1st Virtual Certification Program at ANEW-19 April 2021 - Chief Guest Umasree Raghunath - Talk on Women & Wellness

 ANEW ...a wonderful organization working in empowering women in non-traditional employment skills and ensuring employability. Creating value and changing lives since many years. Very happy to talk to their students Certification Day and sharing few lessons of life with them today. A woman's productivity truly depends on her overall wellness and it is very important we take care of all 4 vital aspects of life including physical, emotional, financial and social wellness.

Wishing all these amazing youngsters and vibrant women a great success in their lives. God bless them with a beautiful personal life and amazing careers ahead. Thank you ANEW starwalts

Vinodini Sudhindran

Sumalini Shrikumar

Vijayalakshmi Rao

and Chitra, Anu and others for this amazing opportunity

Post from ANEW : https://www.anewindia.org/

1st Virtual Certification Program at ANEW today !!!

Inspiring words by our chief guest, Ms Umasree Raghunath ... YOU are an inspiration for all of us !

Dear STUDENTS, like ma'am said -

"Each one of your individual success, is the success of ANEW. Success of organizations like ANEW, is the success of our Greater Chennai City. If each city succeeds, our country will succeed !! One day women will no longer be waiting for reservations, but will be a productive potential that can transform the future of this Nation!"

CONGRATS and BEST WISHES to the graduating students to be that change !

#Day25 NaPoWriMo Y- Yashodhara, the Invincible Spiritual Seeker

Here remained a woman of strength

Buddha's non-impediment to spiritual journey

What the great Lord attained by meditation

following deeper practices and processes

Yashodhara acquired it by her sheer oneness

the thoughts of devotion, understanding and love

She did not have a Bodhi tree or could leave

the Palace, her offspring or her responsibilities

Yet, she was like a soft summer breeze

slowly going down deep as the ocean’s depths

without abandoning anything, yet towards her own path

of spiritual quest and enlightenment far solid

She was not just an epitome of beauty and compassion

But Buddha's real queen, the bearer of the glory

who did not succumb to Buddha's leaving her in pain

but led her life with valour and courage

She did not obstruct his quest for enlighten

but silently initiated into him from the palatial walls

Luxuries no longer matter, nor did the fancy meals

matching his dispassion for life living his lifestyle

Enlightenment can happen to anyone

not just to those give up on the worldly pleasure

Sincere desire and open mind to allow the universe

to whisper the infinity without universal differentiates

True love knows no boundaries

just like the Yasodhara’s love for Buddha

she was aware of her life after marriage

as she heard the heavenly messengers’ words

Living his simple life, choices she made

life of a virangna...facing life with courage

still doing her duties and responsibilities

She was in her own penance supporting Buddha

A real woman warrior she was, a great valour

who stood for Palace duties and parental needs

Kept her quest of learning about life

doing things that a father would do

Kindling respect and love in her child

to adorably follow his father's footsteps

Fulfilling her spiritual destiny

within the cycle of birth and death

Silently but compassionately led

the life above all hardships and obstacles

First of his great disciples attaining powers

Yashodhara. amidst the palace walls

led the life of a Bhikkhuni...a character

that not many women can adore and inspire

Wise and sensible choices proving enlighten

can come to anyone who has a quest for it

A purpose truly fulfilled of her existence

Not hindering Buddha's progress or liberation

But silently letting him do what he was intended to

a protagonist who always remain an unsung hero

#Day10 Napowrimo2020 - Queen of JHANSI- Rani Laxmi Bai- A poetic tribute to the fighter of all times

