The Bhumi Mirror: Vol08, Aug2009

Bhumi Mirror Vol08 Aug2009

Bhumi Torchbearers Speak!

Bhumi conferred the Torchbearer of the Year Award 2009 to five Bhumians for their commendable contribution towards Changing today... Changing tomorrow! (Link)

Here's what they feel about the award...

Akhila Hari

Akhila is an example of how an ideal “teaching” volunteer in Bhumi, specifically MAD, should be! Bhumi is very proud of her consistent and dedicated contribution.

"WHOA!!!

I cant just believe what has happened with me on the 15th of august 2009. This will remain as one of the most memorable days of my life in BHUMI.

This journey began way back in 2008, July when i was hunting for a community service which was supposed to be a part of my college curriculum. It was then when i traced out through my community radio in college about Bhumi. I cannot believe that this Bhumi will become an intimate part of my life. But now community service is something that comes as the last priority for me. Bhumi as such means more than anything else.

I am extremely thankful to Bhumi and its members who thought me as a deserving person to take this award. Life in Bhumi has been wonderful especially with the kids as well as the volunteers. I will always look back to this day and cherish its memories always.

I am not able to express my happiness and thankfulness for giving me the torchbearer award and making me feel so special amongst everyone.

I look forward to live up to the expectations and will give my best to Bhumi.
Once again thank you so much Bhumi for this. I have no words to show my gratitude towards Bhumi."  

Uma Sekar

For her consistent contributions to MAD, Think Green and overall interest in Bhumi.

"This award came as a huge surprise to me. I personally don't think I deserve a Torchbearer award. There is a lot more to do for the society. We who have are the ones who can and must give to people who don't and the best way is through education. Bhumi is an organization which identifies and helps people who want to do something to change the current way of things, actually do it!

Bhumi gives me the confidence that a group of people with the same vision can make a huge impact in the society and inspire more people to work towards change.

I'm so glad I joined Bhumi! I've wanted to do something like this since my childhood and I thought I could achieve that dream only when I was older! Thank you Bhumi for making it happen much earlier! :)" 

Vaishnavi Srinivasan – The Karate Kid

For her consistent and dedicated contributions to Career counselling, Kanini and overall interest in BHUMI.

"Until December 2006, my final year of college I was living with the only ambition of Joining Army. It was my dream .. my goal and everything to me.. I saw that as the best way to do something for my country. But for various reasons I had to give it up and I felt drained, empty and useless. After that I tried to involve myself in various activities but Its only after I joined BHUMI that I again gained a focus and purpose. 

I am immensely honored to be working with such committed minds and I always feel I am the one gaining more and more each day with Bhumi in terms of satisfaction, Knowledge, Refinement People skills and what not..

I had never got any award before.. This was my first and best.. Cant explain how it felt.. 

I thank BHUMI and each Bhumian for their extraordinary support and encouragement that I have always received.

My special thanks to INR, Vivek, Prakash, Vaish and Doc for the inspiration and encouragement. 

Hats off to u Guys!!!

Its a honor and responsibility now for me to keep up to the expectation. I hope to do my best."

Vijayanand S

For his consistent and dedicated contribution to Kanini, Joy to the World and overall interest in BHUMI 

"It is a great honor in receiving the Torch bearer Award from Bhumi. It was indeed a big surprise! I always felt that joining hands with Bhumi was very easy as its vision and mission are quite simple and practical. Teaching for the kids at TMV is always a pleasure. Its an year since we started Kanini here, though we continuously faced the inconsistency of students there are many who are regular, inspired and motivated. I remember the days where in the volunteers have continued the class till 4, after a lunch break. Those days are really a memorable one! At this time i would like to give my hearty thanks to our Project Head Ayyanar, co-volunteers of TMV and all enthusiast of Bhumi. I would also like to thank Kuppusamy and Kalaivani of Nest, for their cooperation and efforts.

Focusing on Changing Tomorrow..."

Vijayalakshmi Gnanasekar

For her enthusiasm and energy level in structuring and stablising the Kanini project.

"To be honest, only because of the support given by my fellow Kanini friends I was able to do at least something to the kids. Bhumi people never treated me as a fresher when I initially joined Bhumi which boosted me to enthusiastically participate in all the Bhumi activities. J I am glad to hear that my contribution has reached the kids in a good way.

I am proud to tell everyone, that I am a bhumian :)… Thanks for recognizing and encouraging me to contribute even more.

Change today... Change tomorrow..."

Bhumi Torchbearers of the Year 2009

BHUMI has changed a lot from the days when ten of us used to have meetings at Gandhi Mandapam to now, holding meetings at open air auditoriums. This has not been made possible without Bhumi’s greatest asset… our volunteers. Last year we had over 130 volunteers who contributed for at least a month. Who were the most exceptional of them all?

