S. Kasturi Rangan
Celebrating the 50th year of social activities
(1968-2018)
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I was born as the first son to my parents Late sri.N.Srinivasan
and Smt.Vedam Srinivasan in the year 1950 at my maternal grandfather’s house at
Ramanathan Street, T. Nagar.
I did my elementary level schooling at Saraswathy Vidhayalaya,
Kodambakkam and high school level at Sri Ramakrishna Mission Boys High
School.(Main) T.Nagar and graduated with
B.Com degree from New College, Chennai.
Married my soulmate Ms.Radha in the year 1981. She has been my
support throughout the journey. I have two children, Daughter Pavithra married
to Prasidh Ramabadran and has grand-son Baby Ayan, and Son Venkatesh
married to Shravanthy and has grand-son chi.Adithiya.
I served at Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd for more
than 30 years in different roles, Liaison officer, Sales Development officer,
Assistant Public Relations Officer and retired as Public Relations
Officer. During my tenure, apart from my regular duties, the two
important tasks that I have lead were that of General Secretary to Tamil Nadu
Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. Central Sports Council in the year 1995 and the
work regarding the 22nd International film festival 1991.
My Association
Naraseva,
Narayanaseva is my Tharaga Manthra. I believe that
Happiness is found in helping others.
This year 2018 is the 50th year of my Social
Activities. The span of 50 years of my Social Service was not a smooth one. If
I’m proud of something, it is the time and effort I had put in for 50 years in
various social Activities. My small contribution to the society gives me a
sense of satisfaction and bliss. I strongly believe that one’s action should be
remembered even after gone. I’m happy that I have no regrets and have given
back something to the society.
Let
me narrate my Social Activities in 50
years .
v Shanthi Arts Academy (1968 to 1988 )
A group of enthusiastic and enlightened
youngsters, inspired by the ideals of art founded
the Shanthi Arts Academy (a
cultural organization) on
28-9-1968.The main objective of the
academy is to promote art.Got associated with it as early as 18 years of
age (in 1968)
· Have been instrumental in conducting more than
500 Cultural programmes
v Zackria Colony Resident’s Welfare Association (1980-till date)
I
have been a resident of Zackria colony (Choolaimedu) since childhood.
Quite few of the residents of the Zackria colony felt that adequate security
and civic amenities had not been provided. This exigency prompted the conveners
into forming a welfare association in Dec.1980
I was
the founder Secretary of the Welfare Association and forefront in conducting
many awareness programmes organized by Zackria Colony Residents Welfare
Association
·
For a decade until 1990, I have served
actively in the association in different capacities
·
I had to take a break from my involvement with
the association for 9 years until 1999 as I had to work outside Chennai on my
official transfer at Civil Supplies Corporation. After 2006 association activities slowly detrimental due to various
reasons. In these years I used to address the problems individually.
After a long
gap, in the year 2015, I had revived the Zackria Colony Resident’s Welfare Association. Many resident members
volunteered and participated in the
meetings and various activities. Now it is alive and kicking.
At
this juncture, as a Chief Co-ordinator of Zackria Colony Residents Welfare
Association I congratulate the President and Secretary members of the past and also
all those who worked for the welfare of the association, for their yeomen services,
exemplary commitment and utmost dedication all of which has helped Zackria
Colony Residents Welfare Association to grow strong. The volunteers were the jewels
of Zackria Colony. All of us have grown old physically together, however, our
spirit and enthusiasm remain youthful.
I salute their contribution and dedicate the success of all
our accomplishments to them .
v Choolaimedu Exnora Innovator’s Club (2000-till date)
I
entered Exnora, not out of conscious desire, it was by an accident in the year
2000. Choolaimedu Exnora was born with the blessings of former Mayor, Mr.
M.K.Stalin.
I was
nominated as a Secretary to Choolaimedu Exnora Innovator’s Club(CEIC) by Exnora
International in July 2000. Biggest strength of our club is the support and
co-operation of the club members.
During
my schooldays, I had never been on stage, but, today, I stand as the Secretary
of the club for continuous eighteen years and I have hosted several public
programmes on stage. It is astonishing to understand what drove me to this
point. I was an average boy at school and college, but something transformed to
an extraordinary performer later.
