Diwali at Sumanahalli

IDF team celebrated Diwali with the inmates of Sumanahalli Leprosy Centre, a society for Leprosy, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS at Magadi Road, Viswaneedam in Bangalore on Thursday the 8th Nov. 2007.

IDF team included the youngest IDF Ambassador Master Karan Dravid, Mr. Sai Prem, Miss Francila and Dr. S. Franklin who were received by Rev. Fr. Dr. George Kannanthanum.

Dr. S. Franklin, Area Manager, IDF greeted the inmates of the Centre while handing over dress materials to Rev. Fr. George for distribution to the patients of the Centre. Dr. Franklin appreciated the work of Sumanahalli in the areas of leprosy, TB and HIV/AIDS.

The team presented Diwali sweets to the inmates of the Centre. IDF’s young ambassador Master Karan Dravid talked to the patients and asked them to narrate their stories. He also recited Dr. Abdul Kalam’s poem 'Song of the Youth' much to the pleasure of the patients and the staff as well.

A bright glimpse of happiness could be seen on the faces of the inmates as Diwali festival was celebrated with them. The patients thanked IDF team for visiting them on the festive occasion and blessed the young Karan in his mission towards serving the needy.

Sumanahalli is taking care of 120 leprosy, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS victims. It has a textile unit, leather unit and a candle making unit towards the rehabilitation of the patients. Some of the able bodied patients are involved in gardening and other related tasks.

Rev. Fr. George and Rev. Sr. Suma from the Centre expressed their thanks for arranging such a meaningful event during the festive occasion and sharing happiness with their Centre inmates.

Diwali celebration with a difference

Indian Development Foundation in collaboration with Rotary Club of Mumbai North End celebrated Diwali Festival with the inmates of Vimala Centre at North Mumbai on Wednesday the 7 th Nov. 2007.

Leprosy patients deserve guidance and support from the public on a continued basis to enable them to overcome the stress caused by the disease and to get rehabilitated on new assignment after cure, observed Dr. A. R. K. Pillai, President of IDF. The child patients deserve our care and attention in a far greater measure, he added.

Rotarian Satish Trivedi, President of Rotary Club of Mumbai North End said the child patients feel so elated when citizens meet them with sweets and sparklers. They feel that they have someone to look to and this feeling promotes confidence. Rotarian Trivedi quoted the Sisters of the Centre as Angels who takes care of the inmates in a beautiful manner. Interaction with patients gives excitement and boundless happiness, he expressed.

Rotarian Satish Trivedi presented a donation cheque from the Rotary Club to Indian Development Foundation for its health, education and development objectives. Rev. Sr. Bertilla Capra presented IDF memento of Appreciation to Rotarian Trivedi for the continued support to leprosy programmes.

Prof. P. Thangadurai, NSS Co-ordinator, Vivek College of Commerce – Rotarian Mr. Mohanbhai Bhatt – Mrs. Jaishree Sawla, IDF Supporter - Mr. S. B. Parate, Voluntary Officer, IDF – Mr. S. Karthick, Social Entrepreneur of IDF spoke about the spirit of Diwali Meet with leprosy patients. Meeting fellow humans in distress during festival time and sharing sweets with them brighten the lives of the giver as well as the patient, they said.

Citizens drawn from different walks of life wished the patients a Happy Diwali and speedy recovery. Flowers, fruits, sweets and eats were distributed to the patients and in addition the children received packets of sparklers. Citizens freely mixed with the patients, exchanged pleasantries and assured them of social support. A bright happiness was seen on the faces of the patients when citizens greeted them. Vimala Centre wore a festive look with decorations to mark the Diwali Festival.

Ravi and Sujatha from Vimala Centre expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Vimala Sisters for their care and concern towards the inmates. IDF Diwali celebrations indeed added more colour to their lives, they said with a smile.

Members of Rotary Club of Mumbai North End participated at the function and appreciated the progress achieved in the leprosy field and wished the patients well. Visitors from Italy led by Mr. Franco felt happy as they participated in the citizens' Diwali Meet.

Earlier Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, Co-ordinator, IDF welcomed the gathering while Rev. Sr. Bertilla Capra, Director of Vimala Centre proposed a vote of thanks.


