The simple beauty of Service

WELCOME

“For me everybody is the same”, these are

the words which comes out from the mouth of Mr.Narayanan Krishnan. Born in Madurai to the blessed couple K.Narayanan and Lakshmi, he pursued his career as a Chef before fate turned him into a social worker of the poor and the destitutes. A Brahmin by religion he has become ir-religious or anti-religion to feed the 450 odd poor, destitute, mentally retarded and home-less. He did his B.Sc in Hotel Management and Catering Science from Madurai Kamaraj University in 2002 and

joined as apprentice in Taj Hotel at Bangalore. After six months of training he was posted to a star hotel in Switzerland. Before flying out of the country he visited his parents in his home town. God had other plans for him and a sighting of a man eating his own excreta out of hunger changed the course of pursuing his goal as a Maître de chef. He stayed back as he realized that these people needed him more than a star hotel in Switzerland. He started cooking and feeding 25 people initially with his meager savings and even piled up debts. This did not deter him and he continued with faith and people around him noticed his good work and started giving him donations in cash and kind. Today his non-profit trust 'Akshaya's Helping in H.E.L.P Trust' feeds about 450 odd people to three meals a day with the mission “Committed to the care of the helpless, forsaken, mentally ill, old, sick, roadside destitute living and dying on the streets of Madurai, by providing healthy food, love and opportunity to rehabilitate, thereby restoring human dignity”. His Trust relies on sponsorship and donations apart from his own rent income from the property he bequeathed. Mr.Krishnan's work did not go unnoticed; he was nominated for “CNN Hero 2010”award. Out of the 10,000 applications received he made it to the last 24 because of three reasons… Akshaya is an organization run by the youth; the quality of food they serve; and excellent bookkeeping. Then he

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President’s Message

1. Is it the TRUTH ?2. Is it FAIR to all concerned ?3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS ?4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned ?

made it to the top 10 and also he received the second most votes in public opinion voting.

Along with a few volunteers he starts the day at 4.00am in the morning cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner, loading and delivering them to the needy. He has even learnt hair dressing to give the destitute a haircut, as people don't like to touch them. The shunned needy are hugged, shaved, bathed and fed by him. These are his words “I believe that unreached people who die on streets should be cremated with dignity. I believe that everyone has 5.5 liters of blood and we all are equal”.

His parents support him in his endeavor and also his sister Shwetha, a post graduate in Micro-Biology is helping him as a volunteer. His dream of making Madurai free from destitutes and homeless is becoming a reality as his Trust has acquired 2.74 acres on the outskirts of Madurai and a home with all facility is getting ready to move all the needy and it will provide living, healthcare and rehabilitation.

No Government grants, endowments or income producing projects is available,

Akshaya's Helping in H.E.L.P.Trust is solely dependent on public sponsorship and

donation for running the program. Those interested in donating funds or helping in

k i n d i s r e q u e s t e d t o v i s i t www.akshayatrust.org.

Rotary Mysore Midtown extends a whole-hearted

welcome to the young CHAMPION of the

needy.

Continued from page 1

Dear Friends,Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to lead this organization, the

Rotary Mysore Midtown .Personally Rotary has been a great learning platform for me through which I have

been learning the true meaning of life and also enjoying a great friendship. I salute all my guru's, the clubs past President's for giving me an opportunity in the board & teaching me the statesmanship.

I once again congratulate Raaghu, Venky & team for scaling new heights. Friends, let us start the trek with the mountain gear & all along lets enjoy the beauty of life & attain" Peace Through Service".

We begin the journey by honouring the great savior's-the Doctors of our club, on the occasion of Doctor's day & also welcome the epitome of humanity-Mr. Narayan Krishnan, the chief guest for our Installation.

Thank you - Vishu

Quote of the Week

“If you don’t fight for what you want, then don’t cry for what you lost.”

