The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Lending a helping hand to underprivileged children

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 25, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Lending a helping hand to underprivileged children

Staff Reporter

Samudhaaya Foundation raises funds for their heart surgeries

— Photo: S.S. Kumar

Joyous occasion: Rajya Sabha MP S.M. Krishna (second from right) presents a cheque to children of Sri Arunodayam in Chennai on Saturday. (From left) Carnatic musician Sudha Ragunathan, Sri Arunodayam managing trustee S. Iyyappan, former director of Doordarshan A. Natarajan and Sri Krishna Sweets managing director M. Murali are in the picture.

CHENNAI: Samudhaaya Foundation, a charitable trust formed by Carnatic musician Sudha Ragunathan, has raised funds to support heart surgeries for underprivileged children and for the welfare of mentally-challenged children.

At a ceremony here on Saturday, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament S.M. Krishna presented a cheque for Rs.25 lakh to Sri Ramachandra Medical College (SRMC) to fund the heart surgeries.

A cheque for Rs.5 lakh was presented to Sri Arunodayam, a home for the welfare of mentally-challenged and destitute children.

Mr. Krishna said that the quality of health care that is accessible to the underprivileged in India needs to be looked at seriously. Governments play a vital role but support from voluntary organisations was also essential to improve health care, he said. Cardio-surgeon K.R. Balakrishnan from SRMC said that congenital heart problems could be treated within the first few months of birth and many of the children had gone on to lead very successful lives.

Sudha Ragunathan announced the winner of the Samudhaaya youth award for excellence.

Eight-year-old Lavinashree, who is said to have become the world’s youngest Microsoft certified professional by clearing an examination, won the award.

Former director of Doordarshan A. Natarajan released a CD of nagaswaram music by the Nemmara brothers and presented the first copy to Sri Krishna Sweets managing director M. Murali. A mimicry show and thematic dance performance was organised for children at the event.

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