In servicsince
1992
Chetpet, Chennai
(His membership application is pending)
2. Dr. M. Parthasarathy
M.S. (Ortho)
Indira Nagar, Chennai-20
Probuzz…
Monthly News Letter from
Probus Club of Chennai
(Sponsored by Rotary Club of Madras )
Registered under T N Registration of Societies Act 1975 (148 of 2004)
An Association of Retired Professionals, Businessmen, Govt Servants and Others.
K46, Anna Nagar East Chennai-102. Ph:26216767
Vol 19 No 11 March 2009
1.0 The First Column
From the President
Dear Probians,
I am extremely happy to send my heartiest Greetings to one and all on the happy occasion of my assuming office as President of the Probus Club. With your active participation and fullest co-operation, we will be able to fulfill several projects contemplated during the year, and particularly, March is the month when we are celebrating the
International Women’s Day, jointly with Russian
Centre of Science and Culture. We are, indeed, thankful to
Mr. S. I. Simakov, Director, Russian Centre of Science and
Culture, for having given all the facilities for conducting the programmes, during the year and we are deeply indebted to the authorities concerned.
The said International Women’s Day is being celebrated on the 9th March 2009 and Kalaimamani Dr. Sarada
Nambi Arooran, State Information Commissioner, Govt. of
Tamil Nadu, will be the Chief Guest on the said occasion.
Dr. Kousalya Devi, Managing Trustee, Gandhigram Trust, will be presented with the Probus Award of Excellence.
Besides, Dr. (Prof.) V. Balambal, our Past President, will also be presented with Probus Recognition Award. We are, indeed, proud of her achievements at both National and International levels.
I seek your pardon for not being present on the said occasion, namely March 9th, as I am away on a very important assignment.
We are, indeed, thankful to the Chairman of the
Organizing Committee, Probn. T. T. Srinivasamurti, PP, for the excellent arrangements, he has made on the said occasion. He has been assisted by our dynamic Secretary,
Probn R. Subbaraj and other Members.
I am sure that our Club will grow in strength with your active co-operation. The Rotary Club of Madras will feel happy about our phenomenal progress.
Yours Sincerely,
S. Krishnaram Davey
President
4-3-2009.
Hail our Hefty Helping Hands !
Probus Scholarship Scheme :
Donors of Rs. 10,000 and more:
1. Shri R. K. Jalan
99, Harrington Road
… Rs. 10,000
…
Rs. 10,000
(His membership application is pending)
3. Probn G. Balasubramanian
… Rs. 10,000
(ID L 120)
Total … Rs.30,000
Note : Thank you for the handsome donations. Once you donate Rs. 10,000/- (and above), its interest will go to educate a deserving poor child from Std. VI to Plus two.
Your name will be associated with the scholarship. You will be provided with full details of the child you are educating.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
(Former Indian President)
There is not a single person on this world that hasn’t had to struggle with something or overcome difficulties at some point in life. We all face challenges and adversity.
At this very moment you may be facing one, whether they are related to money, health, children, family, spouse or caree rs. It’s all part of being alive.
Recognise that obstacles are just part of your journey.
Don’t let them stop you and never give up. Instead, think of them, as milestones that once passed, will bring you closer to your goals.
Remember that with every chall enge passed, you’re a little stronger, a little wiser and more prepared for the rest of the journey.
Remember when you last cleaned out your clothes
– closet? It was tough first, but afterwards, you felt great.
You got rid off of those impulse buys that never worked and retired those too-tight jeans that you knew would never fit into again. Remember how you felt? No guilt or regret – just wonderfully cleaned and organised.
A mental cleaning is even more effective. It’s a great time to get rid of the bad and the ugly. Throw out all your old beliefs, memories, irritations, guilt, fears, doubts and images that are no longer serving you. Make room in your mental
– closet for all the good things that life has to offer.
When you start fresh, with an open and positive mind, you’ll instantly feel energised and uplifted because all the negativity is gone. Try it!
Do you ever avoid what must be done because you’re just not in the mood? How many opportunities and possibilities are never fulfilled because you were not in the mood, when it was time for action? Whose mood is it, anyway?
It’s yours, and you have the option of adjusting your mood to serve your purpose. There are times, when the best things in life will not wait until your mood happens to be

right. There are times, when it is in your best interest to put yourself in the mood for what must be done.
If you are not in a mood to do some particular task, there’s a quick and easy way to put yourself in the mood. Simply visualise, clearly, richly and in full detail, how great it will feel to already have the job done.
The more you don’t feel like doing it, the more you will want to have it done. Focus intensely on the benefits of having it done and that will put you in the mood to go ahead and get it done.
Your feelings have a powerful influence on you. So focus them in a positive, productive direction and let them push you forward.
Courtesy : SARSWATHA VANI, (February 2009), published by S. G. S. Sabha, Calicut (Kerala).
2.0 Editor’s space
ON MANGALORE PINK &
FEBRUARY FEVER
Alas, ‘Year of Hope’ — 2009 began on a jarring note for all wrong reasons! The news papers screamed with banner headlines “Girls assaulted by ‘moral police’ in Mangalore”.
As a person, belonging to a community known as
‘Mangaloreans’, I was shell-shocked, wondering whether it was a Printer’s devil; typing ‘M’ for ‘B’. On a closer reading of the report, it was clear that it was a heinious act of a fanatical right-wing group, known as Sri Rama Sene, masquerading as ‘Protectors of Swadeshi ideology and
Hindutva’. The group accused the victims; when they profess to see them as their own sisters, for their
‘involvement them-selves in immoral activities, including consuming of alcohol, dressing indecently and mixing with youth of other faith’. They bashed up women guests at a Restaurant with bar attached, on a week-end evening (Saturday 24th January 2009), in the heart of
Mangalore. By the by, there is a place by name
Mangalore, in Australia which I visited in 1974! I learnt then that some Australian soldiers, returning from India, after the second world war, named it so. Why Mangalore, of all places in India? Probably, because of their attachment to Mangalore, with its cosmopolitan culture.
