S. Sampathkumar, president of Srinivas Youngmens Association [SYMA] writes to say that the eye camp that was held on Independence Day, at ‘Sree Seervi Samaj’ at Besant Road, Triplicane, was a grand success.
This year, SYMA held the camp in association with Lions Club Venus, Sree Seervi Samaj and Sankara Eye Hospital Pammal.
About 150 persons were screened for various eye related ailments by the technicians of Sankara Eye Hospital. Around 35 people were provided spectacles free and cataract surgery was performed for free for 10 persons at the Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal.
The camp was inaugurated by lyricist Gangai Amaran. His speech was thought-provoking and laced with humour.
He enthralled the audience with some popular hits which evoked patriotic thoughts in the heart of the audience. J. Babu, Chief Executive of Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal, spoke of the various initiatives of the hospital and of their long association with SYMA.
He impressed on the need for ‘eye donation’ and explained how by a simpler procedure only the cornea would be removed in minutes.
The National Flag was hoisted at SYMA medical centre by advocate Venkata Subramaniam. Children of Soundarya Rathinamala dressed in tri-colour rendered patriotic songs.
S. Sampathkumar, Secretary, SYMA, welcomed the gathering and TA Sampathkumar, president elaborated about their various activities.
Freedom at mid-night celebrations
Gandhian Integrated Forum Trust in association with Harijan Sevak Sangh Tamil Nadu State Br., Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj, Tamil Nadu State br, Youth Forum for Gandhian Studies, Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan Chennai, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya Samithi, SRS Sarvodaya Girls Hostel, Gandhi Global Family, organised Freedom at Midnight Celebrations for Global Peace at the Marina, behind the Gandhi Statue .
SRS Sarvodaya Girls Hostel took part and rendered inter-religious bhajans and prayers. They even recited excerpts from the Vishnu Sahasaranamam. Not minding the midnight hour, boys and girls sang songs with patriotic fervour. Bharathwaj Sastrigal and Rev.Manuel Titus recited prayers for Global Peace.
Following this exactly at the stroke of midnight 65 electric lights were lit to mark the 65th Independence Day.
All the dignitaries and students held an electric lamp in their hands for a few minutes and some of the girls held colourful lamps to mark the joyous occasion.
This year the programme was organised for Global Peace and dedicated to Guru Didi Nirmala Deshpande.
It was attended by G.A. Rajkumar, Additional Chief Secretary, secretaries - G. Santhanam, Dr.M.Rajaram, IAS Officers such as Dr. J. Umamaheswari and S. Murugaia and S.N. Seshasai, Joint Commissioner of Police, Chennai East. Senior Gandhian and educationist, Dr Selvi. K.S. Lakshmi, social activists, CDV Raghavulu, Ashok Kumar Goel, Sujatha Natarajan, Booma Srinivasan, Vanaja Krishnamurthy and R. Shanthi were also part of the event.
From the corporate / public sector T.K. Sankara Vadivel, Karur Vysya Bank, young Gandhian activists _ M.A. Deepa, Mani Bharathi, M. Sridharan, Balakrishnan, Karunakaran, Dr. Prabhudoss, K. Arunprasad, J.S. Maris of Miracle Waves and Balasrinivasan participated.
This trust has been organising this event from the 50th year of independence on the advise of Didi Nirmala Deshpande, simultaneously in India and Pakistan for amity between the two countries. With encouragement, support, and inspiration from important personalities from various walks of life the trust is holding the event for the 15th year.
Schools & Colleges
Mahima cultural centre - preschool & playschool celebrated Independence Day with the children dressed up in tri-colour. The children sang patriotic songs and had also prepared various charts on the life of ‘Mahatma Gandhi'.
The centre is at 64/1, Nattu Subaraya street, Mylapore. Ph: 2467 2155 / 98403 88066.
Indian Overseas Bank, Stella Maris, along with the Stella Maris social welfare centre celebrated Independence Day at ‘Shanthi Bhavan’.
The National Flag was hoisted and children participated in a fancy dress competition.
The bhavan is running a charitable play school for the toddlers of the neighbourhood and for the poor. Stella Maris College, secy, Sr. Susan Mathiekal, College principal Sr. Jacintha Quadras, Sr. Monica George of Shanthi Bhavan, K. Anushya Devi, Sr. Manager, IOB, Stella Maris College branch and Jay Rajakumari Janes of IOB participated in the celebrations.
Cancer survivors come together
“There is a misconception among people that cancer is incurable. It is curable when detected early, and both the doctor and the patient need to remain positive,” said Dr. Anita Ramesh, Medical Oncology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University. Speaking at ‘Freedom From Cancer’ – an event organised for cancer survivors to narrate their success battle with the disease on August 14, she said that one can lead a normal life after undergoing treatment for cancer.
The event was a perfect opportunity to bust myths and misconceptions related to cancer.
Many who have conquered the disease shared their experiences on the occasion. “There has been an improvement in cancer treatment due to rapid advances in medical sciences.
Chemotherapy and radiation have helped many people overcome the disease. It is necessary not to miss the follow-up care appointments after the treatment ends,” she added.
