Thursday, December 1, 2011

My 50th Birthday

It is not often that one gets a chance to be modest and wish one self a Happy Birthday. But life is such.

As a Samajam , I have been seeing myself grow over the years. It is just like yesterday, when the Honorable Defence Minister of India - Shri V K Krishna Menon untied the umbilical cord and gave me the first pinch to announce my arrival in this world and in Borivli.

Borivli, in the year 1961 was such a calm place, an extension of my Kerala with lots of Mango Trees and yes Horse Driven Tonga. The St. Francis School was very much there, and it has been there for 50 years then. Today the school is celebrating more than 101 years of existence. It was around this school that Borivli was built. There were cottages and cottages and Ludovic Mansion in and around I. C. Colony and there was no LIC Colony, there were only Mangroves. There were mangoes that could be plucked as you walked under the tree. And at the end of the Mangroves, was the New Colony, typical Kerala Style houses with Villas in the other end. In these lived most of my members. The good thing is that these houses still exist in this fast growing suburb and Metro of the country. Thanks to various kind of litigation in my Democratic Country.

The Mango Trees  some of them still exists, even now if you want to pluck the mangoes,do it but don't get caught by the Mali.

And it was in from this setting, that I grew to spread my wings across 2000+ families. And each one of them kept me busy with various events that happened during the eventful 50 years. We had Onam Celebrations, Inter- School Athletic competition, Inter - School Painting, Elocution, Folk Dance, March Past Competitions. There were various events for the members and their families too.

All these continued to happen for years. And then we had our eyes and vision on a plot, a plot where we wanted to start our own school. And with much, I say much and some very sincere follow - ups we did get the plot for the School. The school is now called V K Krishna Menon Academy School and is having students upto the 7th standard. Very soon it will be a complete educational institute with classes upto the college levels and more.

Today when I look back, I cannot hide my pride, the goose pimples in me, begin to show. My sense of achievement cannot hold back the tears of joy. And yet I cry, I cry because I now have a team of people - a combination of youngsters and seniors who are doing a great job. They have left no stone unturned to ensure that my birthday celebrations continue during the year. In spite of their tough work schedules and family commitments, almost every Sunday they show up at the Samajam office located in the school to chalk and plan out my celebratory events. How much I would like to hug them, appreciate them.

The big task is to get the current defense minister to Chair my birthday party. And I hope my dear              Mr. A K Anthony comes. What a co-incidence it is that I was given the first pinch by the then defense minister and now I await my 50th birthday celebration to be attended by the current defense minister.

Thank you each one of you for your encouraging wishes, Indeed I Love you all - do come for my birthday party when I announce it OK.

Till then Take care....

And to know that I share my birthday with a very Sweet Rakhee Sunil.... makes me even more happier.

Life is indeed Cho Chweet... what with all of you around me.

From One Birthday Girl to the Samajam


Today 2nd Dec, 2011, our Samajam turns 50. It is a privilege to be a part of this milestone event and I convey my heartiest greetings to all members of Borivli Malayali Samajam(BMS), as we celebrate its Golden Jubilee. It is indeed a moment of immense pride, joy and satisfaction for the BMS family who have put in their best in the past five decades in the service of the samajam and society. It is the vision and dynamism of the founder members and the passion, zeal and hard work of the committee members and all members of the samajam, down the line that has made it possible for BMS to emerge as a shining star of the Society. I, therefore, once again congratulate the management and each and every member of the samajam for the role they have played in scripting the success of BMS.
 Rakhee Sunil (Chair person Literary and education- BMS)