My year as Editor begins with all the support from my strong editorial board and I believe that 'AboutUs ' wi l l be a refreshing change this year. When I was in school I was a playful joker and I was also very attentive to my

teachers. My convent education imparted by Anglo-Indian teachers has given me an edge and I never thought that one day my writings will be read and judged by others. I am confident of making a change in 'AboutUs'. Guys please be soft on me and correct me in my stint as Editor and also contribute jokes, articles, cartoons and news.

The whole year I was greeted to the daily news of corruption, amassing wealth disproportionate to their known source of income, Lokayukta raids on IAS, KAS babus, struggle for power in our State and now the fight for president-ship has started.

Looking at all this I am wondering where the common man fits in. He doesn't fit anywhere, but is caught in the wheel and is moving where ever it is taking him. Prices have sky rocketed and greed has multiplied. In such circumstances our organization has chosen the apt theme 'Peace through Service' giving the much needed hope to mankind. Imagine 1.2 million Rotary members making a change to humanity through service, very reassuring. I am glad that a Hero of the poor is installing the office bearers of the club for this

THIRD EYE VIEW by sini year.London Olympics is all set to begin and let us

hope that we rake in some gold setting aside ego problems of the tennis players. Sania and Somdev's wildcard entry has boosted the chances of more gold. Recently Saina is doing extremely well and one more gold is on the anvil.

Swamiji's shishya Vishwanath is the 'saarathi' of the MIDTOWN this year and I am actively involved with him for the past 2 months in his planning for presidentship. I can say that he is a hypnotic guy who can have his way but he is also soft and his Ashram education is playing its role. There is a vast difference between IPP Raaghu who steered the club to great heights with his timely decision which works and Vishwa who is a strictler for perfection. My father once told me that there are two ways to choose living… 'just live' or 'this is the way I should live' and Vishwa belongs to the latter and I think that attitude helps him in his vocation, you just cannot make a gear, you should make a perfect gear. As I said before that I was and am a playful joker I fit anywhere in a card game whether it is Raaghu's or Vishwa's. I am very much impressed with his meticulous planning and I am sure that there will be a repeat of IPP Raaghu's achievement and I wish him all the best in taking the team to great pinnacles.

Editorship seems to be easy as my predecessor Rtn Dr. Prahlad has promised his unconditional support during my tenure, thanks Doc.

Jai Ho to Rtn Raghavendra and team for success achieved.

Cheers!

MIDTOWN MARVELS

Rtn. R.S.Vishwanath President

Rtn. S.Raghavandra – Imm. Past President

Rtn. S.Bhanuchandran – President Elect

Rtn. R.Venkatesh – Vice President

Rtn. L.M.Manoj Kumar – Hon. Secretary

Rtn. A.N.Aiyanna – Joint Secretary

Rtn. R.Sundara Raja Rao – Hon. Club Secretary

Rtn. K.Umesh – Director Club Service

Rtn. A.R.Alagappan – Director Community Service

Rtn. Dr.K.A.Prahalad – Director Vocational Service

Rtn. N.Narendra Babu – Director International Service

Rtn. Raju Baliga – Director New Generation

Rtn.T.N.Mohan Kumar – Sergeant-at-Arms

Rtn.D.Srinivasan – Editor 'AboutUs'

–

Office bearers for the Rotary year 2012 – 13

Every year Doctor's Day is celebrated in India on the 1st of July to honour the legendary physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. This observance fulfills a need to show the doctors and physicians in our lives how important they are to us and how invaluable their treatments are that cure us. The celebrations are indicative of the respect that they command in the lives of their patients and thus obligate them to fulfill their responsibilities as well. We at MIDTOWN celebrate this day by honouring our own in-club Doctors.

This year Doctors' Day was celebrated at Apollo Hospitals by honouring Dr. Ravindranath, Dr. Prahlad, Dr.Raghu and Ex-member Dr. Balakrishna Gowda. President Vishwanath thanked them for their unconditional service to the society and handed over personalized plaques for remembrance. The club secretary along with other Rotarians was present to wish the Doctors. Dr. Amarlal was honoured a day before as he had other appointment out-station.

The honoured doctors treated us with bread sandwiches, fruit juice and apples. (We did not eat the apples, but carried it home)

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so we don't eat apples in the club because we need our beloved doctors.