With its close proximity to Goa, Mangalore has a healthy mix of Indian & Western traditions. Especially, womenfolk of Mangalore are better – educated with a good dresssense. However, there is no code for them to identify themselves with any cult, sect, religion or culture.
Whichever dress is comfortable for them is acceptable.
Thus, a Christian lady will easily pass off as a Hindu-with bindi etal. Look at Mrs. Margaret Alva, a Mangalorean, tailored to the specification of a Bharathiya Nari of the
Hanuman brigade. A pucca Hindu married woman may even opt out of the tell-tale signs like Sindur, toe rings and what not. The same is the case with food preferences. It is common to cook non-vegetarian food, especially, fish, in brahmin households without a sign of hypocracy!
Mangalore is a town of temples of higher education. In most of the Roman Catholic families, the mother tongue is
English or Konkani or both. They are equally comfortable with Kannada or Tulu (a dialect). One may wonder then what was the provocation for the incident? To my knowledge, it is the inability of the boys to speak in good
English! They are fed with the slogans like ‘Only Kannada in Karnataka!! They cannot stand the girls speaking in fluent English. This inferiority complex fuelled their antisocial proclivity for the sake of cheap publicity.
The ruling party in Karnataka (I am an apolitical person by conviction) has now coined a new term ‘Pub-culture’. Pubs were opened, in Bangalore, by Shri Vijay Mallya, a
Mangalorean; a few decades ago! This was hailed as it afforded cheap beer to the common man, bringing large revenue to the state exchequer. The Hanuman brigade has no objection so far as it is for men only! With empowerment of women, the women became bold to frequent bars too. This is like a red rag to ferocious charging bull. The goons already smarting under an inferiority complex, had no other better job than assaulting
‘their sisters’, in Mangalore to begin with. This ‘anti pub culture’ may spread in other places soon.
Common sense says, mere presence of a person in a bar does not mean that he/she had consumed liquor.
However, this could give room to surmises, no doubt. This reminds me of a Sanskrit sloka, I heard in my school days, which goes thus:
“Payopi Shoundiki haste, vaarunithya-bhijeeyathe”
It means even milk in hands of a female vintner may be considered as a spirituous drink (alcohol).
The above oft-quoted sloka makes it very clear that our women were involved in distilling and vending of liquor for ages and this was perfectly acceptable.
However, men folk were warned against falling into danger of getting a bad name! To go a step further up, in our rural areas it is very common to see village-women drinking liquor openly and smoking beedis and hooka without any qualms. The goons of Mangalore, masquerading as ‘Protectors of Indian Culture; have nothing to do with things like Child marriages, dowry deaths etc.
As a proverb says History repeats, earlier, it was ‘braburning’ by feminists, (not in Bharath) as sign of claiming equality with men. Soon after the Mangalore incident, a group of w omen, under the banner of “Pub-going Loose and Forward Women (CPGLFW), retaliated in a noval way by gifting loads of ‘Pink Chaddis’ to Shri Pramod
Muthalik, founder of Sri Rama Sene, on Valentine Day!
The reason for this choice as per a member of the women ’s group is: “Boys don’t understand anything about the lingerie (the pink chaddi) for it is way too complicated for them, much like the women in their lives”.
Of course, Chaddis are worn by men too but are of different shade (never pink). Like wars of roses, there could be wars of Chaddis too. No doubt, history has a canny knack of repetition! The joke apart, a country which adopts different standards of morality for men and women can hardly claim to be progressive. Those who have regressive ideas about the roles and place of women in society have no right to speak in the name of
Indian Culture. Even the much-maligned Manu (there were about 14 Manus, I learn) said “Where women are not respected, Maha Lakshmi will not reside. (here lakshmi means prosperity).
Another unfortunate incidents are the epidemic ‘February fever’.
Vandalism in departmental stores and assaults of young couples (including siblings) in public places, in the name of protection of Indian Culture, on ‘St. Valentine Day’
(12th

February). In b rief, ‘St Valentine Day’ is a day of homage to St
Valentine, a martyr at the alter of love. He was executed by the king for solemnising marriages of those who were in love, against the Royal proclamation of ban of such marriages.
This appears as a classic example of ‘Western intolerance’.
The celebration of Valentine Day has a wider significance, which may not be known to many of us. Believe me, I received a ‘Valentine’ card, in 1991, not from Meera, my wife – but from
Poornima, my foster daughter, who is now in Canada! She used to regularly mail Greeting cards to Meera on Mother’s Day.
Poornima, who was in Chennai when Valentine cards made their first appearance, thought it fit to express her love and regards to a fatherly figure like me. So Valentine Day is not only a ‘Lovers’ Day’ but far beyond it in significance.
Recently, I read an article “Old India versus New India” by
Swami Vivekananda (Vedanta Kesari March 2009). Some excerpts of the articles are given below:
• On one side, New India is saying:
“ If only adopt Western ideas, Western languages,
Western food, Western dress and Western manners; we shall be as strong and powerful as the Western nations”.
• On the other, Old India is saying:
“ Fools! By imitation, other’s ideas never become one’s own; nothing, unless earned, in your own. Does the ass in the lion’s skin become the lion?
• “ Have we not then to learn anything from the West? Must we not try and exert ourselves for better things? Are we perfect? Is our society entirely spotless, without an y flaw”?
There are many things to learn, we must struggle for new and higher things till we die — struggle is the end of human life. Sri Ramakrishna used to say “As long as I live, so long do I learn”.
That man or that society which has nothing to learn is already in the jaws of death. Yes, learn we must many things from the West, but there are fears as well”.
Thoughts of Ramakrishna are reflected in a story I read recently (Mangalam, Malayalam weekly February 2009).
Socretes was spending the day preceding his execution with his fellow prisoners in a dungeon. He asked one of them to sing for him. One of them sang melodiously.
Socrates asked him to sing the same song several times.
He was listening with rapt attention. It was surprising to see a person, due to go to the gallows on the next day, showing such an enthusiasm. So one of the fellow prisoners asked him “Sir, the song you were listening to repeatedly is a very old one and there is nothing new in it”,
Socretes calmly replied
“I was hearing that song for the first time. I liked it and I wanted to learn that song”.
