AboutUs Issue 01, 4th July 2012

1. WELCOME
The simple beauty of Service
joined as apprentice in Taj Hotel at Bangalore.
After six months of training he was posted to a
star hotel in Switzerland. Before flying out of the
country he visited his parents in his home town.
God had other plans for him and a sighting of a
man eating his own excreta out of hunger
changed the course of pursuing his goal as a
Maître de chef. He stayed back as he realized that
these people needed him more than a star hotel in
Switzerland. He started cooking and feeding 25
people initially with his meager savings and even
piled up debts. This did not deter him and he
continued with faith and people around him
noticed his good work and started giving him
donations in cash and kind. Today his non-profit
trust 'Akshaya's Helping in H.E.L.P Trust' feeds
about 450 odd people to three meals a day with
the mission “Committed to the care of the
helpless, forsaken, mentally ill, old, sick,
“F or me everybody is the same”, these are roadside destitute living and dying on the streets
the words which comes out from the mouth of of Madurai, by providing healthy food, love and
Mr.Narayanan Krishnan. Born in Madurai to opportunity to rehabilitate, thereby restoring
the blessed couple K.Narayanan and Lakshmi, human dignity”. His Trust relies on sponsorship
he pursued his career as a Chef before fate and donations apart from his own rent income
turned him into a social worker of the poor and from the property he bequeathed. Mr.Krishnan's
the destitutes. A Brahmin by religion he has work did not go unnoticed; he was nominated for
become ir-religious or anti-religion to feed the “CNN Hero 2010”award. Out of the 10,000
450 odd poor, destitute, mentally retarded and applications received he made it to the last 24
home-less. He did his B.Sc in Hotel because of three reasons… Akshaya is an
Management and Catering Science from organization run by the youth; the quality of food
Madurai Kamaraj University in 2002 and they serve; and excellent bookkeeping. Then he
Continued to page 2

2. President’s Message
Dear Friends,
Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to lead this organization, the
Rotary Mysore Midtown .
Personally Rotary has been a great learning platform for me through which I have
been learning the true meaning of life and also enjoying a great friendship. I salute all
my guru's, the clubs past President's for giving me an opportunity in the board &
teaching me the statesmanship.
I once again congratulate Raaghu, Venky & team for scaling new heights. Friends,
let us start the trek with the mountain gear & all along lets enjoy the beauty of life &
attain" Peace Through Service".
We begin the journey by honouring the great savior's-the Doctors of our club, on the occasion of Doctor's
day & also welcome the epitome of humanity-Mr. Narayan Krishnan, the chief guest for our Installation.
Thank you - Vishu
Continued from page 1
made it to the top 10 and also he received the
second most votes in public opinion voting.
Along with a few volunteers he starts the day
at 4.00am in the morning cooking breakfast,
lunch and dinner, loading and delivering them to
the needy. He has even learnt hair dressing to give
the destitute a haircut, as people don't like to touch
them. The shunned needy are hugged, shaved,
bathed and fed by him. These are his words “I
believe that unreached people who die on streets
should be cremated with dignity. I believe that
everyone has 5.5 liters of blood and we all are
equal”.
His parents support him in his endeavor and
also his sister Shwetha, a post graduate in Micro-
Biology is helping him as a volunteer. His dream
of making Madurai free from destitutes and
homeless is becoming a reality as his Trust has
acquired 2.74 acres on the outskirts of Madurai
and a home with all facility is getting ready to
move all the needy and it will provide living,
healthcare and rehabilitation.
No Government grants, endowments or
income producing projects is available,
Akshaya's Helping in H.E.L.P.Trust is solely
dependent on public sponsorship and
donation for running the program. Those
interested in donating funds or helping in
Quote of the Week
kind is requested to visit
www.akshayatrust.org. “If you don’t fight for what you want,
Rotary Mysore Midtown then don’t cry for what you lost.”
extends a whole-hearted
welcome to the young
CHAMPION of the 1. Is it the TRUTH ?
needy. 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned ?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS ?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned ?

