December 2013 2 by Rotary News India

Kacheguda Railway Station.

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara.

and nearly all of India was covered with colourful illumination of iconic buildings with the ‘End Polio Now’ message. INPPC Chairman Deepak Kapur, NCMs and the staff of the India National PolioPlus Committee Office rendered valuable help to make this event truly magnificent in many parts of the country. In Mumbai, the Member of Parliament, Ms. Priya Dutt switched on the lights at the famous Hotel Taj Lands End. In New Delhi, the message came up on India Gate and Red Fort. The busy railway station

A theatre in Chennai.

in Hyderabad was lit up and so was a palace in Baroda. In addition, many other famous buildings were lit up with the message. Illumination of the buildings is only symbolic. What Rotarians have really done is to illuminate the lives of millions of families by eradicating polio. The darkness and gloom that might have set in these homes have now been prevented. Do-gooders are easily overlooked. What we need to do now is to train our lamps on the unsung heroes in our community, in Rotary and wherever

they exist and salute their excellent work. It is said that there is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle. Rotarians must be that candle. Individually every one of us can brighten the world, remove the darkness of illiteracy, remove the gloom that diseases bring and light up the stove in every house to remove hunger and poverty. As our inner-glow radiates love and harmony, we also bring peace to this planet. From PRID Ashok Mahajan’s Communication DECEMBER 2013

ROTARY NEWS 45

Limited Edition se ca d r Ha ding Bin

Look Beyond Yourself A compendium of Speeches of Rtn. Rajendra K. Saboo, President, Rotary International, 1991-1992

Vol.1 No. of pages: 594 Price: ` 450 per copy (Including courier charges anywhere within India)

Vol.2 No. of pages: 363 Price: ` 650 per copy (Including courier charges anywhere within India)

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Look Beyond Yourself, Vol.1 & 2 PRIP Rajendra K. Saboo’s Governor’s Monthly Letters, 1976–77 are available in book format (along with Vol.2) GET YOUR FREE COPY ALONG WITH THIS BOOK

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Membership in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

RI RI Rotary No. of Women Rotaract Interact Zone District Clubs Rotarians Rotarians

December is Family Month, a time when we pay special attention to Rotary’s large and expanding family. Rotary is not just 1.2 million Rotarians in 34,558 clubs. We’re 3,65,125 Interactors, 1,33,860 Rotaractors and 1,74,547 Rotary Community Corps members. Our family includes the spouses and children of Rotarians. It also encompasses the dozens of community nonprofits and nongovernmental organisations that Rotary has forged partnerships with. The family of Rotary is millions strong — and it continues to grow as we keep developing new ties.

5 5 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 6 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

2980 3000 3010 3020 3030 3040 3051 3052 3053 3060 3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120 3131 3132 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180 3190 3201 3202 3211 3212 3220 3230 3240 3250 3261 3262 3271 3272 3281 3282 3291 3292 Total

152 88 132 65 84 94 63 62 50 79 113 83 75 88 111 68 102 71 132 93 56 127 133 88 125 98 124 81 61 124 72 88 72 68 73 86 122 81 142 86 3,712

6,220 4,066 5,416 3,041 4,409 2,108 2,494 3,129 1,791 3,393 3,254 3,263 2,016 1,981 3,434 2,484 4,290 3,064 6,893 3,444 2,056 4,778 5,280 3,591 4,723 3,791 3,787 3,519 1,685 5,862 2,558 3,138 2,196 2,467 1,294 1,828 3,593 2,271 4,050 2,734 1,35,391

102 282 566 171 419 217 172 406 144 232 253 155 80 88 168 153 554 237 852 262 74 225 199 242 260 181 160 115 187 347 231 342 150 189 158 266 336 155 560 290 10,180

51 99 47 22 35 15 31 12 9 25 35 37 10 4 40 18 35 25 84 50 4 21 33 33 45 35 4 3 49 87 34 26 9 15 24 11 137 109 36 83 1,482

250 224 161 171 169 79 114 118 28 96 105 135 27 79 37 30 152 81 330 149 37 245 346 94 72 325 54 122 178 318 103 100 93 57 15 34 40 16 92 83 4,959

RCC

183 67 80 258 120 131 328 115 89 98 55 95 122 146 59 48 62 52 133 107 80 153 139 41 43 36 111 115 93 268 107 158 40 63 13 31 83 36 503 82 4,543

As on November 1, 2013 Source: RI South Asia Office

Growing Rotary’s family

One thing we all know in Rotary is that we can do more together than we can alone. Together, we have a tremendous reach. We need to ensure that Rotary keeps growing, in all the branches of our family. When we work with local NGOs and other organisations, we gain more knowledge and more insight. We add to our resources and our abilities. And we build more bridges of understanding, friendship and cooperation. By partnering with others throughout the world, we not only can achieve more than we set out to do but also can grow the Rotary family. We have learned through our long history in the fight against polio how effective such partnerships can be. Our many global partners have made polio eradication possible, and have helped us achieve a great deal of good along the way. This is an important lesson, and it is one we must build on in the years ahead.

Dong Kurn (D.K.) Lee Foundation Trustee Chair DECEMBER 2013 ROTARY NEWS 47

Change Management

very organisation is in need of flexible people who can accept and adopt changes swiftly; because changes are inevitable — sometimes unpredictable. Changes make life more interesting and challenging. Without understanding this, we suffer, complain, get frustrated and try to shift the responsibility of our ignorance on somebody else when changes transpire. Change may be accelerating a hidden blessing. The best principle when circumstances change is ‘you change.’ Handling change and successfully managing it is an art, a tactful skill, quite interestingly it can be learnt. We have to change our thinking habits. New thoughts will lead a person to be filled with great amount of positive attitude, energy and enthusiasm that is essential to manage the change. A crucial factor of the universe is that it changes continuously. Therefore, change is always there, whether you accept it or not, whether you stay happy in a changed circumstance or not. Some people fail to sustain and manage the change because they lack desire, determination and confidence to revert the changed environment to their favour. According to Hugh Downs, “A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” That attitude is to change when circumstances change. It is said life is a collection of changes; every change is a challenge and challenge when faced may bring success or else they may act as stepping-stone to success. When we short-list the art of managing change: •

Always know and be prepared that change is inevitable.

•

Expect and accept the change.

•

Handle the change without burdening your mind with anxiety.

•

Enjoy the change. Take a responsibility to be happy.

•

Grow from the change.

•

Be ready and expect a new change.