For Philosophers like Ramakrishna Parahamsa and Socretes learning new things was an exercise till their last breath. Here The East and The West
— the twain meet wonderfully!.
Notably, the essay ‘Old India versus New India’ was written by Swami Vivekananda in Bengali, about one hundred and ten years ago. More over, it was written by a monk who had personal experience of Western society too.
May the above good thoughts be our beacon and steer us clear, out of the choppy seas we are in now.
Reference:
1. Times of India January issues.
2. The Week dated 1-3-2009.
3. Vedanta Kesari
– March 2009.
3.0 Events and Activities
3.1 E. C. Meeting held on 14th Feb. 2009 at 10.30 a.m. at Automobile Association of South India Meeting Hall,
Chennai .
Probn M. D. Vijayarangam chaired the meeting.
The EC recorded with profound grief on the untimely demise, on 24-1-2009, of Probn (Prof.) G. Subba Rao,
E.C. Member. The members present prayed for the peace of the departed soul of Shri R. Venkataraman, Former
President of India and Shri R. Nagesh, Comedian Demise was condoled. Probns K. Venkatachari, PP, V. Audimoolam, V.P. and M. Chidambaram, Joint Secretary spoke on the devoted services of Probn G. Subba Rao to the Club.
The following new annual members were admitted.
1. Sri G. Ethiraj, B.E. (Mech.) ,M. No. A 353
2. Sri M. Arumugam, Businessman, M. No. A 354
3. Dr. S. Mathukumaran, Ph.D.,M. No. A 355
The resignation letters received from the following annual members were accepted:
1. Ms. N. Kanagam
2. Dr. S. Chelliah
A 043
A 329
The subject relating to the Celebration of International Day of Women, jointly with Russian Centre of Science and
Culture on March 9th 2009 was discussed. The programme prepared by the Celebration Committee was approved. The EC sanctioned a provisional budget of expenditure for Rs. 16,500/- with break up details.
The following suggestions were approved.
International Women’s Day on 9-3-09
Chief Guest:
Dr. Sarada Nambi Arooran, Commissioner of State R.I.A.
Probus Excellence Award:
Dr. R. Koushalya Devi
Managing Trustee, Gandhigram Trust
Probus Recognition Award:
Dr. (Mrs.) V. Balambal Immediate, IPP
Honouring of an aged person:
Smt. Kannammal aged 102 years
The program suggested by the Committee was approved in toto.
Suggestions, in changes of modalities in the conduct of some celebrations, given by Probn S. Ganesan, E.C.
Member were discussed and resolved to maintain the existing practice.
It was noted that the Breakfast meeting would be held on
28-3-2009 as given below:
Guest Speaker: Dr. M. Parthasarathy,M.S. Ortho, FRCS
(Ed.)
Topic: The Art and Benefits of Developing Green Wealth.
Host: Probn M. Arunachalam, EC Member. He agreed to provide complimentary copies of the Book titled ‘Mister
Bone s’ for the participants.
With regard to the resignation by the Probn M. D.
Vijayarangam, the President, Probns K. Venkatachari, PP,
Dr. (Mrs.) V. Balambal, IPP, and all the members

appealed to him reconsider and continue as President. He was not willing to continue as President. Hence the EC unanimously resolved to accept his resignation and authorized Probn Krishnaram Davey Sr. VP, to discharge the duties of the President with immediate effect during the remaining period. Probn S. K. Davey thanked the members and presented a Diary to Probn M. D. Vijaya- rangan as a token of appreciation of his Services to the club. Probn S. K. Davey conducted the meeting and took up the remaining subjects on the agenda.
It was resolved to Co-opt Probn T. Kripa Shankar, as EC
Member, in the vacancy which arose on the death of
Probn G. Subba Rao.
After a vote of thanks by Probn M. Chidambaram, the Joint
Secretary, the meeting was adjourned to 14-3-2009 at
10.30 a.m. at AASI Hall, Chennai.
(Based on the inputs received from Probn R. Subbaraj,
Secretary. This does not purport to be the minutes of the meeting – Ed.).
3.2 Probus Group
– Theosopical Society (Mylapore Lodge
TS) Spiritual and Philosophical meeting held at 4 p.m. on 21-2-2009, at M.P. Aanand
Matriculation School, Mylapore, Chennai-4.
The meeting began with a customary prayer.
Probn T. R. Jayaraman, gave his talk on “Comparison of
Religions”.
A gist is given here.
Religions are compared by different people for their purposes. Theoso-phists do that as a part of their work of enquiry into Truth. There are also some sincere people who want to establish that all religions are essentially the same and so they should live in harmony. They feel that religious disharmony is the cause of social conflict, whereas, in fact religion is used only as an excuse for quarrel. There are politicians who have to, after all carry all people together and get support from all sections of people and so they try to establish the equality of religions. And there are people who try eclecticism, which is taking the good from all beliefs. Kurals 355, 423 and 504 from Thirukkural are also relevant here.
The speaker declared his intention to compare Hinduism with only two major religions in the world, which are
Christianity and Islam.
The main difference that the other two religions bear in comparison to Hinduism arises from the fact that Hinduism is an open book admitting a variety, ranging from theists to atheists and materialists, while the other two are closed books and the followers are to accept only one Prophet.
Hinduism is unique in the range of its philosophy and includes a theory of knowledge (epistemology) and logic.
In Christianity, the prohibited fruit was from the tree of knowledge. Islam permits worship of only the unmanifest
God. It is blasphemy in the other two religions to say that God lives in all of the creatures; while Hinduism teaches an ultimate aim of seeking vision of The Supreme in oneself. Concept of Karma and rebirth is unique contribution of Hindu philosophy to the world of thinkers. If matter is indestructible, it has to be accepted that force or energy also to be indestructible. Hinduism teaches Yagya as the synergy between the embodied – persons on earth and the unembodied
– beings. Hindus accept that there are many ways of approaching God. It does not call non-believers and heathens or kafirs; and so no thought is given to religious conversion of people into Hinduism.