While every volunteer is a torch bearer of BHUMI, the organization is proud to recognize these five who have walked that extra mile - towards Changing Today… Changing tomorrow and confer the Torch Bearers of the year award for 2009.

Akhila Hari

1) She doesn’t know Tamil well. But, to ensure a strong rapport was established in the initial phase, she made extra efforts to learn Tamil – this was very inspiring

2) She has always added components to ensure her classes are fun and interesting – like printing her own flash cards, preparing handmade games. Her scrabble game won the “most innovative idea” poll on orkut. These handmade board and letters were also circulated amidst all volunteers from Dr. PV Rao School. To ensure good class strength, she maintained a well-made attendance register which was marked both before and after class.

3) She was always ready to substitute for volunteers from Sunday. Due to rains, towards the end of the academic year, when children had school on many Saturdays. She didn’t want to miss teaching her children. So made it a point to attend Sunday classes. We had to make her a permanent Sunday volunteer, since her credits were bouncing off the limit!!! Last year, she had the highest number of credits, almost double of any of the existing MAD volunteers.

4) For her effective contribution to classes @ Dr. PV Rao School: Good class control and discussing issues faced in class, with her project head.

Akhila is an example of how an ideal “teaching” volunteer in Bhumi, specifically MAD, should be! Bhumi is very proud of consistent and dedicated contribution.

Uma Sekar

1) Initially, had a very hard time in getting her children to understand the need to learn. But she roped them in by preparing materials, made copies of lots of activities, read out stories every week, and now, children look forward to her classes!

2) She openly discussed issues faced in class, with her project head.

3) She showed high interest, and participated regularly in Think Green activities too.

4) For her enthusiasm in trying to implement the “books from waste” programme where volunteers were expected to bring recyclables from home sell it off and purchase some storybooks for the children.

5) For her interest in trying to implement workbooks for the children as part of the MAD programme.

For her consistent contributions to MAD, Think Green and overall interest in Bhumi.

Vaishnavi Srinivasan – The Karate Kid

1. She continues to play a major role in stabilizing and strengthening the Knowledge Management team of the Career Counselling project. Her role has been inspirational to others in this team.

2. The responsibilities that she has taken till date have been addressed with utmost dedication, perfection and above all in a timely fashion

3. Her contribution works as an indirect spark that will light the lives of many students tomorrow

4. Her equally dedicated contribution and effective handling of classes in Kanini at WET, Pallavaram, Community centre is worth a mention

5. Her role in Kanini admin team and panel member has been pivotal

For her consistent and dedicated contributions to Career counselling, Kanini and overall interest in BHUMI.

Vijayanand S

1. His abilities as Kanini center head are commendable. Through his dedication, he was able to inject hope in students which helped stabilise the student turnout at his centre.

2. He played a major role in taking Kanini to more children in Thiruvallur district.

3. He was the Joy to the world coordinator at Wipro and was nodal in fulfilling simple wishes of many students

4. Although a resident of Ambattur, he never missed any General or Kanini meetings which are usually held in the heart of the city. His contribution in general Bhumi discussions have been invaluable.

5. The 'One man Army' of Thirumulaivoyal who handled four different sessions for more than 40 students in a weekend!

For his consistent and dedicated contribution to Kanini, Joy to the World and overall interest in BHUMI 

Vijayalakshmi Gnanasekar

1. She has been the primary syllabus designer for Kanini

2. Exhibited immense character by handling Kanini classes at both NEST, Thirumulaivoyal, Community centre and Balamandir Orphanage with great responsibility when there was lack of volunteers at both centres [Topographically, they’re 30 kms apart]

3. Her skills as a good teacher helped stabilize classes at Balamandir orphanage.

4. For making an effective contribution towards Joy to the World

5. Her charming and friendly nature makes her very popular among volunteers and students

For her enthusiasm and energy level in structuring and stablising the Kanini project.

Bhumi is proud to confer the Torchbearer of the Year Award 2009 to these five Bhumians for their commendable contribution towards Changing today... Changing tomorrow!

 Bhumi Blast 2009!

Excellence in Literacy Rotary Award for Bhumi

Bhumi turns 3 this August 15th and Bhumians received a birthdya gift this year :)
Bhumi is the proud recipient of the Excellence in Literacy Award 2009 from the Rotary Club of Madras Chenna Patna. Congrats to all Bhumians!

 

 Receiving the 'Excellence in Literacy' Award Citation from past Rotary International District Governor

  

Receiving the 'Excellence in Literacy' Award 2009 from past Rotary International District Governor

 

This is just the beginning! Bhumi Team @ Hotel Savera after the Award ceremony 30.07.09!

Read Bhumi's  Citation & Award

Be our Fan on FaceBook

Bhumi in the News: The Hindu