Jhansi Ki Rani….Symbol of strength, resilience and woman’s will

1

As the India was ravaged by war and loss of freedom

Royal thrones been captured and tension eating them

A new wave of freedom struggle started to spread

The thoughts of independence emerged to fed

There appeared the courage of Queen of Jhansi

On a horse, with the child in her tow and will in the heart

2

Swords and spears started to glitter in her hands

Laxmibai was talented in knifes and axes weapons too

Influenced by the valorous stories of Chatrapathi Sivaji

Queen of Jhansi was equally a terror to the British intruders

Her people believed that she was Durga Devi’s incarnation

With her fearless attitude, inbuilt attitude and power to fight evil

3

Laxmi had the great wisdom to draft the war strategy

And made her army strong and powerful to attack the prey

She fought like a man,  fierce through like a tornado

When the time demanded her raise to be a queen

Not just showering the spirit of joy and celebration

But the only hope that her people had against devastation

4

Queen of Jhansi, stood the test of time

Decorated the Palaces with the candles to light

To chase away the darkness and dispel the evil eyes

Dark clouds of misfortune engulfed the Royal Palace

With the death of her husband, the king and forbearing threat

She let her bangles go, to take up the sword for the battles to fight

5

Despite the fate being cruel and freedom being expensive

It was just the time to raise above the destiny that was unkind

To her goddess Durga, she cried grief stricken and at loss

But the next morning, she took up the life on her sleeves

Courage in her blood and gallantry in her skill

She was ready to go to the battle and enemy to kill

6

The lights of the royal palace were lit again bright

Chasing Dalhousie and his plans to usurp the kingdom

She was ready to defend the throne and bring down the enemy flag

British took over the rule of Jhansi self-proclaiming as guardians of orphan land

Rani could not hold back her tears, but raised above the fears

Took up the courage on herself to battle it out to death to save her land

7

The enemy intruders who came in disguise of poor merchants

Queen could not take up the insults of her National leaders

She did not mind the disguise of the maid servant

To poison the enemy mind and confuse them fervent

It was the moment, that India was losing the Capital

And rheostat of each state and territory from its control

8

A piece of troubled history as Peshwa imprisoned

And the tragedy of Nagpur, Udaipur, Tanjore and Satara

The enemy started to capture Sindh, Punjab and Assam

The tale of fall of Bengal, Madras shook the Nation strong

Rani let go her royal clothes and ornaments and wept on disaster

Yet, the next dawn, she raised above her fear to fight the battle strong

9

Royal houses insulted and cottages filled with grief

Women and children royally maltreated and abused

Atrocities of the British took its heads all over and over

The titles of great warriors and weapons have all been lost

Palaces captured, kingdoms broken, and royal treasures stolen

Giving way for the new beginning of the holy war of Freedom

10

The sight of Queen of Jhansi awoke the divine spirit of people of India

The sleeping courage and spirit of freedom took its new bold head

Fire of revolt started and started to get hot like a burning sun

Spread from royal palaces to the houses of poor or common folk

Sparks of freedom started from inner soul of India’s beloved

Laxmi Bai, became the symbol of hope, fearlessness and proved

11

Freedom struggle that started with Sipoy Mutiny and Jhansi

Spread its wings to Delhi, Lucknow, Meerut, Kanpur and Patna

Many brave lives were lost and laid to rest from Jabalpur

As the fire of freedom spread all through India spiking in Kolhapur

Names that were known and known as the lives kept being lost

But the hopes of Free India were growing wide and fast

12

Shunned as rebels of those times with their fight for freedom

The heavens took them with prides as ancient history to come

Greatest sacrifices called as crimes against the British Ruled India

The tales of bravery of those great men is forever captured in history

As the battlefields of Jhansi shined with the glitters of Jhansi’s swords

And the sounds of victory and faith emerged from the blood poured

13

Queen of Jhansi stood boldly with other brave men in the battlefield

With the people’s army, Rani drew her sword, with drums beating from heavens

Wounded the enemy making them astonish with her agility

Rani’s horse raced hard journey of hundreds of miles

Reaching Kalpi and fell to the ground, leaving her alone

Rani sprang ahead defeating the enemy in Gwalior and Yamuna

14

British had to fear the courage of the Rani of Jhansi

After the initial win of the freedom fighters who battled it out

Fighting furiously and moving ahead with the only hope

Of Mother India, emerging ahead with the Purna Swaraj

Then came the inevitable with new British strategy and tactic

Conquering and surrounding Queen of Jhansi from all sides

15

Wounded deeply but not giving up, she continued to fight

Managed to get through the mighty British army

But in the end, a drain made her horse stuck and struggle

Giving room for enemies to surround and attack the Queen

Rani, fought like a Lioness till the end, succumbed to the woods

Attaining the glorious martyrdom in the war for her motherland

16

Queen of Rani, martyred in the freedom struggle and battlefield

The light of her divine soul transcended as light in the heavens above

Died young, laid to rest for her divine spirit to fight for her land

She was called the Devi Durga by her people respecting her life

As she was the spirit of light, freedom, courage and inner strength

Yes, this is the tale of courage of the Queen of Jhansi...Rani Laxmi Bai!

