Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 28, 2006
ePaper
Online edition of India's National Newspaper Thursday, Sep 28, 2006 ePaper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tamil Nadu |
|
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary |
Tamil Nadu
-
Chennai
Special Correspondent
MODEL WORK: Governor Surjit Singh Barnala releasing a cassette, `Aduvom, Paduvom Kondaduvom,' about parental care, at the centenary celebration of S. Manjubhashini, founder-general secretary, Bala Mandir, in Chennai on Wednesday. Maya Gaitonde, gener al secretary, V. Sethuraman, president, Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust, and Leela Sekar, daughter of Manjubhashini, are also in the picture. — Photo: V. Ganesan
CHENNAI : Hardly two years after the realisation of her dream of Independence for India, S.Manjubhashini rolled up her white Khadi sleeves and set out to find a way to take care of homeless, destitute children. That was how Bala Mandir, this feisty freedom fighter's dearest child, was born. Very modestly though, in two cottages and with two children, Bala Mandir was to receive much support, dedication and decades of work from its founder and her team before it could emerge as a premier institution, setting standards in childcare. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Kamaraj, with support from the latter, she registered the Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust in 1949, bolstered by an initial donation of Rs.10,000. Born in an illustrious and affluent family, `Manjumma' as she was fondly referred to, persevered to enlist the interest and support of some prominent persons of the age, including Ramnath Goenka, Saroj Goenka, A.V.Kuttimalu Ammal, Suryanarayana Rao, T.R.Venkataraman Sastriar and U.Krishna Rao. Kamaraj served as the president of the Trust and she , as honorary general secretary until her death in 1996. She donated the entire cash proceeds of the Government of India national award and the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Award she received to Bala Mandir.
Personal attention
Skills learnt while fighting the British, courting arrest, undergoing incarceration and helping out Burmese refugees and working for the Congress party, held her in good stead in the running of the institution. And also to juggle multiple tasks, giving each of them her personal attention. Manjumma was responsible for starting the Hindustan Scouts Association in Chennai and served as the organisation's honorary secretary for several years. The Tamil Nadu branch of the Indian Council for Child Welfare also owes its birth to her. Manjumma was also convenor of the Women's India Association and a Member of the Legislative Council for 12 years. A 100 years after Manjumma was born, the institution she nourished for 50 years celebrated her centenary, making it an occasion to talk about how much she meant to them still. At a function organised on Wednesday by BMKT, an audiovisual presentation on the work of Manjumma was made, interspersed with songs by the children of Bala Mandir. Chief Guest on the occasion, Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, released a cassette on parenting songs, brought out by the Bala Mandir Research Foundation. He lauded the work of Manjumma and appreciated the work being carried on by the institution's trustees. He said the services of an organisation such as Bala Mandir were essential in an era where rapid urbanisation was resulting in problems for children. Migration and lack of housing left children without attention to fend for themselves. Mr.Barnala, who made a donation of Rs.25,000 to Bala Mandir, also said NGOs had a vital role to play in supplementing the efforts of the government. N.Ram, Editor-in-chief, The Hindu , said Bala Mandir was a "clean institution" and had managed to execute transitions well over the years. He also complimented Manjumma's successors and urged them to live up to her idealism. Mr.Ram also suggested that the trustees chalk out a new strategy for the next 10-15 years. Andal Damodaran, secretary, ICCW-TN, recalled her association with Manjumma, her mentor, in ICCW and said she learnt a lot from her. Manjumma laid down the principles for the running of that organisation that continue to be followed even today. Latha Kumaraswami, member, Bala Mandir, who married Manjumma's grandson, reminisced fondly about her close relationship with a "Living God." Leela Sekar, daughter of Manjumma, V.Sethuraman, president, and Maya Gaitonde, general secretary, BMKT, spoke on the occasion.
Printer friendly
page
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | Publications | eBooks | Images | Home |
Copyright © 2006, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
