CSS 9th Anniversary Celebration

CSS 9th Anniversary celebrations - 2nd August 2015- Vinobha Hall - Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya School

CSS’s stepping into 10th year was an enthusiastic and yet a sorrow filled happening due to demise of People’s President and Youth’s inspiration Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. This gentleman had passed away few days ago hence we at CSS dedicate our 9th Anniversary event to this Gentle Giant.

The guest of honour was Mr. Palanidurai and his family; they along with Sathish Kumar of CSS lighted the Traditional Lamp.

A two minute silence to departed souls who have led their lives as an example for future generation to aspire for, a small Audio Visual on Dr. Kalam, Followed by an elegy on Dr. Kalam by Jagadish and followed by mention of Sasi Perumal Ayya’s demise fighting for Prohibition.

The program was hosted at Vinobha Hall in Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya.

1. The Next on agenda was CSS Annual report which was presented by various team leaders.
2. This was followed by Poetry recitation and below are the Poets and their poems
1. Mr. Magesh
2. Mr. Sakthi
3. Mr. Keerthivasan
4. Mr. Arun
3. The next was a presentation by Dr. Sumatha on food which we consume and how they are related to our body’s main organs and how they benefit us.
4. A energetic dance performance by Gowtham Shana
5. Awesome duet performances  by Pritivi and Swami Sir
6. CSSians skit on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

CSS had the privilege of honoring best performing Volunteers over the year and were categorized as Volunteer of the Year and Star Volunteer

Star Volunteer - Their support is reflected in their commitment towards the team projects they had taken and accomplished over the year. They have been volunteers for many years and their continued presence gives the Organization strength and enthusiasm to carry on with many more activities and projects.

1. Mr. Ashwin Kumar

2. Ms. Akshaya

3. Mr. Arun Prasad

Volunteer of the Year - The volunteers have shown promise and also dedication to the task assigned to them. They have committed to the particular task and were proactive in volunteering for activities as and when time demanded. Thanks to you all.

1. Mr. Gowtham

2. Mr. Surya Prasad

3. Ms. Kanchan

4. Ms. Sowmya

5. Mr. Karthik

6. Mrs. Lakshmi Rekha

7. Ms. Pavithra

Special Appreciation Award - These volunteers and Corporate Organizations were immensely supportive of our initiatives like Vegam 2015, Nal Olluka Payirchi volunteering, Supporting our Nutritious Drink distribution, Sponsoring for our events and above all standing shoulder to shoulder in times of need.

1. Mr. Yuvaraj

2. MOP Vaishanv College for Women

3. Williams Lea

4. Mrs. Rekha Selvakumar

5. TCS Spencer Plaza

6. Outreach Cognizant Technology Solution

9th Anniversary celebrations Income and Expenses Report

Venue Charges- 5500

Venue Extra charges- 700

Electricity Charges- 500

Food expenses- 6000

Mementos- 9500

Total expenses incurred- 22200

Donations received in Kind

Mr. Sathish Kumar- 6000

Ms. Sruthi- 3000

Mrs. Asha Sridhar- 3000

Mr. Madhu Gupta- 2000

Mr. Praveen Kumar- 500

Thanks to all the volunteers who have given their time and energy over past one year in organising and being part of many activities. Hope to see same kind of support for this new year too.

Photo album Link:

https://goo.gl/photos/FMUkt8JFc79SizRDA

Birthday Party with a Social Twist

Want to add a social twist to your child’s first birthday?

Here is a way in which you can make a meaningful contribution to the society without any investment. Ananth has set a wonderful example for us. To celebrate his son’s first birthday, he organized a party on the New Year’s Eve (31-12-2014). The twist was, he requested all the guests to NOT bring any gifts and motivated them to donate at charity stalls set up at the party venue.

Following is the post script of the party invitation:

"P.S: Strictly no gifts. Kindly drop ur generous contributions at the charity stalls at the party"

Ananth invited CSS and three other NGOs, which were Blue cross, Tha ma ni and Ekam foundation. Our CSS volunteers reached the place by 6 PM and set up our stall along with 25 saplings. We gave a brief introduction about CSS and Vegam. We also showed pictures of Vegam event 2014. We also got a chance to talk to the guests individually as they visited our stall.

At the end of the event, we collected Rs.4,000 and distributed 3 saplings to the guests. After having a nice dinner, we started from the place by 9.30 PM. The remaining saplings were given to Ananth, which he distributed to the guests at the end of the party.

Thanks Ananth for setting a wonderful example of dedication to social causes. Kudos to Ananth and blessings to his son. Heart-felt gratitude for the other CSS volunteers.