17

We the People of India, will be ever indebted to your sacrifice

The sacrifice that awakened the indestructible soul of freedom

History will regard the greatest gallantry of war that you fought

You are the symbol of motherhood, victory and eternal token of courage

Queen of Rani, blessed is this country to have given birth to you

For you are the tale of courage,  forever Queen of Jhansi, Rani Laxmi Bai

Jai Hind!

Meeting with Her Excellency - Dr Tamilisai Soundarajan - Governor of Telangana

It was inspiring meeting Governor of Telangana Her Excellency Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan at her residence today...she was happy to hear about the work we are doing at eWIT and appreciated our initiatives. Thank you Subramania Prasad sir for facilitating this meeting and introducing me to her. Very inspiring and down to earth person and there are many good take aways from her success story....God bless you Mam'm.

An in-house inspiration called Yamini Krishnan- Journey of a College Drop Out to a Corporate HR Director...

November 15 always happens to be a day I rejoice every year.  This is the day that gifted me my elder sister, my first friend, my guide, my best critic and above all, only woman who can easily fit into my parents shoes as they slipped away with the time.   Today, she is a celebrated HR Professional and feel-good friend to be around for many.   What many do not know is the story of a strong woman behind this most-happy-good-looking-globe-trotting HR leader.

Born in a small town called Eluru, in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh to the parents who welcomed their baby girl.   Mother P.G.Sampath Kumari and Father N. Sampath Kumar named her Yamini Venkata Lakshmi  (Ya- for the star sign she was born into,  Venkata - for their ardently worshipped Lord Balaji for a child after the first baby being a breach born and passing away on third day of birth and Lakshmi - naming after her great grandmother).   She was fondly called as SYV Lakshmi in her St.Theresa's school days in Eluru and having born in the era when the ever green Hindi Movie 'Bobby' was released, she was fondly called Bobby at home.     She was the most favorite child of her grand mother Sakuntala Bai who raised us and she always used to cuddle her grand mother to sleep, sing songs along, enjoy the moments roaming around with her.   

Religious rituals and festivals were grandly celebrated at home and she was always a part of the singing team along with our father.   Ayyapa Bhajans used to have her singing her famous song 'Ayya Darshanam...Swamy Ayya Darshanam'.... Chanting Suprabhatam every saturday with our father was a ritual we never used to miss.  She was also good at playing badminton with our dad in his office lawns.   We both used to tag along with him to movies and eating out alot.   She was also part of the singing team  of State Government Employees Union Strike and went on the groove the 'Gadar Songs' and the so called 'Viplavanthmaka Telugu Geethalu' during the Emergency Period.  This tiny girl was just a daddy's girl doing what ever he wanted her to do.  I always had the privilege of taking over her uniforms, books and school bag as the school years slipped by.  She had close set of friends unlike me where everyone I know was in the friend list.   She used to keep her moments of joy and sorrow private and cherish every close friendship very deeply. 

After her 10th grade, parents decided to move her to Chennai for higher studies.   From an absolutely care free father to a disciplining authoritative mother, the journey was not easy.   Like all typical mothers of those days, we had our own share of restrictions.  We were not allowed to talk to strangers, keep the doors open when our mom was not around,  not allowed for movies and hanging out with friends,  and pocket money was very very limited to basic needs of commutation to school and back home.  Those were the days we did not have a gas-connection or even tubelights at home.   Yamini beared it all with ease.  The change was not easy but her focus was only on getting into an good engineering college at the end of her high school .. She used to longingly wait for our visits to Chennai with our father.. She used to wait for my dad's telephone call to next door Meenakshi aunty's house.   Those were the days where inland letters used to bring us updates, happiness and action items.   SCIMA soon became her happiest school where she made new set of friends.   

