Kanchi Acharya
Beckons You
Rural Development Society (REGD.)
|
Kanchi Acharya Beckons You |
The Voluntary Health Education and Rural Development Society (REGD.) |
Apart from conducting various Rural Development activities, at the directives and blessings of our Acharyars, a Computer Training Centre is already being conducted since Vijayadasami last year at Paramacharya Bhavan in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
It is the desire of our Acharyas that 10 more Computer Centres have to be started, mainly in Rural areas, to cater to the needs of meritorious middle class students on a subsidised basis.
The first such "Kanchi Kamakoti Computer Centre" is being inaugurated on 23-01-1999 at Kodambakkam, Chennai with the help of IDBI and a few NRI's from United States.
For starting other Computer Training Centres in rural areas, we need help from the NRI's in the form of donating Servers and PCs, apart from Software like Windows 95/WIN 98/WIN NT/OFFICE 97/ LOTUS/ORACLE/C ++/JAWA etc. Persons interested in donating such items may please contact:
The Kanchi Kamakoti Computer Centre
Deemed University - Kanchipuram - An Appeal
His Holiness Pujyashri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal envisaged the necessity of having a modern educational institution which will be emphasising, apart from the acquisition of knowledge, the establishment of ethics in personal life of the students who are to become proper citizens of India. His Holiness Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham established a Deemed University in 1993 at Enathur near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
The objective of the centre of learning which has been established at the International Library at Enathur, Kanchipuram is to impart knowledge of modern sciences, humanities and art studies with emphasis to promote moral consciousness, character upliftment, ethical behaviour and true character-building, along with the acquisition of modern knowledge and skills. Recognising the potential of such a learning institution, the Government of India awarded the status of a "Deemed University" to the institution.
The University offers two year post graduate degree courses for MBA, three year degree courses for Bachelor in Commerce, Masters in Sanskrit, Masters in Computer Applications, Four year courses for the degrees of Bachelor of Engineering in Computers and Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery. A Certificate/Diploma course on Silpa and Agama Sastra dealing with sculpture and temple architecture is being conducted.
The University has organised for all 680 students "Extended Lectures" by authorities of studies on various subjects (under the cultural heritage programme). Such a course of studies is not available in any university. This course of study involve reference of Vedas to modern science management concepts in Sanskrit classics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, concept of Government and management of society in Agamas and Arthasastras, the core ideas of Periyapuranam dealing with all the Nayanmars, essence of Vaishnavite Panchatantra and Vaikanasa Schools of thought and practices, the structure of vedas and smruthis, the development of sculpture through ages, the organisation of Siva temples and rituals, the intrinsic features of carnatic music, etc. The students' response is so enthusiastic that apart from the two hours of lecture, more than half an hour had to be ear-marked for student interactions by way of questions on wide ranging subjects, with the erudite Scholars delivering the lectures.
Various Research oriented activities and construction projects for different departments are proceeding simultaneously and the University needs funds for the same. More than collecting funds, Poojyashri Acharyas feel that our youth and students who live outside India, in pursuit of their profession and education should become aware of the excellent cultural and educational frame-work being run in the name of our Paramacharya, viz., the Deemed University, and also get themselves involved with the University.
We have, therefore, been directed to collect a general fund for the University by issuing tickets for US $ 100 & 50. The donors will be kept informed of the activities and the projects of the University.
Such donations are exempt from U.S. Income Tax if your cheque / drafts are written in the name of "Kanchi Kamakoti Seva Foundation" and addressed to:
Prof. D. Sundararaman
Those interested in sending the cheques / drafts directly may send them to:
The Managing Trustee
Call for Non-Resident Indians to Participate in Rural Development
Non-Resident Indians and their parents and relatives in India should actively involve themselves in welfare activities in India so that they continue to keep link with our Indian Culture. Shri P.S. Gopalakrishnan, Former Chairman of Indian Overseas Bank gave this call while presiding over a meeting of NRIs and their relatives organised by the Voluntary Health, Education and Rural Development Society, Chennai at Narada Gana Sabha on 22nd November'98. He asked the Society to involve these people in the planning stage itself so that each one of them can give not only positive suggestions but also help in the development of their own native places and villages around them.