For photographs please click the link in The Mangalorean.com website from Chicago.

http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=57577


WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY DIWALI

IDF FAMILY

Citizens Diwali Meet

Dear Friends - Well-wishers - Supporters :

Greetings and good wishes for A Happy, Prosperous and Healthy DIWALI !

You are cordially invited to participate in the Diwali Celebrations programme with leprosy patients at Vimala Dermatological Centre , Yari Road, Versova, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400061 on Wednesday the 7th November 2007 at 4.30 p.m.

Rotary Club of Mumbai North End and Indian Development Foundation are jointly organising this event .

Citizens' Diwali-Meet provides an opportunity for citizen's to meet and greet leprosy patients with flower, fruits, sweets and gifts, and wish them a Happy Diwali and speedy recovery. This interaction between the citizens and patients had drawn public appreciation during last twenty five years now.

Rotarian Mr. Satish Trivedi, President, Rotary Club of Mumbai North End and Dr. A. R. K. Pillai, President of Indian Development Foundation will speak about the spirit of Diwali Meet at the function.

Rotarians, Principals and Teachers from various Schools and citizens from various groups are expected to take part in this event.

We request you to participate and share the joy of satisfaction.

Wishing you all a Happy Time and HAPPY DIWALI,

Remember : Wednesday - 07 Nov. 07 - 4:30 PM - Vimala Centre, Versova

IDF PR Division
http://www.idf.org.in/

Happy Vijayadashmi

Let’s Celebrate the Victory

Of Goodness and Truth

Happy Vijayadashmi

Dr. Gandhi

IDF Social Ambassador and look-alike Mahatma Gandhiji, Dr. Sharad Nayampally has been given a very good coverage in the Maharashtra Times of 2nd October.

Log on to link for news : http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2420407.cms

IDF FOUNDATION DAY

IDF committed to develop India

India’s progress in leprosy eradication efforts has been spectacular and the participatory work by governmental and voluntary agencies is laudable, observed Dr. Moos in Mumbai on Friday. We are happy that the cherished dream of the Father of our nation for leprosy elimination has come true, she added.

Dr. (Mrs.) Meher Master Moos, President, Zoroastrian College was speaking as the Chief Guest of Indian Development Foundation’s (IDF) 23rd Foundation Day Function at Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall on 28th September 2007. She gave away IDF Grants to leprosy/ TB hospitals and projects in western region. IDF has earmarked Grants totaling Rs.46 lakhs to 83 health/ development projects all over India during the year. IDF Grants Release Function is an annual feature of Indian Development Foundation to share its resources with leprosy/ TB projects and promote self-reliance. Dr. Moos presented Awards to 28 Principals of Schools in Western zone with star performance record of leprosy awareness programmes and resource mobilisation and awarded Medals and certificates to 142 students for their signal contribution.

Prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Award 2006-07 was presented to NEW HORIZON PUBLIC SCHOOL, Airoli, Navi Mumbai for outstanding health awareness, resource mobilisation and humanitarian service in the areas of leprosy/ TB work in Western India during 2006-07. The Schoolteam from New Horizon Public School headed by the Principal Mrs. Bulbul Sengupta and Vice Principal Mrs. Jyoti Nair received the Mother Teresa Memorial Award.

SOCIAL ACTION AWARDS 2006-07 were presented to Principals and Teachers from Western India for their excellent Social Responsibility during 2006-07.

Dr. A. R. K. Pillai, President, Indian Development Foundation who presided over the function said the government and voluntary agencies worked hand in hand with admirable co-operation to achieve spectacular results by bringing down the number of leprosy patients in India from forty lakhs in 1982 to less than one lakh to the end of March 2007. Dr.Pillai thanked the public for their understanding and continued support. Sharing resources and serving others give greater joy and this will be the gospel for the future, Dr. Pillai added.

Dr. Vandana Lulla, Director, Podar World School and Dr.Dinesh Jain, Medical Co-ordinator, German Leprosy & TB Relief Association were Guests of Honour at the function. They complimented Indian Development Foundation’s role in India’s fight against leprosy/TB and for widening its activities to include health care, education and development.