CSS Volunteers - Akshayaa, Surya and Ashwin

Venue - 400' barbeque restaurant, T Nagar

Team Nalanda's "நற்குண ஆசிரியர் விருது"

As discussed in previous monthly meet, the Nalanda team identified the schools where we underwent our good habits session for 3 years.
We have shortlisted 2 such schools and done a survey with the students for whom we taught this practice, regarding their beloved teachers. With the overwhelming response, we have identified 3 teachers. This is based upon the opinions from the students directly.

he list of teachers are as below:

திருமதி. சுருளிமணி
மணலி புதுநகர் அரசு மேல்நிலைப்பள்ளி, சென்னை – 600 103

திருமதி. செல்வி
மணலி புதுநகர் அரசு மேல்நிலைப்பள்ளி, சென்னை – 600 103

திருமதி. வசந்தி
தியாகி சத்தியமூர்த்தி நகர் நகராட்சி நடுநிலைப்பள்ளி, சென்னை – 600 019

On Oct 13th, we visited the schools and handed over the momento, KADHAR towel, pen set and chocolate to the concerned award winners during the assembly.

Thanks to Palanidurai Sir, Venkat, Prithvi, Satish Bonthu, Tiru and Jagadish for felicitating the awardees.

Since we decided to award the teachers with REAL MERITS, our selection process included surveying among students. The whole process goes like this:

1. Students are given a Feedback form with 10 questions including the favorite Teacher Name, Reason on why the Teacher is favorite, etc.,
2. The filled forms are collected, aggregated, writing down all the reasons in a separate sheet, giving weightage to genuine reasons.
3. The teacher who was favorited by more than 30% of students were given the award.
4. In the memento given, the top 5 Touching reasons wrote by their students was printed.

Please find the snaps attached taken in Manali New Town Hr. Sec. School @ https://plus.google.com/photos/100029059227283819807/albums/6076840985291974145

Arvanaipu Team is back with a banging bash - A day with HIV infected kids

We are too excited to share the experience that after a long time we had fun with kids!

As requested by couple of CSS volunteers & appeal from many homes, we have restarted the event "A fun day with needy kids for sparkling smiles on their faces" with the approval of CSS board.

HIV infected kids around various villages of Tiruvallur district were gathered @ Annai Gnanambal Social Service Centre headed by Sr. Prabha, former in-charge of Arunaima Illam, Egmore. Delicious lunch by our caterer Kannan (more tastier than ever), fun filled games & lot more!

There were approximately 80 kids; with their parents / care-takers, a total of 130 attended the event.

Total No. of volunteers turned up: 14
Rathi, Jaishankar, Jayalakshmi, Vimal, Deepa, Niraikula Pandiayn,
Ponmurugan, Sasikumar, Almas, Venkat, Tiru, Swami sir, Charu and Mahesh

Event schedule

• Members Arrival at 11:00 AM
• Kids introduction
• They were divided into groups (Team A-F) headed by 2 volunteers each. Various games like dog & the bone, tail game, story telling, ball throw, singing, etc were conducted among the groups and scores were recorded
• Yummie Lunch (sambar rice with poriyal, curd rice with pickle, egg masala) served at 1:30 PM, followed by prize distribution for the winners & participants.
• Post lunch - A self composed song for kids by Mr.Kumaravel was launched on stage. Kumaravel, a kind hearted person, who himself is +ve, taking care of these kids with lotto positive attitude & energy.
• Dance Talent exhibits - by group of girls for famous hits songs
• Enthusiastic songs by Swami sir, captivated the crowd

Session ended by Sr. Prabha's speech and put her request to CSS in distributing health mix (MANNA) to these kids on a regular monthly basis.

Manna is a nutritious health mix with ingredients Ragi, Bajra, Maize, Jowar, Wheat, Fried gram, Rice, Green gram, Barley, Soya bean, Sago, cashewnut, Badam and Cardamom. Proved to improve the immunity (which is the major drawback in HIV patients); CD4 counts (which is essential to fight against infections) are tested & proved effective for manna.

Suggestions

1. We can fund for buying manna from retail shops on bulk basis
2. We can prepare the health mix manually;

which ever is feasible & cost effective could be finalized... Other details shall be discussed in board, further helping to decide on how we can help them

Special request for immediate attention:

1. Miss Thulasi, 20yrs - 10th pass, who lost her parents in childhood, has a small brother, mentally challenged.
2. Mr & Mrs.Latha (20yrs) 12th pass. Her husband is 29yrs,10th pass & diploma ECE discontinued.

All three need a job for their living (@ departmental stores/house keeping etc... please suggest if you know any). They belong to a village near arakkonam

Departure at 3:30 PM

Biscuits distributed by Sasi before Departure

Accounts

Cash
Thomson Reuters - Rs. 5000
Sasikuamr - Rs. 2000
Swami Sir - Rs. 500
Ponmurugan - Rs. 100
Total = Rs. 7600

Expenditure
Lunch - Rs. 5000
Conveyance to kids - Rs. 1500
Paper plates and ball - Rs. 384
Total = Rs. 6884

To CSS Account: 7600 - 6884 = Rs. 716 (handed over to Venkat)

A very special applause to all the donors for their generous contribution and we wish this continues forever...

