Priceless Moments with the Prophet of Peace. (Units of Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama) Swami Vivekananda Nagar, Pavagada

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1 Swami Vivekananda Integrated Rural Heal Centre Shree Sharadadevi Eye Hospital & Research Centre Sri Ramakrishna Peripheral Heart Centre Sri Sharadadevi Institute of Vision Management (Units of Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama) Swami Vivekananda Nagar, Pavagada Newsletter January to December 2014 Vol Ph / Hos.Ph / Priceless Moments wi e Prophet of Peace Swami Japanandaji was among e special guests invited to speak at a conference on 'Eics in A New Millennium' hosted by e Tumkur University on 21st December, 2014, by its vicechancellor Prof. A. H. Rajasab. The conference was one in a series of programmes by e University involving Buddhist literature. The star attraction of e occasion was His Holiness e Dalai Lama, e tributes to Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, and remarked: I am standing here as just one of e 700 million human beings on is ear. Swami Japanandaji says he was rilled to hear is and sensed at only a man of high realization could be so simple and humble. Japanandaji later summed up his divine experience in an article published in a leading daily: highest Guru of e Buddhists and a Nobel Peace Prize awardee. Anoer luminary to grace e occasion was e centenarian 'Walking Shiva', Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji of Sri Siddaganga Ma. It would indeed be an honour for anyone to be speaking at a university conference wi profound academic undertones, and to share e dais wi such leading lights. However, what mattered to Swami Japanandaji, who calls himself just a novice in e realm of scholarship, was e opportunity to be in e presence of a living legend, and receive his blessings. After e lighting of lamps by all e guests, e Dalai Lama in his inaugural speech offered his It was an exciting, unspeakable feeling! His Holiness Dalai Lama, as he entered e hall, bowed to e congregation in a most respectful manner, and he appeared to be a true worldteacher in his humility. Later, when I could talk to him and show glimpses of e service activities going on in Pavagada, he expressed his profound pleasure and solidarity, especially about e services being offered to victims of leprosy. When I ought wi what simplicity is giant of a personality

2 mingled wi me, a junior-most sannyasi, tears welled up at e edge of my eyes. His touch gave me a new experience. After his speech, H.H. Dalai Lama invited questions from e audience. After ree questions had been answered, Swami Japanandaji felt e urge to ask him: What message would you give to today's you of e world and of is nation? The Dalai Lama gave a profound message in a nutshell: Help oers. Bring happiness to oer people. If at's difficult, at least don't do em harm. Swamiji had anoer close interaction wi H.H. Dalai Lama during refreshment, when e latter sat next to him, talking in intimacy, for anoer precious hour. On e whole it was a most memorable experience for life, confides Swami Japanandaji. Spiritual Activities : Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna's temple at our Sevashrama was witness to a number of festivals and Jayantis rough is year, which was generally marked by puja, special prayer and discourse, followed by prasada distribution. Some of e important ones were as follows: Kalpataru Day: The celebration began wi Ushah Kirtan in e morning wi e chanting of Veda mantras and hymns to Sri Ramakrishna, who is worshipped as e 'divine wish-fulfilling tree' on e day. There was a special Bhajan in e evening, wi Swami Japanandaji rendering some very touching songs at made a fervent appeal to Sri Gurudev Vaikuna Ekadashi 23 Jan 2014 Swami Vivekananda Jayanti Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama Inauguration of Swami Vivekananda Yuvaka Sangha In e evening, a grand public function was organized at e Sevashrama, wi e students and staff of Vivekananda PU College and Sri Venkateshwara Nursing School of Pavagada forming a good part of e audience. Rev Swamiji gave a short talk and called on e you to delve into e 2 nd The 152 bir anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated at e Sevashrama in a befitting way at included e Ushah Kirtan, a Homa in e names of e Holy Trio, followed by Vivekananda Nama-sankeertan, mangalarati and prasada distribution. After e ritual tributes to Swamiji, ere was more visible activity in e afternoon. As a gesture of implementing Swamiji's teaching of Seeing Shiva in Man, e civic workers of e town (traditionally belonging to e lowest castes) who had been invited, were ceremonially given free cloes and food at a function, in e Ashrama premises. Swami Japanandaji explained e significance of is act, so as to reach e message of man-making to e special invitees. significance of Vivekananda Jayanati it must not be limited to external rituals, but e great man's oughts should be understood properly and put into practice. In his inimitable style he explained how Swami Vivekananda had synesized e ideals of 'Service to e nation' and 'Service to e God'. On is auspicious day, Swami Vivekananda Yuvaka Sangha a character-building organization for e you to be run by e Sevashrama was inaugurated by Prof. Rajasab, vice-chancellor, Tumkur University. Dr. R S Suryanarayana Setty, MBE, from England was e chief guest. In his speech Prof. Rajasab appreciated e Ashrama's initiatives to spread Swamiji's message, especially in is backward area. He gave his own example of

3 how he struggled from his remote village to reach e position of a VC, and ascribed it e streng he drew from Swami Vivekananda. Dr. Suryanarayana Setty spoke about e conditions of rural India and how e younger generation should cultivate eir culture based on Swamiji's teachings. The programme was concluded wi beautiful songs on Swami Vivekananda which included e Song of Sannyasin (Kannada version, translated by Kuvempu) Maha-Shivaratri This was quite a colourful affair is year. In e evening, alongside special ritual worship to Sri Shiva Bhagavan, chanting of Sri Rudra-prashnah and Shivanama sankeertan were done. Following is was a dance recital by e students of Smt Lakshmi Srina who presented Shiva Tandava and oer dances Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti Special events on account of e 179 birday of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa included Ushah Kirtan; Vishnu Sahasranama and Bhajan at 11 AM; special bhajan in e evening, and discourse on 'Yugavatara Sri Ramakrishna' Lecture by Su. Ramanna An inspirational talk on Call to e You by Sri S Ramanna, a distinguished Pracharak of e RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevaka Sangha), was organized under e auspices of Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Swami Vivekananda Yuvaka Sangha, and Swami Vivekananda Educational Institutions, Pavagada. This was anoer initiative by Swami Japanandaji who is organizing such community programmes for spreading e ideas of Swami Vivekananda, in his efforts at nation building. The function got off to a rousing start wi e singing of Swami Vivekananda's 'Sannyasi Geee', led by Swami Japanandaji. Rev Swamiji in his introductory speech painted a vivid picture of e present-day Indian you and e way it was going. He ruled at e you was losing its value for patriotism. It was in is background, he said, at e significance of men like Sri Ramanna stood out. Welcoming Ramanna and elaborating on his works, Swamiji said, It is e good fortune of Pavagada at a patriot and karmayogi like him has come to is neglected corner. Let us all try to emulate him and do someing for our nation. We must leave our footprints! Only en would ere be some justification for our living. Sri Ramanna in his talk impressed upon e gaering of you and devotees e importance of Swami Vivekananda's ideas of nation building. Describing 'you' as a state of mind, he said e best example for is was Swami Vivekananda himself. Though great people like Sri Shankara, Basavanna and Vivekananda lived short lives, eir teachings are everlasting. This is because ey had attained perfect internal and spiritual maturity. They are forever young because eir teachings are ever contemporary. Contrasting e high ideal of patriotism wi e present status of our country, Sri Ramanna exhorted e young listeners to discard all at is negative and take up all at is positive: 'It is our bounden duty to see at our country progresses in all fields. Each home must become a learning centre. Home is a holy place where life blossoms. Family members must have mutual affection and respect. Elders must be respected and loved. We must understand our ancient traditions and ideas and try to adopt em in our daily lives. This has to be done on priority. If each house becomes a university, our ancient religion, our rich heritage could be preserved and spread. Programmes like is definitely help in building a strong nation.' The programme concluded wi a vote of anks by Smt. Laksmi Babu Sri Ramakrishna Homa A special pooja and homa was organized at Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama, rough e Viveka Hamsa group, Bengaluru, under e leadership of Sri 3