She was enjoying her city life until that cold winter morning in January 1992 that shook our lives like nothing else can.   Passing away of our father to massive heart attack at the age of 48 leaving behind aged mother, asthmatic wife, three minor girl children, widowed elder sister and affectionate younger sister and her family.   The ground under our feet quaked like hell.  Just couple of months away from the most important public exams of 12th grade,  she had to travel to Eluru to see our dad for one last time.   She reached with my mom after 12 hours of train journey and both of us hugged each other and sat next to his still frame watching him all the night.   Less did we know that our lives will be changed once for all. 

The relocation of the whole family to Chennai,  squeezing ourselves from a 4 bedroom house in Eluru to a single room and kitchen with the whole lot of things we decided to keep, life was suddenly changed.   We sisters used to find solace in each other,  We did not have the time or tide to even grieve as the stress of those times were high.  Our mother became more agitated, worried and sick.   Frequent hospitalizations,  managing without servants or support system,  depending on her meager earnings and having three young girls to deal with was becoming too much for my mother who was just in mid forties.   Our younger sister Jayanthi was so young to even understand the changes.  Bobby suddenly became more responsible, serious and more focused.  She used to protect us from my mother's wavering mood swings and situations.    For many years, we did not have money to even buy new clothes, go for a movie, or eat one meal out.   We had to share what ever my mother could provide us and we used to spend time watching cricket and tennis at home.  We used to do all house hold chores, keep our needs very limited and did not dare to argue with our mom.  

Yamini did score well in 12th grade, but could not get a seat in Engineering college through the entrance in government college.   My mother joined her in Meenakshi College for B.Sc Mathematics.   She used to silently go to college and come back in afternoon and do her share of work at home and help her younger sisters.   She was the only solace to show love and affection to both of us, as my mother was way too tied up with her office, home, relatives and running errands to pay EB bill, telephone bill,  taxes etc.  Remember those were the days we did not have internet banking, online payments or mobile phones.   We could not afford autos, forget taxies or air planes.   

We did have a fun remembrance of squeezing few Rupees to make her go and watch the movie 'Roja' when it got released without our mother's knowledge.  She was mad about Nagarjuna and loved to watch all his movies.   We as a family were mad about cricket.  

Life was becoming stressful for my mom.  We had lot of relatives and equally came lot of free advice's instead of help that mattered.   My mom strongly believed that she will not take loans nor will lend anyone.  She was the master of every penny she earned and spent.  Giving the right education and getting us married became her life goals.  

During my dad's first year anniversary, my mom was advised to get Yamini married.  She was just going to be 18.  Within couple of months, proposal for her marriage came in.  My mother silently arranged for the meeting of the bride groom at our place.  He was 23 and just lost his mother an year back.   I became wild.  Fought with her and argued with her.  But my relatives kept pushing my mother saying it is a good alliance and she should not give up.  Finally C.G.Krishnan came into our lives as a Young Bridegroom of the family marrying my sister Yamini when they were 23 and 18 respectively.   They looked cute, all smiles, all shy,  all innocent.   Yamini will go crazy if I share her wedding pics as she looks like a country-fruit...a typical south Indian timid little girl..still in her teens,  quite lost in a marriage that was just pushed on her and sudden change in life all over again.   She had to drop out of the college after completing just the first year of B.Sc Mathematics.   

Here began the evolution of Yamini Krishnan.    The timid introvert Yamini found a altogether new life ahead.   She  moved to Guntur with her young husband and father-in-law who had his own set of rules and things to deal with .  Krishnan and Yamini had an amazing set of friends who are still close even today.  On her return from her honeymoon to Ooty, she got me my first watch and a hat for Jayanthi.   We were elated to get gifts.  From that day, she brings us home gifts every time she travels and this became a tradition for her and we enjoy that even today.   She used to buy me clothes, slippers and books and also train tickets if we want to visit her.  She learnt cooking,  keeping up the house beautiful and hosting people and parties.   Krishnan stood by her like a rock support encouraging her to pursue her education.   She went ahead to continue her studies after marriage.   Her husband's frequent and maddening travel gave her time to get back to writing and she started scribbling in her blog 'Maddening Silences'  and she continued her poetry.   She used to knit and paint.  