Shri P.S. Krishnamurthy, Retd. Chief Engineer, Government of India and presently Technical Advisor to Tamilnadu Government said that both the Central and State Governments are spending several crores of Rupees for Rural Development, but the standard of living in rural areas had not improved to the expected level. He quoted the example of Gujarat State where the financial help of the Government has almost been fully and properly utilised and there is visible improvement in the living conditions of rural people. He appealed to the Society to actively coordinate and ensure that allotted Government funds are properly and effectively used.
Earlier, Shri T.P. Radhakrishnan, General Secretary of the Society in his welcome address informed that this Society which was formed in 1985 was providing service to a few villages around Kancheepuram and now they plan to enlarge its activities to the entire Tamilnadu. They have already identified 62 villages for this purpose from the districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvellore, Thiruvarur, Theni and Thanjavur. He also informed the gathering that this Society is organising an Entrepreneur Development Programme at Thanjavur in the middle of December. About 250 people from 12 villages around Thanjavur, mostly women, will be given training for 10 days focusing on Self Employment opportunities covering various cottage industries.
Several speakers wanted a united NRI forum be formed to coordinate the activities and accordingly it was agreed to form 'Kanchi NRI forum', which would meet on the third Sunday of every month to formulate various strategies and discuss the problems of the NRIs including students.
An Earnest Appeal to The Devotees of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
With the directives and blessings of Pujyashri Sankaracharyas of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, two Vridhashrams (Old Age Homes) at Kalavai in North Arcot District and Nazarathpet Village near Poonamallee in Chengleput District and also a handicapped home in Kalavai are being conducted. There are 96 inmates in Old Age Home at Kalavai, 52 inmates in Nazarathpet Old Age Home and 30 handicapped children in Kalavai. The inmates are all genuinely poor and helpless.
A scheme is being formulated for the permanent future maintenance of these institutions with the help of NRIs and their relatives. A sum of Rs.1,500/- is needed daily for feeding the inmates and the maintenance of each institution in Kalavai and Nazarathpet. An endowment of Rs.15,000/- (say US$ 400/-) will generate an annual income of about Rs.1,500/- per annum.
If 700 philanthropist NRIs come forward by contributing Rs.15,000/- (US$ 400/-) in an endowment scheme during one day in a year (Anniversaries of their parents or grand parents or the birthdays of NRIs or their children), both the institutions can be maintained for ever on a permanent basis.
Any contribution from NRIs to VEDA VYASA SABHA TRUST, CHENNAI,
INDIA, will be exempt from Income Tax in the United States if the
contribution is routed through
"Kanchi Kamakoti Seva Foundation
(KKSF)"
and addressed to
Donations can be sent by Cheque or Draft to:
The Managing Trustee(Income-tax exemption under Section 80-G is being obtained)
Phone: 91-04112-22115
Fax : 91-04112-24305
Message from His Holiness
H.O. : Kanchipuram Date: 16-12-1998
Camp :
His Holiness is happy to note that a bulletin "KANCHI NRI NEWS" is being brought out for the first time and hopes that this bulletin will strengthen the contact between Indians and NRIs and strengthen Indian culture. NRIs should keep in mind and endeavour to promote three main aspects of Indian life viz. Indian tradition, trade and dignity. NRIs particularly those from Tamil Nadu should strive to promote development in temple renovation, traditional culture and participate in a big measure in these activities. They should also try to increase the employment potential in India.
His Holiness is of the opinion that this Bulletin will be a beginning to promote Indian and NRI relationship and blesses that this relationship should go in a positive manner.
sd/-
Narayana Smruti.
Office-Bearers for 1998-99
1. Shri P. Neelakanta Iyer - President
2. Shri P.S. Gopalakrishnan - Vice President
3. Shri T.P. Radhakrishnan - General Secretary and
Treasurer
4. Shri Dr. M. Rangarajan - Medical Secretary
5. Shri N. Balasubramanyan - Joint Secretary
6. Shri T.S. Venkataraman - " "
7. Shri K.A. Panchapagesan - Committee Member
8. Shri S. Balasubramanyan - " "
9. Shri C.K. Raman - " "
10. Shri P.S. Krishnamurthy - " "
11. Shri V.K. Padmanabhan - " "
12. Shri K. Srinivasan - " "
13. Shri R. Ravi - " "
14. Shri K. Ramdas - " "
15. Shri B. Ramakrishnan - " "