Bapuji touches the young minds

The martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi (30th January) is observed as Anti-leprosy day throughout the world. It is also called "International Anti-leprosy day". NGOs, international voluntary agencies and government machineries observe a week-long programme starting from 30th Jan. to 5th Feb. giving scientific information on leprosy to the masses and sensitising the public on the disease.
Indian Development Foundation (formerly Indian Leprosy Foundation) inaugurated the Anti-leprosy week with the students of Angel Land High School, Andheri (West), Mumbai on 30th Jan. 2009,
"It was like real Mahatma Gandhi visiting our School", expressed Principal Mr. P.M. Alexander. The students are really happy to see a person who resembles Mahatma Gandhi, it is a blessing for the young kids, the Principal said.
Dr. Sharad Nayampally, the Social Ambassador of IDF and look-a-like Mahatma Gandhi gave a special visit to Angel Land School. The look-a-like Mahatma Gandhi expressed his feelings for the welfare and rehabilitation of leprosy patients. He quoted valuable messages of Mahatma Gandhi and asked the students follow truthful path. Awareness holds the key to lowering down the incidence of leprosy and students are best suited to spread awareness among the people, observed the look-a-like Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi's cherished dream of a leprosy-eliminated India has come true. Thanks to the support of the various NGOs, national and international bodies along with the Government machinery, the number of leprosy cases has come down from 40 lakhs in 1982 to less than 1 lakh today, Dr. A.R.K. Pillai, founder President of IDF said.
"29 states/ union territories have achieved leprosy elimination status. 6 states/ UTs viz., Bihar, Chhatisgarh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chandigarh and D & N Haveli are yet to achieve elimination. With 87,206 leprosy cases on record at the end of March 2008, the prevalence rate was 0.74/ 10,000 population", Dr Pillai said.
However, India is still contributing about 54% of new cases detected globally during the year 2007, and this trend will surely continue for some more years, Dr. Pillai added.

Mr. I. C. Srivastava IAS (Retd.), former Chairman for Board of Revenue for Rajasthan was the Chief Guest at event. Appreciating the work of IDF in the field of leprosy, Mr. Srivastava highlighted the importance of networking of NGOs for larger humanitarian benefit. Students must read the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi to know more about the towering personality, he added.
Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, National Co-ordinator of IDF gave scientific information on leprosy to the students and later an interactive session helped in clearing the doubts related to the disease. He said students' participation in leprosy elimination programmes needs to be written in the letters of gold.
Leprosy is completely curable today. An air-borne disease caused by mycobacterium leprae, leprosy was a scourge of humanity and it carried a lot of misconceptions. Leprosy is a socio-medical problem. Leprosy is a disease with a high degree of stigma attached through centuries. This was mainly because of the fact that there was no cure for the disease till the eighties and also due to disfigurement caused by the disease. Though the number of leprosy cases has come down, the stigma still prevails. A lot need to be done with regard to rehabilitation of persons affected with leprosy (PALs).

This was a part of the Anti-leprosy week activities spearheaded by Indian Development Foundation, a leading national NGO committed to health, education and rural development.

Universal Sports Meet

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDBP) students of Podar International School, Santacruz (W) in collaboration with Indian Development Foundation will be organizing a

Universal Sports Meet
on
30th January 2009 at Podar Sports Ground, Link Road,
Opp. Santacruz Police Station, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400 054.

Mr. Mervyn Fernandis, triple Olympian from Indian hockey team will be Chief Guest for the Universal Sports Meet. The winners will be awarded with certificates at the hands of Mr. Mervyn Fernandis.

The IBDP students, who have taken up the responsibility of organizing the event, are working on a project titled 'Project Shiksha' which is part of their subject 'CAS' (Creativity, Action and Service).

The participants for the Universal Sports will be from the following four units.

1. Vimala Dermatological Center, Versova, Yari Road, Andheri (W)
2. St. Catherine Home, Veera Desai Road, Andheri (W)
3. Seth. Anandilal Ganesh Podar Hindi School, Santacruz (W)
4. B.M.C Hindi School, Santacruz (W)

A total of 128 students (32 from each institute) between the age group of 8 to 12 years will be participating in the event.

