8TH CULTURAL PROGRAMME IN MUMBAI

SANATANA DHARMA FOR THE DEAF

WILL HOLD ITS 8TH ANNUAL CULTURAL PROGRAMME

At

GUJARATI KELAMANI MANDAL

AMULAKH AMICHAND VIDYALAYA,

close to SNDT COLLEGE, near AURORA CINEMA,

76/A, KIDWAI ROAD, MATUNGA,

MUMBAI – 400 019 INDIA

At 3.00 pm on Sunday, 27th January 2008

PROGRAMME : LECTURES, PLAYS, CONTESTS, FILM SHOW, POOJA & DINNER

TICKET:

Rs. 75/- only per an adult

Rs. 150/- only per an overseas visitor

For further information, please contact:

Shri Anantadev ( Sms: 9845457727 ), Smt Geeta Saraiya ( Sms: 9867296830 )

Email: hkwad108@yahoo.com

sdd108@rediffmail.com

More Photos on Krishna Janmashtami Programme

Report on SHRI KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 2007

On 2nd September Shri Krishna Janmashtami programme held by Sanatana Dharma for the Deaf (a wing of Universal Sanatana Dharma) at SRN Adarsh College, Chamrajpet, Bangalore went well. Around 100 persons including a few hearing ones enjoyed lectures, LCD show, plays, spiritual lucky dip, film show, contests, pooja and prasad lunch. Anantadev’s prayer began. A play on `Sharing Fortunes’ by deaf students and physically handicapped ones of Association of People with Disabilities and other play cum ballet on `Krishna Leela’ by deaf school students of Shri B.D.Tatti (Annavaru) Memorial Charitable Trust, Laxmeshwar, Gadag, Karnataka were delightful. As a special guest, Smt Sukanya Chattopadhyay, the principal of the college gave her speech which impressed all. Anantadevji’s lecture on meditation, Bhagavad-Gita and science of soul was pleasing. Conversion Multimedia to VCD – Srimad Bhagavad-Gita by Shri Rajendra Joglekar of Pune ( IIT M.Design) was greatly applauded. Priyanka, a daughter of deaf parents, did her good job by interpreting to the audience for Sukanya, Anantadevji and Rajendra both in a voice and sign language way.

Anantadevji performed a pooja. Lunch followed.

Shri K.S.Chandramouli arranged for an exciting transcendental game. Many of the participants liked it very much. Anantadevji and Rajendra distributed prizes among the school winners of Janmashtami Painting Competition. Shri R. Sriram won Spiritual Lucky Dip by receiving an Indian comic `Amar Chitra Katha on Bhagavata’ from Anantadevji.
Finally there was an animated film show on `Lord Krishna’.

Shri K.S. Chandramouli gave a vote of thanks. Everyone enjoyed the programme.

Acknowledgement:

1) To Smt Sukanya Chattopadhyay who let us to use her college auditorium for Janmashtami programme.

2) To Volunteers did excellent work for Krishna Janmashtami programme - Shri K.S.Chandramouli, Shri J.V.Jagannath, Shri K.D.Chandramouli, Shri Somusundara, Shri M.C.Ganesh, Shri Jaisal Shah (Pune), Shri Chinnappa, Shri B.Vikas, Shri C.Sharath, Shri Rikwak, Smt Padmalatha Reddy (Nellore, Andhra Pradesh), Smt Hema Chandramouli and Smt Rajendra Joglekar (Pune).

3) To Shri Somanath Mahajanshettar of Shri B.D.Tatti (Annavaru) Memorial Charitable Trust, Laxmeshwar for sending his school students for their performance

4) To students of Association of People with Disabilities for their performance and to Smt Anuradha B Muzumdar and Ms Jaagadeshwara for their support.

5) To Shri Rajendra Joglekar and Shri R.Sriram who contributed photos.

6) To Chira Information Technologies who sponsored food for the audience in memorial of Late Film Actress Soundarya.

7) To New Arya Bhavan for donating sweets

8) To all advertisers, sponsors and donors.

India USA Deaf Youth Empowerment Camp 2007

Working together to overcome disability

Staff Reporter

Seven-day cultural camp aims at empowering persons with hearing disability

Bangalore: A cluster of young people from the U.S. and India — all people with hearing disability — are working towards empowering one another at a seven-day cultural camp here.

The programme, which began earlier in the week, was organised by the Global Reach Out Initiative (GRO). Some of the challenges they face, according to Director of the Disabled and Senior Citizens Welfare Department V. Shrirama Reddy, include the absence of facilities for people with hearing disability to pursue college education although there are 39 schools for them.

The participants had a role model in Anantadev Das (52), founder-president of Sanatana Dharma for the Deaf (SDD), who had fought a lone battle to become the first Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) graduate with hearing disability in Mumbai.

They learnt that they too can make a difference.

Mr. Das, however, lamented that the employment opportunities for students with hearing disability were almost nil in India. This was in contrast to the situation abroad, where employers provided interpreters so that people with hearing disability could work easily.

In India, however, this concept was yet to catch up, he said.

It was pointed out at the camp that people with hearing disability had one problem.

The Indian sign language was slightly mixed up and not standardised as in the U.S. According to Kripa Damas, coordinator of the Sign Language Department, Dr. S.R. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech & Hearing, the sign language differs from place to place as culture and dialects influence it.

At the camp, however, the participants overcame this problem by taking recourse to reading of basic gfestures and lip-reading.

Global Reach Out Initiative co-ordinator Smitha Hanumantha said that the camp would encourage the participants to use visual media such as plays to communicate their ideas.

( Taken from The Hindu, 24th June 2007 )

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GRO Member KJ's Appreciation

Instead of writing of negative experiences, which thankfully were few and far in between, I would like to give props to those who deserve it.