4 emselves in e makeup of e participants were specially anked. Overall e ree-day programme went off wonderfully. Explaining e significance of festivals, Rev Swamiji pointed out at ese celebrations were very meaningful and necessary for preserving and spreading of our ancient culture. He reminded em Swami Vivekananda's saying at history is e guide for future. st 1 to 4 October Dasara celebrations R. Suresh. The bhajans by e big band of yous, followed by Homa created an atmosphere of holiness and inspiration in e ashrama April Sri Ramanavami Celebration On all e ree days, Sri Ramnam Sankeeran followed by devotional songs was held till late evening wi hundreds of devotees participating Sri Basaveshwara Jayanti Sri Ramanuja & Sri Shankara Jayantis Sri Buddha Jayanti Sri Guru Poornima 15 to 17 August Sri Krishna Janmashtami For rees ree days, Sri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated wi great joy, and e Ashrama reverberated wi Sri Krishna-nama Sankeertane, praises and Bhajans. On 18, a 'Krishna Costume Competition' was held for children. The Ashrama premises were vibrant wi e chirpy sweet sounds of little Krishnas and Radhas about 50 of em aged between 10 mons to 12 years. It was a great joy to behold. The Navaratri and Durga Pooja were celebrated in e Ashrama wi e usual gaiety, and it concluded on e Vijayadashami when hundreds of devotees participated and paid eir pushpanjali to e Divine Moer Durga. nd On 2 October, after e singing of Devi-nama sankeertan, a dance recital by reputed danseuse Sri Duttaloori Babu Balaji and his students entertained rd e devotees. And on e 3, children took part in a Devi-costume competition, bringing alive e different forms of e Devi October Consecration of SSIVM Premises and Spiritual Retreat The new structure of Sri Sharadadevi Institute of Vision Management, built at e plot adjacent to e Ashram, was formally opened wi e performance of all e scriptural rituals under e guidance of eminent Pundit Sri Sayanarayana Bhat of e Kodandashrama Ma (Sringeri Ma), Hebbur. Hundreds of devotees, including from Bengaluru and Mysuru, as well as prominent citizens of e town, participated in is holy event. While e Vastu Homa and Rakshoghna Homa were performed in e evening of 24 Saturday, on e next morning, Sri Ganapati Homa and Sri Lakshminarayana Hrudaya Homa were done. 4 After Krishna Nama Sankeertane ese little Krishnas and Radhas enralled e gaering wi eir varied talents. Some kids were really brilliant. The little Krishna from 'Bhagyalakshmi Nrutyakala Shaale' enlivened wi his excellent performance in e Vishvaroopa Darshana and Kalinga Mardana scenes. The audiences were amused to watch a 10-mon old Krishna crawling towards e butter pot. Each participant was given a special prize apart from a prize in one of e ree categories. All ose parents who involved

5 On e morning of Sunday, a spiritual retreat was organized in association wi e Vivekahamsa team. After e homa, e Bhajan team led by Sri K. N. Murali presented a session of robust devotional music. Smt. Padmini Murali delivered a fluent talk on Holy Moer Sharada Devi's life. In e afternoon, e retreat continued wi Bhajan by e devotees' troupe of Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Pavagada Srimata Sharadadevi Jayanti The 162nd birday of e Holy Moer celebrated at e Sevashrama wi all e usual features. Service Activities Re-launch of e Vivekananda Mobile Hospital The Vivekananda Mobile Hospital which our institution had been running very successfully since 2010 March, had served numerous people of e innermost villages and hamlets. It was one of 110 such mobile clinics financially supported by e state government and maintained by private institutions. However, in June, 2014, e government suddenly widrew its support to ese units, for its own reasons, and e mobile units came to a grinding halt. Swami Japanandaji was a deeply worried man. Our mobile clinic was not just anoer facility for e ousands of poor villagers in its territory, but had become eir very lifeline. It was easy for e government to shed its responsibility, but not for Swamiji! Could he say to ese folks, 'Sorry broers! We are helpless. You better find some oer alternative'? Impossible! Swamiji was determined to find a new supporter for is humanitarian mission at e earliest. Therefore, it seemed like divine intervention, at Smt. Sudha Mury of Infosys Foundation appeared at is juncture. When she heard about our predicament, Smt Mury instantly offered her helping hand. Thanks to her altruistic gesture, e project came back to life. On 6 September, e mobile clinic was relaunched at a grand function in e presence of distinguished personalities, Justice Dr. Y Bhaskar Rao, e honorable Lokayukta of Karnataka, Dy. Commissioner Tumkur Sri Satyamury, and Zilla Panchayat CEO Sri Govindaraju. In his welcome address Rev Swami Japanandaji shared e story of how e 'rebir' came about, and described how relieved and proud he felt. However, he clarified at ere was no question of discontent over government aid or rejecting it. We must work wi e government and take its help, and we have to implement e government's schemes, he asserted. Reason? The fruits of ose schemes must percolate to e last person. Appreciating e success achieved by SVIRHC in its medical/healcare service for e common 5

6 man, Dr. Y Bhaskara Rao said, When millions of our countrymen are suffering from various diseases, e topmost priority should be to provide good healcare services at e earliest. Rural people elsewhere are in dire need of good healcare facilities like e one in Pavagada. His oer interesting observations were: A healy nation is built only wi healy people. The weak cannot build a strong nation. Hence it is our duty to build a healy workforce. Work must be our top priority. We must build a system of offering social service at e hospitals. Wi is, many problems may get resolved. 'Serve e poor and lowly' is e motto of Ramakrishna Ma. Many of its branches are doing wonderful social works. In ese parts, Swami Japanandaji is rendering great service to e rural poor, by reaching em excellent heal facilities. Dr. Maiya commended at Swami Japanandaji's work was now being recognized worldwide. At one time, not too long ago, Pavagada was notorious for 'wolves'. Japanandaji has changed it all, wi his relentless work. Pavagada is now synonymous wi 'Swamiji' and 'hospital'. Smt. Aruna Y Bhaskara Rao, Sri Satyamuri, Dt. Panchaya CEO Sri Govindaraju, Dr. G Venkataramaiah, Sri G S Dharmapal were e oer speakers : Inauguration of Mobile Heal Services at Venkatammanahally This is e outermost village of Pavagada Taluk, and is covered by e Vivekananda Mobile Hospital in its circuit. To create awareness among e villagers in is region about e mobile clinic being re-launched as well as about all e heal related issues of importance, a function was held in e village. It was inaugurated by e District Panchayat vice-president R C Anjinappa, who spoke about several pressing issues faced by e taluk. About e problem of acute water shortage, he regretted at a padayatra and protests had yielded no results. Farmers were devastated by e loss of crops, but ey were not being paid e crop insurance money. The government must distribute compensation based on e current year's loss, and not hark about 5-year statistics, he insisted. However, in e same brea, he called on e farmers not to lose heart but to be confident, and turn eir attention to subsidiary agricultural trades to tide over e financial difficulties. Sri Govindaraju, e ZP CEO, analysed e problems faced by e heal and education departments: Shortage of teachers is stalling e progress of education in e taluk, but suitable action is being taken to address is issue. Also, because of e shortage of doctors, people are running from pillar to post for medical treatment. Though e government has made it compulsory for doctors to work in rural areas, it is not being properly implemented. We have appealed for filling up of e posts. He pointed out at in spite of acute poverty prevalent, several persons from e Taluk have raised emselves to be IAS/KAS officers and doctors. In ese parts, children are keen to learn. Parents have to encourage em by providing necessary educational atmosphere and facilities. 6 Sri S Shivaprasad, e BJP State Unit Secretary, said ere are many progressive farmers. Several children have risen above poverty to high positions and have brought good name to bo e taluk and eir native places. Officials and People's representatives must show more interest towards e border villages.