New Horizon Public School, Airoli topped the list in resource mobilisation for leprosy/ TB while the second and third places went to Podar International School, Santacruz and Snehavardhak Mandal's Shaikshanik Trust, Talegaon respectively. Nitin N. Nair from Bal Vikas Vidyalaya, Talegaon topped the list of students in resource mobilisation for leprosy/ TB work while Smrthi Karthik and Vishwa S. Gangan from DAV International School, Mulund got second and third positions respectively.

People from all walks of life attended the well organised function. Earlier Dr. C.N.N.Nair, Trustee and Secretary of the Foundation welcomed and introduced the VIPs, while Dr. Sharad Nayampally, IDF Social Ambassador proposed a vote of thanks. Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, Co-ordinator, IDF compered at the function.

Students of G.M.E.S. High School, Vile Parle and St. Catherine's High School, Andheri (W) rendered the invocation prayer and national anthem.


For Public Relations Division, IDF

IDF Events

The President and Trustees

of

Indian Development Foundation

(formerly Indian Leprosy Foundation)

cordially invite you and family to grace its various forthcoming events

28th September 2007 - IDF Foundation Day - Dinanath Mangeshkar Hall, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai 400 057 - 10 :30 AM

Chief Guest :
Dr. K. B. Kushal, Director, DAV Creative Education Centre

Guests of Honour :
Dr. Meher Master Moos, President, Zoroastrian College
Dr. Vandana Lulla, Director, Podar World School (IB)
Dr. Dinesh Jain, Medical Co-ordinator, German Leprosy & TB Relief Association

(IDF Grants to Western Region Leprosy/ TB/ Educational Projects - Honour to Schools and Students in Western India for excellent social responsibility work during 2006-07)

04th October 2007 - IDF Grants Release Function - Good Shepherd Mat. Hr. Sec. School, 32 College Road, Chennai 600 006 - 10:30 AM

Chief Guest :
Justice S. Jagadeesan, Former Judge, High Court of Madras

Guests of Honour :
Shri T. Jayaraj Devadas, Director, German Leprosy & TB Relief Association
Dr. C. B. Paul Chellakumar, Group Chairman, Campus Abroad
Dr. D. Andrews Deenabandhu, WHO State Co-ordinator (TN and Karnataka)
Shri V. Ganesh, CEO, Trax Academy, Chennai

(IDF Grants to TN/AP/Kerala States Leprosy/ TB/ Educational Projects - Honour to Schools and Students in TN/AP/Kerala states for excellent social responsibility work during 2006-07)

10th October 2007 - IDF Grants/ Awards Function - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Maharana Pratap Auditorium, Jaipur - 4:30 PM

Chief Guest :
His Excellency Shri S. K. Singh Ji, Governor of Rajasthan

Guests of Honour:
Shri P. D. Singh, Director, Tagore Group of Schools
Dr. K. L. Jain, Chairman, Jaipur Stock Exchange
Shri N. C. Lunayach, Managing Director, N.K. Shikshan Sansthan
Mrs. Mridul Bhasin, Chairperson, Muskan Foundation
Shri Upendra Kaushik, Principal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Vidyashram, Jaipur
Shri Suresh Kaul, President, Sarthak Manav Kushthashram

(IDF Grants to Northern/ Eastern Region Leprosy/ TB/ Educational Projects - Honour to Schools and Students in Northern India for excellent social responsibility work during 2006-07)

We look forward to your active participation in the IDF events.

IDF Grants are given out of donations received from the general public.

Please do come and share the joy of participation.

The function for Karnataka Region Projects/ Schools will be held during the first week of November at Bangalore.


IDF PR Division
http://www.idf.org.in/

Juhu Beach - Cleanliness Drive

JUHU BEACH - CLEANLINESS DRIVE
POST GANPATI VISARJAN - 26th Sept. 07 : 9.00 AM

Dear Friends :

Greetings and good wishes !

Indian Development Foundation a leading national NGO committed to health, education and rural development, in collaboration with Podar International School , Santacruz (W) will be organizing JUHU BEACH – CLEANLINESS DRIVE on POST GANPATI VISARJAN (26th Sept. 07) starting from 9:00 AM.

About 500 students from Podar International School will take active part in the CLEANLINESS DRIVE as part of their social responsibility programme.

