12. Report of 5.4.2015 Meeting

Mayyanad Sangamam 2015 April meeting

The meeting began with an invocation song by Ms. Nitu Manilal. The gathering also observed a minute of silence in memory of members -Peter Gonsalves, K.V.Anandam and  P.Sabarinad -who passed away after the last meeting.

The Secretary, Er. Manilal welcomed the Ninth New Year (Vishu) gathering of Mayyanidians, living in Thiruvananthapuram.  He expressed his happiness at the enthusiastic presence of its old and new members who made the event houseful.

Briefly referring to the query, with a hint of humour, by the chief guest earlier, when they went to invite her, whether Dr.Gopimani is the same person who writes letters to the editor of Mathrubhumi (at the drop of a hat!), President Sri.D.Jayachandran in his address pointed out the difference between ‘honest’ intentions and ‘diplomatic’ intentions by giving the oft quoted definition of a Diplomat: “A Diplomat is an honest person who lies abroad for the sake of his country”.  All done with honest intentions in defense of Dr. Gopimani and his socially-concerned activist writings.

After the function of Lighting of Lamp, the compeer of the meeting Ms. Nitumanilal next introduced the chief guest of the day, Smt. Vimala Menon, the noted writer and social activist. Smt.Vimala Menon has about 38 books published to her credit. The theme of innocence is very strong in her writings. In 1990 she received the Kerala State Literary Award in the category of best Children’s Literature for her work “Orazhcha” (One Week), for her sensitive depiction of the experiences of a group of children during a summer vacation to their ancestral home.  She is also the recipient of the 2004 SBT Award for her book ‘Mandakini Parayunnathu’ (Thus spoke Mandakini).  It paints the life of adolescents and the difficulties they face while growing up. In 2013 her book ‘Njangalkku Ithrayokke Mathiyo?’ was released by Sugathakumari, her mentor. The book portrays differently-abled children, and of the need to create a disabled-friendly atmosphere for them. Her concern is to make life all-inclusive in which the so-called marginalised members of society can also live a normal life like others, a desire she nurtured during her many years spent at the Balabhavan as teacher. At present she serves as Secretary of the Cheshire Home at Thiruvananthapuram.

Inaugural address:

Smt. Vimala Menon made an inspiring speech keeping in view that she was addressing a gathering of people who were desirous of connecting with their traditional roots. Speaking softly and with the ease of an imaginative and sensitive creative writer she quickly empathized with the audience and took them through a journey of their old memories by delving into memories of her own experiences in her ancestral home in Vadakkan Paravoor. The contours of the experiences were no different. In the ancestral home people of all ages lived together under one roof, sharing joys and sorrows, supporting each other in the true spirit of co-existence with Nature. Twenty and thirty people slept peacefully in one open space of the courtyard under the vast sky and never felt uncomfortable; though it had none of the luxuries of the modern day life. Settling in the city she realized how much of the sky she missed. It is fear everywhere, the fear of the unknown, and the consequent increase in unnatural dependence on Faith and the resorting to practices of charity. People live inside tightly closed doors even when they have neighbours all around. In the ancestral home a closed front door was seen as a bad omen. She exhorted the audience to follow the path of the ancestral life as that alone indicates that all is not lost. After your mother, the first memory will always be of your first teacher who held your hands and walked you into the ways of life. By the time Vimala Menon ended her speech she had the audience completely mesmerized, so that the next speaker Dr.Gopimani was speechless for a moment.

Felicitation speech:  Quickly restoring his self, Dr. Gopimani fell into his natural grace as a seasoned speaker. He expressed his gladness at knowing that people do take note of his writings. From the space of the ancestral home that Vimala Menon had led us to,  he took the audience further back in time into the vast open space of the Universe from where we could have originated some   500 crore  years ago, perhaps our ‘real’ ancestral home! With reference to his recently released book, ‘Utharaathunika Saastram’, he clearly took the side of creationist-evolutionist view and denounced the rationalists and the ‘chance’ theorists. A program has to have a programmer after all!

An invitee speaker of the day was Prof.G. Raju, who recently compiled a comprehensive literature of the history of the Ezhavas of Mayyanad. With reference to the Illams of Mayyanad, he emphasized the need to   research the concept of ‘Illam’, as he believed that the evidences collected will show that the history of Mayyanad dates further back in time than as is recorded now.

Ms.Sheena, Joint Secretary, proposed the Vote of Thanks.

While the new members got introduced and the members got busy in chit-chats some new singers crooned in for entertainment, although we missed the melodious voice of Aamina.

The meeting concluded with a grand buffet-lunch.

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11. Scholarship, Counselling, Paddy field

Making our presence felt

Mayyanad Sangamam TVM is busy making its presence felt at Mayyanad.

4-11-2014:                                                             

As requested by the Head Mistress of Mayyanad Vellamanal Government High School, apart from the usual merit-cum-means scholarships, five other students were provided with financial assistance of Rs.1000/- each at a meeting held at the school auditorium. 

President, Vice President, and Secretary of Sangamam who attended the meeting were happy with the warm response from the hosts. During conversations thereafter, the Head Mistress explained the pathetic conditions of most of the students, and also suggested help in the form of counselling classes.