Conversion is a consequence of fundamentalism in religious thoughts. Secularism is smoothly acceptable to Hindus, whereas Islam makes no distinction between
State and Religion. Christianity talks of the need of establishing Kingdom of God on Earth. The serious interference of the clerics in the governance was opposed.
It led to the idea of secularism into State structure in the history of nations. Kingdom of God on Earth effectively means that nations should subjugate themselves to the
Pope. Some people rue the fact that Hinduism is too complicated in its philosophy and dictates, whereas, the other two religions are simpler to practice. Fact is that the vast ocean that Hinduism is allows you to skim on the surface or float or dive into its depth as you like. You have a choice here. King Yudhishthira also answers to the
Yaksha that the best way is to follow the path laid by the leaders ( Mahajanah yena gatah sa panthah ).
There are a host of other differences, which may be termed as minor. Hindus talk in terms of love of God and the term ‘Fear of God’ as religiousness is strange. Prophet
Mohammad, in his young age, was afraid of praying against the conventional manner of the Arabs because of the physical harm they could do unto him. He had to, therefore, pray in seclusion and secrecy. Even when he had gathered a few followers, they had to do it secretly.
After a few years too the hostility of Arabs to his methods was severe and there were serious clashes. The hangover of this physical conflict with non-believers has continued for centuries. For Muslims, it is not only the holy Quran that is sacrosanct, but their law (Sharia) and
Mohammedan tradition (hadith) are also held as integral parts of religion. Thus, their eating habit of halaal (slow killing of the animal) is considered a religious necessity as against Jhatka (killing animal in one stroke) followed by the Hindu meat-eaters. In the said two religions, prayers are rigid and fixed. Tolerance is wrongly attributed to the
Hindus as a virtue. This quality is prescribed only for the
Brahmins, while the kshatriyas are ordained to give two blows in return to one. Also, the Hindu Gods are depicted with more than one weapon. Attribution of this “unearned quality” on the Hindus only gives this message “you are supposed to be door mats, do not protest at anything”.
There are some admirable points in Islam and Christianity.
Love and compassion to men are strongly preached in
Christianity. Of course, this is extended to all living creatures in Hinduism. Muslims and Christians are supposed to be classless, though there are some aberrations in practice. The Muslims’ practice of five-time prayers a day is commendable. Their day-long fasting for

one month of Ramdan every year is a virtuous practice, while advantage is taken of this by the so called secular people in having iftar with them. These people, usually politicians do not think of rather fasting along with the
Muslims during the day
– only feasting is preferred.
Psalms in the Bible are excellent approaches to God.
Even the pardah system has its own excellent values, though many Muslims themselves may not agree on this.
Muslims preserve pristine purity of their Book by laying down that only their Mullahs can interpret and explain their
Book and not everyone.
While on the subject, the practice of secularism cannot escape mention.
In political field, secularism means only noninterference by religion.
For example, sciences such as physics or chemistry are called secular sciences. But this has not been so strictly followed by our political parties and the Government. We still have Hindu – Undivided Family for example. Some
“secular” practices have driven the Hindus away from the
Hindus. Example is of Ramakrishna Mission, claiming to be non-Hindus in order to attract more funds from the
Government for their educational institutions. Finally they lost their case in the courts.
In conclusion, the speaker said comparison is not a good practice, though study and learning are good.
When you declare all religions as being equal, none of them would agree! It is not necessary to be equal in order to live harmoniously.
Equality is no virtue, though equity is. We need not be the same in order to have friendly living.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks.
(Based on the gist of the speech given by the learned speaker. Thank you, Sir – Ed.).
3.3 Monthly breakfast meeting held, at 9 a.m. on 28-2-2009, at
Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Chennai-18.
Probn S. Krishanaram Davey, President called the meeting to order. Probn A. K. Viswanathan rendered the invocation song.
Two minutes silence was observed as a homage to Probn
G. Subba Rao, EC Member and Smt. Lakshmi Narayanan, wife of Probn M. R. Narayanan, who passed away on 24th
January 2009 and 27th February 2009 respectively.
Probn S. Krishnaram Davey, President, was honoured by
Probn Dr. (Mrs.) V. Balambal, PP, on his assumption of the new assignment as the President of the club (See para
3.1 of this issue
– Ed.). Probn Dr. (Mrs.) V. Balambal wished him a successful inning. Shri G. Perumal of the
Press Club and Kalaimamani Durai honoured Probn
Krishnaram Davey with a Ponnadai and a
‘Mangalapatram’ (a poem) as a token of their high regard for him.
The President in his welcome address, appealed to all members to work as a team to fulfil the high objectives of the club. He had a special word of thanks for the good attendance that day, which augured well. He took the items on the agenda.
Three Annual members present were introduced to the audience 1. Probn
Dr. M. Singaravelu (ID A 352), Additional Chief Engineer
T.N.E.B. (Retd.)
2. Probn Er. G. Ethiraj (ID A 353), General Manager,
Bharath Heavy Electricals, Trichy (Retd.). 3. Probn
Dr. S. Muthukumaran, Ph.D. (ID A 355) former Registrar of
Anna University (Technical University) and former
Vice Chancellor of Bharathidasan University. All of them spoke briefly by way of introducing themselves. Probn M. Arumugam
(ID A 354), a businessman by profession, could not attend that day.
Probn R. Subbaraj, Secretary, briefed the audience on the programme for the next monthly breakfast meeting on 28th March 2009. The Guest speaker would be Dr. M. Partha- sarathi, M.S. (Ortho), F.R.C.S. (Edin), Founder of Modern
Orthocare. He would speak on “The Art and Benefits of
Developing GREEN WEALTH”. Probn M. Arunachalam,
EC Member, had kindly come forward, not only to host the breakfast, but also to distribute a book ‘Mr. Bones’, authored by Dr. M. Parthasarathy, the
Guest speaker at meeting. (Please see invitation attached
– Ed.).
Probn T. Kripa Shankar, Managing Trustee, an EC
Member, of Santha Kripa Shankar Charitable Trust,
Chennai handed over a cheque for Rs. 10,000/- to Master
B. Athiban, International Master (Chess), an awardee of
Probus award of excellence 2008, as a gesture of encouragement of this promising
– world champion.
