bank of India to add two more branches of the bank in Ahmedabad to the existing five. The same pride is evident when she talks about her grandson Somnath. As her son Mihir lives in the same compound, Bhatt has seen Somnath every day of his life. "When he was small, every wall had his signature. He did that painting when he was two," says the doting grandmother, pointing to a painted duck on the wall. Her smile deepens the wrinkles around her eyes. "Discrediting someone is a time-honoured weapon," says Bhatt. "How you deal with problems is more important." She's dealt with opposition all her life - from her family to her social work, and then to her marriage. Bhatt, with her small frame and soft voice, has taken it all in her stride. "We only knew the words sewa karo, which Gandhiji taught us," she says. "It meant we had to give something to society without expecting anything in return." As the guiding spirit behind SEWA and its many projects ELA RAMESH BHATT has shown that the weak and the poor can, through their collective strength, overcome numerous handicaps. Her great confidence in the ability of self-employed women is seen in the structure of SEWA; it is a grass-roots organization which genuinely utilizes the talents and knowledge of its members. One who has observed her at work has said of ELA BHATT: "She is an extraordinarily calm, strong person whose gentleness and patience with the women is certainly one of the most important reasons for the success of SEWA." "Simple needs and approach eliminate the need to lie and the craving for more. I relish simplicity as an all-comprehensive value." - Ela Bhatt Books: Ela Bhatt : Uniting Women in India The Role of Women-Textile workers in Indian Labour Movement - Its Activities & Achievements Our Own : Sewa Bank Women's Health Security: Strengthening Women's Economy The Future of cities is their poor & women Co-operatives and-empowerment of women empowerment Contact Ela Bhatt: Silver Personality of the Month - June 2008
The children from his family and from the village accustomed to a simple life and who were not even aware how to wear chappals have Now attained high positions in their respective fields. Mr. P.S. Sawant was born on 22nd January 1928. He was a precocious child with a natural gifted memory. He used to be ready with answers even before his maths teacher could write the full questions on the blackboard. His favourite subject was geography and he was adept at drawing geographical maps. After completing his secondary education, he came to Mumbai for doing his Teachers’ Training Course. He was greatly influenced by great personalities such as Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Sane Guruji, Jawaharlal Nehru, Acharya Jawadekar, Achyut Patwardhan. By reading books on their lives he developed a sense of strong patriotism and dedication to social causes. He returned to his village with a strong desire to create a social reform in his village. He started high schools in his village which were built as a result of ‘shramdaan’ or which literally means donating ones labor without expecting anything in return. In the same manner, he enabled building of good roads and starting of rationing shops. He has been a strong influence and molded lives of many children in his village. Today Mr. Sawant is above 80 years of age but his enthusiasm has not waned in the least but on the contrary he has been able to expand his farming and horticulture. He has developed huge farms of fruits like guava, chikku, mango, papaya and cashew nut and teakwood. He is continuously conducting new experiments with regard to innovative farming approaches. He places a great emphasis on organic farming and is well aware of its rising demand. He grows commercial crops like ground nuts and oilseeds apart from vegetables and fruits. He has been successful at extracting maximum yield due to the use of vermiculture. The renowned agricultural seed Mahico has conferred on him the award of ‘Best Agriculturist’ for seed products. . He is also involved in creating new dairy products. Through the Service Civil Organisation, an international social organization, a rural camp was organized in his village, Kalsuli,In which volunteers from 14 countries had participated. Mr. Sawant had arranged for all the volunteers to stay in his home. He is personally involved in contributing and shaping social service projects in his village. Due to his positive personality, unstinting efforts and constructive approach and helpful attitude towards others he is leading a very happy and contented life. He is highly respected by his family members and people in the village who could avail of educational efforts due to his tremendous efforts. His life and work is a source of immense source of inspiration for all of us. His biography has now been published by the name ‘Kulasankirtan’. The book has been written by Dr. Aparna Lovekar. The price of the book is Rs. 120 and it is available at the following address: Sawant Foundation
Silver Personality of the Month - May 2008
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam born October 15, 1931, Tamil Nadu, India, usually referred as Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, was the eleventh President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007. A notable engineer, he is often referred to as the Missile Man of India for his work and is considered a progressive mentor, innovator and visionary in India. He is also popularly known as the People's President. His term as president ended on July 25, 2007. Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. Dr. Kalam made significant contribution as Project Director to develop India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully injected the Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit in July 1980 and made India an exclusive member of Space Club. He was responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration. After working for two decades in ISRO and mastering launch vehicle technologies, Dr. Kalam took up the responsibility of developing Indigenous Guided Missiles at Defense Research and Development Organization as the Chief Executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). He was responsible for the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI Missiles and for building indigenous capability in critical technologies through networking of multiple institutions. He was the Scientific Adviser to Defense Minister and Secretary, Department of Defense Research & Development from July 1992 to December 1999. During this period he led to the weaponisation of strategic missile systems and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in collaboration with Department of Atomic Energy, which made India a nuclear weapon State. He also gave thrust to self-reliance in defense systems by progressing multiple development