Rajeev Varma Memorial Trust
TARGET: Primarily to promote the idea of organ transplantation among the general public. That apart, it also undertakes assorted activities in the areas of healthcare, education and promotion of the arts.
ORIGIN: Formed in the year 2012 and based at Tripunithura, the Rajeev Varma Memorial Trust (RVMT) came into being as a tribute to Rajeev Varma, a chenda artist and social activist of substantial standing. “He underwent a liver transplantation at Kochi and was not fortunate enough to survive the surgery. And, thereafter we decided to form a body dedicated to his memory that would work in the area of organ transplant and other such areas of social significance,” reveals R.V.Vasudevan, secretary of the Trust. The outfit was formally inaugurated by V.S. Achuthanandan through video conferencing commemorating Rajeev Varma’s first death anniversary. Registered under Societies Act, RVMT is managed by an eleven member executive council with a one year tenure. Two types of memberships, namely associate and life, are offered to those who are keen to join. Both memberships combined, currently, the Trust has around hundred members.
ACTIVITIES: Rajeev Varma Memorial Trust is quite buoyant with varied activities. Right from the beginning, it has been campaigning vehemently for organ transplantation. RVMT has organised a number of sessions to encourage people donate organs and till date, it has encouraged 85 individuals to take an oath of donating organs. The Trust has provided financial support to needy people undergoing medical treatment. Promoting the idea of blood and eye donation and supporting economically weak students has also been one of its key priorities.
Apart from the areas of healthcare and education, RVMT also promotes the arts and artistes. In collaboration with other organisations, it has instituted annual cash awards for very senior and needy artists attending the festival at Sree Poornathrayeesa temple. Every year, students securing top slot in chenda and thayambaka at School Youth Festivals are felicitated with Rajiv Varma Memorial Award and a senior artist from Tripunithura Kathakali Kendra is also honoured annually with a cash award.
Of late, with a view to reach out to the young and old from a single platform, the Trust has launched a Cycle Club with the ‘royal’ town at the centre. As of now, it alone has 19 members including the elderly, young men and women. They go for a ride every Sunday and the aim of each ride is projecting a socially relevant message. Barely two months into its formation, the members have cycled more than 200 km. They have also started a new interactive series titled ‘Pusthaka Parichayam’ through which a popular title by a renowned author is discussed. The Trust is also gearing up to put up an international performance festival this year. Aptly titled ‘Ekaharya’, the festival is all likely to be a confluence of traditional theatre and performing art forms from both India and abroad.
IMPACT: Through a string of consecutive and assorted programmes, Rajeev Varma Memorial Trust could raise the bar of awareness among common people, noteworthy among them being organ transplantation.
GETTING IN TOUCH: To know more about Rajeev Varma Memorial Trust and their socio-cultural programmes call 9895730082 (President) or 9447762295 (Secretary). Email: rvmttpra@gmail.com
Sunil Naliyath is a translator and columnist
