Remembering Mahakavi Bharathi on his 128th birthday

Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi's (Dec 11, 1882 - Sep 11, 1921) 128th birthday was celebrated on 11th December 2009 by his admirers.  Bharathi is considered as one of the National poets, for his exemplary contribution to the freedom movement.  Around 1906, he was writing poems which kindled the freedom thoughts of the people.  Then British Government banned his poems and he moved to Pondicherry, then French Territory to avoid being arrested.  Later in 1918, he was arrested by British and he was put in prison. Because of  his...

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T R Bhat, a visionary and pro-active Trade Union leader

PodUniversal Edition 94When we think of a Public Sector Trade Unions, particularly from the Banking industry, the image is of strikes, delay, casual attitude towards customers. The Public Sector Banks are actually at the cross roads today. On one side, many of the trade Unions in the banking sector focus only on their monetary benefits without looking at customer service. This negative approach only helps to drive the customers closer to Private...

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Forgotten centenary of legendary statesman C Subramanian (CS)

Many of the youngsters in early 30s may not be knowing about Shri C Subramaniam, popularly known as CS. Shri CS was one of the celebrated Statesmen of India, who piloted the first Green Revolution in India in 1960s. During early 1960s, India was facing a great food shortage and CS was then the Food and Agriculture Minister. He brought together National and International Agricultural scientists and developed new seeds. He managed all the opposition...

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Americans admire Dr Abdul Kalam as “renaissance man”

Former Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam visited State of Alabama during the last week of October 2009. This visit was coordinated by the law firm Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker, and Mr. S.S. Rajsekar, managing trustee of the National Agro Foundation. Mr S S Rajsekar is an active member of India Vision online group and also patron of Action 2020 team.Please watch the photographs taken during that visit and also read the report published by The Hindu.ALABAMA: The former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, urged non-resident Indians to...

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Dr Abdul Kalam's motivating speech to India Vision members - Part 1

On 7th October 2009, former Indian President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam met 70 representatives from 30 constituent organisations of Action 2020 Team or online India Vision Group at Chennai. Dr Kalam spent nearly two hours with the members sharing his views. At the end of his 30 minute speech, all the members were highly motivated with positive energy. Thereafter he spent his time taking questions from the members and guiding them for Nation building.Though only 15 minutes was available at the end of the session for taking his autograph and interaction,...

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Team Everest reaches children through stories!

Stories are the best medium of communication to reach young and old. In the early days, grandma stories from epics used to be popular. Now due to change of life style, our system is totally forgotten this age old proven concept. However story telling is an art by itself. Through good stories, we can plant good thoughts in the minds of the children.In order to revive this concept, Team Everest, one of the partner organisations of Action 2020 Team under India Vision group released a book on 26th Sep 2009, in Tamil titled "Ilam Indiayavukku"...

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Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram - A place for 'patriotic pilgrimage'

On 15th Sep 2009, I had the opportunity of visiting Sabarmati Ashram, in the outskirts of Ahmadabad. Mahatma Gandhi lived in this Ashram from 1918 to 1930. Many major decisions relating to freedom movement were taken at this place in those time. Great people like Acharya Vinoba Bhave and Miraben lived in this Ashram. This Ashram is in the banks of river Sabarmati.Mahatma Gandhi started his famous Dandi March, which is popularly known as Salt Satyagraha in 1930 only from this Ashram. Dandi March created great awareness amongst Indians against...

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Give more; Take more happiness - Dr Abdul Kalam's exclusive message to Indian youth

On 11th August 2009 morning 11.15 am, I got the SMS from Mr Ponraj, Advisor to Dr Abdul Kalam that Dr Kalam was on flight to Chennai and he would be at Chennai Airport for two hours, before he boarded the other flight. During his waiting time, he would like to meet at 1 pm, 5 to 10 youngsters of Action 2020 team, who were doing service to the society. It was a pleasant surprise for me. I was wondering how Dr Kalam was passionate about meeting...