Probn R. Subbaraj, Secretary, announced the names of three donors who contributed, Rs. 10,000/- each, towards the Probus scholarship scheme viz 1. Shri R. K. Jalan, an industrialist, Chennai, 2. Dr. M. Parthasarathy, an
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Chennai and
3. Probn G. Balasubramanian, life member (ID L 120).
This was received with a big ovation.
Probn T. T. Srinivasamurthi, PP, President of the organisation com-mittee, briefed the audience on the programme of the ensuing International Women’s Day (9th
March 2009) which was approved earlier by the EC on
14-2-2009.
Probn S. Krishnaram Davey, President, formally introduced the guest speaker of the day, Dr. P. Pandian,
I.A.S. (Retd.) and requested Probn K. Venkatachari, PP, to read out the bio-data of Dr. P. Pandian.
Dr. P. Pandian, M.A., BT, D.Litt, FIPA (USA), retired from Indian
Adminis-trative Service, as Joint Secretary to Tamil Nadu
Government (Health), after serving as Panchayat Union
Commissioner and District Collector.
He had a flair for writing and started contributing articles, plays, essays etc. to leading journals and dailies, right from the age of twelve under pseudonym ‘Poet Bacon’ and ‘Kavi-yogi Bacon’.
In his literary career, he was closely connected with great Tamil savants like Avvai Duraisamy, Bharathidasan, Kannadasan,
V.S.P. Manickam, Navalar Somasundaram Bharathi.
His magnum opus is CULAMANI
(in two volumes), a translation of post-sangam literature. He translated Sangam literature into English

such as Manimekalai, Valayapati, Kuntalakesi etc. translated into Tamil, GITANJALI of Rabindranath
Tagore.
He
He has written lyrics of songs sung by top-rung musicians like Dr. Bala-muralikrishna, Smt. Vani Jayaram,
Smt. Nithyashree Mahadevan, to name a few. CD’s and cassettes of which, about fifteen, are available in musical
4. shops.
As a poet, he has chaired hundreds of ‘Kavi Sammelanams’.
As a writer, he has authored about 100 books, 41 of which have been published.By way of introduction, Dr. Pandian said that he would be more keen to interact with the highlyknowledgeable elderly people before him to a long speech that day. Thus, it was more like a lecture-demonstration of yoga, pranayama and such exercises which are tools to keep one fit physically and mentally. The learned speaker stressed that human life is the highest among all creations of
God and as such it is imperative that one makes use of the blessing by preserving physical and mental wellness. He added that sublimation of EGO is a primary necessity for a lasting of peace of mind and quoted extensively from scriptures like Thirumanthiram. This is the key to holistic living.
The learned speaker was presented with a memento (2 books).
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Probn M.
Chidambaram, Joint Secretary, with a special word for
Probn J. Ramavadhani, who hosted the breakfast that day.
(Partly based on the input received from Probn R.
Subbaraj, Secretary
– Ed.).
4.0 Sunshine Fund
1. J.W.R. Livingstone
(Spouse’s Birthday)
100
2. Major Genl. Aban Naidu 1,000
PVSM, AVSM, M-in-D
(His Birthday)
3. Mrs. Suganthi Premkumar 250
2.
3.
(Not specified)
4. S. Ranganatha Rao
(His Wedding Anniversary)
5. S. Ranganatha Rao
(Spouse’s Birthday)
5.0 Donations in Kind
1.Donee:
202
101
Udhavum Karangal
460, NSK Nagar, Arumbakkam,Chennai-106
Donors:
(i)Members of Probus Club –
A below.
(ii)Probn S. Ganesan,EC Member
–
B below.
Details:
A.
(i)
Assorted Women’s dress like churidars – 33 items – 1 lot.
(ii) Men’s dress like pants shirts and ‘T’ Shirts – 11 items
– 1 lot.
(iii) Kid’s dress – 28 Items and
21 items
– 2 lots.
(iv) Sundry items like bags and spectacle cases – 1 lot.
B.
Old clothes about 100 Nos comprising of sarees, salwars, pants shirts etc. collected by Mrs. Ganesan.
Despatch details:
Item A by Probn K. Venkatachari, PP, on 2-3-2009.
Item B by Probn S. Ganesan, EC member on 11-2-2009.
Thank you, dear donors, for your generosity
– Ed.
6.0 Welcome new members
Annual Members
1.
Ethiraj, G. Probn, Former GM, BHEL, Trichy, DOB: 18-09-
8.0
1935, Spouse: Kamala Ethiraj Mrs, Spouse Birth
Anniversary: 22-11-1935, Wedding Anniversary: 20-08-
1958, Res: A1, Rams Maruthi Apts, Muthalamman Koil
Street, West Mambalam, Chennai-33, Ph: 98840 33257,
ID: A 353, Introduced by Probn PP R. Manickam.
2. Muthukumaran, S. Dr. Probn, Former, Professor and
Registrar Anna University, DOB: 19-05-1931, Spouse:
Rathnavathy Muthu-kumaran Mrs., DOB: 14-07-1936, WD:
08-07-1957, Res: T 64 A, 32nd Cross Street, Besant
Nagar, Chennai-90, Ph: 2491 4270, E-mail: vsmuthumuthukumaran@yahoo.com, ID: A 355,
Introduced by Probn Subbaraj, R. Secretary.
7.0 Bereavement
7.1
Prabhakaran’s mother passed away on 25th January 2009 at Hyderabad due to Cardiac arrest.
Our heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
7.2 demise of Smt. Lakshmi Narayanan w/o Probian M. R.
Narayanan (L 082) on 25th February 09 afternoon due to
Cardiac arrest.
We condole her death and pray that her soul rest in peace.
Condolence messages from members on the demise of
Mrs. Lakshmi Narayanan, wife of Probn M. R. Narayanan
8.1
Narayanan passed away on February 27th, please convey our heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
Probn R. A. Srinivasan.