We do not have control over the events happening, but certainly we can choose how to deal with them. It is always better and smarter to manage change with a positive mindset. Rather than being reactive, we can be proactive and develop authentic thinking, wherein we can judge, analyse and decide. We should change as per changes in life, but there are few things which should not change — that is our value system — values like integrity, commitment, honesty and loyalty. If values are dead in a man then nothing in the world can revive and reinstate his existence. Changes are nothing beyond human endurance. We should learn to treat changes occurring in our lives with equanimity. Welcome change with enthusiasm. It keeps us alive. Ann Nanda G. Hampiholi RC Dharwad Central, RI District 3170

CONVENTION

FREE RIDES

etting around Sydney and its environs will be a cinch for Rotarians attending the 2014 RI Convention, 1–4 June. From 29 May through 5 June, convention goers can travel free on public transportation within a 150-mile radius of the city’s central business district, courtesy of the government of New South Wales. This distance encompasses the famed Bondi Beach, a popular place to go for a swim in the ocean, learn to surf or relax at a cafe; the Blue Mountains, whose namesake haze is created by sunlight mixing with droplets of eucalyptus oil; and Featherdale Wildlife Park, where you can feed kangaroos and pet koalas. In addition to easing travel to and from the convention venue at Sydney Olympic Park, the free pass will allow you to reach city sites such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, the opera house and the Queen Victoria Building, where you’ll find upscale shopping in a gorgeous setting. Or ride a train across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is the world’s tallest steel-arch bridge. Attendees will receive their passes when they complete their registration at the convention site; learn more at rotary2014.com.au. Find information on Sydney’s public transportation system at www.131500.com.au, or call 131 500 when in Australia. You can also download the mobile app for Sydney Public Transport. Reproduced from The Rotarian Register for the 2014 RI Convention in Sydney by 15 December for a special rate. Go to www.riconvention.org.

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Nobel Peace Prize

ailing its work on disarmament and non-proliferation, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for being awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. “From the battlefields to the laboratories to the negotiating table, the United Nations is honoured to work hand-in-hand with the OPCW to eliminate the threat posed by chemical weapons for all people and for all time,” Mr. Ban said on 11 October. “The OPCW has greatly strengthened the rule of law in the field of disarmament and nonproliferation. Thanks in large measure

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) addressing a joint press conference with Ahmet Üzümcü, Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in April 2013.

to its efforts. 80 percent of the declared chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed. I strongly believe this success can inspire other parts of the global

disarmament machinery to live up to the expectations of the international community.” Source: UNEWS October 2013 issue

DECEMBER 2013 ROTARY NEWS 51

ROTARY ACTS

The fragrance of giving and the joy associated with it became infectious among the people of Coimbatore when the Rotarians of Rotary Club of Coimbatore Central, RI District 3201, initiated a festivity of giving in the city.

ow true are the words of Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” The art of giving has to be promoted effectively enough to make it a culture, a tradition and a habit. The Joy of Giving Week is India’s ‘festival of giving’ celebrated every year in the week including Gandhi Jayanthi, that is, from October 2-8, promoting the art of philanthropy among all citizens. Launched in 2009, this festival that was earlier confined to Mumbai slowly spread to other cities too. Millions of people across the country, including corporate offices, CEOs, Eye screening for auto-rickshaw drivers.

52 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

celebrities, auto drivers, homemakers and school children contribute their money, resources, skills and their time to the society, by creating or participating in ‘events’ of their choice. A ‘giving event’ could be as simple as family taking the maid’s children out for an ice cream party, clothes donation, fund raisers or Gift Compassion where school children exchange gifts with their peers from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Coimbatore woke up to this festival of charity this year through the pioneering efforts of Rotary Club of Coimbatore Central, RI District 3201. There could not have been a better way

of celebrating the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi than the Joy of Giving festival that the club organised in the city. Aram Seyya Virumbu (One should desire to Do Good) which is opening line of the 13-line Tamil rhyme, Aathichudi, composed by the saint-poet Avvaiyar served to be the title for this charity festival at Coimbatore. Generally, Rotary clubs have fundraiser projects to undertake service activities, but this was an event with a difference where the club facilitated other service organisations and philanthropists to come together to raise funds for the welfare of the underprivileged. Various events were

Mobility aids for the orthopaedically challenged.

organised across the city after it was formally inaugurated by the District Collector, Shri. M. Karunagaran. The club had organised an exhibition where in more than 20 service organisations had put up stalls showcasing their work in areas such as healthcare, women’s causes, child welfare, senior citizens welfare, environment protection, education, sanitation, village development and many more. Prepaid fund-raising coupons of Rs.100 each were sold to the public before the week-long celebrations. Visitors would contribute these coupons to the organisations of their choice. The exhibition had more than 5,000 footfalls. Rtn. Krishnakumar, coordinator of this event rightly said that it was a one-stop shop for those who always wanted to be philanthropic but did not know how to. The representatives of the service organisations were able to guide the visitors as to what they can do for the society and how they can volunteer their services. Booklets with brief description about the participating voluntary organisations and their contact details were distributed to the visitors to enable them to get in touch with the NGOs whenever they want to do some charity activity.

One could even buy handicrafts made by some of these organisations to deck up their house while also feeling good that the money they spent would go for a good cause. Interactors, Rotaractors and college students enthusiastically donated books which the organisers collected to distribute to rural libraries. Not only books, several other items, used but in good condition and other new things were donated by the students and the public that would benefit the needy. There were more options to giving — ticketed events such as competitions, skits and music programmes filled the kitty; youngsters put up stalls, the proceeds of which would go for a cause; sweet boxes donated by Sri Krishna Sweets, a leading manufacturer of home-made sweets and savouries, were auctioned and the proceeds would be used for a cause. School students were also made a part of ‘giving.’ Hundis were distributed to them to save money and they can donate the amount thus saved to any cause close to their heart to commemorate their birthday. An eye camp was organised in association with Sankara Eye Care

Foundation which benefitted over 8,000 auto-rickshaw drivers. Wheel chairs and other mobility aids were provided to physically-challenged persons. The club had introduced a unique ‘giving’ option: Two registers were kept at the exhibition hall — one for those wishing to donate anything and the other for those in need of something. The volunteers collect the names and the items that the visitors wish to donate and match them with those who need those items. Rtn. T.C. Vidyasankar, the President of RC Coimbatore Central describes this week-long ‘celebration of giving’ as one of his momentous experience as a Rotarian and that the awesome feeling of being able to connect the haves and the have-nots is just wholesome. It was a mind-boggling and a refreshing experience for the citizens of Coimbatore in this first-of-its-kind event which focussed on the spirit of generosity. The ‘festival’ was a perfect platform for sharing time, money and resources as a gesture of giving back to society. Rotary thus enables sharing the joy of giving not only among its members, but also the general public. Jaishree DECEMBER 2013

ROTARY NEWS 53

ROTARY ACTS

Long, long ago the Chipwad Girls School, Ekta Vidyalaya, Station Road Co-ed School and the Girls Juvenile Home suffered from the evils of awful furniture, poor sanitisation and lack of study material. Many other schools in the region suffered the same plight ... and then came the brave prince to rescue the lovely princess! That is exactly what Rotary did to the schools in Bharuch.