Universal Sports Meet will give a wonderful exposure on sports to the children of various centres. The children are all set to participate in the event with full of enthusiasm.

IDF committed to Stop TB

Come World TB Day 2009 (24/03/09), Indian Development Foundation in collaboration with Karnataka State TB Association and Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka will be organising a state-level Essay writing competition. Circulars will be issued to the schools indicating entry details for competition.

IDF is committed to StopTB.

IDF is a partner of the StopTB Partnership.

Republic Day Greetings

IDF wishes you all
A HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY
JAI HIND

DAV Thane supports IDF work

DAV Public School, Thulsidham, Thane supports IDF's health, education and rural development activities.

Mrs. Rajesh Tanwar, Principal and Mrs. Amruta Potdar, Co-ordinator of DAV Public School received IDF Certificate of Appreciation for supporting humanitarian programmes.

Indian Development Foundation conveys special thanks to the Management, the Principal, all the teaching faculties, the students and their parents for extending continued support to leprosy/ TB awareness and resource mobilisation programme.

Aditya Birla Group supports IDF

A two-day exhibition on Indian Development Foundation was organised at the Aditya Birla Group office at Andheri (W), Mumbai on 19th and 20th Jan.09.

IDF's health awareness banners and posters were put up at important points and the team members from Aditya Birla took keen interest in the social responsibility programme.

IDF had also displayed various products specially made by physically and visually challenged persons. The executives and officers from Aditya Birla purchased the products and thereby helped in empowering the differently-abled persons.

A couple of persons have also sponsored children studying in IDF Bal Gurukuls while some sponsored blankets for the leprosy patients suffering from cold weather in northern India. Many have assured of their support in the near future.



Indian Development Foundation which partners with StopTB Partnership has taken the opportunity to create awareness on Tuberculosis by placing banners and posters on TB. The team from Aditya Birla took active part in the awareness programmes too.

IDF conveys sincere thanks and gratitude to each and every member of Aditya Birla Group for supporting various social causes in humanitarian interest.

Mrs. Smita Patwardhan, Dy. Manager, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt. Ltd. expressed happiness as members from ABG came forward in supporting various humanitarian causes. Many corporates and business houses should come forward and support IDF in putting up health awareness cum resource mobilisation stalls and participate in the social responsibility programmes, she expresed.

Students from ITM Business School, Kharghar, volunteered at the camp as part of their social responsibility programme.

IDF news in StopTB

IDF is a partner of the StopTB Partnership.

IDF is spearheading in Tuberculosis awareness programmes in India.
With 25 years of experience in organising mass communication and public awareness programmes, IDF has been creating massive awareness on Tuberculosis to Stop it.

Please click the link given below to see IDF NEWS in StopTB News. (See Page 4)
http://www.stoptb.org/resource_center/assets/documents/STBNEWSJan09.pdf
We seek your continued support in reaching out more needy persons.

Join hands with IDF and Let's StopTB.

idfmumbai@gmail.com

Helping hands from Vibgyor High

The 10th grade students of Vibgyor High, Goregaon (West), Mumbai organised a fun-fair in their school as part of their student social responsibility cell.

The students with their innovative ideas organised a fun-fair in the school campus and mobilised resources to support the poor and the needy. They received overwhelming response from their schoolmates and parents who witnessed the event.

Though there is a lot of fun in the event, but at the back of our mind we were committed to serve a cause. We feel happy that we could be part of the social responsibility programme and mobilise resources for the underprivileged, the participating students said.

Mr. Shim Mathew, Principal of the school congratulated the students for their novel ideas and appreciated the students concern for the society.

Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, national co-ordinator of IDF thanked the students as he received the donation cheque for the care and welfare of the students in IDF Bal Gurukuls. He wished more schools emulate such wonderful social responsibility programmes and help in empowering the underprivileged children.