7 Sri Sambasadashiva Reddy, Media Consultant, SVIRHC, leading doctors of Pavagada including Dr. N a r a y a n a, D r. S h a s h i k i r a n a n d D r. G Venkataramaiah, farmer leader Nagabhushana Reddy, Dr. Naveen Reddy and oers were present : Inauguration of Sri Ramakrishna Peripheral Heart Centre In its constant efforts to widen e scope of its essential medical services, our hospital in Pavagada started a new permanent facility, named as Sri Ramakrishna Peripheral Heart Care Unit, wi e kind hand of cooperation extended by e renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Deviprasad Shetty, founder, Narayana Hrudayalaya. Under is project, a specialists' team from his hospital would camp at Pavagada every mon on e last Monday, screen patients, and address eir heart related problems. The unit was inaugurated by veteran surgeon and our chief medical advisor Dr. M. Maiya, in e presence of eminent medical professionals like paologist T. Prabhu, surgeon B. Mariyappa, and Dr. Vijai Singh, COO, Narayana Hrudayalaya, as well as oers. The function was held at e Swami Vivekananda Auditorium in our hospital. out at in India just 1% of e budget is reserved for is vital sector, compared wi 2% in e neighbouring Bangladesh, a country considered far more backward. Dr. Maiya said rural people are more prone to certain diseases an eir urban counterparts. Pointing out e difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases, he said e new lifestyle diseases were non-communicable, but had become deadlier. In India 8 crore people have heart related issues, out of whom 18 lakh would die. Only 12% patients overcome e disease rough medicines. Swami Japanandaji Maharaj has been rendering a great service towards is end, which even e government has not. He has pledged to permanently free Pavagada from e clutches of Leprosy and Tuberculosis. He has been organizing free eye camps and providing free fodder to e cattle for many years now and his efforts are indeed great. Dr. Vijay Singh of Narayana Hrudayalaya said, During e last 10 years we have conducted several cardiac camps in association wi SVIRHC. And we are very happy at now wi Swamiji's consent, we are establishing a permanent heart centre in Pavagada. Narayana Hrudayalaya will extend every support to is. Swami Japanandaji Maharaj in his welcome speech recalled wi gratitude Narayana Hrudayalaya's decade-long and most fruitful association wi SVIRHC. He praised e efforts of Dr. Deviprasad Shetty who has helped conduct about 80 heart related procedures / open heart surgeries on needy children from Pavagada. Dr. P. Krishnamury, President, DFIT, Chennai, highlighted e negligence of public heal systems by e government. He said, e government must allot more funds for community heal. He pointed At e cardiac check up camp at followed, e team of Dr. Harender Chaudhary, Dr. Puneet Mahajan, Dr. Pratibha Gangineni, and Dr. Vivek examined over 150 patients. Nine of em were referred to Bengaluru for furer investigations. Fodder Distribution Programme 2014 The prevailing situation of severe drought and its effect on livestock in e neighbourhood kept Swami Japanandaji worried about it. The plight of e dumb animals continued to be very pitiable. The helpless ryots, unable to feed and water eir cows and bulls, were seen selling em in distress, to butchers from across e border. The cattle numbers shrank by hundreds. Swamiji felt at it was his bounden duty to take up e cause of e ryots and eir live stock. So, plans were drawn to start drought relief operations immediately and to open a free fodder distribution project. The most important chunk of financial backing for is project came from none oer an Smt. 7

8 Sudha Mury, one of our steadfast supporters. And divine help came from anoer quarter most unexpectedly in e form of a reassuring phone call by Sri Sri Vishwesha Theera Sripada Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt, who has provided invaluable help bo moral and financial in e past also. gave a shocking picture of e reality, saying at e number of cattle head in e taluk had shrunk from 2,50,00 about two decades back, to just a lakh today. What happened to em? Where had ey disappeared, and why? And what about milk for our children e only source of nutrition for a majority of em? It was e duty of bo e farmers and e government to protect e cow, considered e holiest animal in our heritage. He pleaded for government's active intervention by opening cowsheds based on e ground situation and also for a milk chilling facility to help and encourage milk farmers. Sri Kasanappa Nayka, Civil Judge, Madhugiri, said, Every living being on is ear has a right to live. Providing food and water to ese animals is e bounden duty of man. It is highly commendable at Swami Japanandaji is providing free fodder and water to animals, in is draught hit area. Dr. G Venkataramaiah blamed e wastage of manpower for e desperate situation. He said, today's you's hands are full wi a mobile phone and e cricket bat. If ey could raer work e fields, apart from every oer benefit, e poor cattle would also be saved. Scarcity of rains has failed crops and e anxious farmers are running away to e cities. This must be stopped. Call for Cattle Protection: The fodder distribution programme's inaugural function was held in our SV Hall on 24 May, Rev Swami Japanandaji Altaf Pasha, Tahasildar, assured at if e drought situation continued e government would step in to open cowsheds. Hanumantaiah, Grade-2 Tahasildar, leader P H Subbarayappa, CMO Dr. Chandrakala, Dr. Raghavendra, were present at e function. Shree Sharadadevi Eye Hospital & Research Centre 8 Darshan gets back his vision Thanks to SSEH & RC Master Darshan is e six-year old son of Kantaraju and Nagaratna of Kenchappanahalli, Sira Taluk. When e young boy started complaining at he could not read e writings on e blackboard, and most of e ings for at matter, his poor parents were naturally perturbed and baffled. The doctors at Sira gave e shocking news Darshan had developed cataract in bo e eyes! Cataract at such a young age certainly is cause for worry. Though is is found in children sometimes, e cure is neier easy or nor affordable, especially for a poor family. The condition would lead to permanent blindness if not treated, and it can only be corrected surgically by specialists wi high-tech support. All ese are way beyond e reach or dream of a poor family in an interior village. However, Kantaraju and Nagaratna found a ray of hope when ey were directed to e Sri S h a r a d a D e v i E y e Hospital and Research

9 Centre, Pavagada. The hospital staff welcomed em, and listened to em wi great compassion. Darshan was examined wi e latest equipment at e Centre, e treatment decided on and all arrangements made for its treatment. On Friday, 4 July 2014, a team compromising Dr. Raghavendra, ophalmologist, Dr. Subramanya, children's eye surgeon, Dr. Sudheer, anesetist, Dr. Chandrakala and Dr. Payal (bo SSEHRC staffers) conducted is extremely delicate surgery at our hospital. The operation was a great success and Master Darshan was restored his Darshan! This procedure would have cost at least Rs. 60,000/- elsewhere; however, our centre conducted is surgery totally free of charge. It was one more triumph over blindness for our team, which has over surgeries to its credit. Heal Camps: Inauguration of Second OT; Mega Eye Camp It is a matter of great joy and pride for Team Vivekananda at we were able to commission a state-of-e-art equipment an Opmi Visu 140 Surgical Microscope donated by Infosys Foundation at would furer strengen our expertise in ophalmic surgery. It is notewory at is is only e 15 such advanced machine to have been installed in e state of Karnataka. This new microscope, along wi e second operation eater which houses it at SSEHRC, was inaugurated by Dr. K Bhujanga Shetty, founder of Narayana Netralaya, Bengaluru, on e day a mega eye camp was also organized. SVIRHC, and particularly for its driving force, Rev. Swami Japanandaji. He remarked at finding and winning over e best doctors of Bengaluru and bringing em to Pavagada was noing short of a miracle. That is how Rev Swamiji was able to avail e best treatment for ousands of leprosy and disabled patients, he said. Dr Shetty also highlighted e facts at here, for e very first time in e State, TB diagnosing machines have been installed, and at every week 5 kgs of Ragi is being distributed to e TB patients, at too at eir doorsteps. It is our good fortune at Narayana Netralaya is associated wi such an institution, he said. Dr. Venkataramaiah, Secretary, S.V. Educational Institutions said at Swami Japanandaji's service to ese border villages was nonpareil. He appealed to e Narayana Netralaya, Bengaluru, to treat e patients sent for furer treatments from Sri Sharadadevi Eye Hospital, free of cost. Sri Bhujanga Shetty, who has played a vital role in e acquisition of e new equipment, was all praise for e great amount of work going under As a mark of e gratitude and affection on behalf of e numerous beneficiaries, Dr. K Bhujanga Shetty was warmly felicitated by Swami Japanandaji. Expert surgeons including Dr. Ashwin Mallipatna, Dr. Dhawal, Dr. Poornachandra, Dr. Parvai, 9