bode to a diverse crowd both in knowledge and skill, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is where dreams shape up, experience begins, memories get nurtured and most important of all, knowledge is imparted. RC Bharuch, RI District 3060 in association with RC Bar Sur Siene Cino Vallees, RI District 1750, France, RC Genval, RI District 2170, Belgium

books to buting note i r t s i d e e rj e n a PRIP Kalyan B

along with TRF have unlocked the doors for the children of Bharuch region for a blissful encounter at their school. A Matching Grant project at the cost of US $28,000 to promote education and literacy has changed the lives of over 4,200 children. The land of Bharuch traces its lineage to Maharshi Bhrigu and sage Parshuram, both known

dren. the chil

for their knowledge and wisdom but unfortunately the land finds it difficult to impart literacy and education to the poor and needy students. Suffering of poor funding and low maintenance, the school authorities were left with no choice but to make the children sit down on the floor for their classes. Rotary stepped in to change the plight and lives of these children. By promoting literacy, Rotary would restore the land’s acclamation of knowledge Joy on the face and Literacy in the heart. and wisdom. The first step towards the gargantuan goal was the installation of school children preceded by a warm welcome by the classroom furniture. A black board, teach- Club President Rtn. Dr.Vanrajsinh Mahida. Toppers ers’ table and chair along with 20 benches that from the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th standard received apprecan seat 3 students per bench were donated to ciation by the guest in the form of certificates and 35 classrooms. Children would now experience notebooks. The distribution of furniture at different the joy of learning in a more comfortable fashion. schools in the district was a more than welcome Bharuch is located by the banks of River Narmada gift and honour that Rotary bestowed on the poor and the region experiences extreme weather. Heavy and needy schools. Rotarians were seen encouragmonsoons and high temperature is a prevalent affair. ing and giving pep talks to the students who were Children had to manage through all this and the special invitees along with the teachers at the Dediteachers too face a tough time. The gift of classroom cation Ceremony. The spirit and enthusiasm of the furniture would now provide the children a dignified Rotarians and other guests was invariable at every and healthy learning experience. single event juncture. The presence of PRIP and Trustee Kalyan Literacy Matching Grant primary contact and Banerjee as Chief Guest and Dedicator gave the project chairman, PDG Devang Thakore in his occasion more reasons to revel. The day-long pro- motivational colloquy elaborated the need of furgramme saw a cheerful Chief Guest inaugurating the niture for the class rooms and expressed his gratinewly furnished classrooms, distributing notebooks tude towards RI District 1750 for their impervious with a page dedicated to Rotary and its programmes support in this noble project. The Guest of Honin the district, printed in local Gujarati language to our, DG Dineshsinh Thakor and other dignitaries the students and encouraging them in a passionate endorsed loads of support towards the imperialism groove and moving with complete ease from one of literacy. Chairman of Primary Schools Departvenue to another. Endorsing his belief on the ‘Total ment Shri Naharsinh Rana, other school officials, Literacy Initiative in South Asia by 2017,’ PRIP educationalists, Rotarians and Anns from District Kalyan Banerjee was seen advocating the impor- 3060 too graced the occasion. The event showcased tance of education to the students. He personified the immaculate image of Rotary, drawing people energy and positivity throughout the event. from different walks of life together to the path of The event also witnessed spectacular dance love, care and selflessness. performances by a group of beneficiary primary Kiran Zehra

ROTARY ACTS

Malarum Mottukkal is the ongoing project of RC Madras Centenary Commemoration, RI District 3230, which has reduced the child mortality rate tremendously by conducting medical camps and also by providing awareness measures to the local primary health centres.

“

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank balance smaller, home happier, clothes dirty, the past forgotten and the future worth living for,” is a pun intended anonymous quote which magnificently states the goodness of the gift of a baby to a parent. But for many parents this joy is short-lived and many will be grieving all their lives after the death of their child. This becomes even worse as infertility in young couples is in the rise. Child mortality refers to the death of infants and children under the age of five. Some 11 million children under the age of five die each year, mainly from preventable diseases. Most of the children who die each year could be saved by low-tech, evidence-based,

56 ROTARY NEWS OCTOBER 2013

cost-effective measures such as vaccines, antibiotics, micronutrient supplements, breast-feeding practices and oral rehydration therapy. Maternal and Child Health is one of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus which also forms an integral part of The Rotary Foundation’s Future Vision Plan and the RI Strategic Plan. To curb child mortality, Rotarians came forward with medical camp projects in their local communities to provide immunisations and antibiotics to pregnant women and newborn babies, improve access to essential medical services through trained health care providers. These projects also ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care programmes.

Rotary Club of Madras Centenary Commemoration, RI District 3230, has come out with a project named ‘Malarum Mottukkal’ meaning ‘Blossoming Buds’ solely to bring a focus on Child Mortality in the areas covered under District 3230. This ongoing project of the club was flagged-off by conducting free medical camps for pregnant women and

Facing Page: Rtn. V. Vaikunth interacting with the pregnant women waiting for checkup. From top: Paediatrician examining a child in one of the camps; Medicines being sorted by the volunteers before distribution to the patients; Laminated awareness campaign board being launched at the camp.

children below the age of five to reduce child mortality in the rural areas where medical amenities were unreachable. The club initiated the medical camp project in three villages which was a huge success and was widely appreciated by the locals. Rtn. Vaikunth IPS, former DGP of Tamil Nadu, instigated this noble idea. Many Rotarians and Anns volunteered and helped the project to become a success. The first camp was held in Jamuna Maruthur covering four panchayat blocks, in Javadu Hills near Tiruvannamalai district in Tamil Nadu in July 2013. This camp, with an exhaustive medical cover consisting of a general physician, gynaecologist, paediatrician from Tiruvannamalai and a host of para-medical staff and nurses from primary health centres from local areas also supported by many Rotarian volunteers, turned out to be hugely effective. As many as 252 children along with their mothers and 91 pregnant women attended the camp and they were examined and medicines were given free to all of them. The second camp was conducted in Nambiampattu in the same Javadu Hills area. Nearly 150 women and 51 children below the age of five

got treatment and free medicines. The third camp in Puliyur village, covering four panchayat blocks was attended by 262 women and 50 children. Free lunch was provided for all the people who attended these three camps. The total cost of the project was around Rs.4,00,000, which was contributed by Sree Balaji Seva Trust. People from 12 Panchayat Unions attended the camps and were benefitted. These medical camps not only provided diagnosis and treatment to save infants, but also educated the villagers on precautionary measures. With the help of the doctorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; feedback and data collected by the volunteering Rotarians from the villagers, causes of the diseases and the preventive measures were studied in-depth and that have been brought out in the form of a laminated board and given free to the Panchayat Union and the Primary Health Centres of that area. All this extensive medical coverage and the awareness campaign have brought down the child mortality rate from 25 in June 2013 to 10 by September 2013 which is a great achievement within a short period of time. Encouraged by this achievement, the Rotarians are planning to carry out similar camps in the other revenue districts of RI District 3230 as well so that more infants and mothers benefit. Tomorrow lies in the hands of the youth, but it is our duty to save and nurture the most vulnerable newborn kids today who will become tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s icons and thereby bring happiness in the heart of the mothers who will salute the untiring efforts of the Rotarians, who are always there to help the underprivileged. These medical camps will definitely wipe out child mortality and bring faith in the people of rural Tamil Nadu. S. Selvi with inputs from Rtn. V. Vaikunth IPS RC Madras Centenary Commemoration RI District 3230 DECEMBER 2013

ROTARY NEWS 57

ROTARY ACTS

After the Phailin October 13, 2013 was a black day for the people of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh when their lives were tossed about by the vicious arms of Cyclone Phailin damaging lives and properties. Rotary clubs of RI District 3262 were quick to stretch out their compassionate arms to provide succour to the flood victims.

atural disasters can wreak indescribable havoc to human life, property and livestock. Cities and towns are devastated; floods cause epidemics due to sewage overflow and contaminated water supplies. The cyclonic storm Phailin was one such severe tropical cyclone that caused substantial damage in the coastal states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. What began as a tropical depression within the Gulf of Thailand, west of Pnom Penh in Cambodia, moved further westwards and developed into a cyclonic storm as it passed over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into the Bay of Bengal and struck the eastern coast of India.

