Donate a Book to an Underprivileged Kid - A Pratham Books Initiative

Pratham Books, a not-for-profit organisation, has developed a fund-raising platform to donate books to children.  This initiative termed Donate-a-Book is very active now with its first set of campaigns. The children benefited either belong to a special school, rural library, or are associated with any organization that loves reading books for children. Actually, now is your turn to either run a campaign or donate-a-book. The children get a set of Pratham Books equivalent to your donation amount. Anyone can create a campaign using this crowd-sourcing platform.

Personally, I was happy to run a fully funded campaign for the kids of special school AIKYA. We like to thank the three donors for their magnanimous contribution. For an amount of Rs.7350 raised we are eligible for 200 books from Pratham. 

The first set of campaigns can accept donations for one more week. Click here to view the D-A-B page. Donate a book now :)

Read more about the initiative here. 

AIKYA Founder Wins International Award

Lion. Parvathy Viswanath, founder of AIKYA, has won an international award for "Community Leadership" from Canada. She was unanimously selected for the award, which she received in person. Congrats ma'm. The award is a recognition for all people in India who work for special children. 

On World Autism Awareness Day, that falls on April 2nd, let us wear Blue and remember the foot soldiers who work for children with special needs. May God give them the courage and energy to continue their good work.

Smoke-Free Bhogi Rally at Nageswara Rao Park on 13th Jan

Special children of AIKYA, parents, special educators, Team Everest volunteers, Lions club members, Mylai police, and Chennai Social Service volunteers participated in a walk in Nageswara Rao park, Mylapore on 13th Jan at 7:30 am. Everyone carried a placard that had slogans about the ill-effects of burning old things on Bhogi day.

Devarajan, Lions Club President (of Chennai &Padi) and Rajkumar, Secretary of  Team Everest, flagged off the walk. The participants shouted slogans and walked the entire stretch of the park. As there were several enthusiastic health freaks walking in the park, the slogan " Burn your calories, Do not burn trash" was very apt. 

This is the first activity of the Social Responsibility Cell(SRC) of Serve India as well as AIKYA. The police, Ms. Parvathy of AIKYA, Kartheeban and Rajkumar of Team Everest spoke a few words about volunteering and bad effects of air pollution. Prema of Team Everest had taken great pains (cycling included!) to make the placards and flags at the last minute. Overall, it was a very successful and happy event for one and all. 

Anitha Sang Ovvoru Pookalume at AIKYA Advithiya Awards Event

AIKYA's Advithiya Award Function Today - 23rd November

AIKYA will honor achievers with Special needs on 23^rd November at Tattvaloka Hall in Chennai.  Ms. Kannegi Packianathan, IAS, Secretary for Dept of Welfare for Differently Abled will be the Chief Guest. People with special needs such as Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, LD  and Cerebral Palsy have a social stigma attached to them.  Society and employers always have a doubt about how the special people will perform in a job. 

AIKYA plans to honor around 30+ people with special needs who are graduates and/ or work in a steady job. These are people who have made a mark in society against all odds.  The government now gives 3% reservation to disabled people. Persons with Disabilities (PWD)  who get benefits are hearing impaired, visually impaired, and persons with orthopedic impairment. Through this event, AIKYA plans to request the government to give a 1% reservation to the four categories of disabilities namely AUTISM, MR,CP and Multiple Disabilities  recognized by National Trust ( a wing of Social justice and Empowerment) .

There are many advantages of employing people with Special Needs:

• ·         Low employee turnover – Loyal employees
• ·         Manpower willing to do repetitive work without getting bored
• ·         Honest, Sincere, Hard working, and Reliable employees
• ·         Customers would love your Social responsibility.
• ·         Government recognizes your Goodwill  with certain benefits.

AIKYA also runs a work centre that trains young adults in making products such as garlands, towels,  fancy jewels, incense sticks, areca leaf plates, xeroxing, lamination, computer skills and more.  The trainees learn filing and skills reqd for an office assistant. Soft skills like communication, socialization, and grooming skills  are also taught. Prospective employers can source trained manpower from AIKYA’s work centre too. Look forward to see you all at the function that starts at 5:30 pm.