10 MEETINGS Dr. Purushoam, District Surveillance Officer and team Smt. Parvai Kumar (Australia) and family members nd 22 to 24 May - Dr. M. Shivakumar, Secy., and Dr. P. Krishnamury, DFIT 16 to 19 June - Smt. Parameshwari and Sri Ramesh, DFIT Accountants Dr. Mannan and Dr. Subramanya of e Centre, handled e Mega Eye Camp at followed. Distinguished visitors: 6 &7 Jan 14-DFIT officials Dr. Rajamohan, Medical Officer of St. Mary's Leprosy Centre, Arisipalayam, Salem project, and Mr. Piet Paul, physioerapist, Nellore project, visited our hospital for an evaluation. They interviewed e inpatients, outpatients and DFIT staff, and verified e records and reports related to TB and Leprosy. Suggestions and guidance were provided by Dr. Rajamohan where needed. 13 Jan Dr. Venkatesh, DLO, Tumkur 27 & 28 Jan DFIT officials Dr. Tine Demeulenaere, Medical Advisor, DF, Belgium and Dr. Sanosh Kumar, Medical Advisor, DFIT, Chennai, inspected our hospital and e facilities available. Field visit was focused on MDR TB patients and oer TB HIV co-infection and Leprosy patients. They were satisfied wi e DOTS system of MDR patients in Pavagada TU. Separate wards for TB patients and female patients was discussed. 15 Aug Smt. Sudha Mury, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation This Independence Day turned out to be very special for Team Vivekananda, as Smt. Sudha Mury chose to spend e whole day wi us and our patients, and visiting e project areas of slums and nearby villages. The inspiring presence of is rare lady of substance brought a lot of enusiasm and positivity to e entire group. Our association wi Infosys Foundation and Smt. Sudha Mury dates back to From en on e partnership has built up very strongly to meet e common goal of serving e most deserving pockets of people deprived of basic heal facilities. It was she who initiated and supported e Sharadadevi Eye Hospital & Research Centre. For a long time she had expressed e desire to visit e institution, it finally came true on is day. 10 Smt. Sudha Mury arrived at Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama and spent much time discussing e Food for Patients, Blindness Control and oer projects. Later, at e hospital complex she interacted wi a number of patients and visitors. It was en at e subject of e plight of sightless children, whose lives were doomed, deprived as

11 ey were of all facilities including food and education, came up. As Swami Japanandaji bared his desire to do his mite for ese unfortunate children rough an institution, Smt. Mury pressed him to go ahead wi e concept of Sharadadevi Institute of Vision Management. She promised all e necessary assistance and facilities from Infosys Foundation. And, as described on page 23 of is Newsletter, it did not take long after at for e Institute to take bir. Smt. Sudha Mury sitting next to cured Leprosy, TB and HIV/AIDS patients who always carry a stigma and are kept away by e majority in e society and discussing eir problems, was a sight to behold. Only someone as wealy as her in heart might be expected to do it! She also distributed cloes, food packets and oer useful ings to e patients who were in large numbers. Later, she went to visit anoer parched, remote area where a glass of water is a luxury. Her Trust has helped reach ltrs of water daily to ese pockets. She witnessed e plight of e people vying for a pitcher of water. It was a moving sight, but she was much satisfied to see e dedicated Team Vivekananda at work, day and night. She was also briefed about e working of e Infosys Foundation-supported Mobile Hospital. After she was back at e peaceful abode of Sri Ramakrishna at e Sevashrama, Smt Sudha Mury sat in e shrine and spent some serene moments, listening to e celestial devotional music rendered by Rev. Swamiji Dr. Chandrashekhar Shetty, PMJF, Chief Technical Advisor Sight First, India & Sri Lanka, and Advisor, National Program for Control of Blindness, Karnataka visited e eye hospital and reviewed our blindness control programmes. 17 & 18 August - Australian team headed by Dr. Ashwin, Narayana Neralaya, Mr. James and Mrs. Mina A Satsanga team (from V.V. Puram, Bengaluru) led by Mrs. Menaka Rangana; special Satsanga organized at Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama Dr. Anil, JD-TB and Dr. Sana Kumar, DTO Dr. P.K. Srinivas, Project Director RCH (Rtd), Consultant IEC (JnNURM & RAY) and BMCRI professor Dr. Shobha Smt. Prabhavai & family members; Satsanga at Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama Smt. Meenakshi Maiya and group Satsanga at Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama. Dooradarshana Live Programmes of Swami Japanandaji Chandana TV Jeevana Darshana Chandana TV Programme on e occasion of Gurupoornima Chandana TV Jeevana Darshana Chandana TV Jeevana Darshana 11

12 Meetings / Seminars: Project Holders' meeting, DFIT, Chennai Tumkur CME and workshop on RNTCP 12 Sri Swami Japanandaji inaugurated a CME and RNTCP workshop held at Sridevi Institute of Medical Sciences, Tumkur, and involving senior resource persons from STDC, NTI, medical colleges, WHO consultants, and e government. All e government doctors and private practitioners of e district were invited. The goal was mainly to enlighten on e importance of proper diagnosis of Tuberculosis and provide treatment guidelines. Private practitioners were asked to report monly TB cases treated by em to e government. Various topics related to RNTCP were discussed in detail. On 28 March 2014 e district heal auorities organized a PCPNDT (Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques [prohibition of sex determination] Act 1994) programme in cooperation wi SVIRHC at Swami Vivekananda Hall. Private as well as government doctors, paramedics, and Asha/Anganawadi workers attended e meet, which was inaugurated by Sri Swami Japanandaji. Hon'ble Sri Kasanappa Naik, Prl. Sr. Civil Judge and JMFC, presided over e function. Sri B. Varadaraj, Civil Judge and JMFC, Pavagada, Dr. V. K. Chowdri, President, IMA were e chief guests. Dr. Rahate Jan Shekh, Dr. P. K. Srinivas, Retd Project Director, HFW Services, and Smt. P. Rajeshwari Devi, Consultant, PC&PNDT programme, gave e talks, building opinion against prenatal sex determination and female foeticide Seminar for Primary School Teachers At a first of its kind event, over 400 primary school teachers of Pavagada and e surrounding rural belt were brought togeer for a seminar on education at e S.V. Auditorium, SVIRHC, under e aegis of Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama and Vivekahamsa, Bengaluru. Issues relating to e merits of present education and lacunae erein, teaching meods, and teacher-student relation were to be addressed. Eminent educationist Prof. A. H. Rajasab, VC, Tumakuru University, was e key speaker. The Primary School Teachers' Association and e education department had lent eir full support to is initiative by Swami Japanandaji, who has strongly felt e need for such a programme. The seminar began at Am., wi Bhajan and Vedic chanting by Vivekahamsa. Inspiring and melodious songs were sung, mainly on Swami Vivekananda, led by Sri Murali. Swami Japanandaji himself sang a few on Sri Ramakrishna and some folksongs in his rich voice at had an electrifying effect on e audience. After extending a warm welcome to Prof. Rajasab and oer speakers including Smt Padmini