The cyclone made landfall at Gopalpur in Odisha on the night of October 12, 2013. Several districts in the state were battered by the incessant rains and the strong winds. Several thousands of people in both the states were evacuated to safer locations out of harm’s way before the cyclone swept through the states. The cyclone had prompted the country’s largest evacuation in 23 years with over 7,00,000 people moved up from the coastline. Gale winds uprooted trees and electric poles and downed power-lines; wind gusts were so strong that they could blow over even grown men. Heavy rains ravaged crops and infrastructure and flattened thousands of houses across the state.

Relief materials being distributed. 58 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

Seawater pushed inland, swamping villages. Baripada in Mayurbhanj district is one such city that was badly battered by the cyclonic storm. The major population of Baripada are tribals and the region is home to Similipal, one of the most important wildlife parks of India. The city is the second place in Odisha, after Puri, where the famous Jagannath Rathyatra began. The unique tradition of women pulling the ratha (chariot) of Maa Subhadra started in Baripada. The city is also well-known for its Jagadhatri Mela which is celebrated with great pomp. The livelihood of the tribals here is based on the forest products — timber being the main source of income.

The torrential rains caused huge hardships for the people of Baripada. River Budhabalang that flows through the city, swelled up, flooding the city. Flood waters gushed into residences and hospitals. Patients had to be evacuated from the hospitals. Long after the downpour, several people including children, sick and the elderly were still marooned at their houses with no food and at a high risk of an assortment of infections. Rotary rose to the occasion and the Rotarians of the various Rotary clubs of RI District 3262 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; RC Baripada, RC Balasore-on-Sea, RC Cuttack Midtown and Bhubaneshwar Kalinga â&#x20AC;&#x201D; got into action to reach out to the people of the flood-ravaged areas. When minds met, plans were charted out, solutions were sighted and expenses estimated. Every Rotarian of the participating clubs contributed generously to pull out the flood victims from distress. Rescue efforts in the form of food, water, medicines, clothes and essential utensils were distributed among the people of Baripada and its surrounding submerged villages such as Sungadia, Andla and the hamlets of Bangiriposhi Block to tide over this large scale natural calamity. Doctors were brought in to provide medical aid for the needy. Preventive medicines,

Appeasing the hunger of flood victims.

halogen tablets, ORS packets, antivenom vaccines and bleaching powder were distributed in these areas to avert onset of an epidemic. Rotarians, Rotaractors and Inner Wheel members pitched in religiously to provide solace to the affected people. The District Administration led by Collector and District Magistrate, Mayurbhanj, Shri. Rajesh Pravakar Patil entrusted the Rotarians with the relief work. The humanitarian team inspired even the general public to lend their support. This humanitarian project of such a grand magnitude continued for five

days when even the floodwaters had not yet receded. Although the highvelocity cyclone had left a trail of devastation, the compassionate acts of such service-minded society brought unimaginable succour to the affected community who were left in the dark unable to tide over the calamity; it is acts such as this that fill the world with hope. It may be a drop in the ocean, but the ripples it makes provide fresh energy for the sufferers. Jaishree with inputs from RC Baripada, RI District 3262

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THE LEGACY CONTINUES I

n today’s world where there is a wide disconnect between President in 2012-13. This was recorded as “the first time generations in terms of culture, beliefs and communica- in the history of the club, the father-son duo had gone tion, it is a milestone indeed, for Mumbai’s philanthropic into the records for having served as Presidents, albeit in Parsi family, the Vazifdars, to be engaged in Doing Good two different millennia and with a time lag of a little over through Rotary for four generations! The Vazifdars are thirty years.” Rtn. Nowroze has a Masters in Management excellent role models reiterating the fact that Rotary is such and he fills the classification, ‘Consultant: Board Practices an exceptional organisation that connects generations. and Corporate Laws.’ The Vazifdar family takes pride in their long associaAnd now, in July 2013, the fourth generation Vazifdar, tion with Rotary Club of Bombay, RI District 3140, one Mr. Jamshyd Vazifdar, son of Rtn. Nowroze Vazifdar, followof the pioneer clubs of Rotary movement in India, devoted ing the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandto the ideal of fellowship father, subscribes to the through service. The club tenets and principles of was chartered on March Rotary as he is inducted 19, 1929. The Vazifdars’ into RC Bombay. He fills tryst with Rotary began the classification, ‘Inforwhen Dr. Nowroji mation Technology: SoftVazifdar became a ware Engineer’ and he is member of RC Bombay associated with Accenin 1950. He represented ture Services as a senior the classification, ‘Medisoftware engineer. cine: Forensics.’ He held Four generations of the rank of a Captain Rotarians, spanning over in the Army (medical 60 years and associated service) and he was also with the same club that is bestowed the title, ‘Khan 84 years old is certainly Bahadur’ by the British an exceptional and a during their rule in India remarkable achievement. till August, 1947. He was It stands as a tribute, both a Rotarian until his death to the illustrious family in the early 1960s. Dr. who live the motto, ServNowroji Vazifdar served ice above Self, and the as a government pleader/ organisation that inspires prosecutor, solving them. The Vazifdars have some very complicated been commended by medico-legal cases. He various Rotary leaders has also authored several including PRID Ashok books. Mahajan for their unique Dr. Nowroji’s son, show of commitment to Clockwise: The grand patriarch Rtn. Nowroji Vazifdar; Rtn. Jamshed Dr. Jamshed Vazifdar, Rotary. Vazifdar; Rtn. Nowroze Vazifdar; Rtn. Jamshyd Vazifdar. popularly known as “The sense of fulfilJimmy, joined RC Bombay in August 1968. He was one ment and satisfaction that comes from wiping a tear and of the pioneers of blood transfusion in India and a Padma lending a helping hand surpasses material pleasures. Do not Shri award recipient. He served as the Honorary Secretary just be a member of a Rotary Club. Be a Rotarian!” says for seven years before leading the club as its President in Rtn. Nowroze Vazifdar. Being associated with Rotary for 1980-81. He remained an active Rotarian until his death more than six decades speaks volumes about the dedication in 2000. and the faith the Vazifdar family has on Rotary. Mr. Nowroze, representing the third generation of Jaishree Vazifdars, was enrolled as a Rotarian in RC Bombay with inputs from in January 1994. He held various positions as ChairRtn. Nowroze Vazifdar man, Honorary Secretary and Director before becoming RC Bombay, RI District 3140 DECEMBER 2013 ROTARY NEWS 61

Do’s Sending text contributions • Provide us with the facts: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? • Use detailed descriptive language. • Emphasise the human interest element of your story. • Use anecdotes and quotes from club members, beneficiaries and others. • Lengthy articles rarely hold reader interest. So, keep articles simple and brief. • Word limit for news items: 150–250 words; Half-page features: up to 350 words and full page articles: 700 words with a couple of good photographs.