Mayyanad Sangamam also took time out to check on the state of paddy growing sponsored by its members. The sight of the green paddy field at Mayyanad was indeed an encouraging sight.

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29-11-2014: 

Mayyanad Sangamam TVM arranged its first counselling class to students of class 10 of Vellamanal School on this day. The topic was: ‘How to Make Studies Interesting’. The class was conducted by Dr. R. Prakash. Counselling was given to the parents also. It turned out to be a success, and children who attended the class requested for more classes. Encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by the students as well as the school authorities, Mayyanad Sangamam agreed to conduct more classes.

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27-12-2014:  At a meeting held on this day at the Elder’s Forum, Mayyanad, ten scholarships were distributed to students who have passed out from the schools and are continuing their education at colleges, by the Secretary and Sri.Vijayachandran. Three of the scholarships are sponsored by Sri.Vijayachandran in memory of his late father Adv.Cheyilazhikathu Kochu Pappu B.A. B.L.

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7-1-2015:  At the Annual School Day Function, four scholarships were distributed to students of Mayyanad H.S.S. Inspired by the ambience and warm welcome they were accorded by the authorities and students, the President, the Vice President and the Secretary of Mayyanad Sangamam who attended the function shared some nostalgic moments by going on stage. They shared with the gathering their own experiences as former students of the school, evoking applause from the much enthused audience.

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16-1-2015:  

Another counselling class was arranged for students of class 12 of Vellamanal Govt. H.S.S. This time, while Dr. R. Prakash conducted the group counselling, seven counsellors from Access met the students and spoke to them individually. Later, the Principal expressed her gratitude for the initiatives taken by Mayyanad Sangamam towards the welfare of the school.

Feedbacks indicate that the students, parents and the teachers are highly motivated and are looking forward to such useful initiatives from Mayyanad Sangamam. 

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10. Eighth Annual Meeting of 21.9.2014

Eighth Annual Meeting and Onam Celebrations

The eighth annual meeting and Onam celebrations was held on 21st September 2014. Taking a break from the Guest of Honour Speech format, the meeting show cased a variety entertainment.

In his Presidential address, D.Jayachandran pointed out how the social welfare activities of the Sangamam were being hampered by the slow pace of initiatives from concerned authorities. Members expressed their solidarity with the President and vowed cooperation to move things forward.

The highlight of the meeting was the honouring of Dr.Fine C.Dathan who is among 3 officials from India and the only one from South India, to get the covetous honor to officiate as Umpire in World Badminton Tournaments including Thomas Cup, Uber Cup and Super Series Badminton Championships. Sangamam Founder President & Patron Dr.Shaji Prabhakaran honoured the pride of Mayyanad by offering a Ponnaada. In his speech Dr.Fine expressed his happiness at this gesture by Mayyanad Sangamam and  considered this rare honour  as nearest to his heart. If time permitted he could have shared with us a couple of interesting episodes from his umpiring experience in the international arena.

The talented writer Ms.S.Anidevi, grand niece of C.Kesavan, introduced her latest book 'Nalini Kathanam', a compilation and explication of the tender poems of Kumaaran Aasan. This highly readable and enjoyable book is a noteworthy addition to the world of Literature, which she unhappily pointed out is fast losing out to the world of machines.

The new members who joined the Sangamam expressed their happiness at being given a chance to connect with their motherland, and reiterated their whole hearted support to the efforts of the club.

Dr.Balaji IPS, former Additional Direcor General of NIA, took time out of his busy schedule, to spend nostalgic moments with members of his motherland. In his speech he narrated how he started a coaching centre for students aspiring for the Civil Services in the vicinity of Mayyanad so that it will benefit them, and to his dismay he found that not one among the students who availed the opportunity was from Mayyanad. Perhaps the traditionally talented youth of Mayyanad are settled elsewhere as diaspora! Is it time that they came back and took hold of things so that the knowledge bank can serve their land more effectively?

Another interesting new member is a creative writer who chose to keep his pseudonym Babu Mayyanadan. In search of his roots, he narrated how his grand father Eacchambi Kannan left Mayyanad in his youth and never came back. He was overwhelmed by the air of Mayyanad and being in the company of its members.

The Magic Show presented by magician Govind P. Dev, a medical student, enthralled the audience. Our own Aamina entertained the audience with her ever improving melodious voice reaching new heights. Talented creative artists Dr.Seema Mohan Das, and Ms.R.Sonia also presented poem and songs.

The meeting concluded with the traditional Onam Sadya.

Earlier, Secretary Er.N.Manilal welcomed the audience, and Vice President Prof.Rajan K.Ramesh delivered the vote of thanks. An attempt was also made to select new office bearers, but the selection committee headed by Dr. Gopi Mani decided that the present team will continue for the next term also as they seemed to be doing a good job, unlike in another club elsewhere that started with much fanfare had to be dismissed due to the shedding away of its members, he added. So he exhorted all the present members to clap their  hands in approval with him, and thereby the old team continues for the next term also.

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Note:  You may send your comments and suggestions to the email address : manilaln1946@gmail.com   

The idea is to start a post that will carry letters (constructive), selected by the Executive Committee.