Highlights

• Kids had enormous fun, as this was the first time they are exposed to such an event-filled day (as mentioned by Sr. Prabha)
• A song staged by Mr. Kumaravel
• Swami sir's energetic performance
• Tiru's ever green ever loving ever cheerful ever enthusiastic interaction with kids
• A special mention to Jai as he was equally sparkling jolly time with kids...I think he would be Tiru's junior in future :-)
• Mr.Venkat's support in organising groups which helped in peaceful conduction of games/managing the huge number
• Pon / Almas / Rathi / Sasi / Nirai / Vimal / Jaya / Deepa serving lunch without any chaos.

Special Applause

• Ponmurugan who has arranged sponsor of 10,000 towards Mr.SATISH'S surgery, thank you lots Pon.
• To Jai for sponsoring biscuits to all the kids in the morning.
• To Thomson team for sponsoring lunch
• To Sasikumar for sponsoring biscuits to all kids
• To all our senior members and friends who came for the day and shared their valuable time with kids.

*** Note: No photos shared considering the kids privacy ***

We hope you all had a heart–felt satisfaction in spending time with the kids. There are lots more to happen in future… Please stay on track… We will keep you posted...

Kindly feel free to share your feedback, as they are valuable for any further improvisation.

On behalf of Team Aravanaipu, we thank all our seniors for their constant guidance and thank our fellow volunteers for helping us in making the event a memorable one.

Last but not least, we conclude with a special thanks to all sponsors, and our members who have participated in the event and helped the team. :) :) :)

Vegam 2014

Venue: Singaram Pillai School, Padi

Date: February 8th, 2014

The Start and Preparation

Volunteers started pouring in from 7.30 AM onwards. All plans, sketches are already done. Each CSS Volunteer knows exactly what their role is and everyone started working on the tasks assigned to them, with occasional guidance from the Senior members. The Vegam Stand was put up, the shamina were decorated with color ribbons, Registrations Desks put in place, systems booted and kept ready, energy drinks being prepared. The whole ground was very active with the Volunteers pitching in and actively engaged in final minute preparation for the Grand event, Vegam 2014.

Around 8.30 AM, Students, Teachers and Parents started coming. They registered themselves in Student Registration Desk and took their seats in allotted places. New volunteers registered themselves in Volunteer Registration desk and allotted to different teams as per the needs and the volunteers interest.

Start of Events

At 10.30 AM, the torch relay started with our volunteers and the light was lit by our Chief Guest "Paalam" Kalyanasundaram Ayyaa.

The first event was started around 11 AM. Its a running race event and the kids participated with full enthusiasm. Everyone was cheering, photography experts shooting the images with full life, the judges waiting at the other end and carefully watching the kids, so even an error of the order of millisecond doesn’t occur and the refreshment committee volunteers waiting with jugs of energy drinks to give to event participants.

As and when the events are completed, the results are reported to MC Desk, certificates are written with the names of winners, runner ups and immediately the children are awarded with medals and certificates. Things were going exactly as planned in advance. As the events are completed, time advanced to 2 PM and all the events are halted for Lunch.

Pure Organic Lunch

The special feature of this Vegam Lunch its almost pure Organic. Starting from Salt, Rice to Vegetables and other ingredients, everything is carefully handpicked to be organic items from various states and even other countries. Yes, Organic Asafoetida was imported from Afghanistan. Its just organic and healthy, but the taste was splendid, that everyone had several rounds of Sambar rice. Big applause goes to Organic Depot for providing everyone with special Organic Food for the day.

After Lunch and relaxation, the events restarted around 3 PM. 4 track of events were happening at a time and there seems to be very little idle place in that enormous ground. The Sun’s heat couldn’t do anything to us. The energy level, the enthusiasm of the kids and Volunteers were soooo high that the Sun itself felt the heat from Vegam.

Closing

The events neared closing by 5 PM and the events were officially closed by inspiring, motivational speech by the School Principal, who supported us by providing the Ground for Vegam 2014.

Prizes for individual events are given now and then and Its time for bigger awards, “The Overall Champion” and “The best cheering team”.

After much hype and tension, the Overall Champion award was given to “NIEPMD, Muttukadu”, for they topped all Gold, Silver and Bronze than the other schools. The runner up for Overall Champion was given to "Premavasam School, Girugambakkam" And the best cheering Team award was given to “Premavasam School, Girugambakkam“.