13 Murali of Vivekahamsa and Dr Venkataramaiah, Swami Japanandaji made a passionate speech, pointing out why character-building education, as enunciated by Swami Vivekananda, is e need of e hour. The future of India lies wi e primaryschool children; e very foundation for a bright India is to be laid in e primary schools. Hence your responsibility as e teachers is very high. We have huge resources and a rich heritage. The schools can play a great role in preserving and utilizing em Swamiji's words, spoken wi such force and conviction, left e teachers inspired and ready for more. Delivering e keynote address Prof. Rajasab remarked: For me to be in is position today, e foundation was laid way back in my backward village primary school. The sincerity and significance of ese words instantly prompted a long applause from e audience. He narrated many examples from his own life; e difficulties he had to face. He went on to describe readbare e present-day education system and its loopholes. He expressed his vision at education, particularly at primary level, must be exemplary. All along, he quoted from e teachings of Shiva-sharanas, particularly Allama Prabhu. The learned professor brought out e commonalities between Bhagawan Buddha's and Allama's teachings. He lamented at people, instead of trying to grasp e essence of eir teachings, elevated ese personalities to Godhood and escaped e trouble of following em. Prof. Rajasab won e hearts of e audience wi his captivating speech. He gave a call to root out caste, creed, and poor-rich discriminations and provide equal educational opportunities to all. This must be our ideal, he exhorted. Smt Padmini Murali, a lecturer and a distinguished writer, drew from her rich experiences and explained in detail e intricacies and sanctity of teacher-student relationship. Through many interesting and apt illustrations she drew e attention of e teachers towards eir prime responsibilities in e present-day. Her oratory skills impressed and inspired e teachers very well, which was also evident from e many written responses received later. Dr. Venkataramaiah, founder of e SV Educational Institutions in Pavagada, narrated some of his own experiences. On behalf of e audience, he requested Swamiji to take up educational activities in e backward villages : Meaningful Jayanti of e Mahatma Social service activities As e sessions came to a close, a feeling of achievement among e participants was palpable. In his closing speech, Rev. Swamiji anked e speakers, e Vivekahamsa group and e agencies at supported e seminar. He added at e education department had proposed to hold such programmes in every taluk, echoing e sentiments of all ose who were witness to e first one. Each of e delegates was presented a booklet on Swami Vivekananda's life and a photograph, and sent off after serving light meals Rev Swami Japanandaji participated in e Project Holders meeting at DFIT, Chennai: Swami Vivekananda Integrated Rural Heal Centre, Pavagada, had organized Mahatma Gandhiji's 145 birday celebrations in a special way at e Leprosy Eradication Hospital, Magadi Road, Bengaluru. The honourable Mayor of BBMP Smt. N Shantakumari graced e occasion and inaugurated it in e presence of chief guest Sri S. 13

14 Sureshkumar, MLA, Sri P Krishnamury, President, DFIT, Chennai and Dr. B. C. Venu, RMO of e Leprosy Hospital, and about 150 inpatients, a majority of em from very poor sections. Though is was a public function wi political and bureaucratic personages in presence, uncharacteristically, ere were no speeches, sloganeering or oer usual rituals. The dignitaries silently offered eir floral tributes to e Mahatma and went up to e patients (men and women seated separately) to personally hand em a set of new cloes, fruits and sweets. The simple gesture conveyed everying ey had to say. Smt. Shantakumari who inaugurated e function, expressed her hearty anks to Rev. Swami Japanandaji for being given is opportunity. She said she was very impressed and happy wi is novel idea of Gandhi Jayanti celebration. After e Mayor, Sri Sureshkumar, MLA, also did likewise giving cloes and fruits to e male patients. He said at personally he felt is to be e best way of observing Gandhi Jayanti, and should be an eye opener for oers. uncleared for a long time. She immediately instructed e concerned officials to set ings right. When Rev. Swamiji and e hospital staff brought oer shortcomings in e hospital to e notice of e Mayor, she responded readily and assured of corrective measures. SVIRHC The ready friend in need Anjanappa, a daily wager, makes a living wi his family in a atched hutment, near Macharajanahalli Gate, about 35 kms from Pavagada. The entire assets of e family, including some cash and materials bought for e daughter's wedding, were inside. On e night of , fate heaped misery on is family an accidental fire burnt down everying inside sparing just e lives. All e belongings were gone in no time. In is hour of despair, ere was no one in whom Anjanappa could find any succour or solace. Therefore, e family approached Swami Japananadaji, about whom ey had heard, seeking help on grounds of compassion. Moved by eir plight, Rev Swamiji took e decision to support em, wiout delay. He arranged for e purchase of essential utensils, food grains and cloes wor several ousand rupees and personally went wi his assistants to Anjanappa's place. He handed over e materials to e family and consoled em. 14 The honourable Mayor happened to notice at e premises were not clean and garbage was lying

15 e realm of DVG's philosophy and knowledge, taking his audiences along. The programme is held during e last week of every mon. Along wi Swami Japanandaji, e main speaker, a well known social/literary person is also invited to share e dais at every talk. The event has been witnessing even vice-chancellors and academicians participating, along wi commoners. This is an open secret among e villagers (as well as e needy Sadhus who have taken shelter under Sri Ramakrishna) at e untiring Swami Japanandaji is ever (24x7x365) available for e distressed and needy people, who flock to him seeking various favours. And none of em is ever turned back empty handed. This is e gist of all worship to be pure and to do good to oers. He who sees Shiva in e poor, in e weak, and in e diseased, really worships Shiva; and if he sees Shiva only in e image, his worship is but preliminary. He who has served and helped one poor man seeing Shiva in him, wiout inking of his caste, or creed, or race, or anying, wi him Shiva is more pleased an wi e man who sees Him only in temples. Swami Vivekananda DVG Remembrance Lecture Series The Juggernaut Rolls On As our readers are aware, Swami Japanandaji has been delivering a series of monly talks in Tumkur on Dr. D. V. Gundappa e great writer, philosopher and prophet of Karnataka. Myriad aspects of DVG'S wisdom and vision, passion and satire, concern and love of life are expressed rough his works, including e poetic masterpieces of 'Mankutimmana Kagga' and 'Maralamuniyana Kagga', and e gloss on Bhagavad-gita. Saras Media Link, a cultural organization of Tumkur, is hosting e event, and e series has entered e ird year, attracting a steady audience. Rev. Swamiji has verily set himself on a literaryintellectual adventure, by steadily diving deeper into Rev. Swamiji sees is as anoer opportunity to do e bidding of e Divine Trio, by highlighting eir message, and relating em wi ose of oer seers and e scriptures. The topics for e talks are sometimes gems from DVG's Kagga. Some of ose covered in e last year include Nation's debt, not service [ You are only repaying e nation's debt, not doing any charity ], Dharma is but working for e good of all, Take it all in your stride, Freedom means responsibility, Everyone has a face, but few have a halo. And among e luminaries to light up e dais wi Swamiji were, Dr. Gururaj Karjagi, Dr. Babu Krishnamury, and Prof. K. Natarajan (DVG's grandson). Functions / meetings graced by Swami Japanandaji Programme at Indian Medical Association at Pavagada Vivekananda Jayanti at Bala Bhavan, Tumkur Swami Vivekananda Jayanti at Bangalore Advocates' Association Sri K. N. Subbareddy, senior advocate, High Court, had organized Swami Vivekananda's Jayanti in e premises of e prestigious Bangalore Advocates' Association hall, inviting Rev. Swami Japanandaji to address e lawyers' fraternity. The programme was attended by more an 300 advocates, and presided over by Justice Chandrashekar, Judge, Karnataka High Court, while Justice H. Billappa, Judge, Karnataka High Court was e Chief Guest. As e main guest speaker Swami Japanandaji spoke about Swami Vivekananda and his vision of future India. Swamiji's inspiring 15