View the invite http://www.scribd.com/doc/73087485/ADVITHIYA-Award-Function

Mouna Raagam sings Kamal Songs

The music show on 7th November started with a instrumental piece of the famous Illayaraja number "Thumbe Vaa."  Then the singers sang excellent but rare Kamal songs. When Murali announced a song from the movie "Raja Paarvai", everyone thought the song would be "Anthi Mazhai Pozhigirathu". But singer Ananthu mesmerized the audience with the song "Azhage. Azhage Devathai".

Murali conducting the Orchestra for Thumbe Vaa

Abaswaram Ramji was the guest of honour. He recalled his 40-year-old friendship with Kamal. When people ask Kamal why Raja Paarvai did not do well commercially he used to joke, " That's because Ramji comes in the first scene!".

The other numbers were Vai Raja Vai from Panchatantiram, Naan katil Mele Kanden Vennila from Neeya, and Irumanam Konda Thiruman Vazhvil from Avargal. The mimickry for the Avargal song was excellent. "Tere mere beechu mae"  in a female voice from Ek Dujhe Ke Liye was again excellent.

Vai Raaja Vai by Murali, Mukund, and Super Singer Prasanna

Ms. Parvathy Viswanath, Director of AIKYA, gave the invitation for the 20th Annual Day to Murali. AIKYA thanks Murali for purchasing 20 white beads.

AIKYA Director Parvathy Viswanth meets Murali

Online Chat with Psychologist Parvathy Viswanath about Special Children

You can chat online with Lion. Parvathy Viswanth over Skype or Gmail chat on Special needs of children with ADHD, AUTISM, and Learning Disabilities. Ms. Parvathy Viswanathan is the Founder-Director of AIKYA – Centre To Integrate the Different, an NGO that has been serving special children for 20 years now.

You can discuss about behavioral problems in children with ID, Early intervention, vocational training, and/or parental guidance. And cover the entire spectrum of queries about people with Special Needs.

Parvathy Viswanathan has won several awards such as the Woman of the Year 2000 award from American Biographical Institute, Who's Who Professional and many more. She was nominated as a board member of the Tamilnadu Welfare Board for the Disabled in 2007. She has presented many papers at national and international conferences. She has authored books on ADHD and Autism. She is advisor to many special schools.

She has organized job fairs and marriage engagement ceremonies (Naveena Suyamvaram) for the persons with Disabilities. She has conducted Special Olympics for the children with Intellectual and developmental disabilities. And two events have entered the Limca Book of Records.

So, never miss this chance of your lifetime.

Date:  19th November, 2011

Time: 7 pm – 9 pm IST

Chat IDs: aikyachennai@gmail.com (OR) parvathy.aikya (Skype ID)

Connect soon with Ms. Parvathy with the chat IDs given for an audio chat. 

AIKYA Exhibits Products at Kamarajar Hall

AIKYA exhibited products made by special children at Kamarajar hall on 9th October. This display was during the music show of Murali's Mouna Raagam. The troupe performed A.R.Rahman numbers from the movies like Uyire, Sangaman, Roja and more. AIKYA met few prospective buyers at the show. Thank u Mouna Raagam Murali.

Murali's Mouna Raagam present A.R. Rahman's 20 years on 9th October

Art Tools Workshop at AIKYA on 8th October

A

rt Therapy helps to improve the emotional well being of a person. Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy. The process of creating or making different forms of art is therapeutic. So, it is "Art as Therapy."

There are simple tools to practice Art Therapy. The common ones are Mandala, Magazine photo collage, Masks, and Art Journal. Anyone can learn or practice Art Therapy. There is no minimum educational qualification or drawing skills that a person needs. The client needs to understand the techniques and learn to use colors and other art aids to express themselves.