8.2
8.3
We are sorry to inform that Probn Mrs. Rama
We are sorry to inform about the sad and sudden
My wife and I are very sad to hear that Mrs. Lakshmi
–
Kindly convey my condolences to the Narayanan family.
– Probn Dr. Divakaran, S.
I am sorry to inform about the sad and sudden demise of Smt. Lakshmi Narayanan w/o
Probian M. R. Narayanan (L 082), on 25th afternoon due to cardiac arrest. Probn Narayanan was away in
Bangalore and returned back home on 25th afternoon around 3 p.m. to be informed that his wife passed away at
2.45 p.m. suddenly. She who was very much normal, complained of some uneasiness after her lunch and suddenly collapsed and breathed her last. Her brother was by her side then. I visited Mr. Narayanan and conveyed our condolence. The cremation took place on

27th, on arrival of their sons and daughter from U.S.
–
Probn V. Hariharan, Treasurer.
8.4 Thank you for the information.
I convey my heart felt condolence to Probn Narayanan and his family members. He is one of the very active and early members of the Probus.
Our respectful homage to the departed soul. – Probn Capt.
M. Singaraja, PP.
9.0 Felicitations
9.1 Probns having birth anniversary in Apr 09
No Name of the Probn
1 Sri Ram N C
2 Venkataraman S ,
3 Venkateswaran C N
4 Krishnaram
Davey S
5 Seetharaman K A
6 Sarada Menon Dr
M. Ms.
7 Abdul Khader M M
8 Balasubramaniam
K
BA
1
1
1
3
3
5
6
8
Ph NO
24743106
24954085,
24420236
24341334
24817896,
2641 2697.
2434 4394
24992474,
24996272
9 Viswanthan V S
10 Jambunathan B R
.
11 Vaidyanathan. S.
8
9
9
22530534
24988586
24994401
12 Manickam R
13 Sankaran Nayar
P T .
14 Ambrose S P .
15 Rangabashyam
P G
16 Rama
Prabhakaran, Dr,
10
10
11
11
12
17 Balasundaram K 15
28279328
26203057
24916494
42867423
9840014000
2441 2612
22250643,
9962664496
42845354 18 Srinivasan R 15
19
20 Venkataraman S
15
15
24617846
24981476
21 Ramachandran
P L
16
22 Ragavendra Rao, J 18
2528028310,
98409 95384
23 Pattabiramen P 19 26203201/02
24 Ramakrishnan V 19
25 Sarma, Prof.R.H 20
26 Sundararajan R 20
27 Balambal V Dr. 22
28 Ranjini Murugan s 23
29 Rajagopalan T 24
30 Kishore R B .
31 Pulliah C K
25
26
28281112
22522704
24983033
2483 8806
24992909,
26151652
28155810
24981406
9.2 Probus Spouses having Birth Anniversary (BA) in Apr 09
No BA Ph No
1
Name of the
Probus Spouse
Shantha
Ranganathan Mrs
1 26153485,
2 3
3
4
5
6
Nagalakshmi
Lakshmanan Mrs
Anandhi
Narayanan Mrs
Vedavalli
Srinivasan Mrs.
Manimekalai chelliah Mrs
Rajalakshmi
Ramamurthy Mrs.
4
4
6
7
24956802,
94446 48818
24418554
28341599
26613286
24941711
7 10 24617846
8
9
10
11
12
13
Rani Venkatasubra- manian Mrs.
Vijaya Venkatara- manan Mrs.
Rukmani
Masilamani
Jayakumari
Pasupathy Mrs
Jayalakshmi
Ramasubramania n Mrs.
Asha Latha
Augustine Dr
Seetha Kishore
Mrs.
13
13
13
15
16
17
24996904,
22421853
24344740
24614364
65295049
28155810

14
15
Rajeswari
Srinivasan Mrs
Lakshmi
Sundaram Mrs
18
18
26426123
28474491
9
Sundararajan M S Mr
Ramesh K probn &
Lalitha Ramesh Mrs
20 42857432
16
17
18
19
20
Sarada
Vaidyanathan
Jayalakshmi
Subramaniam Mrs
Bharatha lakshmi Raja sankarMrs
Kalyani. Ganesan
Mrs
Bharathi
Divakaran Mrs.
19
19
20
21
22
24994401
24452056
24342329
2493 6825
80--25633882
10
11
12
13
14
Seetharaman K A
Probn & Pushkala
Seetharaman Mrs
Sundaram G IAS (Retd )
Probn & Lakshmi
Sundaram Mrs
Gnanasambandam P
Probn & Pitchammal
Gnanasambandam Mrs
Pasupathy S M probn &
Jayakumari Pasupathy
Mrs
Livingstone J W R Probn
.& Saramma Livingstone
22 24817896,
984007695
23
24
25
26
2
28474491
24918553,
9840193551
24344740
22270076
9444940075
21 Shantha L Iyer Mrs 25 24992329
22
23
24
NO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Lalitha Jambu
Nathan Mrs
Kalyani Narayan
Mrs
Shyamala Sanjeevi
Mrs
9.3 Probus Couples having Wedding anniversary in
April 2009
Name of Probn and
Probus Spouse
Chidambaram M
Probn &Rajareka
Chidambaram Mrs
Ramasubramanian R &
Jayalakshmi
Ramasubramanian Mrs
Srinivasan T G Probn &
Rajeswari Srinivasan Mrs
Padmanahan K S Rtn
Probn & Chandra
Padma- nabhan Mrs.
Swaminathan V G
Probn &Sharada
Swaminathan Mrs
Doraiswamy P K IAS
(Retd) Probn& Uma
Doraiswamy Mrs
Jamuna Rama- subramaniam Mrs. Dr
Probn & Rama- subramaniam T D Mr
Geetha Sundara- rajan
Mrs Probn &
29
30
30
BA
4
7
11
24988586
24483645
Ph no
28116465
24614364
26426123
12 26446011
14
15
16
17
28476419,
9444024038
28141140
24914555
24341044,
24347450
28474539
15
16
17
Diwakaran S Dr Prof
Probn & Bharathi
Diwakaran Mrs
Venkataraman S ,
Probn Bagheerathi
Venkataraman Mrs
Rama Rao T S K
Probn & Sulochana
Rama Rao Mrs.