A large number of volunteers and social workers are expected to participate in this mega-drive. There are many volunteers from other schools who wish to join hands in this event. Also a couple of celebrities are likely to join to support the movement.

May we request your goodself to take active part in this event at 9:00 AM and help in Juhu Beach Cleanliness Drive .

Venue : Juhu Beach
Gathering place : South Side of Hotel Ramada Grove
Near Shivaji Statue, Juhu Tara Road
Date/Time : 26 th Sept. 07 (Wednesday) 9:00 AM

Lets join hands in this noble mission.

Looking forward to meeting you at Juhu Beach on 26th Sept.


Contact Persons :
Dr. Narayan B. Iyer 9819131388
Dr. Sharad Nayampally 9820505927
Sanjay Waghmare 20582097
Mrs. Shahina : 9820776985
Mrs. Sarala Gavane : 9869402346

Teachers' Social Responsibility

Wow, a small computer looks like a toy. Does this toy functions like a bigger computer, asks 6 year old Jhanvi. I am very happy to see a laptop and the touch on keyboard is very smooth like butter, expresses Monika who along with 30 girls from Vimala Centre visited Podar International School campus located in Santacruz West, Mumbai.

Podar International School (IB) in collaboration with Indian Development Foundation organized a `Teach and Reach’ programme for the children of Vimala Dermatological Centre, a leprosy home in North Mumbai as part of Teachers’ Social Responsibility on 1st Sept. 2007.

`Teach and Reach’ programme was specially organized by the International Baccalaureate students from Podar International School to teach and reach-out children of Vimala Centre.

Starting with a multi-media presentation, the visiting children were given remote control and asked to answer general knowledge questions. Later every child was given exposure to laptop and its functions. The children were also taught how to type their names. “I felt very happy typing my name and my school’s name and then giving different colours to it”, said Vidya. Sujatha from Vimala Centre said “we are honoured by Podar School students and it is like getting a life time achievement award for us.”

The Director/Principal of Podar International School Dr. Vandana Lulla said it gives me immense pleasure to see that our students have played the role of teachers and taught the visiting children from Vimala Centre about computer and laptops. Every child of this modern world should be given an exposure to the technological updates. Vimala children are dear to me and I keep visiting the Centre and meet leprosy patients, Dr. Lulla said with a smile. The children still remember the song `Hum honge kaamyaab’ which I taught them during the New Year eve. When we talk about Corporate Social Responsibility, schools should think of `Teachers’ Social Responsibility’. Teachers Day gives us an opportunity to come forward and do something for the society.

The President of Indian Development Foundation Dr. A.R.K. Pillai said we have always been in the forefront in bridging the gap of haves and have-nots. IDF is a national NGO networking with several thousand schools in India and this gives us an opportunity to bring children from various centres availing technological and academic updates. It is the need of the hour that every teacher should come forward towards empowerment of the children. Teachers’ Social Responsibility and Students’ Social Responsibility are the special terms coined by IDF in order to have a greater social action programmes, asserted Dr. Pillai.

IBDP student Sehar welcomed the guests and spoke about Teach and Reach programme, and it was explained in Hindi by Hitesh and Navdeep for the benefit of the visiting students.

Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, National Co-ordinator and Dr. Sharad Nayampally, Social Ambassador from IDF led the Vimala children and expressed happiness on the children getting such an international exposure.

Dr. Rinku Jain, Dental Surgeon was a Special Invitee for the programme who spoke on the importance of smiling and oral health to the children.

Mr. K. X. George, Academic Co-ordinator, Mrs. Prema Mathew, IBDP Co-ordinator, Mrs. Shahina Momin, PYP Co-ordinator and Mrs. Sarala Gavane, CAS Co-ordinator in collaboration with the students and teachers organized the entire event in a masterly manner.

Rev. Sr. Mary from Vimala Centre thanked Dr. Vandana Lulla and the Podar International School team for giving an opening to her children to the world of Windows. It will really create an impact on our children towards their further development, said Sr. Mary.

The programme ended with a cultural event depicting various teacher-student relationship for a better society.



Mangalorean.com has also given a wide coverage of the event. For details klick the link.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=52027