HAPPY DOCTOR'S DAY

The President's Supper

Like a sailor hits the shore, our president Raaghu was waiting for this day to speak his heart out and he did with gusto. Rain Gods let loose their fury that evening but the brave hearts of MIDTOWN was there not to miss the occasion. Meeting was called to order at 7.30pm instead of 6.30pm as to facilitate members to reach the venue due to rain. All members were present with their Ann and Annets barring a few. Club secretary Rtn Venkatesh read out the years achievements in all avenues of service and also acknowledged the members co-operation and contribution by honouring them with mementoes. We could see a vast improvement in our secretary's vocabulary, looks like by the time he dons the mantle of president in the coming years he would have mastered the art. Now the time for president Raaghu to deliver his speech and he did with ease. It was an hour long speech or rather a heartfelt talk where he thanked all who helped him to bring back the glory to the club. He identified everyone in the club for their contribution and thanked them. The club's official caterer Mr. Sridhar Bhat was honoured for his service, photographer Venkatesh, office staffs Nagesh and Puttaraju were recognized with gifts. During his talk he kicked his board and some members in the back but we realized that it was only a humor to share. The best club award was dedicated to our senior Rotarian Dr.Kanakaraj who is at present under medical care. His business partner Naveen

and his wife Ashwini got special thanks from him. Club secretary Rtn. Venkatesh has become his best buddy during the year and expressed i t nicely by giving a gift which was nicely hidden by Rtn. Gopal in his trouser pocket. His t a lk was l ike a seasoned statesman and he i s future governor material for sure and he has the blessings of all the stalwarts of the club. He wished in-coming president Rtn. Vishwanath all success and support. Raaghu laid down the president-ship setting a high benchmark for this year's president. The evening continued with a dance program by Annet Santosh and his wife Akshatha with some salsa and western dance. Some of the dancing shoes of midtown learnt a few steps from the couple. After that it was time for midtown fellowship and like every time Midtowner's, Anns and Annets let loose their inhibition and burned the dance floors. Food was enjoyed lastly and adieu to Raaghu and the year 'Reach within to Embrace Humanity'. Best of luck Vishu with 'Peace Through Service'.

If you had minutes to flee a disaster and could take only one item, what would you choose?

Most people name a possession that is often impossible to replace: their photos. In Ishinomaki, Japan, which was obliterated by an earthquake and 20-foot tsunami last March, survivors escaped with their lives and nothing else.

Photojournalist Allison Kwesell traveled by bus in November to Ishinomaki from Tokyo, where she is a Rotary Peace Fellow, armed with two cameras, photo albums, and donated Fuji i n s t a n t f i l m . S h e j o i n e d t w o photographers who had formed Photohoku, named for the Tohoku region, where the disaster struck. The nonprofit aims to help survivors build new albums – and new memories.

“As a journalist, I often feel that I am taking stories from the victims of disasters, war, and poverty,” Kwesell says. “I believe such stories have the power to effect change, but my photos and words might never directly help the people who let me into their lives.”

This trip was different. The team asked survivors if they'd like to pose for photos, then gave them the instant prints. The photographers started albums for them and listened to their experiences.

Kwesell recalls photographing a woman with her grandchildren in front of their temporary home: “She told me she was happy I chose to photograph her there, because it gave her the courage to move forward. She said she believes that one day, she and her family will look back on the photo and remember what they overcame.”

NEXT WEEK IN MIDTOWN

Inner Wheel Installationat RCL , JLB Road

Time: 6.30pm

Wedding AnniversaryAnniversary

thRaju Baliga & Revathy — 11 July

98455 14833

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3. Titillating Fingering Technique Star of Mysore

4. DNA data to trace dog poo offenders Business Line

5. Cong attacks Mamata for 'disclosure' Deccan Herald

6. City college raises the bar for B.Com Indian Express

Coffee & RasamRasam

Quiz

Q.: Number of Midtowners who attended Rotary Convention at Bangkok ?

a) 18 b) 19 c) 20 d) 21

First correct answer carries a prize