16 talk was well appreciated by e community of intellectuals Rev. Swamiji took part in a Symposium on Adolescent Heal Integrating Yoga and Science at R.V. Dental College Auditorium, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore. was chaired by Sri Govindaraju, CEO, Dt. ZP, and Sri K. S. Satyamury, Dy. Commissioner and chairman, District Heal Society inaugurated it Swami Vivekananda Jayanti at Ramakrishna Vivekananda Satsanga Kendra, Srividyanagara, Bangalore Programme at Vivekananda Vichara Vedike, Jayanagar, Bangalore World Tuberculosis Day Sri Swami Japanandaji was among e chief guests at e World TB Day celebration held at e District TB Centre, Tumkur, along wi Dr. Eshwaraiah, District Surgeon, Sri T. M. Swamy, Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society (Tumkur), Smt. Sujaa, Dy. Director, Women & Child Welfare Dept., and Dr. Deepak K. G., WHO consultant. The event In his speech, Rev. Swamiji emphasized on e community's role in TB control. While he lauded e proactive roles being played by e government officers in is onerous task, he called for more private involvement. Instead of depending passively on e government, we should participate actively as citizens of e society to control e dreaded disease. NGOs have a very important role to play here ey must avail of e training facility offered by e department to improve eir skills, and handle e TB programme in an effective manner, he said. Based on a weal of field experience gained over two decades handling RNTCP, he had many a word of advice. This should become a people's programme. It is e duty of every citizen to involve himself voluntarily in raising awareness about RNTCP and e facilities freely available at all e recognized institutions and hospitals, he urged. Sri G. S. Thippeswamy who serves under our organization won e Best STLS award in Tumkur District. Dr. Somashekhar of Medigeshi PHC, Pavagada TU, was named e Best Ayush Medical Officer supporting RNTCP. Sri Babu from Hosakere was recognized as e best patient to have taken DOTS treatment regularly Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, Sri Rama Mandira, N. R. Colony, Bengaluru Holy presence at e Consecration of Sri Sita-Rama-Lakshmana Temple at Bheemanakunte, Pavagada Tk Inauguration of e new premises of Sri Vasavi Souhardha Cooperative, Y.N. Hosakote, Pavagada Tk.

17 Sri Gurupoornima at Gokhale institute, Bangalore (morning) Sri Gurupoornima Sri Ramakrishna Seva Trust, Girinagar, Bangalore (evening) Function at Government PU College, Tumkur PDO's workshop at Devarayanadurga, Tumkur Taluk Monly discourse at Gokhale Institute Ashtalakshmi Satsanga Kendra, Malleshwaram, Bangalore. December 12, 13, 14: The 12 Global Gita Conference Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru Ever since its inception of e International Gita Foundation Trust (2003) by Dr. P. V. Na, UK, Rev. Swami Japanandaji has been a guide and mentor of e Trust, and kindly graced all its annual conferences so far, held in e USA, UK and India. The twelf Gita Conference is year was organized in Bengaluru in association wi e Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, at e Bhavan's auditorium, as a ree-day semina. As in e previous years, e 12 chapter of e Gita (matching e year number 12 since founding), at is Bhakti Yoga was chosen as its focal eme. H.H. Sri Swami Japanandaji was invited to address e conference on e inaugural day on e subject of Bhakti & Swami Vivekananda. The conference was inaugurated by H.H. Sri Ganapati Sachchiidananda Swamiji in e august presence of Justice Sri Rama Jois, Founder Dr. P. V. Na, Mr. Ramanuja Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and Mr. H. N. Suresh. The various sessions of e conference attracted sizable numbers of audience including ose from abroad. Swami Japanandaji, in his discourse brought out some striking aspects of e topic wi his insightful interpretation of Swamiji's personality and teachings. He also quoted Swamiji's most relevant and auentic sayings on e subject, to bring out e practical side of true devotion. The Gita Jayanti is not to be celebrated by worshipping Bhagavad Gita outwardly by offering flowers! No, at is not e way. To show devotion for e holiest of our scriptures, raer, we must get into e Gita and try to understand its philosophy The Gita should become part of our life in such a way at its great messages are brought into our day-to-day life. The real life anecdotes he quoted from e lives of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda effectively drove e essence of his oughts into e minds of e audience. 17

18 Swami Vivekananda Integrated Rural Heal Centre Hospital Activity Report As on Cumulative Figures General outpatients treated General Heal camps conducted Inpatients treated : Number Bed-days Leprosy : Cases registered for treatment Released from Treatment (Cured) No. of patients on treatment 7 - No. of Reconstructive surgeries done - PAVAGADA Livelihood Enhancement Programme for Leprosy patients: BANGALORE - 20 No. of beneficiaries - Financial assistance for Year Education Live stock Petty Shops House renovation Total 2009 to Provided Sewing Machine under Self Employment Scheme 1 Tuberculosis Total 53 Registered Cured & Completed Treatment Under National Tuberculosis System Under SCC DOTS system Under Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) Pavagada & Madhugiri Taluks From GRAND TOTAL TB cases as on As on Eye Hospital : 2015 Cumulative total No. of eye camps conducted No. of outpatients treated No. of surgeries done Eye Project : School Survey programme Schools Surveyed Screened Treated for Vit. A deficiency No. of Students Treated for Visual defects Oer eye problems students provided wi free spectacles during is period

19 No. of Pediatric Cataract, Squint, DCR probing etc Surgeries done since 2002: 145 Children surveyed for eye check-up under Pavagada Pediatric Eye Disease Study Pavagada Taluk Madhugiri Taluk TOTAL No. of children who underwent treatment/surgery at Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore, for eir heart problems = 80 Primary Heal Centre, Venkatapura 2015 Cumulative total General outpatients treated No. of Institutional Deliveries MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC (KHSDRP) (2010 to 2014 June) Outpatients treated Cumulative total MOBILE HOSPITAL (SVIRHC) (2014 Sept to Apr 2015) 7458 TOTAL Reconstructive Surgeries (RCS) by Dr. Pramod The RCS project for treating victims of leprosy, is going forward steadily at our facility in Pavagada wi support from Damien Foundation. So far 414 cases have been handled, 41 new in It is to be noted at is specialized surgery and treatment are available nowhere else in Karnataka. The Central Government provides an assistance of Rs. 8,000 to each patient for family maintenance during hospital stay. Reconstructive Surgery for Hansen's patients wi deformity demands hospital care for two mons. The patients get free boarding and lodging, medicine etc during treatment. During e postsurgical care specialized exercises and oer supportive issues are handled by a team of experts. We wish to specially acknowledge wi gratitude e service being rendered by Dr. Pramod Mahesh, Consultant Oropaedic S u r g e o n, D F I T, w i t h a s s i s t a n c e f r o m Dr. Chandrakala G.R., CMO/MOTC. Livelihood Enhancement Programme Livelihood Enhancement Programme (LEP), supported by e Damien Foundation to rehabilitate e cured Leprosy patients, provides em e 19

20 necessary monetary, material or vocational support, turning em into independent and proud individuals. Under is programme, 53 cured leprosy patients have been covered so far. In 2014 four persons were provided wi goats, and one person was given a sewing machine. Inauguration of * Sri Sharadadevi Institute of Vision Management * Vatsalya Sudha * Swami Vivekananda Mobile Hospital (donated by Canara Bank) * Swami Vivekananda Pure Drinking Water Project Friday, 26 December, 2014 marked an important milestone for Team Vivekananda wi a host of new initiatives being launched. The first of em was e opening of 'Sri Sharadadevi Institute of Vision Management' a Daycare Centre for blind/partially blind children. Anoer smaller initiative but wi much socioreligious significance was e launch of 'Vatsalya Sudha' programme of engaging and feeding e neighbourhood children wi milk and biscuits. The launch of our second mobile hospital, generously donated by Canara Bank, marked substantial expansion of our reach. A drinking water supply scheme for some pockets of Pavagada town, a much appreciated humanitarian mission, was also formally launched on e day. The function was held in e SVIRHC complex, complete wi e presence of several important personalities. However, e absence of Honourable Governor H.E. Sri Vajubhai Vala, who was scheduled to inaugurate all ese but had to miss because of an urgent call from e Prime Minister, caused some disappointment. Among e special guests were Sri T.B. Jayachandra, hon'ble State minister (in charge of several ministries as well as Tumkur Dt.), Sri U.T. Khader, hon'ble minister for H&FW, Sri S. Suresh Kumar, former minister, Sri V.S. Ugrappa, MLC, Sri K.M. Thimmarayappa, MLA (Pavagada), Sri Venkataravanappa, former minister, Sri S.S. Bhat, Chief GM, Canara Bank, Ms. Madhu Singhal, Mg. Trustee Mitra Jyoi, Sri G.S. Dharmapal and G. Venkataramaiah. 20