In no particular order:

The Indian delegates. Anu, Anil, Bharath, Krishna, Vikas, Roopa, Fathima, and Anand. I know that we all had doubts about the effectiveness of our work, if any, but you all quickly dispelled any doubts that we had. Even if it was different than what we all originally imagined, it was clear from your skit at the closing ceremony that we did have an impact. More importantly, it was clear that you guys learned from this experience and our hope is that you will take it all to heart and continue the work that we started together.

Anantadev Das. For your honesty and your patience. This program would not have been a success without you and I know that we all hope to be able to work with you again.

Chandra Mouli. I think we all fell in love with your giggle! What I am most impressed with is your positive attitude at all times. We know it is not easy, as you always say. Yet, you manage to pull it off and it is clear that you have the best interests of the Indian Deaf at heart.

( Taken from http://www.globalreachout.org/ )

SHRI KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME

SHRI KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI FESTIVAL PROGRAMME will be held at SRN Adarsh College, Chamarajpet, Bangalore on 1st and 2nd September 2007.

First Day – 1st September - 4 pm to 7 pm at Lecture Hall in Adarsh College

Lectures on Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Spiritual Messages.

All are welcome

Second Day – 2nd September - 10 am to 6 pm at Auditorium in Adarsh College

1) Welcome Speech
2) Prayer
3) Lecture on Krishna and Bhagavad-Gita by Shri Anantadev
4) Play by the deaf students of Association of the People with Disability
5) Conversion Multimedia to VCD – Srimad Bhagavad-Gita by Shri Rajendra Joglekar of Pune ( IIT M.Design)
6) Play by the deaf students of Shri B.D.Tatti (Annavaru ) Memorial Charitable Trust, Laxmeshwar, Gadag, Karnataka
7) Puja
8) Lunch
9) Prize Distribution
10) Lucky Spiritual Dip
11) Film on Lord Krishna ( about 1 ½ hour )

ENTRY FEE for 2nd September : Rs. 50/= per a person

For further information: please contact Shri Anantadev Das, Shri K.S.Chandramouli, Shri K.D.Chandramouli, Shri M.C.Ganesh, Shri B.Vikas

Rajendra Joglekar's Programme in Mumbai

Anantadev Das (Left) and Rajendra Joglekar (Right)

SDD programme was held at Amulakh Amichand Vidyalaya, Matunga, Mumbai on 18th March 2007. Shri Anantadev Das invited Shri Rajendra Joglekar ( M.Design from IIT staying in Pune ) (SDD supporter) to speak to SDD members about Bhagavad- Gita background. Shri Anantadev also lectured to the members about Bhagavad-Gita. Everyone enjoyed the programme. Hare Krishna!

Anantadevji Remembering Jonathan

JONATHAN TINAT PASSED AWAY

This morning K.S.Chandramouli smsed me by saying that he got sms from Lucy Upah of Nigeria saying that Jonathan L Tinat ( President of Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (HQ) fell into coma on Saturday and passed away yesterday ( 12th March ). I could hardly believe this shocking news.

How did I meet him for first time? In the 2nd week of November 2006 at IRYLA event, Ichalakaranji, Rotarian Dr.Dilip Deshmukh, who had arranged a double hotel room for me to stay, asked me whether a deaf male delegate from Nigeria who would arrive soon could share the same room with me. I nodded. Later Jonathan, Lucy and Antonia introduced themselves to many delegates including myself. At the very first meeting I and Jonathan became good acquaintances.

I saw that his Bible book was lying near his bed in the hotel room. This showed that he was a believer of God. In order to clear his misconception of Hare Krishna philosophy he became curious about it and learnt a lot from me about it. Jonathan remarked that this philosophy was very beautiful.

I invited him and two friends of his to stay in my place in Bangalore. They was greatly wowed by the colourful city of Bangalore and wanted to extend their stay for more days. Being comfortable with my and other deaf friends’ goodwill they spent about one week here. Jonathan endeared himself to everyone.

He loved India, her food, culture and people. He came to India for the first time and conquered people here by his friendship but were also conquered by great goodwill of people here. He presented me a Nigerian cap. Since he said it cost around Rs.1800, I am still keeping it as a token of memorial friendship.

He recognised the importance of SDD. He said that he would welcome me to establish SDD center in Nigeria. This shows that he believed firmly in communal harmony and peace. He felt strongly that my lecture on proverbs and spiritual values would be of great use to the deaf in Nigeria if I come there.

He had a good sense of humour. He shared jokes with me. He sometimes burst into laughter whenever I joked. He said he loved my jokes, wits and humours.

He was full of enthusiasm to serve the deaf. He was one of the gifted leaders for the deaf. He was the President of Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (HQ). He was popular among the deaf communities in Africa. He aspired to represent the deaf community of Africa in the World Federation of the Deaf in July 2007. But his death embraced him leaving this aspiration unfulfilled. It is God’s will which is more important than everything. My prayer to Him is to let Jonathan’s soul be in peace.

When Jonathan learnt from me that India Deaf Expo was expected to be held in Bangalore in 2009, he got very excited about taking part in this expo with his Nigerian members. But death unexpectedly took him away. Bhagavad-Gita taught us not to lament too much over our dear relatives/friends’ death. So uncontrollable lament was unnecessary. But of course! we miss our great friend Jonathan. It will be great if he is with God in His abode. We are His instruments so we cannot thwart untimely death. Death is inevitable whether it is timely or untimely.

Rtn Dr.Dilip Deshmukh described him as a genius and considered his death as a great loss.

Visit his beautiful website: http://www.laatinat.com/ . Also see Naty's blogspot: http://jonathantinat.blogspot.com/

May Jonathan’s soul be in peace.

Hare Krishna!

Anantadev