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Give your club the world There are many worthwhile activities in which nearly all clubs take part. Most clubs award Paul Harris Fellows, hold installations and charter nights, sponsor new Rotary clubs, plant trees and finance scholarships. Information on these events is not likely to make it into the magazine unless there is an angle that distinctly sets them apart. As a policy, we cannot promote or endorse future events or projects. We prefer to receive news of events which have already taken place, and projects that are complete. We cannot find space to display every project done by over 3,100 clubs in the 34 districts in India. We cannot promise publication and the editor remains the final arbiter as to what is to be published. 62 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

• Mention RI District number and club name when you are filing the report. • Send communications in English or Hindi. • Focus the articles on events rather than on personalities. • Contribute clean jokes for publication. • Send articles about outstanding projects done by Rotaract and Interact clubs. • Send articles about outstanding projects done by Rotary Community Corps. • Report innovative programmes and projects done by clubs and districts with grants from The Rotary Foundation. • Encourage Rotarians / Anns / Annets who are artists to send good cartoons for publication.

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Rotary clubs conduct a variety of activities. Obviously, every news cannot be published due to paucity of space. Only important, interesting news and articles will find a place. Decide if the event or activity is of interest to Rotarians all over India and other countries.

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WHEN TO SEND CONTRIBUTIONS? Articles intended for publication should reach Rotary News office at least six weeks before the month of publication. Send articles and news items directly to Rotary News Trust. Please note that publication could take much longer than two months. Send contributions to: The Editor Rotary News Trust Dugar Towers, 3rd Floor, 34, Marshalls Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008, India. Phone: 91 44 42145666 Fax: 91 44 28528818 E-mail: rotarynews@rosaonline.org DECEMBER 2013

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ANKLESHWAR UDHAMPUR SAHARANPUR GREATER RAJPURA GREATER MORADABAD MIDTOWN SHAHJAHANPUR VARANASI CENTRAL PANVEL MIDTOWN SOLAPUR NORTH KAMAREDDY ANANTAPUR CENTRAL PANAJI RIVIERA SHIMOGA RIVERSIDE KOTHAMANGALAM TIRUPUR METROPOLIS KOTTAYAM CENTRAL VALLIYOOR CENTRAL MADRAS SOUTH RANIGANJ KODERMA BHUBANESWAR NEW HORIZON CALCUTTA RIDGE KATHMANDU MIDTOWN CHIDAMBARAM MIDTOWN JAMBUKESHWARAM CHANDRAPUR JODHPUR VAPI RIVERSIDE AMRITSAR EAST MOHALI AGRA WEST AHMEDNAGAR PRIYADARSHINI MUMBAI NORTH ISLAND GUNTAKAL QUILON CASHEW CITY MARTHANDAM MARAIMALAI NAGAR KUMBAKONAM SHAKTHI DINDIGUL VIZAG METRO AKOLA GODHRA DECEMBER 2013 MIDTOWN NOKHA BARODA JALANDAR SOUTH ROOPNAGAR RAJPURA GREATER MORADABAD CIVIL LINES HALDWANI VARANASI SUNRISE PUNE SPORTS CITY LONAND DOMBIVLI WEST KAMAREDDY DHONE ANKOLA RURAL KUNDAPURA MIDTOWN COCHIN AIRPORT TIRUPUR Su JAMSHEDPUR Mo Tu We Fr COSMOPOLITAN Sa COTTON CITY QUILON LOTUS RAJAPALAYAM CENTRAL VELLORE SOUTH DURGAPUR WESTTh RAIPUR CALCUTTA UPTOWN BUTWAL SALEM COSMOS THURAIYUR PERUMALMALAI VIJAYAWADA VISIONARY COUPLES NAGPUR SOUTH EAST VISNAGAR GANDEVI RAJOURI FATEHABAD GREATER GANGA BIJNOR BAREILLY SOUTH PUNE KOTHRUD SOLAPUR NORTH POWAI 1 MEGHDOOT 2 3 AHMEDABAD 4 5 MIDTOWN 6 7 GWALIOR WARANGAL RASIPURAM TIRUCHIRAPALLI REWARI MAIN ANAKAPALLE JALGAON INDORE VEERANGANA VAPI RIVERSIDE JULLUNDUR DEHRADUN WEST RAJPURA GANGA BIJNOR AGRA HERITAGE VARANASI CENTRAL POONA MIDTOWN MADHA THANE HILLS WARANGAL TADPATRI PANA JI RIVIERA MANGALORE SOUTH BANGALORE SADASHIVANAGAR 8 9 CENTRAL 10 11 12 BURDWAN 13 14 GREATER KOTHAMANGALAM TIRUPUR GANDHINAGAR QUILON NORTH NAGERCOIL CENTRAL MADRAS AADITHYA GAYA CENTRAL INFOCITY BHUBANESWAR CENTRAL CALCUTTA DHULIKHEL SALEM TEXCITY DINDIGUL VIJAYAWADA CHANDRAPUR CAMBAY LUDHIANA GREATER KARNAL MIDTOWN NABHA BAREILLY CENTRAL BAGALKOT BUTWAL KOMARAPALAYAM PERAMBALUR 16 17 18 KHURJA 19 20BAREILLY 21 METRO VUYYURU CHANDRAPUR BIKANER BHAVNAGAR UDHAMPUR BHAKRA NANGAL 15 SRI GANGANAGAR BAHRAICH PUNE TILAK ROAD WAI BOMBAY JUHU BEACH SATTENAPALLI RAICHUR KARW AR BELUR CHANNAPATTANA COCHIN VYPIN ISLANDS TIRUPUR WEST QUILON LOTUS TINNEVELLY VANDAVASI GREATER TEZPUR RANCHI SAMBALPUR WEST CALCUTTA 23 MARUDHARA 24 25 26SURAT 27EAST 28 LUDHIANA MID SOUTH BUTWAL HOSUR PERIYAKULAM RAJAHMUNDRY RIVER CITY AKOLA 22 BIKANER CITY ROORKEE RAJPURA PUNE SHIVAJINAGAR MUMBAI GHATKOPAR WARANGAL GUNTAKAL SANGLI KOMARAPALAYAM KARUR ANGELS SONEPAT UPTOWN ICHAPURAM JALGAON GOLD CITY INDORE MEGHDOOT PALANPUR CITY JAIPUR GWALIOR VEERANGANA 29 30BAHRAICH 31 SHINDKHEDA UDHAMPUR ROOPNAGAR RAJPURA MORADABAD CIVIL LINES HALDWANI PUNE EAST JALNA CENTRAL BOMBAY MID CITY WARANGAL TADIPATRI HONAVAR SHIRVA PUNGANUR CENTRAL COCHIN VYPIN ISLAND SAKTHINAGAR ALLEPPEY EAST GOLDEN RAMNAD GUWAHATI DAMODAR VALLEY KORBA BHUBANESWAR FRIENDS SALT LAKE METROPOLITAN BUTWAL PONDICHERRY BEACH TOWN PUDUKKOTTAI PALACE CITY BHUSAWAL LUDHIANA NORTH FARIDABAD CENTRAL MATHURA CENTRAL SANGOLA ULHASNAGAR MIDTOWN SALT LAKE CITY AARCH CITY MADRAS MANNARGUDI MADURAI NORTHWEST FARIDABAD MIDTOWN

ICK P

OFTHE MONTH

RC BANGALORE SADASHIVNAGAR RI District 3190 Sophisticated wheel chairs imported from Belgium were distributed to physically challenged people to make life easy for them. The club proposes to donate 1,000 such devices under Matching Grants with RC Ironbridge, RI District 1210, UK and TRF.