Student Social Responsibility

Dr. Sharad Nayampally, IDF Social Ambassador led a group of students to IDF's rural educational project - Shyama Vidya Mandir on 14th Jan. 2009 to celebrate Makar Sankranth with the students.

Management Students - Manish Jha, Prakriti Dixit and Priyam Srivastava - from ITM Business School, Kharghar and Law students - Vijay Tiwari, Nida Kazi and Radhika Sharma - from SVMK Law College, Vile Parle; visited Shyama Vidya Mandir, Karjat, Dist. Raigad, as part of their social responsibility programme.

The visiting students exchanged pleasantries with the Karjat students and also narrated stories with specific importance on the festival. They also presented Til-gul and Kites to the students. Towels received from Royal Fashions and Parle-G biscuits received from Parle Products were distributed to the students in the rural area.

We really enjoyed the social tourism in the countryside. We wish the students of Shyama Vidya Mandir best of luck in their studies and bright future ahead. We will visit the project in the near future too and spend time with the kids here, said the visiting students.

Shankersai cheers up street kids

Children love flying kites during Makar Sankranti. They also run around the streets collecting kites which are snapped in contest. It's really fun to watch the kite contests and run around the streets.

IDF young ambassador Master G. R. Shankersai at Hyderabad thought of celebrating Makar Sankranti with a difference.

Eight year old boy went round the streets in Hyderabad and distributed kites to the street kids. The children in the street were very happy to receive kites and strings from Shankersai.

Shankersai cheered up the street kids as he distributed colourful kites.

I always wish to share happiness with the underprivileged children and street kids during festive occasion. It gives me a rare joy when i share goodness with the poor, said Shankersai.

Related stories
http://indiandevelopmentfoundation.blogspot.com/2008/12/shankersai-becomes-santa-for-street.html

http://indiandevelopmentfoundation.blogspot.com/2008/12/shankersai-sowed-seeds-of-success.html

Festival of life - Makarsankrant celebrations with a difference

The PYP students of Podar International School (IB), Santacruz visited St. Catherine's School at Veera Desai, Andheri to celebrate Makarsankranth with a difference.

Indian Development Foundation, a national NGO organised a get-together programme of the Podar students and St. Catherine's School students where they mixed with each other and distributed colourful kites made by them. Podar students took keen interest in making special kites and they also decorated the kites in various fashions. Most of the kites were made of recycled papers or newspapers in order to save environment.

The CAS Co-ordinator of Podar International School Ms. Sarala Gavane along with teachers led a group of 120 students from standard 3rd and 4th to St. Catherine's School in the morning hours of Tuesday where she explained the importance of Makar Sankranth to the students gathered and also conveyed the message of love and brotherhood.

The national co-ordinator of IDF Dr. Narayan Iyer talked to the students and congratulated Podarites for coming forward and participating in such a meaningful exchange programme. Every school should have such kind of exchange programme where the students mix with others and share the joy of participation. It's a festival time to celebrate the winter solstice and the change of direction which is nothing but changing from the darkness of delusion towards knowledge, light and wisdom, said Dr. Iyer

The visiting students presented beautifully made colourful kites to the St. Catherine's School children. Every child took keen interest in the exchange programme and shared personal information. It was all a fun to see the colourful sight in the St.Catherine's garden. Students teaching each other the method of tieing strings to the kites and the tips to fly kites high in the sky. Some kites had snake like tail and fish like body, while some looked like hearts. It's really fun to fly kites and also share love with the Catherine's children, said Jehan a student from Podar School.

The visiting students also presented til gud laddos to the St. Catherine's students which signified the message of sweetness in life. The students were so engrossed in their activity that their parting became a matter of difficulty. Podarites invited St. Catherine's children to visit their school on such festive occasions and share experiences with them.

Dr. Sharad Nayampally and Mr. Sanjay Waghmare from IDF and Ms. Priyam Srivastava and Ms. Prakriti Dixit from ITM Business School co-ordinated in organising the event.


