September 1.2003 Update

Greetings

Greetings from Janakalyan Sevashram This is our sixth update in 2003.
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In this edition..
ABOUT OUR PROGRESS
NEW ASHRAMS IN DELHI AND SECUNDERABAD
BEST INSTITUTION AWARD
MUSICAL NITE IN AID OF JANAKALYAN SEVASHRAM
LUCKY DRAW SCHEME
NIRANTARA POOJAI SCHEME
NITHYA ANNADANAM SCHEME
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ABOUT OUR PROGRESS
Janakalyan Sevashram has progressed from humble beginnings with one Ashram for the aged, which was established in Koparkhairane, New Bombay in 1997.

Today we serve more than 100 adults and 25 children from 8 locations across the country. From North to South these are Haridwar (Uttaranchal), Delhi, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Panvel – near Mumbai (Maharashtra), Secunderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Mysore ( Karnataka), Kovilambakkam – near Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Palakkad (Kerala).

We thank State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda for their tremendous support to us and Sri A S Madhavan of Warrier Foundation, Mumbai for volunteering his assistance in building for us a home that children can call their own.
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NEW ASHRAMS IN HYDERABAD AND DELHI

New Ashrams have been started in August 2003 in 2 cities. The addresses are given at the bottom.

Ganapathy Homam was performed on Sunday August 31,2003 at Rohini, New Delhi premises which was Vinayaka Chathurthi day, to pray for the blessings of Lord. Ganesha for conducting the activities of the ashram in smooth manner during the times to come.

The key office bearers of the Delhi committee are

Shri. V. Nagarajan - Chairman 011 - 27510288 C.29/202. Sector .3 Rohini.Delhi.85
Shri. Mohan - Treasurer 011 - 27511698 203 / Pkt - 6D. Sector. 2, Rohini. Del.85
Shri. S. Dharmarajan - Secretary 011 - 26228423 R.100. Greater Kailash. 1, Delhi. 48
Shri. S. Natarajan - Jt.Secretary 011 - 27512128
Shri. R.Ayyappan - Member 011 - 27513722
Shri. J.Venkataraman - Member 011 - 27524773

Please contact them for any assistance in Delhi. Any assistance rendered to Janakalyan Sevashram committee will be gratefully acknowledged.
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BEST INSTITUTION AWARD
Article on Janakalyan Sevashram that appeared “In New Bombay” magazine May 2003 edition

BEST INSTITUTION AWARD WINNER: JANAKALYAN SEVASHRAM

It is an idea that germinated; a wish that got realised. It is more than an Old Age Home. It is an orphanage with a difference.

It is a brain wave that hit Mr. K. R. Raman of Chembur in 1997. He realised that there is a dire need for providing shelter to the old and the destitute. So was born the venture of Janakalyan Sevashram with one inmate – an elderly lady who had nowhere to go. Soon, Raman was joined in by a group of like-minded people. “In the next 6-7 months, the ashram had as many inmates,” says one of the administrators who doesn’t want to be named. Of course, the spirit pervades the other trustees also; all of whom take pleasure in remaining anonymous. So much so, that the souvenir published by the Janakalyan Sevashram 4 months ago on the occasion of the Inauguration of its new ashram building mentions no names of Trustees. The ashram runs on their abstract devotion.

Today the Ashram situated on its own 10,000 m2 plot in Parpund village near Panvel and having its own spacious building houses 88 inmates – 66 senior citizens and 22 school growing children. The only common factor among them is their destitution. The inmates are screened keenly and are admitted only if found to be thoroughly destitute. As for the children, they come from the surrounding villages and are often victims of broken families. They are fed, clothed and sent to school at the Ashram’s expense.

That indeed is a new trend noticed in all the old age homes. They will have a section housing, who else but destitute children. Sinking life takes heart at the sight of budding life! Nothing enlivens the old and the sick more than the sight of playing, crooning children.

The Ashram can be noted for another characteristic also. It employs no cooks. The inmates prepare their food themselves. While the more dexterous among them take to the ladle, others join in by cutting vegetables and doing other chores. Care is taken to ensure that too many cooks don’t spoil the broth.