27
29
30
80--
25633882
24954085,
2495 4123
24994430
Wish you all many happy returns of the day. May God bless you all with good health, happiness and a peaceful life. Probn D. Sugunaraj, will be sending, Probus greetings to all the above. (Thank you, Probn Sugunaraj – Ed).
Kindly donate to our Sunshine fund generously – Ed.
10.0 News for Tamil Nadu State Govt., T.N.E.B. Servants &
Central Govt. Servants
1. Govt. orders on DA hike and pension:
Central Govt. Employees’ DA hiked
IANS
The cabinet approved a six per cent hike in the dearness allowance paid to Central Government Employees & Pensioners, entailing additional expenditure of Rs. 6,020 crore (Rs. 60 billion) till
March 31, 2010. This will be effective from 1-1-2009.
2. Interim payment to TNEB Emplo-yees, pensioners and family pensioners:
TNEB orders payment of lump sum to TNEB Pensioners and family pensioners as an interim payment pending pay panel report:
(Per) BP (FB)-No. 3 dated 13-2-09
The TNEB direct that pensioners/family pensioners/exgratia beneficiaries as on 1-1-09 be paid a sum of Rs. 4,000/- being the consolidated lump sum. The above said sum is adjustable against the benefit of

revision of pension due from 1-1-2006 and fixation of pay in the revised scale of pay due from 1-12-07.
3. Tamil Nadu Govt. sanctions interim payment to pensioners & family pensioners
Extract from G. O. Ms. No. 11, Dated 13th January, 2009.
Interim payment to TN employees, Pensioners and
Family pensioners.
The Official Committee has recom-mended to grant three months Pension + Dearness Pension + Dearness
Allowance as on 1-1-2009 as Interim Arrear amount to all
Pensioners including Family pensioners. The Government has carefully examined the recommendation of the Official Committee and decided to accept it. Accordingly, Government direct that an Interim Arrear amount of three months Pension +
Dearness Pension + Dearness allowance as on 1-1-2009 be sanctioned to all pensioners including family pensioners as on 1-1-2009, pending issue of Government
Orders based on the recommendations of the Official
Committee to be made on revision of Pension/Family
Pension.
4. CGHS in its present form will be terminated from April
1st.
All existing CGHS Dispensaries will be converted into
Wellness centres and will be thrown open to the general public and you will have to wait your turn for attention in the long queues.
Many of the known faces among employees have decided to take VRS.
E-mail from Mrs. Padmini Natarajan.
11.0 Probn G. Sundaram, I.A.S. (Retd)’s book released
Plight of Honesty – the untold bureau-cracy – a book authored by Probn Dr. G. Sundaram, I.A.S. (Retd.) has revealed the inner workings of Indian Bureaucracy. We congratulate Probn
Dr. G. Sundaram on his boldly exposing the various manoeuvres of Indian Bureaucracy where the honest officers suffer on most of the occasions. The publication has been brought out by the Manas publications. It is priced at Rs. 495/- Let us all join together and wish him all success.
12.0 Directory Update
Address Change:
Probn N. Dharmeshwaran, (ID A 019), C1, “Sugan Villa”,
Abraham Street, (Near St. Britto’s School),Adambakkam
Chennai-600 088,Mobile: 99405 03323
Probn S. Ravindran (ID L 55), 107/93D/23H, 2nd Street
(West), Rajagopal Nagar,Tuticorin 628 008
Ph: 0461-2312033,Mobile: 94438 19487
Probn P. M. Rangasamy, (ID A 204), N-4, Rail
Nagar,Koyambedu,Chennai-600 107, M: 98846 47313
Change of Phone Number:
Probn G. V. Ramamurthy, (ID L 061), Ph. 2464 1711
(Correction against item 178 in page No. 46 of the members Directory).
13.0 Our Networks
1. Workshop on Successful Ageing
“The State Policy on Older Persons is in the final stage of preparation and will be published soon. It will be specific to the needs of the State and not a mere repetition of the National Policy”, said Mr. N. S. Palaniappan,
Secretary to Tamil Nadu Govt., Social Welfare Dept. speaking at a Capacity Building Workshop on
Successful Ageing, organised by the Federation of
Senior Citizens Associations of Tamil Nadu on 19th
January 2009, in association with the International
Federation on Ageing, Canada.
The Secretary said that 79 old age homes were being run in Tamil Nadu, 50 of them sponsored by the Central
Government and 29 by the State. The financial assistance being given to these homes was raised from Rs. 2.76 lakhs to 6.77 lakhs in order to enhance the quality of service provided by them. He said he had personally inspected some for the homes in Thanjavur and
Thiruvarur and found them to be rendering excellent service. Not only were the inmates being given food and shelter but also kept engaged in activities like yoga and gardening to keep them fit. The family members were also allowed to visit them.
He said that the State Govt. had come with a project to start an Old Age Village, at Padappai near Tambaram, at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.7
crores on the lines of the project run by Helpage India near Cuddalore. The concept was a unique one very different from the conventional old age homes.
Referring to the request made by the Federation to appoint an officer, exclusively meant for looking after the needs of the aged in the rank of Director or Joint Director in the
Department of Social Welfare, the Secretary said that this was a welcome suggestion and would be considered as the Commissioner now in charge of schemes for removal of disabilities of women and children could not devote time for old age issues. Referring to the Maintenance of
Parents Act, he said the Government had issued the necessary notification to make the enactment applicable in the State with effect from 29th September 2008.
Tahsildars have been notified as the Conciliation Officer, the Revenue Divisional Officer the next level officer and the District Collector as the Appellate Officer of the
Tribunal.

Earlier Prof. T. K. Nair, formerly of Madras School of
Social Work, explained what the concept of Successful
Ageing meant. He pointed out that there was a difference between what was meant by Joint Family system and Joint households. What had happened now was that in many cases living in a joint household had hot been found possible and nuclear families had emerged. But even in that situation the younger generation continued to take care of its elders despite the different locations in which they lived. What is important is whether the younger generation was continuing to show its love, affection and care for the old, he said.