For complete photographs in the ALBUM click the link given below
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Pratigya - A Walkathon to Ban Smoking

Pratigya – A walkathon was organized by the management students of SIES College of Management Studies (SIESCOMS), Nerul, Navi Mumbai to create awareness on the ill-effects of smoking in public places and its hazards to the public due to passive smoking.

Indian Development Foundation joined hands with SIESCOMS team and various leading NGOs and Colleges in Mumbai to support ban on smoking in public places.

IDF Ambassador and look-alike Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Sharad Nayampally flagged off Pratigya Walkathon from Oval Maidan in the south Mumbai in the morning hours Sunday, 11th of January 2009 and walked along with the students up to Girgaum Chowpatty.

Mr. K.L. Prasad IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) and Chief Guest for the event, exhorted the youth to come forward in removing the menace of smoking in public places.

The Director of SIESCOMS Dr. A.K. Sengupta said, PRATIGYA is an initiative that is surely one of its kind, where we, as responsible citizens, help spread awareness to save several innocent lives that are affected by the hazards of smoking

Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, National Co-ordinator, IDF congratulated the organizers of the event for the wonderful social initiative.

Pratigya was aimed at educating the masses on the ill-effects of smoking in public places and its hazards to the public due to passive smoking. As conscientious managers of tomorrow, the campaign is to support the ban imposed by the Government on smoking in public zones, said the organizers.

The students pledged, `I take an oath to be the change I want to see.’

Enthusiastic students wearing a mask marched with slogans, placards, banners and posters conveying message on the ban.

IDF student ambassadors from SVKM Law College and ITM Business School too joined hands in the movement.
Click the link given below for complete picture.

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Podarites Peak Performance

We are indeed happy to extend our continued support to Indian Development Foundation in its health, education and rural development work, expressed Mr. P. Ganesh, Principal of Podar International School (SSC). Our school will be always in the forefront in discharging social responsibilities programmes. The students and their parents are keen to support noble causes and it's really pleasure helping poor leprosy patients. he said.

Dr. Sharad Nayampally, IDF Social Ambassador visited Podar International School (SSC), Santacruz (W), Mumbai to honour the students of the school and presented an IDF Certificate of Appreciation for excellent social responsibility programme carried out by the school.

Dr. Sharad thanked Mr. P. Ganesh and Mrs. Kumud Piplani, Headmistress of the School for all their goodness and support to IDF.

Dr. Sharad cheered up the students as he presented the certificates.

An act of kindness

SVKM Law college students - Nida Kazi, Radhika Sharma and Vijay Tiwari - who are connected with IDF for social responsibility programmes had spent their new year day with the children of Vimala Centre.

We felt happy exchanging pleasantries with the children of the centre on the New Year day. The team played with the children and later decided to screen a movie for the children's entertainment.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi the latest hit of SRK was the demand from the children and the team fulfilled their desire. We all enjoyed watching SRK's movie and it was really fun to spend time with the team from SVKM college, said Vimala Centre children.



`Good people and goodness gets connected and that's the connectivity of God', the law students expressed with a smile.

Omalur Declaration

IDF Tamil Nadu Team met at Omalur on 3rd Jan.09 to discuss on various developmental issues. The team led by Mr. C. Chidambaram, Manager-SR, IDF included Mr. R. Settu, Mr. Mano Ranjit Lad, Mr. M. Rangasami, Mr. S. Arumainayagam and Mr. F. Fredrick.

The team made New Year Resolution for 2009 and prepared a roadmap for achieving good results in the areas of social work. While congratulating the TN team for their excellent service, Mr. C. Chidambaram exhorted the officers to strengthen their work in order to render excellent services to the society.

Leprosy Relief Rural Centre, Omalur, Chettipatty, Salem Dist. Tamil Nadu was the venue for IDF Tamil Nadu team to meet. Admn. Officer Mr. Dhandapaani made all arrangements in organising the event.