3. THIRD EYE VIEW by sini year.
London Olympics is all set to begin and let us
My year as Editor hope that we rake in some gold setting aside ego
begins with all the support problems of the tennis players. Sania and
from my strong editorial Somdev's wildcard entry has boosted the
board and I believe that chances of more gold. Recently Saina is doing
'AboutUs' will be a extremely well and one more gold is on the anvil.
refreshing change this year. Swamiji's shishya Vishwanath is the 'saarathi'
When I was in school I was of the MIDTOWN this year and I am actively
a playful joker and I was involved with him for the past 2 months in his
also very attentive to my planning for presidentship. I can say that he is a
teachers. My convent education imparted by hypnotic guy who can have his way but he is also
Anglo-Indian teachers has given me an edge and I soft and his Ashram education is playing its role.
never thought that one day my writings will be There is a vast difference between IPP Raaghu
read and judged by others. I am confident of who steered the club to great heights with his
making a change in 'AboutUs'. Guys please be timely decision which works and Vishwa who is
soft on me and correct me in my stint as Editor a strictler for perfection. My father once told me
and also contribute jokes, articles, cartoons and that there are two ways to choose living… 'just
news. live' or 'this is the way I should live' and Vishwa
The whole year I was greeted to the daily news belongs to the latter and I think that attitude helps
of corruption, amassing wealth disproportionate him in his vocation, you just cannot make a gear,
to their known source of income, Lokayukta raids you should make a perfect gear. As I said before
on IAS, KAS babus, struggle for power in our that I was and am a playful joker I fit anywhere in
State and now the fight for president-ship has a card game whether it is Raaghu's or Vishwa's. I
started. am very much impressed with his meticulous
Looking at all this I am wondering where the planning and I am sure that there will be a repeat
common man fits in. He doesn't fit anywhere, but of IPP Raaghu's achievement and I wish him all
is caught in the wheel and is moving where ever it the best in taking the team to great pinnacles.
is taking him. Prices have sky rocketed and greed Editorship seems to be easy as my
has multiplied. In such circumstances our predecessor Rtn Dr. Prahlad has promised his
organization has chosen the apt theme 'Peace unconditional support during my tenure, thanks
through Service' giving the much needed hope to Doc.
mankind. Imagine 1.2 million Rotary members Jai Ho to Rtn Raghavendra and team for
making a change to humanity through service, success achieved.
very reassuring. I am glad that a Hero of the poor Cheers!
is installing the office bearers of the club for this
Office bearers
for the Rotary year 2012 – 13
Rtn. R.S.Vishwanath – President
Rtn. S.Raghavandra – Imm. Past President
Rtn. S.Bhanuchandran – President Elect
Rtn. R.Venkatesh – Vice President
Rtn. L.M.Manoj Kumar – Hon. Secretary
Rtn. A.N.Aiyanna – Joint Secretary
Rtn. R.Sundara Raja Rao – Hon. Club Secretary
Rtn. K.Umesh – Director Club Service
Rtn. A.R.Alagappan – Director Community Service
Rtn. Dr.K.A.Prahalad – Director Vocational Service
Rtn. N.Narendra Babu – Director International Service
Rtn. Raju Baliga – Director New Generation
MIDTOWN Rtn.T.N.Mohan Kumar – Sergeant-at-Arms
MARVELS Rtn.D.Srinivasan – Editor 'AboutUs'