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A tiny tea stall is the hub for Kodambakkam 2020

When Dr Abdul Kalam gave the concept of India 2020 a decade back,  Mr M A Balasubramanian (now 59) started thinking of  'Why not Kodambakkam 2020?'. He has been running a small tea stall with the name 'Bharathi snacks'. Bharathi was a great National poet, who inspired many people for freedom struggle. Bharathi's poems were banned by the then British rule and he had to live in Pondicherry, which was then under French rule. Right from...

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A Professor who inspires hundreds of his students for social cause

Many students who leave the Schools/Colleges remember their teachers for their great support towards academic achievement. But rarely, the students remember a professor, who motivated them towards helping the society, even after they leave the college. When I heard about Friendz For Life (FFL) initiative by Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry for inclusion in India Vision Group and Action 2020 Team, the alumni and the current students...

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S S Rajsekar conferred 'Hon. Lt. Governor' of Alabama State in USA

When India was suffering from serious food shortage in early 1960s, Mr C Subramanian,(popularly known as CS), then Food Minister of Indian Government initiated the 'First Green Revolution' with the help of many Agricultural Scientists. His sustained efforts saved the country from great disaster. In view of this Mr C Subramanian is considered as the 'Father of Indian Green Revolution' and he was given the highest Indian Civilian Award 'Bharat Ratna'...

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UnSung Heroes - Bhumi Chennai, a group of young students and professionals

PodUniversal Edition 74Bhumi Chennai, an organisation started by young students in 2006 is now undertaking few education and environment projects benefiting around 500 people. In an exclusive interview for PodUniversal, Prakash (President), Ayyappan (Treaurer) and Vaishnavi (Secretary General) explain their activities. They can be contacted through their website http://www.bhumichennai.org/Please listen to their interview by clicking 'play'...

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PodUniversal Edition 68India will be electing her 15th Lok Sabha shortly and the Election Commission has already initiated the election process. India is the world's largest democracy and this election will be the biggest election on the earth with the participation of 714 eligible voters.India Vision 2020 Group, the popular online group of patriots has started the "Celebrate Democracy - Vote India" campaign. As part of the campaign, we got the...

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Prof. M Ramadass - the only MP releasing his performance report annually to voters for appraisal

PodUniversal Edition 65Normally, we have heard of teachers sending the progress reports of their students to the parents and also employees in Corporates submitting their performance appraisal to their employers. In politics, never we have heard that any politician submitting his performance report to his electors for appraisal. Prof. M Ramadass, (PMK party), Member of Parliament representing Pondicherry constituency in the 14th Lok Sabha has been...

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Shailendra Kumar (Uttar Pradesh) - A top performer in 14th Lok Sabha

We have already written in these columns that there are four categories, under which the members are rated in the Lok Sabha for their performance. They are (1) asking questions during question hours, (2) raising issues of public importance under rule 377, (3) participation in debates, legislative business and budget discussions, and (4) regular attendance. PodUniversal is now featuring the top performers of 14th Lok Sabha under these four categories....

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A V Adsul (Maharashtra) - A top performer in 14th Lok Sabha

Mr Anandrao Vithoba Adsul (Shiv Sena) Member of 14th Lok Sabha from Buldhana (Maharashtra ) constituency has been rated as No 1 in asking questions in the Lok Sabha. He has asked 1260 questions during the entire Lok Sabha, while the average per member is only 167 questions. (78 Members never asked any question).He was earlier the member of 11th and 13th Lok Sabha. He was elected to 14th Lok...

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V K Thummar - A top performer in 14th Lok Sabha - Interview

PodUniversal Edition 62After the announcement of Geneal Elections 2009, we have started featuring the top perfomers in the Lok Sabha. In this edition, we are featuring Mr V K Thummar, another Member of Parliament from Gujarat. Mr Virjibhai Thummar, Congress Member of Parliament from Amreli Constituency has stood second in the 14th Lok Sabha, for raising issues under Rule 377. He has also raised more than 500 questions in the Lok Sabha using the...

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