RC COIMBATORE SAI CITY RI District 3201 Through its signature project, Rotary Aid for Spinal Treatment and Rehabilitation (RASTRA), people suffering from spinal ailments have been rehabilitated and given vocational training in order to support their life.

RC OOTACAMUND RI District 3202 The club along with RC Ooty Town, RC Ketti Valley and RC Nilgiris West together put up a hoarding at Charing Cross to emphasis their support on polio eradication and to create awareness to administer polio drops for children. 64 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

TRAL GALAM NEW VAPI EW HA UNE UPUR ITAN AST OWAI IOR TRAL AGAR ER APUR BALUR TRO CHIN TTA ANA UR NGANA TRAL EPPEY WAL TRAL OWN

RC QUILON RI District 3211 To beat the rain and hit the road to school, the club distributed over 1,000 umbrellas to school students in Quilon. The children will now be able to combat the rain and reach school.

RC TIRUNELVELI WEST RI District 3212 Financial help was provided to B.E. students in order to help them complete their course without any financial crisis. The club had initiated this project three years back and hope to continue doing this noble deed.

RI District 3230 To raise funds for the polio eradication initiative of Rotary and to spread awareness about the disease, a shuttle tournament was conducted by the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Polio Plus team. Rotarians from 22 Rotary clubs participated in this event.

RC AEROCITY DURGAPUR RI District 3240 Computer accessories were donated by the club to an orphanage, Purbachal Ananda Foundation that takes care of education and other basic needs of orphan children. The club also donated monthly supplies of groceries to the institution. DECEMBER 2013

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RC PATNA WEST RI District 3250 An eye donation camp organised by the club witnessed the donation pledge being signed by all the club members and Anns. This move by all the members and their spouse is indeed a noble one.

RC SUNDARGARH TOWN RI District 3261 The club along with Rotary clubs of Rourkela Midtown and Rourkela Central constructed toilet blocks at a village near Sundargarh. These toilets will help the villagers maintain hygiene and thus keep diseases at bay.

RC JARAKA RI District 3262 The club has adopted the village, Jalsukha and has helped in the formation of a village committee with the villagers. The Rotarians have planted several saplings across this village and they also have many more plans for the villagersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; welfare.

RC CALCUTTA RI District 3291 The club has been equipping the Lokeswarananda Eye Foundation, Purulia for four years now. Presently, they have installed equipment for treating eye related defects apart from more hospital beds.

66 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

RC BUTWAL RI District 3292 An informal education program initiated by the club has stepped in the direction of promoting literacy in the Rupandehi region. Several women have been enrolled in the programme and this would enable them to be functionally literate.

RC NAGORE RI District 2980 New clothes, sweets and crackers were distributed amongst the girls at Nagapatinam Seva Bharathi Anbu Illam, an orphanage for the girl child. The girls at the home were delighted and happy to receive this gift from the Rotarians.

RC ARANTHANGI RI District 3000 An ENT camp was organised for the children of Silatur, a village that has been adopted by the club. Over 250 children visited the camp and medicines were provided for the needy.

RC CHOPDA RI District 3030 A polio awareness rally was organised on World Polio Day (October 24) by the club. The citizens were also made to understand the significance of administering the polio drops for their wards.

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RC AHMEDABAD SOUTH RI District 3051 Notebooks were distributed amongst 400 poor students at Vastrapur Municipal School by the club. The motive of this project was to support poor students with study material and spread literacy.

RC GWALIOR VEERANGANA RI District 3053 The Rotarians visited the slums of Murara and donated food grains to the economically deprived people to help them tide over hunger. Stationeries and water tanks were also donated to a school there to benefit children.

RC GONDAL RI District 3060 Food grain distribution to 250 poor families was executed by the club. The ongoing project of the club since the last two years is done by members distributing materials from door to door of the houses of poor families.

RC JULLUNDUR RI District 3070 The club organised a dental camp at the Government Senior Secondary School in Mittapur village. Children with dental defects were treated at the camp. Toothbrushes and toothpastes were distributed to the children. 68 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

RC DEHRADUN WEST RI District 3080 A vocational training centre was established at Dudhli village. Stitching, knitting and sewing classes are being imparted at the training centre which will help the poor girls to earn a livelihood.

RC HIRIYUR RC District 3160 Various sports competitions were conducted for school children at Hiriyur. More than 200 students participated in the events with great zeal. The programme enabled to develop a sportive spirit in the young children.

RC SHIROL RI District 3170 A LCD projector was donated to the Kumar Vidhya Mandir Kutwad Taluk, Shirol. This would give the children a digital learning experience.

RC CENTRAL CALCUTTA RI District 3291 The Rotarians distributed stationery materials and also provided mid-day meals to students at Rotary Siksha Kendra. Over 450 students benefitted from this wonderful project that helps in inducing interest in attending school for these children. DECEMBER 2013

ROTARY NEWS 69

CULTURE

Suchindram in Kanyakumari district is a blessed land chosen by the triad of the Hindu gods â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Brahma the creator, Vishnu the protector and Shiva the destroyer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to establish their abode in the ancient Sthanumalayan temple which is more known for its lofty Hanuman.

Sthanumalayan temple with the holy pond in the foreground.

70 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

emples are vast repositories of our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansive cultural wealth. From north to south and east to west, we have a wide variety of temples, churches, mosques, monasteries and other facilities of worship, each one holding interesting legends within their womb and each one holding its own in terms of grandeur and magnificence. Every land is a unique specimen of architecture and religious values. While the temples of northern India are adorned with Nagara style of architecture; the Dravidian style is more prominent in the southern part of our country. And all

these ancient temples are so rich in their antiquity and exuberance, preserving much of the medieval appeal. On the Hindu front, we have quite a number of temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Karthik and Goddess Shakti in various forms. Temples dedicated to the holy trinity, where Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped in the same premises is quite rare. Tucked in the southernmost district of India, in Kanyakumari District, is the mystical and a tranquil town of Suchindram, well known for its unique representation of the Trinity in the Sthanumalayan temple. The lush greenery and the

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tall coconut trees that dot the town reminds one of being in ‘God’s own country,’ Kerala. Suchindram along with Kanyakumari was part of Trivandrum, (erstwhile Travancore), of Kerala state until 1956 when it became part of Tamil Nadu. The town is 11 km from Kanyakumari, 7 km from Nagercoil and approximately 85 km from Trivandrum. Sthanumalayan temple The temple is unique for its presiding deity, Sthanumalayan, enshrined in the form of a lingam that is considered to be a union of the Hindu Trimurti — Sthanu for Shiva, Mal for Vishnu and Ayan for Brahma. The towering gopuram of Sthanumalayan temple at a height of 134 feet and framed by coconut groves makes for a picture-perfect feast for the eye as one enters the town of Suchindram passing through a colourful gateway that encompasses deities in a canopied aedicule. The seven-tiered temple tower is packed with sculptures of gods and goddesses and it would certainly take hours to appreciate all the mythological scenes depicted atop there. Mount Meru playing anchor to the churning of the ocean of nectar,