After 5 years of marriage and after her niece Aishwarya was born, she embraced motherhood with the birth of Ajay.  She continued to pursue her education and continious learning.   Started her career as a Young HR executive, she found her calling in People Management.  She is too good at handling people, networking, negotiation and suddenly all her hidden talents of managing people and process started emerging.   Both Yamini and Krishnan enjoy travelling and probably she would have visited 25+ countries in the last 25 years and now handles several countries as part of her job responsibility..

The major turning point came when she decided to do Executive Course in management in IIM Calcutta.   From there, there is no looking back.  She did put her relentless efforts to learning and completing the course.  She became a magnet attracting people and became a go to person to resolve people issues in the Organizations she worked for.   Slowly and steadily she grew her career with care along with caring for her family.    Hardwork and sincere dedication made her break all barriers pushed into her way.  She had her fair share of challenges on home-front that she dealt with utmost courage and confidence.  She stood by us at all times and was our gatekeeper when the tsunamis of time was at our doors to succumb us.   She dared to call a spade a spade and she was very clear in her thinking, handling things and pushing her self to beat her best everytime. 

Despite of her busy and erratic work schedules, she used to take the next available flight from anywhere in the world, the  minute she heard that my mother was hospitalized.   She used to directly drive down from airport to Sooriya Hospital and sit with my mother and keep working and she did this every single time my mother fell sick.   She was there for us sisters and our children no matter what.  Her calls are comforting every day.   The happiness of having such a strong woman in our lives is a true blessing.   

I and Jayanthi did lose our parents soon, but this woman never made us miss them.  To her family comes first than anything.  Her work is her worship.   She loves traveling, driving cars and going on races, dress up bright and lighten up lives around her.   She is the strongest influence on my daughter letting her chase her dreams.  

Today Yamini Krishnan is a celebrated HR leader,  well-established Speaker,  amazing poet and writer,  very inspiring spouse of a successful Sales Leader in the Industry,  very caring mother and aunt, go-to-support sister and a great friend to many.   

Every woman can be an achiever.  But only few can achieve what Yamini could in life.  It is because of the few strong ethical values in which she strongly believes.  She motivates people and spreads happiness around...She brings in peace and happiness to our family.  She is drafting many a success stories of people around her.   

Writing her amazing journey was in my thoughts for long, and there could be no better day than today to jot this down.  

Happy Birthday My Darling Sister-  You are mine, My Pride...My support system...My best ever friend....You are best inhouse inspiration that we can have.   Shine bright my dear Bobby...Love you for ever....

15 Nov 2019.....

UnSung Heroes: D. Annalakshmi - A Paraplegic Wheel Chair Marathoner who braves all odds!

D.  Annalakshmi, fondly called as Annam is a young woman who has complete zeal to life.   She is looking forward to making her own imprints in the world of marathons and shortput throw.   She is seen happily quoting Deepa Malik as inspiration and wanting to achieve something for her country.   
Annalakshmi is the first woman in Chennai to complete a 10K marathon on her manual wheel chair without support.  She is now winning several accolades on her participation in several marathon events in Chennai.   She also been part of the inclusion activities and helping students of NIFT to show case their talents by bringing in inclusive clothing.

How did Annalakshmi became a Paraplegic?   Was she born disabled?

NO.  Unfortunately, the truth is that a botched up surgery made a young girl disabled for life.   In the year 2001, she complained of severe leg pain and went to doctors, who suspected a tumour in her leg.  Without proper investigations or scans, she was referred for a surgery in Government Hospital, where she believed in the doctors and went under the knife, only to be awaken to the fact that both her legs are gone paralyzed and she became paraplegic with movements lost hip down.  The GH doctors and administration panicked and destroyed all the medical reports of her surgery and records without which she could not even take up a legal battle and with a family living with poverty, she had no choice but to grieve on her destiny and lose hope

How does she manage her life?   Is her family able to help her?

Very difficult.  For almost 7-8 years post surgery,  she was completely bed ridden.  She had no hope, and felt completely lost in life.   She did not understand why this happened to her in life.  She found getting down the bed, going to washroom,  wearing clothes, managing physical changes as a woman, managing periods,  managing bedsores or possible damages to the skin, that does not heal fast without blood circulation,  life suddenly changed overnight for her. 