The biggest gift I received from
Exnora is that I gained hundreds of new friends among the Choolaimedu
residents. In Exnora, every individual is quite unique and has something
special to contribute.
I have been at the forefront of several Projects organized in
Choolaimedu area. In 215 months, so far 132 Meetings /Awareness programmes have
been conducted
Major events conducted are highlighted
below
Organised
o
Free Medical Camps
o
Tree plantings
o
Source Segregation of Garbage Awareness
Campaign
o
RTI
o
Rain Water Harvesting
o
Consumer awareness campaign
o
Leadership Summit
o
Citizen’s Campaign in support of TN Government’s
decision on fixing the Private School’s Tuition fee
o
Collected relief materials for the Tsunami
victims
o
Special Prayer Meeting conducted to pay homage
to the victims of Tsunami
Formed
o
Choolaimedu Exnora Road Safety and Patrolling
Forum
o
Laughter Club
o
Women’s forum
o
Extended the specialized services to the
members and to the residents of Choolaimedu through the members in their
specialized field.
Initiated
o
One Choolaimedu - one people -one humanity
Concept
Celebrated
o
Choolaimedu day
o
100th month of our activities
o
Platinum jubilee programme
o
80th programme Neighbour Day
o
12th year anniversary
o
World Water Day
o
World Environment Day
o
Choolaimedu Exnora Raksha Bandhan
o
100th Programme
o
International Yoga Day
o
Celebration of 16th Anniversary
o
125th Programme
o
Celebration of “Welcome 200 – Well Done128”
Observed
o
Demands Day
Conducted
o Smile Contest
o Signature Campaign in support of our
representation made for construction of Pedestrian Subway at NGM Station
o Events Photo Expo
Discussed
o
Priorities of the next Prime Minister from
Public view
o Revised Second Master Plan with the
Authorities and suggested necessary amendments
and on the Development
Regulations- By CMDA
Honors
Ø Received
As a Secretary of CEIC, awards received
are
o
“Exnora Excellence Award “ by Exnora
International
o
“Outstanding Performance Award
2004” by Chennai District Exnora
o
“Excel
2003” by Exnora club of Anna Nagar
o
“Appreciation Award” by Diabetic Association
of India
o
“Appreciation
Award” by Nungambakkam Times (Neighborhood Newspaper)
o
“Civic
Crusaders Award” to the President and Secretary by Express Exnora Civic
forum (A service Partnership Programme of The New Indian express and
Exnora)
o
Exnora International
presented Outstanding Services to the Society Special Award -2014
o
Exnora International presented Exemplary
Services to the Society Award -2015
Above all, the greatest award that I cherish
is Members TRUST. Members trust is our true award.
Ø Presented
o
Felicitation for the newly Elected Thousand
Lights Constituency Member of Legislative Assembly Smt B. Valarmathi
o
Felicitated the Hon’ble Minister Smt B.
Valarmathi by presenting a memento in appreciation to all her initiatives to
beautify the Constituency and to support to Exnora
o
Felicitated the Worshipful Mayor Sri.
Ma.Subramanian by presenting a memento
in appreciation to all initiatives to
beautify the Chennai and to
support to Exnora
o
Exnora Excellence Award presented to the
Inspector of Police (L&O) (Choolaimedu),
Mr.N.Murugesan and Mr.G.Kumar, Dr. V. Mohan and Lion Dr. K.S. Lakshmi
o
Appreciation Award Presented to Mr. K.
Jagannathan, Area Engineer, Metro Water Area V,
Mr. K. Srinivasan, Asst Commissioner, Chennai Corporation, Zone V, Managing Director Metro Water, Sri Laxmipathy Balaji , Indian
Cricketer, Councilors of Choolaimedu area.,
Avvai Nagar Nehru Street Civic Exnora
o
Appreciation E-mail sent to Hon’ble Chief
Minister of Tamil Nadu Selvi.Dr.J.Jayalalithaa for the good services rendered
in the management of drinking water & opening Catering services at a subsidized rates of
Idli, Sambar rice, Curd rice in all the wards in Chennai
o
Recognition Certificate for 201 persons for
their outstanding contributions for the upliftment of the Choolaimedu Area
o
Participation Certificates issued to the
participants of the Cycle Rally and to those who participated in the
competitions held regarding the World Water Day
o
Presented a trophy to the School Toppers in the class X and XII standard
examination 2016 of Govt. and Corporation schools in the Choolaimedu.
o
Honored the conservancy staffs of Chennai corporation by
presenting a memento, and also
appreciated the waste pickers for their contribution
to the society.