Entry Fee: Rs 300

Contact   : 9444960643,  info@aikya.org

Venue     : 2/9, Karpagambal Nagar Main Road, Luz, Mylapore,

                    Chennai - 600 004

Story Telling for Children on 24th @ AIKYA

To celebrate International Girl Child Day on 24th September, Pratham Books' Champions will conduct a storytelling session. The story is being written today and tomorrow by four women authors and it is about a girl who goes Ulta Pulta. What happens when she is walking around like a bat? A lot of excitement. Don't miss this beautiful story unfold in front of you in a live session. And many other stories too.

Venue: AIKYA - Centre for the Different

Date | Time : 24th September, Saturday | 1.30 pm onwards

Address: 2/9, Karpagambal Nagar Main Road, Luz, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. 9444960643/9791172475

Pratham Book Champion: Anitha.S

Entry is free and ALL are Welcome.

AIKYA initiates Newborn Screening Program

AIKYA inaugurated the newborn screening program along with MediScan and Lions club Dist 324-A5 at Mylapore on 17th September, 2011. Lion Parvathy Viswanthan, Pediatrician Dr. Sudha from MediScan and Lions club Governor Mr. Nandagopoal spoke during the inauguration.

Lion Parvathy Viswanath introduces the program

Newborn screening is done by taking  four drops of blood from the heel of a newborn using a special syringe after 48 hours and within seven days( 1 week) after birth. The consent of parents to conduct the test is very important. In India now 5 disorders are found using newborn screening. MediScan is currently doing newborn screening in 17 hospitals in Chennai and one in Ooty. Dr. Suresh of MediScan is the pioneer in India for Newborn screening.

Lion Governor Nanadagopal inaugrated NewBorn Screening

 MediScan offers to test adrenalin and thyroid levels in newborns at the rate of Rs. 750. Testing for all five disorders costs Rs.1200. Adrenalin disorder can lead to problems in genitalia developments and usually  occur due to marriages within same family. This symptom is prevalent in the Nellore-Tamilnadu border. Thyroid related problems can lead to mental disorders, slow learning, bloated body, memory loss and more. This symptom is prevalent in the Vandaloor belt. Early detection can cure an abnormality or atleast reduce the impact of a disease.

Dr.Sudha spoke about New Born Screening

In USA, they test for 41 disorders.  In USA, 1 in every 4000 children test positive. In India, 1 in every 1000 children test positive. In India, you need to increase and spread awareness about Newborn screening.

Video: Excerpts of Speech by Nandagopal and Dr.Sudha



Let us know if you need to address a crowd of 25 to 30 people about NewBorn screening. AIKYA can arrange for the event. Mail info@aikya.org or call 9444960643.

AIKYA Founder Parvathy Viswanathan Speaks about AIKYA

Parvathy Viswanathan, Director of AIKYA, speaks about the philosophy of AIKYA and their work with thousands of special children. AIKYA, an NGO, has been serving special children close to 20 years now. Parvathy Viswanathan has won several awards such as the Woman of the Year 2000 award from American Biographical Institute, Who's Who and many more. She was nominated as a board member of the Tamilnadu Welfare Board for the Disabled. And she considers it as a great honour. She has organized job fairs and marriage engagement ceremonies (Naveena Suyamvaram) for the disabled. She has conducted Special Olympics for the disabled.

Lion Parvathy organized two events that entered the Limca Book of Records. The first event was at Nehru Stadium were 11,000 special children gathered and did Yoga and Painting. The second event was on World Service Day were a mega size cake was cut in front of 1000 children from orphanages.

Battle of Buffet - Fundraising for Special Children of AIKYA

AIKYA is delighted to invite you to participate in the Battle of Buffet. This event, sponsored by Oriental Cuisines offers you a lavish spread of mouth watering dishes from Chennai’s top 5 star restaurants on 9th October 2011. It will be held at the Nandambakkam Trade Center.

Chefs of leading 5 star hotels and their teams will put together their  best buffet and throw it open to the city. Close to 4000 Chennaities are  expected to attend the event. Leading musicians and famous artists from the cine  industry will entertain the audience.




Buy a ticket for Rs. 5000 to participate. You will help a deserving child at AIKYA !

About the event

• A gala evening of fun, food and entertainment completely sponsored by the Oriental Cuisines.

