Soul food for Sundays - Volunteer in Chennai

Like many, I have been "looking" to do volunteering work for some time now. I started checking out a few years back, found a place and then got caught up in the churn of daily routines.

Finally, last month, I started checking out again and found a few options for volunteering in Chennai.

1. http://chennaivolunteers.org/ - Lists a lot of options, nicely consolidated website
2. Reading sessions at Padma Seshadri Bala Bavan School [PSBB], Habibulla Road, T Nagar,

As I had checked the 2nd one earlier, thought of exploring it further and sent an email to Shankar about whether it is still on. Got a nice email with a blog post and FAQ about reading for Visually challenged students in PSBB, T. Nagar.
The place is near Valluvar kottam and provides a chance to read to Visually challenged students in Tamil & English.

Reading for Visually challenged , PSBB, T. Nagar

So, I want on sunday, 26th Oct. Reached there early by about 9.45 and a Sai Bhajan was going on. By 10.30, there was a bunch of students and the organizers started calling out "Tamil", "English" etc. You step in, get assigned and start.

I guess, nothing can be made easier than this - No signup,s fuss, formalities. Just show up and help.

I got to read for a student studying Phd in "Social conciousness in Tamil literature", and that day he wanted to go over a few poems of Kaviarasu kannadasan. Got as chance to read a few wonderful poems of Kannadasan (First time for me).

It was an excellent experience to see about 50 students full of Energy, Happiness, and Hope. They are not sorry. They were never worried. They are not helpless. They never talk about what they don't have. Each one is having plans about future - Studies, Job, Marriage and what not.
It was an amazing feeling. They have friends and there was so much bon-homie and laughter. There were Phd students, BEd students, PG, UG students, those who are working/training as teachers etc. Their self confidence is amazing.

I was very comfortable. The organizers/organization was focussed. No unnecessary formalities. Job simply getting done. It was very gratifying to also see the set of volunteers made up of a good mix of youth, middle-aged as well as senior citizens of both genders.

I thank them for the wonderful opportunity to utilize myself for something useful. Not to forget the Coffee, Biscuits and the lunch we had that day - simple and tasty to wrap up a very satisfying sunday morning.

Address is Padma Seshadri Bala Bavan School [PSBB], Habibulla Road, T Nagar, Chennai
Timings - Sunday mornings 10.30 to 12.30
Check out the article and Frequently asked questions - http://scribes-readers.blogspot.in/2007/08/reading-session-for-visually-challenged.html
Check out some pictures  - http://picasaweb.google.com/scopeon2002/SundayReadingSessionAtTNagarChennai#

They are in need of people, both for Tamil and English. Check out or walk in on Sunday mornings. The schedule is very nice - like IPL session about 2-3 hours max.

Some soul food is good for Sundays. 

Bangalore garbage problem - IITian appointed to handle the Solid Waste Management issues

The problem of garbage in Bangalore is reaching unmanageable proportions. After the recent demonstrations by villages in Mandur etc, the government has finally sat up and taking notice. 

A lot of action seems to be happening and one of it to appoint an IIT-ian, Mr. Darpan Jain as the special commissioner for Solid waste management in Bangalore. 

Hope he will come up with innovative ideas and ensure their implementations to solve the problem - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Garbage-crisis-IITian-is-ready-for-the-challenge/articleshow/37274277.cms

Here, we need to understand - We cannot just put our hands up and push ALL the responsibility to the government. 

The waste is being generated in Our homes, Our restaurants, Our hotels, Our hospitals, Our offices, 

Our residential complexes, and Our factories!. We need to make efforts to segregate and help towards a cleaner Bangalore and a cleaner India. It is not just enough to discuss, but action needs to be done. 

Simple thing to start at homes would be to keep a separate bin for degradeable (kitchen waste) Vs non-degradeable items in other words Wet vs Dry items. 

At commercial establishments, it is much easier to segregate different qualities of dry waste and even get some money for them.

Most of the industries are well equipped and well versed in taking recycleable inputs and hence are eager to pay a price for them. The minimum we can do is to make it easy recycleable inputs since they are off the landfills!

India, Cigarette packets warnings to cover 85% of space and on both sides - only one regret

Cigarette smoking is injurious to health!

Not that you need to hear it from me, but just recently I went and met the father of my friend, a jovial, active  and energetic person, who is now suffering from severe COPD, and is severely restricted in movements due to the oxygen tube that he needs to use almost for 24 hours a day.

About four of my friends/associates are into smoking and all are well educated, (graduates and double graduates), intelligent and able to defend their actions in rational or irrational arguments.

As the link between smoking and various illnesses and ailments are becoming more and more clear and published, I hope this crazy habit will see its end soon.

The companies are squeezing life out of every smoker and filling the coffers. I don't know what logic or justification they have to continue to sell this slow poison.

So, it is with happy feeling that I welcome a very good step in one of the many steps towards reducing Cigarette smoking in India. I hope and wish that the government does not stop here and continue the many steps towards reducing Cigaratte smoking in India. Just like Polio eradication and TB eradication, I think we need a tobacco eradication program for India.

Here is the link to the article that talks about the government move - http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-10-16/news/55107234_1_pictorial-warnings-health-warnings-proposed-warnings

1. To increasing the pictorial warning to 85% of the package. - 60% picture and 25% text. I would say a picture speaks a 1000 words, 85% picture would've been good.
2. Further it also moves the companies towards removing the glossy packaging and making them plain - to reduce the attraction for youth. 
3. The warnings are to be done on both sides of the packet.  

The health minister Harsh Vardhan, has said that they have made a Number of suggestions on curbing tobacco consumption and this is just one of them. Good! 