72 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

Lord Indra riding on an elephant, other deities seated majestically on their respective mounts are few of the numerous images on the gopuram. The sentinels or the dwarapalakas guard the seven entrances on the broad faces of the tower. Just outside is a vast stepped pond with a large pillared mandap at the centre that comes alive during festival times. Traditionally styled houses frame the temple tank on all sides, lending the area a period-atmosphere. The Sthanumalayan temple at Suchindram spread over five acres is believed to be built approximately 1,300 years ago by the Chera kings. Inscriptions in the temple say that it dates back to the 8th century and that various parts of the temple were added in over 600 years, when the land was ruled by the various dynasties and fresh shrines and additional structures were added. It was under the administration of the Travancore rulers who were Vaishnavites. Earlier to that the Nanjil Pillais and other community members of the nearby town of Nagercoil, who were Saivites controlled the temple and they were influenced by the Chola, Chera and the Pandya kings then. As a result the temple has practices of both the sects

of Hinduism and has devotees from both sects flocking in. The temple worship is now under the control of one of the Namboodhri brahman families, the Thekkumon Madam. As we cross the wide pavilion called the Natakasala which is mostly used for delivering lectures, and through the beautifully carved main door, we reach the Unjal Mandap. The carvings of various sculptures like Arjuna, Karna, Manmadha and Rathi are just breath-taking. On the eastern corridor is Adiguru, Dakshinamurthi. The Vasantha Mandap is a monument of art. This and the other halls have some of the fascinating stone sculptures and mural paintings that speak volumes of the artistic talent of the bygone era. The processional idols of Lord Suchindra Perumal and Goddess Umadevi are brought here during the Vasanthotsav. A distinctive feature is that the deities representing the nine planets, the Navagrahas are positioned on the ceiling, surrounded by the twelve astrological signs. Lord Ganesha is worshipped here as Nilakanta Vinayaka, and the idol is so huge. To his west is Kankalanath, a manifestation of Lord Shiva with a begging bowl in his hand. Other interesting shrines here include Kailasa Mahadev in linga form, Lord Ayyappa depicted as Cheravasal Sastha, Lord Ram and Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman. A rare female-form of Ganesha, known as Vigneshwari or Vallabha Ganeshani catches the eye of any devotee. The Ganeshani murti in sukhasana pose, sculpted as per the Mantra Shastras, is one of the few of its kind; in Tibet, this female form of Ganesha is worshipped as Gajanani and one more is in Jabalpur. The shrines on the northern entrance are referred to as Jayantheeswara temples and it includes small shrines for Kalabhairav and Lord Karthik with his consorts, Valli and Deivyani, Narayan, Krishna, Srichakra and Goddess Durga. Interestingly Jayantheeswaram is another name for Tiruchendur, one

Deities in procession. Facing page: Murals on the temple walls depicting various legends.

of the six abodes of Lord Karthik, which is located near Tirunelveli, and the idol of Lord Karthik is a replica of the one there. The Pandavas are believed to have worshipped the deities here and so this is also referred to as Pancha Pandav temple. It is interesting to note that Lord Krishna is depicted as in Guruvayur, Kerala, with a butter ball in one hand and a peeled plantain in another! The hall called Alankara Mandap is famous for its musical pillars which resonate with musical notes when tapped. There is an interesting folklore behind the presence of the shrine for Goddess Dharmasamvardhini here. A thirteen year old girl who exhibited staunch devotion towards Lord Sthanumalayan used to visit the temple every day with her mother. One such day, while the motherdaughter duo was offering their prayers at the sanctum, the little girl suddenly vanished. A divine voice then explained that the girl had become one

with the Lord. The girl’s family thus installed a bronze image of the girl at the temple precincts, and to this day, a Thirukalyanam (celestial wedding) function in celebrated at this shrine during the Tamil calendar month of Masi (February–March). The stunningly huge Hanuman is imposing indeed at a height of 18 feet, which requires the priests to climb steps to perform the abhishka. The Lord is said to depict the Vishwaroopa darshan that he gave Sita at the Ashoka vana, as described in the Sundara Kand of Ramayana. Suchindram is synonymous with this idol of Hanuman. Butter is distributed to the devotees on plantain leaf as prasad. Devotees also adorn the Hanuman with long garlands of vada called vada malai as offering. The Chitra Sabha, another spacious hall has few other smaller shrines. In the eastern corridor is a tall white Nandi facing Lord Sthanumalayan at the garbhagriha and it is referred as Maakkalai. Next to the Nandi is the celebrated shrine of Konnayadi. The Konnai tree (laurel tree) is the temple’s sthalavruksha and there is a formation of three lingas sprouting one above the other in the hollow at the foot of the

tree. This is considered very special and it is covered with a golden kavach which is removed only during the occasion of abhisheka rituals. The Garuda Mandap enshrines the image of Garudalvar facing Lord Vishnu. The statue of King Thirumalai Nayak, the 17 th century ruler of the Nayak dynasty who ruled over Madurai, is spectacular and seems to pulsate with life. A wire when inserted through the right nostril of the statue would come out of the left ear, and when it is made to pass through the right ear would come out of the left. The Dwaja Mandap has two dwajasthamba (flagstaff) in front of the two shrines — one each for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The Chempakaraman Mandap is again another interesting hall, rich in artistic images intricately sculpted in its 32 pillars, telling fascinating episodes from the Shiva and Vishnu Puranas. Sanctum Sanctorum The Chempakaraman Mandap leads into the main altar of the presiding deity of Suchindram — Lord Sthanumalayan — the personification of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma respectively as the top, DECEMBER 2013

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middle and base section of a two and a half feet high linga, sheathed with a gold or silver mask that is removed only during the abhisheka rituals. The mask has 27 stars, 14 lunar phases and the hood of a snake adorning the crown. The illumination with several oil lamps lends a heavenly and tranquil atmosphere to the sanctum. Adjacent to the sanctum is a seven feet tall shrine for Lord Vishnu, referred to as Thekkadam. Smaller shrines for Amarabhujanga Perumal, Suchindra Perumal, Chandeshwara and Nataraja are also present in this area. Legend The unique deity, the three-in-one representation of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma has some interesting legends behind it. Anusuya, the wife of Maharishi Athri was known for her chastity and devotion to her husband. She could perform miracles by sprinkling the water with which she washed her husband’s feet (Paadha theerth) like bringing rain to the parched earth or transforming objects to her desire. Goddesses Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati heard about the powers of Anusuya through Sage Narad and they wanted to test her chastity. They approached their husbands — Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma to test Anusuya’s devotion for her husband. The three gods transformed into three mendicants and went to the hermitage where Anusuya dwelt and sought alms from her. When she was about to serve food for them, they told her that they had taken a vow whereby they would not accept alms from a person wearing clothes. Considering it a sin to refuse alms to the hungry mendicants, Anusuya prayed to her husband and sprinkled the Paadha Theerth on the three of them, transforming them into infants. She then disrobed herself and fed them. Hearing about the fate of their husbands, the three goddesses pleaded with Anusuya to restore their husbands 74 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

back to them. Anusuya led them to the cradles where the babies lay. Goddess Mun Udhitha Mangai (a manifestation of Goddess Parasakthi) appeared before the three of them to help them identify their husbands transformed as infants. The goddesses picked the babies in their arms. Anusuya prayed to her husband to bring back the gods, and lo behold! The babies transformed to their original form. And the Trimurti thus came to be represented as the

Rathotsav.

linga form, Sthanumalayan. It is also believed that when the divine forces disappeared there sprouted three lingas beneath the laurel tree which exists to this day. A shrine for Goddess Mun Udhitha Mangai is also present in the temple precincts. Another mythology that talks about how Suchindram got its name is equally relevant here: Lord Indra was once infatuated with Ahalya, wife of Sage Gautama.