Note of Thanks
The success of CEIC is not merely
club’s achievements. They are members’ achievements. These are our achievements.
We continuously strive to put in sincere efforts for a better Choolaimedu.
Mr. Nirmal is my inspiration. He
was the one who brought me into Exnora and have been my guidance. Today, I
dedicate the success and my accomplishments to Mr. Nirmal.
My special thanks to Mr.R.Govindaraj,
Joint General Secretary of Exnora who is an outstanding social worker. He
mentored me during the initial days and helped me transform into the new role
quickly and smooth. He is one of the most distinguished person, an
outstanding social worker, a great humanist and a great leader. I am proud of
my association with him who is considered an asset to the Exnora international.
I convey my thanks to Sri
Dr.A.Panneerselvam (President of the Choolaimedu Exnora) for the
encouragement he has given to me all these years for the successful running of
the Choolaimedu Exnora.
I’m sure Choolaimedu Exnora will move
faster and will do much. Leadership in Exnora is very different. It means more
loses than gains, more hard work, more sacrifice, more sleepless nights, more
financial obligations, more commitments and above all, the most precious
personal time . Despite all hardships, Exnorans take up smiles in their faces and pleasure in
their hearts.
I believe that progress is
impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds, cannot
change anything.
Currently, I serve as the Vice
President in Exnora International, Secretary in Choolaimedu Exnora Innovator's
Club, Life member in Indian Red Cross Society and Member in the Disaster
Management Committee in YMCA Kilpauk.
More than what I gave for Exnora, what
I received is ten folds. I gained number of friends, which I feel is a
privilege and a gift in one’s life. It will be hard to believe in the age of
social networking that we maintain our friendship and networking without the
help of Facebook and Whatsapp. My friendship with Mr.M.B.Nirmal, Mr.R.Govindaraj
and Dr.A.Panneerselvam has been very special. Today, I dedicate the huge
success of my Exnora life to them.
I am very popular among the residents
of Choolaimedu and influential among the officials of the Greater
Chennai Corporation , Metro Water , Police Department and EB. I have
known nothing more than solving civic issues and being a liaison between the
public and Govt officials.
With the grace of God and my faith in
my mission, the journey has been long. I don’t see an end to it, simply because
I feel that my work is never ending.
What
I have done is very little. There is much more to do.
As far as I am concerned, I live in
the present and look towards the future. Great public person come and go, but
what remains behind are some unforgettable impressions and heroic deeds, which
transform the society for good.
From
inauguration to this 18th year I have been speaking to the members from Dias.
This has been possible only because of members affection and support. As a
secretary, I pay tribute to the former President, former office bearers of our
club who have contributed to the growth of this great club. Today I bow my head
in homage to the memory of our late members.
I would like to thank the Hon’ble
Mayor, the elected representatives, our founder, office bearers of Choolaimedu
Exnora, officers of Chennai Corporation, Metro water, Police Department and
Electricity Board who have spared their support.
I take this opportunity to thank all
the noble hearts who appreciated and encouraged our activities. I pay tribute
to all those who worked for the upliftment of the Choolaimedu residents. What
one achieves for the sake of others is greater success than what one achieves
for oneself
I would like to tell you that the
Choolaimedu Exnora is marching ahead on the road to progress. There is no doubt
about it. Our commitment should not be to any individual but to the future of
Exnora. We are committed to it. Our job is to enhance and pass it on to the
future leadership in a sound condition. As a secretary, I want to assure
members that no effort will be spared by me to achieve this. I sincerely
believe that Choolaimedu Exnora will keep rendering its services to the area
with dedication and enthusiasm for the years to come.
As a secretary of Choolaimedu Exnora, I salute everyone and wish a
great model area-to-be Choolaimedu
S. Kasturi Rangan,
“Social Change Catalyst”, Chennai
New.No.17 Old No. 5,
AMOGHA.Flat No.F1
Zackaria Colony Main Road,
Choolaimedu,
Chennai – 600 094
98406 06162
Kasturirangan_s@yahoo.com