The only regret in this the date of implementation is fixed as Apr 1, 2015. There is a saying "Subhasha seekram" - If it is a good thing, do it fast. Would've been good if the implementation date is earlier. 

Anyway, Kudos to the Health ministry and to the government in thinking and implementing these steps. 

If you do know of any organization(s) that are helping smokers quit or fighting against smoking, please add as comment or email me. I will update the post.

Social Evil - 1 of 3. Drug usage on the rise among India's youth

When I studied my Engineering about 20 years back in Chennai, we used to hear about drugs on-and-off. Mainly there used to be rumors that certain group(s) of students would do drugs on special occasions (college day celebrations) in some forsaken place.

But, recently it seems the drug usage among youth/teens/college and even schools students is heavily on the rise.

Too many news items of late. Just a 5 minute search on google throws up so much
Woman arrested with 21kg marijuana
Drug addiction among students on the rise

Here is a Sting by NDTV on how easy to get drugs in front of Bangalore colleges

if you think only Bangalore has a problem, check out Pune - Here and here  and about Chandigarh - Chandigarh youth turn slave to drugs and 27 Kgs of Heroin seized!

A combination of factors seem to be fanning the fire!

More money in the hands of the youth, More exposure and hence confusions on rights and wrongs, Confusions over rights and responsibilities, Terrible pressure - Peer pressure, pressure from Media, pressure from competitions for everything - from college seats to sweetheart's hearts.

On the other hand, seems the crooks have gotten brazen, the hierarchy and levels of playing fields extend to the gates of schools and houses, Greed has taken over good and common sense with some of the enforcers also taking part in the crime.

It is a killer for our future generation, they being harmed mentally and physically. Just read this story about a eighteen year old girl who got addicted to drugs even before her 10th standard and how it consumed her.

Once they get into the habit, sadly they don't realize the effects it has on their physique , their minds and their family members.

With such a mushrooming of the problem, it is very good timing that Prime minister Narendra Modi has started a debate/discussion on this and is planning to talk about it on his next Mann Ki Baath. 

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pm-narendra-modi-invites-views-experiences-on-dealing-with-menace-of-drugs-2031979. Please check the links and place your views to save the youth of India

Here is a prayer for those victims - To get a better frame of mind, Understand the implications and Be able to resist the temptations and live their lives to the fullest.

Good news today - Kerela High court upholds liquor ban

Picture By Sreejithk2000

The Kerala high court has upheld the liquor ban by the kerala state government, as a first step towards prohibition in the state. About 600+ bars will be shut from tomorrow.

For more info check http://www.newkerala.com/news/2014/fullnews-120363.html

Hope that this starts a first step towards the long road towards prohibition

Transparency in the Indian Central government

The new government seems to be taking serious steps towards transparency and clean goveranance. The list of assets and liabilities of all ministers in the Union council is listed in pmindia.gov.in.

Good job!

Festival of lights in Pakistan - A good news

Saw in papers today about the festival of lights being celebrated in Pakistan, with official posters and declaration of holiday for senate etc.

While Economic times states "Pakistan enthusiastically celebrates Diwali", the Hindu writes "Diwali lights across the border"

Found a nicer note and the official posters another blog - 
http://www.anindianmuslim.com/2014/10/diwali-celebrations-in-sindh-and-other.html

Here is the picture and news from "Pakistan Hindu Council" website.

Diwali in Pakistan

This is very good news!

Seems these have been happening earlier too, but hoping that this is sustained and is a good start of better relationships. 

Not just for Pakistan and India, but a good gesture towards inclusive society and sharing happiness with community irrespective of their majority/minority status will improve compassion and reduce the conflicts everywhere. 

RTI Replies to be posted online from Nov 1 2014

Interesting announcement from the government to place all RTI replies online from Nov 01 2014. News link 
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-10-22/news/55318960_1_rti-act-upa-government-transparency

The advantages are there to see
a) Will improve transparency. 

b) Will reduce the work load on RTI, since common questions can be answered once and referred rather than spending time. 

Hopefully it increases efficiency in answering the more important and specific ones.

At this point, it seems the information will be whetted to remove personal  details before publishing. If that happens, then the worry about personal information being made available publicly will be handled.

Want a search engine that does not track you - try duckduckgo.com

As we know, most of the information that we enter in our computers, search engines, websites etc are being tracked, analyzed and used for advertisement and many other purposes.

A breath of fresh air is a search engine, that does not track you. 

I Have been using www.duckduckgo.com for the past many months and its been a good experience so far.

If you are one of those who is excited about the "no-tracking" feature, recommend you to give it a try.

If you have any comments or any other information, feel free to share.

Quotable quote - Great minds discuss ideas. where do you spend your time?

Read this quote a few months back and I think it is a very effective one.  

It helps you identify where you spend your time and I think it is one of the key traits of successful people, helping them focus their time and attention. 

Sharing with you with hope that it helps you too.

"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Back to blog

Back to blog after more than two years.

Lots and lots of changes in these two years.

Loss of dear ones indicate the whimsical nature of life - Here today, not there tomorrow.

Resolved to help, make a difference, and to bring happiness to others

Swachh Bharath - What a good way to start for a cleaner India

Wonderful start for the cleanliness drive with the Swachh Bharath initiative. Every one of us (Indians and others who visit or see the squalor in movies/images) wished for this for quite a long time.

Kudos to the Prime minister to have taken the broom to set an example - https://in.news.yahoo.com/swachh-bharat-abhiyan-pm-modi-wields-broom-valmiki-044104068.html

Committing myself to a cleaner India in whatever way I can help.

Proud to be part of a Company Sudh-Labh to provide waste management and Engineering services to the waste management industry