tasks and mission projects such as Light Combat Aircraft. Kalam is the third President of India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna before being elected to the highest office, the other two being Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Zakir Hussain. He is also the first scientist and first bachelor to occupy Rashtrapati Bhavan. Referred to as the "People's President", Kalam is often considered amongst India's greatest presidents, going on to win a poll conducted by news channel CNN-IBN for India's Best President. Political views: Kalam's probable views on certain issues have been espoused by him in his book India 2020 where he strongly advocates an action plan to develop India into a knowledge superpower and into a developed nation by the year 2020. Kalam is credited with the view that India ought to take a more assertive stance in international relations; he regards his work on India's nuclear weapons program as a way to assert India's place as a future superpower. Kalam continues to take an active interest in other developments in the field of science and technology as well. He has proposed a research programme for developing bio-implants. He is a supporter of Open source software over proprietary solutions and believes that the use of open source software on a large scale will bring more people the benefits of information technology. Kalam's belief in the power of science to resolve society's problems and his views of these problems as a result of inefficient distribution of resources is modernistic. He also sees science and technology as ideology-free areas and emphasizes the cultivation of scientific temper and entrepreneurial drive. In this, he finds a lot of support among India's new business leaders like the founders of Infosys and Wipro, (leading Indian IT corporations) who began their careers as technology professionals much in the same way Kalam did. Personal life: APJ Abdul Kalam was born in 1931 in a middle-class family in Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu, a town well-known for its Hindu shrines. His mother tongue is Tamil. His father, a devout Muslim, owned boats which he rented out to local fishermen and was a good friend of Hindu religious leaders and the school teachers at Rameshwaram. APJ Abdul Kalam mentions in his biography that to support his studies, he started his career as a newspaper vendor. This was also told in the book, A Boy and His Dream: Three Stories from the Childhood of Abdul Kalam by Vinita Krishna. The house Kalam was born in can still be found on the Mosque street at Rameshwaram, and his brother's curio shop abuts it. This has become a point-of-call for tourists who seek out the place. Kalam grew up in an intimate relationship with nature, and he says in Wings of Fire that he never could imagine that water could be so powerful a destroying force as that he witnessed when he was six. That was in 1934 when a cyclonic storm swept away the Pamban bridge and a trainload of passengers with it and also Kalam's native village, Dhanushkodi. Kalam observes strict personal discipline, vegetarianism, teetotalism and celibacy. Kalam is a scholar of Thirukkural; in most of his speeches, he quotes at least one kural. Kalam has written several inspirational books, most notably his autobiography Wings of Fire, aimed at motivating Indian youth. Another of his books, Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life reveals his spiritual side. He has written poems in Tamil as well. It has been reported that there is considerable demand in South Korea for translated versions of books authored by him. His Books: At 77years of age he is still guiding force and Mentor to many youngsters. Salute to this Great son of Mother India. Website: http://www.abdulkalam.com/kalam/index.jsp
Silver Personality of the Month - April 2008
In today’s world of rapid technological change and social transformation, perhaps the most intimidating challenge being faced by senior citizens is a feeling of alienation, being cut off from the world or the people around, whether young or old. To some extent, technology is in a position to bridge this gap, and Dr Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy, 66, has made it his mission to address this problem. “It is necessary to provide senior citizens not only with the opportunity but also the tools to enable them to integrate into today’s society,” he says. “There are several who have a PC at home but don’t know how to use it. Once initiated into the cyber world, they can form a cyber community, remain mentally alert, connect with their grandchildren by learning some of their lingo and favourite past times. The possibilities are simply immense.” Dr. Vyasamoorthy has been associating himself with several services for senior citizens. He has set up and is managing a web based discussion forum for elders for more than six years. This keeps about 400 senior citizens communicating with each other. Empowering senior citizens by providing them with access to information is now a passion with him. “If used optimally, this bonding tool an take care of most of senior citizens’ needs: social, intellectual, physical, vocational, emotional and spiritual,” he maintains. Dr Vyasamoorthy has had over forty five years of experience in putting his knowledge of technology to innovative uses. He has the honour of starting a knowledge management system in Satyam, India’s first knowledge repository, and since libraries are repositories of knowledge, he developed a special expertise in putting computers to use in libraries. He also set up a virtual information centre for the ICICI knowledge park, also the first of its kind in India. Dr Vyasamoorthy was born in Madras (now Chennai) on 14th December 1941. He was first class first rank holder both in B.Lib Sc and M Lib. Sc degrees. He also holds a PhD in Library and Information Science from Gulbarga University, which awarded him a special prize as his thesis was adjudged as the best. A practising homeopath and now a social worker with a focus on older persons, he has written more than a hundred papers, participated in several seminars and is well known among librarians, and organisations for senior citizens.
Contact him: vyasamoorthy@gmail.com
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Nana Chudasama: Born to serve the society
Nirmala Narula ‘Ever Green’ Social Worker 
Anna Hazare: Endless effort to make social change 
Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A man of the masses and a multi-faceted personality
Vimla Patil: Talent Unlimited
Prem Sagar Relli: Exploring Second Innings
Prof. Ashis Nandy – Seventies still making positive impact 
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Transforming India into a developed nation by 2020
Dr. Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy: Building bridges for senior citizens