Onam Day

Well, alls well that ends well. Yes, the Onam Program and the Sadya went superbly well. Those who came relished every moment of the program and the food.

It began with the President Shriraj - Welcoming the guests and assuring the members that all is well with the Samajam and that the School Property is well within  the control of the Samajam and the vision that he has for the Samajam. Importantly, he also stressed upon the fact that the Samjam has in its ranks members who are the second generation Malayalis settled in Mumbai, but still has their loyalty to the Samajam even though they have studied and built their careers in Mumbai.

This was followed by the Secretary Anil describing about the importance of Onam and how the Onam celebration is now better organised away from Kerala, thanks to the Malayalam community settled across the world.Anil was also glad there were plenty of non - malayalis who had attended the program and as invitees of members. Some came just to enjoy the famed Ona Sadya.

You must check the photographs to identify them.

Gangadharan, the Organising Secretary of the 50th year celebrations also took the audience through a long walk to nostalgia lane from talking about the founding of the Samajam and the first President - Mr. Oommen to the calendar of events planned during the year and the task Samajam has for the future.

The Onam Program of the day was meticulously organised with various members taking the lead in the respective departments. And the big thing about each one of them is that they had the ownership feeling on what they were doing. Two R' s come into my mind instinctively - Rekha Nair and Rajagopalan. Rekha took ownership about the cultural program from the scripting to selecting each one of the performers. And Rajagopalan took charge of the the food from organising the tables to ensure that each one of the guests were seated and served well.

Rekha was great, the way she treated the kids at their level, was stupendous. She managed each one of them so well, that even in her cribs she ensured that she knew she was getting what she wanted. From Anurag to Naresh to Anusha to Bini she knew exactly what was wanted from them. Hats off to you Rekha, and yes I liked the language of your script.... the Texting language... well, coming from an English teacher in a Convent - dats gr8.

Rajagopalan is another talent, and the Samajam is very lucky to have him. He is hands on everything, well he would have even danced Ottam thullal if he would have been allowed to. Seeing his plight of real time thullal, I volunteered to go for collections in my society. But I am sure if I had not volunteered, he would have made time for it somehow. Such is his dedication.

Besides the above two, well; the Samajam indeed consists of people who have risen to the occasion to come to help in the last mile, and they did it whole heartedly. Each one of them did their duty with pride and belonging.

The Ottam Thullal scripted by Malini Chechi and performed by Jayan was an unique feature of the celebrations. And then there was Sana leading the singing on stage with her stellar voice. Sana incidentally is now also singing in films. And she has the unique ability of singing in five different languages - English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujrati and Malayalam. Even as  a student of Mary Immaculate she was excellent in singing, in her studies and she was also the headgirl of the school. A talent by herself.

Without doubt, the Managing Committee should also be given accolades for ensuring that there were no glitches and no ego clashes. Special mention should also be made of P V Damodaran, who was almost falling with the burden of ensuring the smooth flow of the program and the sadya. Thats OWNERSHIP, my friend.

Also the occasion had the list of VIPs that came - Mr. Gopal Shetty, Mr. Sanjay Nirupam, Mr. Vinod Gedhia and Mr. Dayanand Shetty. Each one of them showered their flowers of good wishes and congratulations.

It was interesting to see that the dancing community not only consisted of Children but Women too and most of them were Mothers too. Talent they say, cant be wished away, so what is Marriage got to do with continuing to showcase their talent, Hai Na?

Those who performed, those who were present - enjoy the snaps. And those who were not there.... cho chad.. see what u have missed.

The pictures are clicked by Nikon D40. Do respond and leave ur comments.If u want to see each or the selected picture in a large screen, click on them.

With best wishes - Pavi
www.mumbaikarsjourney.blogspot.com

22nd Inter School Painting Competition

This Sunday I had the privilege of witnessing the reality of the proverb "Child is the Father of Man". in a Ninth Std. Girl from Gundecha High School - Dhwani.

Dhwani alongwith 471 other students from various schools from the R ward of Borivli, Mumbai participated in the 22nd Inter School Painting Competition. This was held for the first time in the premise of Borivli Malayali Samajams School - V K Krishna Menon Academy School.