About fifty delegates, representing senior citizens organisations in the State affiliated to the Federation, divided into six groups attended the workshop which commenced in the morning and discussed the following issues relating to the aged:
Social Security; Demographic Changes; Graceful
Ageing; Community Service; Old Age Homes, &
Healthy Ageing. The group leaders were Mr. O. Ananda- ram, Mr. K. E. Vaidyanathan, Mr. K. S. Subbiah, Dr. (Mrs.)
V. Balambal, Mr. K. Venkatachari and Dr. K. K. Krishnamurthi.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Jane Barratt,
Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing with a talk on Graceful Ageing. She said age had nothing to do with contribution one makes to society.
Older people can show leadership and innovation in the field of aged planning, contribution to society by being socially involved in the community through voluntary work and supporting the younger generation, she added.
Mr. K. R. Gangadharan, Vice President-Asia, IFA, said that the International Federation of Ageing had begun capacity building for elder healthcare in 2006 by holding workshops. This year five workshops are being held in India. The first was held in Bangalore and the
Chennai workshop was the second in the series.
Three more would be held in Hyderabad, Delhi and
Mumbai.
Mr. D. Rajasekaran, President of the Federation of Senior
Citizens Association of Tamil Nadu, welcomed the gathering. The arrangements for the conduct of the workshop were entirely done under the guidance and supervision of Mr. S. M. Chellaswamy, the General
Secretary.
(Received from Shri S. M. Chellaswamy, General
Secretary of the Federation
– Ed.).
2.Representation of Federation of Senior Citizens
Association of Tamil Nadu to Hon’ble Minister of
Railways, New Delhi
Sir,
In the Railway Budget presented in the parliament Tamil
Nadu get Five New Trains. The Federation of Senior
Citizens Associations of Tamil Nadu Thank the Hon’ble
Minister for Railways for this good performance.
At the same we request the Hon’ble Minister to consider the projects mentioned below to be included in the same Budget.
1. Day express from Sengottai to Chennai & Back.
2. Sengottai to Tirupathi (via) Villupuram.
3. Rameswaram to Tirupathi (via) Trichy.
4. Kanyakumari to Bangalore (via) Chennai.
5. Nagore to Chennai (via) Trichy.
Conversion of all metre guage section in Tamil Nadu in the
Budget year 2009-2010.
Last time Railway Minister granted concession of 50% of fare for Ladies Senior Citizen. But, gents Senior
Citizens are denied of that concession.
As per article 15 of the constitution of India prohibits the discre-mination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
Therefore, the denial of concession offered to ladies is offence when refused to gents.
The Federation requests that the 50% of Concession fares may be ordered for male passengers of Senior
Citizens before passing Railway Budget.
Thanking you.
Yours Sincerely
S. M. Chellaswamy
General Secretary
14.0 CGHS to be convered into wellness centres
Sources say that the CGHS services for government staff
– that has centres all over the city and in the country – are being converted into Public Wellness Centres. (Please see item 4 of Para 10.0 of this issue – Ed.).
15.0 Mail Box
I am happy to note that Mr. S. Krishna-ram Davey has taken charge as the President of Probus Club of Chennai recently.
Kindly convey my best regards and best wishes to Mr.
Krishnaram Davey on his new assignment and we hope fruitful cooperation between us will be cherished further.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
STANISLAV I. SIMAKOV
Director
Russian Centre of Science and Culture
16.0 Beauty of a Woman
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears
The figure she carries, or how she combs her hair,
The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where she resides
The beauty of a woman is not in her facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul,
It is the caring she lovingly gives,
The passion she shows
The beauty of a woman
With passing years – only grows.
(This poem was written by Mrs. S. Aarti, Cambridge, USA.
Master of Social Science and sent to Probuzz by her grandmother, Probn Mrs. Indira Somasundaram.
A tribute to Women on International Women’s Day – Ed.).

17.0 Humour
Teacher: “Can anybody give an example of
COINCIDENCE?”
One Student: “Sir, my Mother and Father got married on the same day and at the same time”.
18.0 Dates to Remember
MARCH 2009
28-03-2009 (Saturday) 9.00 a.m.
Monthly breakfast meeting at Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Kasturi Ranga Road, Chennai-18.
Dr. M. Parthasarathy, MS (Ortho), FRCS (Edin) speaks on
“LAWS OF NATURE”. Breakfast sponsored by Probn M.
Arunachalam, E.C. Member. A book “MISTER BONES” will be released.
(Please see invitation attached – Ed.).
Contact: Probn R. Subbaraj, Phone: 2442 2839
APRIL 2009
11-04-2009 (Saturday) 10.30 a.m.
EC Meeting at AASI
18-04-2009 (Saturday) 4.00 p.m.
Probus group
–Theosophical Society, Mylapore Lodge
(TS)
–Spiritual and Philosophical Meeting at M.P. Anand
Matriculation School, Mylapore, Chennai-4.
Contact:
Probn T. R. Jayaraman Probn V. L. Aiyar
Phone: 2466 1998 Phone: 2499 2329
25-04-2009 (Saturday) 9.00 a.m
.
Monthly breakfast meeting at Russian Centre of
Science and Culture, Chennai-18.
Probn Ln P. Badrinath speaks on “Introduction to
Bhagawad Gita
– on our personality development”
Breakfast sponsored by M/s. Vasavi Builders, R. A.
Puram, Chennai-28.
Contact: Probn R. Subbaraj, Phone: 2442 2839
26-04-2009 (Sunday) 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Workshop on “HEALTH CARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS”.
Venue: Gokhale Hall, Karpagambal Nagar (Off)
Luz Church Road, Mylapore,Chennai-4
REGISTRATION FEES – Rs. 100/- per head
Contact: Probn R. Subbaraj Phone: 2442 2839
Probn K.Venkatachari, PP Phone: 2498 1099
Note : Programmes are subject to changes of time, venue, speakers and the like. Kindly contact the person(s) indicated against each programme, in case of doubt
– Ed.