Together Everyone Achieves More

Benevolence from Bengaluru

The appeal for blankets for poor leprosy patients living in the leprosy colonies in Bihar attracted the attention of our youngest Social Ambassador Karan Dravid. It is my duty to support the poor and the needy persons said Karan Dravid to his father Mr. Sai Prem Kumar.

Karan requested his father to deliver a few blankets to IDF's Bangalore office as part of New Year gift.

Mr. Sai Prem Kumar visited IDF Bangalore office and presented blankets to Dr. S. Franklin, Manager-SR of the Foundation.

Dr. S. Franklin thanked Mr. Sai Prem Kumar and Karan Dravid for their benevolence.

Ameya is our new young ambassador

I am very much impressed by the activities of Indian Development Foundation. I have also participated in the resource mobilisation drive of IDF to support the poor and the needy. I am happy to become the young social ambassador of IDF and promote the activities for humanitarian benefit, these were the words of Ameya Borwankar when he was inducted as IDF young social ambassador in Mumbai on 1st Jan.09

Ameya Borwankar is the student of Vivek Vidyalaya, Goregaon (W), Mumbai studying in class VI. Ameya has participated in many social events and also scientific sessions at a young age. I have been seeing the activities of the IDF young social ambassadors like Karan, Shankersai, Nishchit and Shiloh. It is really commendable on their part and i thought i too can be part of the Foundation and help the needy people during my spare time.

Becoming IDF social ambassador and reaching out the underprivileged children is one of my New Year resolution, said the eleven year old boy with a smile. I am good at chess and computer. I can teach the children in Vimala Centre and other projects of IDF during Sundays and other holidays.

My parents are supportive and they encourage me in my social activities, said Ameya. Ameya's parents, Mohan Borwankar and Dipali Borwankar are IT professionals and they are happy with Ameya's social inclination to serve the society.

Ameya's School Principal Mr. Suresh Nair welcomed the thought of Ameya to serve the people. It is really a matter of great pride for the School that Ameya has been inducted as the young social ambassador from Mumbai. We wish him good luck in his activities, said Mr. Nair.

Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, national co-ordinator of IDF inducted Ameya Borwankar as IDF young social ambassador on the new year day and Ameya later visited Vimala Dermatological Centre and talked to the children. Exchanging pleasantries with the children, Ameya distributed sweets and wished them A Happy New Year !

Benevolence through Blankets

In response to our appeal in Karmayog.org, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karmayog/message/46623

Mr. Rishi Jai Prakash from Rio-India walked into IDF office this morning with 25 blankets for distribution to poor leprosy affected persons living in leprosy colonies in northern India.

No sooner i saw IDF's appeal for blankets, i thought of presenting them and of course New Year is an excellent opportunity for me to share goodness with the have-nots, said Mr. Rishi.

I will speak to a couple of my contacts and see that more blankets are made available to protect the people suffering from biting cold, expressed Mr. Rishi as he handed over 25 blankets to Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, national co-ordinator of IDF.

People have option either to donate blankets physically or even contribute money for blankets, we are hard pressed with time and patients are waiting for some help, said Dr. Narayan thanking Mr. Rishi for his benevolent gesture.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karmayog/message/46623

http://indiandevelopmentfoundation.blogspot.com/2009/01/human-touch-blankets-for-leprosy.html

We request more people to join hands in the blanket mobilising movement.

A human touch - Blankets for leprosy patients

Indian Development Foundation took up the responsibility of providing blankets to poor leprosy affected persons living in Bihar and Rajasthan. We have successfully distributed 150 blankets as first instalment in a couple of leprosy colonies viz., Ram Nagar Kushthashram, Danapur and Arreraj Kushthashram, Purvi Champaran in Bihar and for persons in Ajmer and Jaipur areas.


We thank people for coming forward to support the blanket mobilising movement. We have to go a long way in meeting the needs as requests are pouring.

New Year gives a golden opportunity to serve those in distress. It is just Rs.200/= per blanket. We often think of doing good. Let goodness start from the beginning of 2009 !

If you wish to donate a blanket for leprosy patient, click the link http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karmayog/message/46623