• Music programme with Sri SPB Charan and Smt. S.P. Sailaja and orchestra.

• Sri.S.P. Balasubramaniam may participate.

• Smt. Suhasini Manirathinam has agreed to be the MC for the event. She plans to bring T Shirts signed by Sri Rajni Kanth and sarees from leading cine stars to be auctioned at the time of the event.

• Many Cine stars and other celebrities have been invited to the event.

For more details on donor passes please contact 9444960643 / 9791172475 . May we also request you to kindly help us to promote our cause amongst your friends and corporates. Please spread our message through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, and Blogs and support us.

For tickets and more details contact :
Tel: (O) 91-44-24612668
Mobile: 9444960643  
E-mail: info@aikya.org
Website: www.aikya.org

சாதனை பெண்மணி பார்வதி விஸ்வநாதன்

ஐக்யா என்னும் சிறப்பு குழந்தைகளுக்கு பள்ளி நடத்தும் பார்வதி விஸ்வநாத், தன் மகன்  பிரபாகர் பற்றி சொன்னது....

டிசம்பர் மாதம் மூன்றாம் தேதி, டெல்லி விக்யான் பவன் அரங்கில் தேசிய விருது வழங்கப்படும் நாள். பிரபாகர் பெயர், நேஷனல் அவார்ட் என்று அறிவிக்கப்பட்டதும் நாங்கள் அடைந்த சந்தோஷத்திற்கு அளவேயில்லை. இந்த விருது, சர்வதேச ஊனமுற்றோர் தினத்தன்று இந்திய அரசால் வழங்கப்படும் மிகப்பெரிய விருது.

இந்த விருதுக்கு தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட, பல படிகள் தாண்டி ஸ்டேட் கமிட்டி ( மாநில மந்திரி உட்பட பலர் உறுப்பினர்கள்) , மத்திய கமிட்டி (மத்திய அரசால் நியமிக்கப்பட்ட   உறுப்பினர்கள்) போன்றோர் தேர்ந்தெடுத்து அனுப்பிய பட்டியல்!!!

Role Model (ரோல் மாடல்) என்று மனவளர்ச்சி குன்றியோர் தரப்பில் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட பிரபாகர் என்னென்ன தகுதி பெற்றிருந்தார்? மனவளர்ச்சி குன்றிய நிலை என்று டாக்டர்களால் 28 வயதுக்கு முன்பு சொல்லப்பட்டார். டௌன் சின்றோம் (Down Syndrome) என்று தான் பேசி கொள்வார்கள். இது ஒரு விபத்து. எப்போது வேண்டுமானாலும், யாருக்கு  வேண்டுமானாலும் ஏற்படலாம். ஏழை, பணக்காரன், படித்தவர், படிக்காதவர் என்று பாகுபாடு இல்லாமல் ஏற்படக்கூடும் என்பது யாருக்கும் தெரிவதில்லை.

பிரபுவை சாதாரண குழந்தையை போல வளர்த்தோம். எல்லா வித உணவு பொருட்களையும் கொடுத்து பழக்கியதால் உடலின் எதிர்ப்புசக்தி பலப்பட்டது. இரண்டரை வயதிலே தானே சாப்பிட குளிக்க பழகி கொண்டான். எல்லா வித விளையாட்டும் விளையாடி வந்தான். அவனுடன் அவன் அண்ணனும், அப்பாவும் விளையாடுவார்கள். இது அவன் பெரியவனாகும் போது மிகவும் பலன் அளித்தது. 

படிக்க, எழுத, பள்ளி என்று வந்தபோது மறுபடி பிரச்னை. அந்த காலத்தில் 6 வயதுக்குமேல் தான் பள்ளிகளில் சேர்த்து கொள்வார்கள். ஆனால் 0-6 years தான் மிகவும் முக்கியமான பருவம்.

பிரபாகர் எப்படி வாழ்கையில் வென்றார்? இதோ அவர் தாயார் பார்வதி விஸ்வநாதன் என்ன கூறுகிறார் என்று கேட்போமா?