“The Ashram has a monthly budget of Rs. 1.75 lacs,” says the administrator who spoke to this reporter. All of if flows by way of kindhearted donations! “There was never a time when the inmates became desperate for supplies,” he assures.

There is proof to show that Janakalyan’s formula has worked. On public demand, they have started branches in Kashi, Haridwar, Chennai and Palakkad, the last 2 suggesting the South Indian inclination of the Ashram.

Do Kashi & Haridwar make it pan-Indian? “Some people like to spend their last days in holy places like those named. The management tries to accommodate such believers in the place of their choice.”

“In New Bombay” and “Aaple Nave Shahar” laud their noble objectives and sincere efforts of Janakalyan Sevashram and has pleasure in conferring this year’s Best Institution Award on it. The Award includes a cash component of Rs. 10,000, which is a humble contribution of our publishers on the occasion of our anniversary celebrations.
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MUSICAL SHOW TO HELP JANAKALYAN SEVASHRAM

In aid of Janakalyan Sevashram, Panvel, KEEP ALIVE organised a musical evening - The Melodious Range of Mohammed Rafi- on 4th July, 2003 (Friday), at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Natyagraha, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai at 8 p.m. The programme featured evergreen songs of the 50s and 60s immortalised by the versatile singer Mohammed Rafi in the verdant and vibrant voice of Srikant Narayan. Two philanthropists- Shri Vinod Seth, Managing Director, Allied Aviation Pvt. Ltd. and Shri Deepak Thakkar, Director, Zeus Air Services Pvt. Ltd. sponsored the event. The entire proceeds were donated to Janakalyan Sevashram.

For details on vintage Hindi music contact KEEP ALIVE Manohar Iyer at A-46, Rameshwar Darshan, 4 Bungalows, Andheri (W), Mumbai 400 053 Tel: 2630 5826 Mobile: 98205 35910 Email : keep_alive14@yahoo.co.uk
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LUCKY DRAW SCHEME

His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham performed Kumbabhishekam to Lord Mahaganapathi Temple and inaugurated the new premises of Janakalyan Sevashram at New Panvel on 23-01-2003. All our residents have occupied the new premises. The total cost of the structure comes to around Rs. 1 crore. Now a loan balance of Rs. 39 lakhs from South Indian Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai is outstanding and we propose to wipe out this loan also as early as possible.

With the blessings of Lord Mahaganapathi, it is proposed to start a “Lucky Draw” every month for twelve months, for the building fund. Any person interested in joining this draw, has to pay a donation of Rs. 100/- (Rupees One Hundred only) for every month from June 2003 onwards upto May 2004. Once he gets a prize, he need not pay Rs. 100/- any more and moreover he will get a gold coin of 10 grams worth Rs. 5,000/-. The first draw will be held on 15th of June 2003 Sunday during the Narayaneeyam lunch break. There will be 10 prizes of 10-gram gold coins, every month. The ten persons who get the prizes need not pay the monthly donation of Rs. 100/- thereafter. If a person pays Rs. 1,200/- (Rupees One thousand two hundred only) as donation for twelve months in advance, his name will be included in all the draws every month automatically till he gets a prize. The balance, if any, will be refunded to him.

Those who do not get prize at all will be given a consolation prize of one silver coin of 10 gms & one shawl. There will be two feasts next year in May 2004 on two consecutive Sundays and all the participants in the lucky draw will be invited for lunch at the Ashram

Donations may be sent monthly or in advance by crossed cheque payable in Mumbai to Janakalyan Sevashram or by money order. Our address is 14 Kusum Cheddanagar Chembur Mumbai 400089
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NIRANTARA POOJA SCHEME

Republic Day 2003 (January 26, 2003) was a Red Letter Day in the annals of Janakalyan Sevashram. Our own building at Panvel consisting of stilts and three floors was inaugurated by HIS HOLINESS SRI KANCHI KAMAKOTI PEETHADHIPATHI JAGADGURU SRI JAYENDRA SARASWATHI SWAMIGAL. Grand celebrations were held on the occasion.