Overall Vegam 2014 was a grand success. Thanks to the Volunteers, Donors, School and the children. Its been just a month since we conducted Vegam 2014 and we are already looking forward to Vegam 2015.

This table summarizes the achievements of each school that participated in Vegam 2014:

No	School Name	Total Of Points	Gold	Silver	Bronze
1	NIEPMD, MUTTUKADU	530	16	20	18
2	PREMAVASAM, GIRUGAMBAKKAM	295	9	11	10
3	LITTLE HEARTS, SHOLINGANALLUR	250	13	4	3
4	ASHA SPECIAL SCHOOL, EGMORE	225	8	8	5
5	SPASTIC SOCIETY, OLD WASHERMANPET	135	5	4	4
6	SPASTIC SOCEITY, TARAMANI	135	5	4	4
7	ARVIND FOUNDATION, K.K.NAGAR	110	3	4	5
8	SPASTIC SOCEITY, AYANAVARAM	110	2	6	4
9	VISHWAS SPECIAL SCHOOL, KILPAUK	90	3	3	3
10	MEENAKSHI MATRICULATION HR SEC SCHOOL	85	3	3	2
11	VIJAY HUMAN SERVICES, K.K. NAGAR	80	4	1	2
12	VIJAY HUMAN SERVICES, MYLAPORE	30	2
13	SSA Chetpet	30	1	1	1
14	KUMARAN SPECIAL SCHOOL, ENNORE	25		2	1
15	SSA THIRU VI KA (4th Zone)	25	1	1
16	HOPE SPECIAL SCHOOL, AMBATTUR	20	1		1
17	MANASA SPECIAL SCHOOL, PERUNGUDI	20		1	2
18	ATHICHUDY ADYAR	15	1
19	ATHICHUDY, ADYAR	5			1

Limca Record

Another highlight of Vegam is that it is nominated for Limca Records for holding maximum number of Events in a Single day for the differently abled.

Facts and Figures

1. 19 Schools in and around Chennai.
2. 483 Participants
3. 180+ Volunteers
4. 200 Parents, Teachers and Caretakers
5. 73 Events
6. 216 Medals given
7. Overall Expenses 82,676 INR
8. Donations Collected 1,14,400 INR

Volunteers

Full credits for the grand success of Vegam 2014 goes one and only to the dedicated volunteers...

1. Cheering team (Master. Varun (Rathi's son), Venkat's amma & appa)
2. Feedback/suggestions (Pazhanidurai sir, Balasubramanian sir, Swami sir)
3. Photographs/videos (Sruthi, Lakshmi Narayanan, Satish bonthu, Saravanan)
4. Parking (Aadhiseshan)
5. Transport (Anand)
6. Volunteer registration desk (Harshini, Nagappan, Ishwarya, Nandani, Tamil Selvi)
7. Student Registration desk (Pavithra, Lalitha, Haritha, Aarya, Almas)
8. MC desk/certificate (Rathi, Sudhakar, Narayanan sir, Mahesh, Prithvi, Sathish Kumar)
9. Water/Health drink team (Saiyasodharan, Suryaprasad, Thanigaivel, Alagappan, Dinesh, Nivaas, Shravan, Sathya sir, Bala mam, Banu Prakash)
10. Food team (Sasikumar, Anand, Paul, Sruthi)
11. Events Organisers (Jai Sankar, Charu, Venkat, Haribabu, Lakshmanan, Bala mam, Ponmurugan, Tirupathaiah, Gayathri, Raghav, Era Karthik, Ishwarya, Lakshmi Priya, Thilak)
12. Sanitary Help (Ashwin)

Outside Support - Volunteers

More than CSS volunteers, volunteer’s support from other organisations proved very helpful in terms of Volunteer strength. They are

1. The Contingent
2. Cognizant Technology Solutions
3. Thomson Reuters
4. Orchid chemicals
5. SRM college students
6. Sathyabama college
7. Women's christian college
8. Ashok Leyland
9. Healthy family fitness centre
10. Smile Web Radio
11. Many more individuals on their own interest (via from Facebook & "The Hindu")

Outside Support - Monetary

Special thanks to following organisations for their generous monetary supports

1. Cognizant Technology Solutions
2. Sruthi Lakshman
3. Chakrawarthy
4. Thomson Reuters
5. Britto
6. Balakannan
7. Sivakumar
8. Bala Sankar
9. Jaganya
10. Premkumar
11. Meeta Asthana
12. Mahesh
13. Nagappan
14. Mahesh
15. Vyshnavi
16. Shravan

Thanks to the generous donation from our supporters that we received 1,14,400 INR

Vegam Photo Albums:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.747343781957523.1073741833.560706850621218&type=3

https://plus.google.com/photos/106306275468259124452/albums/5992975631067687473