One night he visited the hermitage of the sage and crowed like a cock, indicating the break of dawn. The sage awoke from his sleep and went to the river for his ablutions before commencing his prayers. Indra donning the physical appearance of Sage Gautama, approached Ahalya and satisfied his desire. In the mean time, Rishi Gautama, realising that it was too early for dawn, returned back to his ashram. He was enraged to see his wife with another man. He cursed his wife to be transformed into a stone, and the man’s entire body to be covered with the ‘yoni’ (female organ). Repenting for his grave sin, Lord Indra undertook a severe penance at Gnanaranya (that was what Suchindram was known as then) to please Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Pleased with his prayers, the gods relieved him of his curse. And as for Ahalya, she was brought back to her original self, when Lord Ram placed his foot over the stone when he undertook his vanavas (14 year exile). As a gesture of thanksgiving and atonement, Indra installed a linga to represent the trinity and worshipped here. The place thus came to be called ‘Suchi-Indran’ (the place where Indra was purified). Even to this day, devotees believe that Lord Indra visits the sanctum every night to perform the Ardhajama Puja. This explains a unique tradition followed by the temple: Different sets of priests perform the daily worship rituals by rotation every day; this practice is followed because the priests who come to perform the worship rituals the next day would not know the positioning of the objects by the previous day’s priests and thus Lord Indra’s visit to the sanctum would remain an eternal mystery. Suchindram has a relationship with Goddess Kanyakumari, the presiding goddess of the Kumari Amman temple at Kanyakumari. Banasura, the demon was granted a boon by Shiva that he could die only in the hands of an DECEMBER 2013

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adolescent virgin girl. Empowered by the boon, he then wreaked havoc on the three worlds. Princess Kumari, one of the eight daughters of King Bharat ruled over the southern tip of India splendidly. She was the earthly incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Kumari prayed to Lord Shiva, for she wanted to marry him. Lord Shiva pleased with her worship, agreed to marry her. However, Sage Narad tricked Shiva from going ahead with the wedding by stopping him at Suchindram as the gods wanted her to kill Banasura first. Eventually, the marriage did not happen and Kumari remained a kanya (an unmarried girl) all through her earthly days and that is how the place earned the name, ‘Kanyakumari.’ She eventually killed Banasura and that is another story. Festivals There is no dearth of festivities at the Sthanumalayan temple, with three gods assembled in one place and of course, with most of the deities of the Hindu pantheon having this temple as their abode. All traditions of both Saivite and Vaishnavite sects are celebrated with great jubilation here. However, the noteworthy ones are the ones observed in the Tamil calendar month of Markazhi (December–January) and Chithirai (April–May). These festivals last for nine days and on the last day, the deities are taken on a procession in grandly decorated temple cars (rathotsav) through the streets of Suchindram. The entire town is abuzz with people and it takes on a carnival atmosphere on all the festive days. The similarity between the Padmanabha swamy temple of Trivandrum and Sthanumalayan temple is very much palpable. A significant tradition that reiterates the temple’s relationship with that of Ananthapadmanabha swamy temple of Trivandrum is that the Navrathri festival at the latter temple would commence only after one of the deities from Sthanumalayan temple (Goddess 76 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

An artist’s impression of the presiding deity, Sthanumalayan.

Mun Uditha Mangai) along with the deities from two other neighbouring shrines — Kumaran temple (Lord Karthik) and Padmanabhapuram Palace (Goddess Saraswati) land there. The Rotary world marks its presence in this quaint town through the Rotary Club of Aasramam, RI District 3212. The Rotarians are actively involved in promoting literacy among the town’s children as they help in the maintenance of the government middle school, providing repair works, water facilities and other educational infrastructure to create a better ambience for learning. The temple complex has around 30 shrines to various deities representing almost all the gods of the Hindu pantheon, providing an opportunity

of worship for all people. This feature remarkably enhances the significance of the temple. To top it, the temple is a must-visit for art-lovers and for all those who have an appreciative eye for stunning sculptures. It is really amazing as to how with such limited resources, centuries back, the artisans would have chiseled out such breathtaking images, and the mural paintings too, though ill-preserved reminds one of the rich art which are an essential part of Kerala temples. In more ways than one, the temple and the surroundings take the visitor subconsciously to the neighbouring state of Kerala. The temple is indeed an exemplary asset to our artistically wealthy nation. Jaishree

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Why Iam a Rotarian.indd 77

09-12-2013 14:42:31

HEALTH WATCH

Breaking fast the

VEGGIE WAY W

e’ve all heard our mothers telling us to eat breakfast, as it is the most important meal of the day. With fast-paced lives and hectic schedules, eating a healthy vegetarian breakfast is at the bottom of everybody’s priority list. Studies show that breakfast does a world of good for your body and mind.

Here’s how… By the time you get up in the morning, 10 to 12 hours have passed since your last meal and your body is in fasting mode. Eating soon after waking up will literally break the fast and fire up your metabolism for the day. Even if you’re not always hungry in the mornings, you should eat something nutritious anyway. A morning meal also gives you a head start on getting the five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables you need each day. Fruits and cereal, a glass of juice, diced veggies in upma all count towards your daily nutritional requirement. If you find it hard to stay alert in the morning, eating breakfast may help boost your energy levels (and mood) by raising your blood sugar levels and increasing your ability to concentrate.

78 ROTARY NEWS DECEMBER 2013

Need more convincing? Here are a few reasons why breakfast is so important: •

A study by the National Weight Control Registry found that over-weight people who ate breakfast regularly were not only able to lose weight but also maintain their weight loss. On the other hand, people who skipped breakfast increased their risk of obesity. Another study found that people who skipped breakfast made up for it by eating more throughout the day, thereby gaining weight.

•

Eating breakfast improves memory and learning ability. Research has shown that students who eat breakfast have better memory and recalling power than students who skip breakfast.

•

Breakfast boosts mood and performance. A Harvard study showed that children who ate breakfast received 40 percent higher grades than kids who didn’t. Kids who skipped breakfast were twice as likely to be depressed, four times more prone to anxiety and 30 percent more likely to be hyperactive. When children who rarely ate in the morning began eating breakfast

regularly, their grades increased significantly and their levels of depression and anxiety decreased. •

Breakfast also improves the health of the heart. Blood tends to become “sticky” overnight making it more prone to clots in the morning, thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. According to researchers, eating breakfast “unsticks” your blood and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Not many people have the time to cook an elaborate meal each morning, neither does breakfast mean eggs. Here are some quick and nutritious vegetarian breakfast ideas: • • • •

Toasted bread topped with leftover vegetables. Cereal with fruits Upma with pre-cut vegetables Idlis or dosas made from ready-made batter

If you’re not used to eating breakfast it might take a while to get used to it. However, you will soon notice a marked improvement in your mood, energy levels and alertness, making you much more productive and healthy. Source: The Indian Vegetarian Congress Quarterly

DECEMBER 2013

ROTARY NEWS 79

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