The salient features of the “Nirantara Pooja” are: -

1. Any person contributing Rs. 1,000/- (Rupees One Thousand only) once in his / her lifetime, a special Pooja of Abhishekam & Archana will be performed to Shri Mahaganapathi on a particular date (may be birthday or wedding anniversary) of the donor throughout the donor’s lifetime. i.e. one day in a year and the prasadam packet containing Kumkumam and Vibhoothi will be sent by post to the donor’s address.

2. On contributing Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees Five thousand only) only once, the donor will receive Nirmalya Chandana Prasadam also on a particular day earmarked by the donor. Full Chandana Kappu of manually ground Chandanam will be performed to Shri Mahaganapathi on that day and Nirmalya Chandana Prasadam taken out on the next day will be sent to the donor along with Kumkumam & Vibhoothi Prasadam from the Archana offered on the previous day (Birthday or Wedding Anniversary).

Kindly enroll yourselves and your family members for the Chandana Kappu / Special Pooja Scheme. You can also send the money by crossed cheque favouring Janakalyan Sevashram at Mumbai through courier service to the registered office address and be the recipient of Shri Mahaganapathi’s blessings all the time.
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NITHYA ANNADANAM SCHEME

We are happy to inform you of the introduction of the “Nithya Annadaanam Scheme”, which will give you an opportunity to participate in a very noble and direct service to deserving section of our society, for 10 years.

You will have to choose a month and a date, it may be your and / or any member of your family’s birthday, wedding day or Punya Tithi of your parents or any such important event in your family. On this particular date, the Ashram’s entire day’s food expenses (Anna Daanam) will be on your behalf. We will inform you sufficiently in advance, so that you and your family can visit our Ashram and take part in the actual Anna Daanam to the inmates.

There will be a one-time payment of Rs. 5000/- only and this is valid for 10 years. At present the Ashram has about 100 residents. Every year on the particular date, you will be informed & invited with your family for the “Anna Daanam” for 10 years.
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CURRENT ASHRAM LOCATIONS
Chennai(Madras)
II Main Road, Veeramani Nagar, Kovilambakkam, Chennai 600 117 Tamil Nadu INDIA
Phone: 044-5539 2389

Delhi
Building E20, Block 230/231, Sector 3, Rohini, New Delhi 110085 INDIA
Phone: 011-27521257

Haridwar (Hardwar)
Swami Premananda Sam-Bhaav Ashram Premises, Opp Doodhadhari Temple, Bhopatwala, Hardwar 249401 Uttaranchal. INDIA
Phone: 0133-461138

Mysore(Karnataka)
1006, 26th Main Road, 12th Cross,
JP Nagar, Mysore 570008 INDIA
Phone: c/o 0821-2372236

New Panvel (near Mumbai)
Ashram- Kolkhe Village, Survey No 110, Behind Persian Darbar Hotel, Mumbai Pune Road, New Panvel 410206. District Raigad Maharashtra INDIA
Phone: 952143 220346/221068

Office-14, Kusum, Chedda Nagar, Chembur Mumbai 400089 INDIA
Phone: 022- 2528 5496/2528 2423 Contact: Sri K R Raman, Chairman, Janakalyan Sevashram

Palakkad (Palghat)
Ambals, Mettu Street, Sekaripuram Palakkad 678010 Kerala. INDIA
Phone: c/o 0491-2576615 or 2576140

Secunderabad
Plot 25, Sainikpuri, Kalyanpuri Colony, Secunderabad 500094 Andhra Pradesh INDIA
Phone: 040-27119504

Varanasi (Kashi)
B20/1-0, Sonarpura, Gaudiya Math Premises, Bhelupura, Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh. INDIA
Phone: 0542-454533
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USEFUL LINKS
A padayatra from Mumbai to Sabarimala by Sri P S Iyer an active volunteer of Janakalyan Sevashram in Mumbai is described in http://members.rediff.com/ganya/sabarimala.htm

A biosketch of Sri K R Raman the Chairman of Janakalyan Sevashram is available on http://members.rediff.com/ganya/krrraman.htm

Tour/pilgrimage schedule of Sri K R Raman is available on http://members.rediff.com/ganya/trips.htm