21 Sri Sharadadevi Institute of Vision Management (SSIVM) was indeed a big stride in our humanitarian mission of serving e blind, and a fulfillment of Swami Japanandaji's intense concern for em. There are scores of such children especially in ese poverty ridden areas. They are just left to emselves on e roadside among e cattle and e fowl and taken back home at dusk. The parents, struggling every day for a square meal, are too constrained to do anying for ese unfortunate souls. Their plight should bring tears in e eyes of any witness. However, whenever he sighted one, Swami Japanandaji felt his conscience deeply pricked. He had to do someing for em. He wanted to make men out em, give em a new life; provide specialized skills training, as well as academic education. And of course, he wanted em to be given e loving care at each life needs and deserves, in abundance. All ese dreams of his are now being realized rough SSIVM. The Institute is housed in a specially renovated building adjacent to e Sevashrama. (The plot itself came into our possession quite providentially, wi e owner persisting on selling it only to e Ashrama, ough ere were any number of eager bidders). It was anoer blessing at several eminent persons came forward and joined hands wi us at e right time to make is dream come true. Among em were Kum. Madhu Singhal, organizing trustee, Mitrajyoi, Bangalore, and our close associate Smt. Rajyashree Satish, an expert in blind rehabilitation work at Matruchhaya. And Smt. Vani, an experienced teacher wi specializations in music and Sanskrit, has taken over as e Director of e centre. Our old friends Dr. Vasudha Naresha, Dr. Narendra, Dr. Subhash Chandra, Dr. Ashwin, Dr. Naresh and Narayana Netralaya's chiefs Dr. Bhujanga Shetty and Dr. Rohit Shetty, have extended eir unstinted personal support for is noble cause. Children of 5-12 years age from nearby villages, wi various degrees of vision loss, arrive at e daycare centre in e morning, many picked up by our own vehicles. The centre shelters em between 9 am and 3.30 pm, round e year, serving e basic needs including clean cloes. Every day, on arrival ey get a light breakfast. Depending on each one's abilities and needs, ey are given training in various trades like tailoring, paper cover making, and life skills. Music training is anoer gift ey receive. They are served lunch in e afternoon, and milk & biscuits before departure. This institution is bound to be a boon not just for ose few unfortunate kids, but for e whole community. The families are encouraged and supported to play an active role in e kids' upbringing, and a sense of responsibility inculcated. 21

22 Heal Minister Sri Khader, who inaugurated SSIVM, in his speech said, The task of creating sound citizens is not to be done sitting in airconditioned rooms or e Parliament/Vidhana Sabha; e children playing in e school grounds and village fields have to be groomed into healy yous and wory citizens. We all, including e government, need to reorient ourselves towards is mission We all need to extend our cooperation to Swamiji who has founded a most modern hospital in such a rural pocket as is and has been offering hi-tech facilities Revered Swamiji, we at e heal department are always wi you. Whatever your demands, we are here to fulfill em Well, people's representatives ought to talk less, and work more. The Law & Parliamentary Affairs minister Sri T.B. Jayachandra went a step ahead in expressing his pleasure wi Team Vivekananda and its work. Rev Swami Japanandaji who has done unparalleled work in e field of service richely deserves a national award. Whenever we asked him, 'Swamiji, do you require any aid from e government? Is ere someing I can do?' he will say, 'No please, we don't need any help. You just stay wi us'. He is e only Swami who's said so!.. Rev. Swamiji, I am a 'shishya' of yours from today. I will involve myself in your development activities. 'Vatsalya Sudha' ( e nectar of moerly love ) is a programme of providing nutritious snack/milk in e morning for e deprived children of e surroundings. It is, very aptly, being sponsored by Smt. Sudha Mury rough her Infosys Foundation, The idea took shape in e mind of Swami Japanandaji who used to watch impoverished children from e neighbourhoods going for begging, to support eir parents' earnings. He felt e urge to do someing for eir nutrition, and devised e plan. 22

23 The programme is simple. Now, ere are about 120 enrolled children who come in e morning. (Some are from Muslim families, but ere's no discrimination.) At about 7 AM ey walk in quietly usually Swamiji is ere in his bright ochre robes to greet em. They wash eir hands and sit down; say a simple prayer taught to em. Each one receives a packet or two of gluco biscuit. Usually ere are oer goodies brought by e devotee-volunteers. The kids can take em home, if ey like. They are also served hot milk as much as ey can drink. Then ey wash up and parade out gracefully! No moral lessons, no sermons. Rev Swamiji believes is is a natural way of mingling wi e community, making em feel one wi e Ashrama and e mainstream. 'Vatsalya Sudha' is a small step towards e building of a healy community not just in terms of its physical heal, but in terms of its social, economic and spiritual wellbeing. Sudha is more an milk it's e Amria of moerly love, which should enliven e child, and help acquire humanitarian virtues. A child at is also immune to e diseases of communalism, casteism and anti-nationalism. The new mobile hospital was donated in a fully equipped condition by Canara Bank, and it greatly enhances e reach of our medical service mission. In a way, it's a daily Ra-Yatra of Swami Vivekananda himself, reaching e pockets of backwardness. Apart from drugs and medical care, it also delivers e message at e rest of e world cares for em, treats em as eir own. Indirectly, it serves e cause of national integration in a humble but practical way. Sri V. S. Ugrappa, MLC, talked about water related issues, e harm being caused by fluoride-polluted water in e taluk, and said e water struggle should be handed over to Swami Japanandaji. The way is religious organization is carrying on its service activities in rural India, Swami Japanandaji reminds us of Swami Vivekananda, he exclaimed. Rev Swamiji in his closing talk anked all e illustrious persons who have helped in e execution of e heal projects. (Shri S S Bhat, Chief General Manager, Priority Credit & Financial Inclusion Wing, Canara Bank, handing over e mobile unit's key) 23

24 In e forefront of people's struggle for water to a successful culmination Vivekananda Banner leads to Victory It is a well known fact at e Pavagada taluk is perennially drought-prone, wi very scanty rains; it has no river or stream flowing rough it, and any ground water is seen as a miracle. This is a major reason for its backwardness. Anoer curse at has afflicted e region is, even e available water in many parts is unfit for drinking because of high fluoride content, which corrodes e bones and joints, reducing men and animals to worless creatures. Hundreds of families continue to suffer is wretched condition, but since ere is no alternative, ey consume e same water and suffer. Their cries have fallen on deaf ears. A majority of people, bo e sufferers and onlookers, have just resigned emselves to is situation, believing at noing would ever change. However, some people like Swami Japanandaji ought oerwise. It was crystal clear to Swamiji's compassionate eyes at e situation CAN and MUST change. It was never impossible or too expensive to make alternative arrangements for drinking water, or to create a channel system to bring water to every habitation in e taluk. The only ing lacking, he knew, was imagination and e will power. In fact, several plans were announced and assurances showered by leaders, but water remained just a pipe dream, even while e surrounding villages of Andhra Pradesh came out of a similar situation and began to enjoy eir drink of water. Then what has prevented our hapless people on e wrong side of e border from getting eir elixir of life? It was quite obvious: Pavagada's needs have never been a pressing priority for e governments. struggle for water. Indeed, Swami Japanandaji's mission in Pavagada over e 25 years has always been emancipation of e masses from poverty, disease and starvation, and to awaken em as Swami Vivekananda mandated to every Sannyasin. But he did not have to confront or rub against e government, or get involved in anying political. However, e evolving situation in e region demanded at a selfless, apolitical and nononsense leader should hold e reins. Finally, Swamiji bowed to e collective wish of all e different sub groups, and agreed to lead em. On one condition is must remain a non-political movement, and be in e name and spirit of Swami Vivekananda. In 2012, people's forums of Pavagada organized a long march to Bengaluru, wi Swami Japanandaji leading from e front. Hundreds of men walked ose 180 kms all e way to e capital, met e en Chief Minister Sri D. V. Sadananda Gowda and e concerned ministers and officials, argued eir case strongly and made known eir determination to 'Stop not till e goal is reached'. The organization kept meeting regularly to watch e developments and work out strategies. During e last two years, wi e rains playing truant, drought continued to cause hardship to e people. And in 2014, as described earlier in is Newsletter, Rev Swamiji arranged for free distribution of fodder to farmers as well as supply of drinking water, in our own humble ways. This awareness spread among e masses, and murmurs grew into a chorus. During e last five years, people came togeer to demand eir due, and rallied around Swamiji to take eir fight to e decisive stage. It was a very tricky situation! Even ough he wanted to remain aloof from any activity outside his own sphere, he could not do at in e face of immense popular pressure. Cutting across party lines, people chose him as eir leader in eir 24

