Organising Committee meeting - Ripples - Chennai 2012

26.07.12

Today is a memorable and fantastic day. Under the stewardship of Mr Rajkumar I.A.S., Additional Chief Secretary for Sports today we had the organising committee meeting regarding the arrangements for Ripples - Chennai 2012. Ms Kannegi I.A.S., Secretary for the welfare of the Differently Abled has kindly accepted our invitation and participated in this meeting. Keen interest evinced by the top officials of Sports and Disability Welfare of Tamilnadu in this regard shows the commitment of Tamilnadu State Govt for the welfare of the differently abled. They promised to extend their maximum support for the successful conduct of Rippes - Chennai 2012. We are very much grateful to Mr Rajkumar Sir and Ms Kannegi Madam for sparing their precious time for the sake of our Association.

"Different Strokes" - Art show with a difference by GLRA India

23.07.12

GLRA India, a German based NGO (Registered in India) supports the people with disabilities, leprosy and tuberculosis. To support these causes they arranged an art exhibition "Different Strokes" - paintings by Professionals and Special people at Lalit Academy. They invited me for this inauguration. I went there along with my colleague Ms Sangeetha. Public can go and watch these paintings from 11Am to 7PM from 23rd Jul to 29th Jul.'12. Ms Kannegi I.A.S., Secy. for the welfare of Differently abled inaugurated the exhibition. In her speech she introduced me to the audience and announced about Ripples - Chennai 2012 (12th National Paralympic Swimming Competition) which is going to be conducted from 6th Dec. to 9th Dec.'12. I am very much grateful to her for this kind gesture. Audience includes artists, philanthropists, NGOs who are supporting the differently abled. Great collection of paintings. Velichcham TV people took my interview about this exhibition. I could meet many great artists there. It's a great experience.

My Visit to Vidyasagar School at Kotturpuram

14.07.12

Ms Ummul Khair whom I came to know during the shooting for Vijay TV programme has invited me to 'Kalakkal Cafe' at Vidya Sagar. Every second and Fourth Saturday in a month they will have this event. Concept behind this event is very great. Giving an opportunity to the challenged people as well as normal people to meet at one place which is differently abled friendly and have fun and entertainment.

I have great admiration for Ummul for her courageous and adventurous nature. Sitting in a wheel chair she can do rappling (climbing the walls with the support of rope). I could meet many challenged people there. After coming to know about me they felt very happy. They also showed interest to learn swimming. Mr Janaki Raman felt so excited when he saw me as he watched Makkal Arangam episode on me. Through signs he spoke to me. It's a nice experience to meet him. At the age of 35 years he came to this School from a rural area and strted his studies and completed 10th Standard. Now he is taking care of a shop there. Great Confidence!

39th Junior National Aquatic Championships - 2012

12.07.12

Today I went to Velachery Aquatic Complex to watch 39th Junior National Aquatic Championships. It was a nice experience. Organisers of the event requested me to distribute prizes to the winners of one event. I felt honoured. Mr Rajkumar I.A.S., Additional Chief Secy for Sports for TN Govt came there. I got the opportunity to meet him.

Are we encouraging the challenged people in sports? If not - Why?

08.07.12


Pl see the person in the attached photo with out two hands. Last year he was the champion in National Paralympic Swimming Competition under his category. Y'dayhe phoned me and told that he got Govt Job in physical education side. His medals at National level Competition helped him a lot in getting the job. My friends Lakshmi, Rajesh and Kiran helped me in taking him to the National Paralympic Swimming Competition. Great thanks to all of them.


One life is settled.

My Visit to Smt.Rajeswari Radhakrishnan Charitable Trust

15.06.12


Today I went to Smt.Rajeswari Radhakrishnan Charitable Trust, Nanganallur along with my father. Managing Trustee Mr Radhakrishnan has been requesting me for a long time to visit their Home for the visually challenged girls. Finally today I could make it. All the seven girls are from remote villages of Tamilnadu. Their parents are not taking care of them. He brought them to Chennai and  providing accommodation & education to them. He is rendering a great service. I had an interactive conversation with the Girls with the help of his daughter who translated my story (which I narrated in English) to Tamil and explained to them. They were very much inspired and inquired me about how did I overcome the challenges related to my physical disability. I told them about the visually challenged girls who successfully participated  in last year's paralympic Swimming Competition. They expressed their desire to learn swimming. I promised them to arrange training. I am going to request Govt. to provide coaching for them in Velachery pool on weekends during non-peak hours. Hope they will support.

08.06.12


12th National Paralympic Swimming Competition - 6-9 Dec.'12 in Chennai


We had our Association meeting along with our supporters at RKM Powergen Co Ltd, T Nagar. We are very much grateful to Mr Singaravel uncle for hosting this meeting. He has taken personal interest in providing disabled friendly facilities for the guests. I feel extremely happy to declare that we are going to host 12th National Paralympic Swimming Competition  during 6 - 9 Dec.'12 in Chennai. We have already requested member Secy, SDAT for allowing us to conduct the event at Velachery Aquatic Complex for which he responded in a very positive manner.


We have also requested the Director, IIT and Dean for Students, IIT to provide accommodation for the participants. They are very sympathetic and generous and promised to extend their maximum support to us. 


Mr Aneesh from NH Media Communications, Mr Deva and Mr Vinodh (My colleagues) also joined with us in this meeting. They are very much interested in supporting this initiative.


We want to create awareness among general public as well as differently abled about this event.


We had a fruitful discussion on the arrangements for the forthcoming event.