Celebrating the 50th year of social activities (1968-2018)

S. Kasturi Rangan

       Celebrating the 50^th year of social activities 

                               (1968-2018)

 

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 22^nd  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 50^th 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   80^th programme  Neighbour Day

o   12^th year anniversary

o   World Water Day

o   World Environment Day

o   Choolaimedu Exnora Raksha Bandhan

o   100^th Programme

o   International Yoga Day

o   Celebration of 16th Anniversary

o   125^th 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