25 Swamiji's 'Bhageeraa Prayatna' results in 'Tungaavatarana' Early is year (2015), as e time for preparation of e state Budget neared, e Pavagada group decided to give a decisive push and again meet e CM. A huge band of volunteers and farmers joined Japanandaji and some oer leaders at Bengaluru nd on 2 March Over 1000 men and women assembled at e Freedom Park from where a procession was proposed to be taken to meet e CM. However, e administration did not allow it, but a handful of leaders were asked to meet e CM at his office. The honorable CM did accord a warm welcome to Swami Japanandaji and team and offered all e courtesies. (Needless to say, e government had by now totally assured itself of e non-political nature of is movement, and verified Swami Japanandaji's bona fides!) However, when it came to a commitment to e cause of Pavagada's drinking water, e CM was non-committal, and just said he would be 'considerate and do all at he could.' Rev Swamiji, at is juncture, took a firm stance not to let go of is golden moment, and made a passionate appeal to e CM. He said at all e previous CMs had been parroting e same words all ese years, but it was NOW for Sri Siddaramaiah, who was known to be a pro-poor CM wi sympay for backward peoples, to make is happen. Rev Swamiji's appeal had a telling effect as was evident later. 25

26 26 Thousands of people from Pavagada ronged Bangalore in a show of solidarity before e Chief Minister Swami Japanandaji interacts wi e media at e Chief Minister's residence.

27 When e State Budget for was presented a week later, on e 13 of March, e promise had indeed been kept! A massive and ambitious project to bring e Tungabhadra waters from Bellary district, down to Tumkur District, rough a huge pipeline, was announced, supplying water to e parched towns of Kudlagi, Molakalmuru, Challakere and Pavagada, at a cost of Rs crores. The drinking water project also has e provision to be turned into an irrigation project, subsequently. After is announcement was made, e Pavagada people's delegation again met e honorable CM, to ank him and to know e modalities of e project. At e CM's behest, a meeting of e delegates lead by Swami Japanandaji wi e Chief Engineer (Irrigation) was arranged. It proved to be a very fruitful meeting, wi e chief engineer handing over e official plan of action wherein it is specified at e project shall be completed in ree year s time. The C.E. also assured at he would personally ensure e timely progress and completion of e project. Rev. Swamiji speaks up before e Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaiah Furer details on e project have indicated e government's resolve to fast track is project. Work is proposed to be begun at bo ends of e pipeline, and adequate amounts are being sanctioned. For all of us, devotees and followers of e Holy Trinity, here is a satisfying feature, which was also an important precondition laid by Japanandaji: To commemorate Vivekananda's role in e whole project at would benefit millions of poor peasants for eons to come, is project is to be named after Swami Vivekananda, e great son of e moerland. Naturally, e entire Pavagada Taluk is ecstatic and grateful, crediting Team Vivekananda headed by Swami Japanandaji for is historic success. For us, however, e gratification lies in completing anoer mission in e name of Swamiji, and spreading e glory of e Holy Trinity. Swamiji's Majestic Statue Comes Up at Yashwanpur : Anoer Landmark for Bengaluru When e SVPPS Trust under e Chairmanship of Swami Japanandaji succeeded in installing a very impressive statue of Swami Vivekananda in front of e Ramakrishna Ma, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru in 2009, and turned it into a landmark, it was hailed as a tremendous achievement against many odds. Alough e statue installation was considered a task complete by itself, e Samii has continually hosted activities to see at Swamiji's words keep e you motivated. Six years later, e Trust has repeated its glorious success by erecting anoer magnificent statue of Swamiji at an important entrance point to e Capital 27

28 City in Yashwanpur, on e Tumkur Road. Swami Vivekananda stands here in e Chicago pose, inspiring patriotic and devotional fervour in e numerous men and women who catch his glimpse. This statue was unveiled on 12 January, 2015, e National You Day. This major project was commissioned wi e close association of e Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, which readily acceded to Swami Japanandaji's proposal on behalf of e Samii. Dr. C N Ashwanarayana, e Malleshwaram MLA, played a pivotal role in e entire project, procuring full official support, and ensured at it was completed smooly. The nine & half feet tall bronze statue was made to order by e famous sculptors Pal & Co of Kolkatta, under e directions and supervision of Swami Japanandaji, at a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs, while e whole project including e infrastructure cost about Rs. 50 lakhs. On e occasion, e spot of e statue was renamed as Swami Vivekananda Junction. BBMP had organized a grand function to celebrate e event, involving several important leaders and officials, requesting Swami Japanandaji to lend his holy presence. Sri DV Sadananda Gowda, e hon'ble Central minister for Law & Justice, inaugurated e function, which Dr. Ashwanarayana presided over. Sri Anan Kumar, hon'ble minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, lighted e lamp. Among e chief guests were Sri Ramalinga Reddy, hon'ble minister for Transport, Smt. N. Shana Kumari, e hon'ble Mayor of BBMP, and Sri S. Suresh Kumar, former minister and MLA, Rajajinagar. Also present were Sri K. Ranganna, deputy mayor BBMP, Smt. Shashikala Krishnegowda, c o r p o r a t o r, S u b r a m a n y a N a g a r a, S r i Lakshminarayana, IAS, Commissioner, BBMP, and Sri Lakshminarasaiah, Jt. Commissioner (W), BBMP as well as oer officials and representatives. A you rally was also organized on e occasion, wi ousands of college students taking part, at converged at e venue. Rev Swami Japanandaji in his introductory speech focused on his passionate eme of Swamiji's call to e you, giving a rousing call to adopt his teachings to build a strong nation. He described how Swamiji's words have great relevance for today's times. Songs rendered by e Vivekahamsa team created e right background for e occasion. 28 Dr. Chandrakala G. R. MBBS DLO DNB CMO/MOTC, SVIRHC Dr. M. Sayam Dr. G. N. Marui MO - Swami Vivekananda PHC Venkatapura M. S. Nagaraju Project Officer Smt. Rajyashree Satish Hon. Director Dr. Subramanya K MBBS MS Ophal Fellowship in Paediatric Ophal & Strabismology Dr. Kiri Raj MBBS MS FVR (Fellow in Vitreo Retina - Minto Eye Hospital) Ophalmologists Shree Sharadadevi Eye Hospital & Research Centre T.K. Vani Principal O.L. Vijaya Vice-Principal R. Srikantan Admn. & Fin. K. Shobha Admn. & Fin K.N. Lakshmi Project Officer Sri Sharadadevi Institute of Vision Management, Pavagada A project of Infosys Foundation K. Jayashree Project Officer SSDEH & RC Dr. Vasudha Naresh Dr. M. C. Ashwin Dr. Narendra Dr. Subashchandra Visiting Ophalmologists Narayana Neralaya, Bangalore Edited by : H. V. Vishwana