4. HAPPY DOCTOR'S DAY
Every year Doctor's Day is celebrated in India on
the 1st of July to honour the legendary physician and
the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr.
Bidhan Chandra Roy. This observance fulfills a
need to show the doctors and physicians in our lives
how important they are to us and how invaluable
their treatments are that cure us. The celebrations are
indicative of the respect that they command in the
lives of their patients and thus obligate them to
fulfill their responsibilities as well. We at
MIDTOWN celebrate this day by honouring our own in-club Doctors.
This year Doctors' Day was celebrated at Apollo Hospitals by honouring Dr. Ravindranath, Dr.
Prahlad, Dr.Raghu and Ex-member Dr. Balakrishna Gowda. President Vishwanath thanked them for
their unconditional service to the society and handed over personalized plaques for remembrance. The
club secretary along with other Rotarians was present to wish the Doctors. Dr. Amarlal was honoured a
day before as he had other appointment out-station.
The honoured doctors treated us with bread sandwiches, fruit juice and apples. (We did not eat the
apples, but carried it home)
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so we don't eat apples in the club because we need our
beloved doctors.
The President's Supper and his wife Ashwini
got special thanks
Like a sailor hits the shore, our president Raaghu from him. Club
was waiting for this day to speak his heart out and he secretary Rtn.
did with gusto. Rain Gods let loose their fury that Venkatesh has
evening but the brave hearts of MIDTOWN was become his best
there not to miss the occasion. Meeting was called buddy during
to order at 7.30pm instead of 6.30pm as to facilitate the year and
members to reach the venue due to rain. All expres s ed it
members were present with their Ann and Annets nicely by giving
barring a few. Club secretary Rtn Venkatesh read a gift which was
out the years achievements in all avenues of service nicely hidden by
and also acknowledged the members co-operation Rtn. Gopal in his
and contribution by honouring them with trouser pocket. His
mementoes. We could see a vast improvement in talk was like a sea
our secretary's vocabulary, looks like by the time he soned statesman and he i s
dons the mantle of president in the coming years he future governor material for sure and he
would have mastered the art. Now the time for has the blessings of all the stalwarts of the club.
president Raaghu to deliver his speech and he did He wished in-coming president Rtn. Vishwanath
with ease. It was an hour long speech or rather a all success and support. Raaghu laid down the
heartfelt talk where he thanked all who helped him president-ship setting a high benchmark for this
to bring back the glory to the club. He identified year's president. The evening continued with a
everyone in the club for their contribution and dance program by Annet Santosh and his wife
thanked them. The club's official caterer Mr. Akshatha with some salsa and western dance.
Sridhar Bhat was honoured for his service, Some of the dancing shoes of midtown learnt a
photographer Venkatesh, office staffs Nagesh and few steps from the couple. After that it was time
Puttaraju were recognized with gifts. During his for midtown fellowship and like every time
talk he kicked his board and some members in the Midtowner's, Anns and Annets let loose their
back but we realized that it was only a humor to inhibition and burned the dance floors. Food was
share. The best club award was dedicated to our enjoyed lastly and adieu to Raaghu and the year
senior Rotarian Dr.Kanakaraj who is at present 'Reach within to Embrace Humanity'. Best of
under medical care. His business partner Naveen luck Vishu with 'Peace Through Service'.

6. Coffee&
Rasam
1. Source of Happiness
may lie in your gut Deccan Herald
2. The Ghazal loses its
voice Business Line
3. Titillating Fingering
Technique Star of Mysore
4. DNA data to trace dog
poo offenders Business Line
If you had minutes to flee a disaster
5. Cong attacks Mamata and could take only one item, what would
for 'disclosure' Deccan Herald you choose?
6. City college raises the Most people name a possession that is
bar for B.Com Indian Express often impossible to replace: their photos.
In Ishinomaki, Japan, which was
Quiz obliterated by an earthquake and 20-foot
Q.: Number of Midtowners who tsunami last March, survivors escaped
attended Rotary Convention at with their lives and nothing else.
Bangkok ? Photojournalist Allison Kwesell
traveled by bus in November to
a) 18 b) 19 c) 20 d) 21 Ishinomaki from Tokyo, where she is a
First correct answer carries a prize Rotary Peace Fellow, armed with two
cameras, photo albums, and donated Fuji
Wedding instant film. She joined two
photographers who had formed
Anniversary
Photohoku, named for the Tohoku region,
where the disaster struck. The nonprofit
aims to help survivors build new albums
– and new memories.
“As a journalist, I often feel that I am
taking stories from the victims of
disasters, war, and poverty,” Kwesell
says. “I believe such stories have the
power to effect change, but my photos
and words might never directly help the
people who let me into their lives.”
This trip was different. The team
asked survivors if they'd like to pose for
th photos, then gave them the instant prints.
Raju Baliga & Revathy — 11 July The photographers started albums for
98455 14833 them and listened to their experiences.
Kwesell recalls photographing a
woman with her grandchildren in front of
NEXT WEEK their temporary home: “She told me she
IN MIDTOWN was happy I chose to photograph her
there, because it gave her the courage to
Inner Wheel Installation move forward. She said she believes that
at RCL , JLB Road one day, she and her family will look back
on the photo and remember what they
Time: 6.30pm overcame.”