She is blessed with absolutely dedicated parents,  who were torn by the financial challenges and meagre earnings.   Her sisters and brother stood as support physically.   However, as the years went by, the economical burden was too high with no financial support from any government or any thing.    Her family did everything possible to put her to ease.  However, the financial conditions were so tiring that left the parents in tears.    Today Annalakshmi tells us that she has to take care of her ill aged parents, where her father in on dialysis for 3 years and still works between the errands to hospital.   Mother's eyes dwelled in tears as she showed us the only picture of Annam where she was standing prior to 2001.    I felt a lump in my throat.  This girl can never stand in her life, because some doctor botched up her surgery for no reason .

What are her moments of courage, how did she defy all odds and exhibit this braveheart?

Annalakshmi did try to end her life many times.   Her failed attempts of suicide only gave her a sense  of some purpose.  Just few seconds before she lit the fire after dousing herself in kerosene, she heard a voice within her to stop.   She felt that God surely had a reason on why she have this life.  She decided to fight back the odds.

This sudden realization to life live meaningfully, made her get up with courage and start thinking at the positive side of life.   She started pursuing her education again.   Went on to do her BBA with extreme struggle and complete the same in flying colours.   She decided to tame her body to push to do the wheel chair marathon and her joy knew no bounds when she finished her first 10 kms Wheel chair marathon.   Today she works in the HR department of a company in Ambattur.

Her Achievements defying odds!

• Participated 10 Km Marathon (Wheel chair) organised by the Wipro Chennai Marathon December 10 2014.
• First person in India to do 10 km on wheel chair without assistance who has in injured spine.
• First Prize in Shot Put Competition conducted by Tamil Nadu differently Abled Federation Charitable Trust
• Won competitions AGAPA REHABILITATION CENTRE ELECTION 18TH June 2017(First Prize)
• Tamil Nadu Para Sports State Championship held at Sports  Development -26th to 28th January 2018-Madurai (Discus Throw Second place) (And Javelin Throw Third place)

• Tamil Nadu Differently Abled  Federation Charitable Trust 17th State Level Sports Meet for the differently Abled  Persons -10th February -2018 (100 MTS Wheel chair race  Second Prize) And (Shot Put First Prize)

Her Dreams now!

1.  To complete 21 kms in Wheel Chair Marathon 

2.  To represent India in Para-Olympic Sports and win prizes in Shot Put and Javelin Throw

3.  To financial support and take care of her aged parents.

4.  Share her story and inspire atleast 2 disabled women in life to look forward and not end life.

How do I know her?

Couple of years back, she came to NIFT where my daughter Aishwarya and her friends designed a ready to wear saree for her as part of their Ability Foundation Competition.  From that day, my daughter kept on talking about this girl.  Last year, when Anna Lakshmi wanted to search for a job and take up work, she needed a mobility vehicle.    Bank loan was given for the actual cost of the vehicle, however, the accessories that need for a physically challenged person had to be done on her own cost and thats where we pitched in and got the vehicle ready by giving her the financial assistance and from there our god-daughter relationship started with her.

Her Crusade will continue:

1.  To spread the message that disability of mind is bigger than the physical disability

2.   To empower women with spinal cord injury to not give up hope and start living life positively

3.  Creating more awareness and thrive for creating more accessible India for Wheel-Chair bound

Raghu and I left their home in Redhills last night, with a mixed feelings after giving her the new wheel chair.   We felt so heavy in heart and same time felt so happy to see such a compassion and warmth and positivist in this brave-heart.  Thanks to my blogger friend Guru for sponsoring the Wheel Chair and also to my friends in Inner Wheel for support to get her scooter ready. 

Panel Discussion - International Womens Day Celebrations - Rotary Club of Madras South - 6 Mar 2018

Thank you Rotary Club of Madras South for inviting me to the Panel discussion along with Ms. Hema Rajan, Ms. Hemalatha Jhabhak, Ms. Sree Vidhya G: Do women succeed because of men or despite them ? Had an amazing experience with historian V. Sriram as moderator. Celebrating the spirit of being a women on the eve of International Women's Day at Savera Hotel #PressforProgress