The event was marked by excellent organising and management skills of the Samajam, with each member playing  their role in the most responsible manner. Every child was given a token biscuit packet and Frooti, mind you there were no entry charges and the cost of managing the competition was borne by the Samajam.

Check out the paintings - and especially the one did by Dhwani on Mother India. The fact that she could think about a concept like this is indeed great. Here are glimpses of some of the Winning Paintings, feel free to talk about it.

God Bless you Dhwani and each of the 471 students, The Borivli Malayali Samajam was very happy to have you all, your participation was an encouragement to us. Thank you for coming, and we also thank all the parents who came to the school to encourage their little child.

Decent Proposal

This is an actual letter (taken from the Times of India ) in response to a `Marriage Proposal' advertisement.

 

 

Madam, I am one young gentleman living only with myself in Patna . I am seeing your advertisement for marriage purpose in the daily newspaper. So I decide to press myself on you and I am hopping you will make the marriage with me.

 

 I am the son of my father & mother of agriculture family from inside Patna . I having no sister and no brother also. I become big in Patna only. I educate myself in the Zuarilal Himmatlal High School , Bezna Road .  I am nice and big, six foots tall and six inches long. My body is filled with hardness why because I am working hardly. I am playing also hardly.

Especially I am liking the cricket. I am a good batter also I am fast baller. Whenever I am coming running for the balling, all batters are running everywhere why because they are afraiding my balls. My balls are bouncing too much high. That is very danger for them.

 

I am very nice gentleman. I always laughing loudly at everyone. I am happy always and gay also. Ladies they are saying I am nice and soft because I giving respect to them. I am always liking if ladies are on top. That is how nice I am.

I am not having any bad habits. I drink milk only and no other bad things. I am not chewing cigarettes or eating gutka paan why because it not good for all the peoples. So I am not doing so. I am keep fitting everyday. Morning I am going to jim and I am pumping like anything. Daily I am pumping and pumping. If you want you can came and see how I pumping the dumb bells in the jim. And now good muscles are come outing everywhere.

 

 I am having very much money in my pant everyday and my pant is everyday open for you why because I am nice gentleman, but still I am living with myself only. What to do? So I am taking my things into my own hands everyday. That is why I want to press myself on you, so that you will come and take my things into your hands.

 

 Madam, if you are marrying me, I am telling you, I will be hardly loving you everyday. If you are not marrying me then I will press you and press you until you come. I am at your feet and slowing looking up, with hope. I am waiting very badly for your reply why because I am stiff with excitement and anticipation.

 

Expecting good answer and replies to me in the future.

 

Namaste.

 

Yours,

Hiralal Yadav

 

Courtesy: Mr. Narendran Padyath

Vanita Vedi by Girija Kallath

The Vanitha Vedi of Borivli Malayali Samajam upholds the unique Kerala tradition of importance and respect to women in the society.

Ever since its inception, the Vanitha Vedi has demonstrated its ability and capability in supporting the Samajam’s activities in exemplary manner.

The Vanitha Vedi’s role in cultural, educational and social activities of the Samajam is praiseworthy. The annual Inter-school painting competition, elocution competition, dance programmes during annual day celebrations, onam celebrations and other cultural events would not have been successful without the support of the dedicated women members.

The Vanitha Vedi has been adjudged winner in many inter-samajam competitions. Apart from representing the Samajam, some of the Vanitha Vedi members have proved their mettle in their individual capacities as well in Kaikottikkali Competition etc. The Vanitha Vedi provided its members with opportunity to unleash their potential in the cultural activities.

The social awareness and sense of responsibility of the Vanitha Vedi was proved by a well attended Seminar on Gynaecology. A prominent practising Gynaecologist was invited to educate women in the society on the subject, followed by a  gynaec  check-up camp. The entrepreneurship of the lady members of the Samajam was  also demonstrated through  “Onachanda”

With the help of the smarter younger generation and the dramatic revolution in communication technologies, the Vanitha Vedi must now explore possibilities of redefining its role in the social, educational and cultural ethos of the Malayali Community in and around Borivli.