Charity Can Be The Buzzword

In the previous posts, we had got pre-occupied with only Re-union. Let's take a slightly different subject for consideration this time.

Under the aegis of our association, there is so much difference we could make to the lives of many students presently studying in our school. Even the smallest contribution from each of us put together will form a big amount. This could be given away to a few poor students, studying in KNHS. This need not necessarily coincide with the Re-union.

At present there is atleast one corporate house which is exhibiting social consciousness by helping the poor students of our school. They allow our school authorities to identify the beneficiaries and then give away a fixed sum to Kairalee Kala Samiti to be distributed to the so-called children of lesser God.

The corporate firm supporting the needy students of our school is a rank outsider, but still they are doing this as a part of their social responsibility. We, as old students of our esteemed school need to pitch in with far greater efforts and commitment. It's a way of giving back to our school under the banner of our Alumni association. The word "Charity" is too big for most of us. The average middle class that we are; what kind of charity can we meaningfully engage in!!! That's the thought which runs in our mind. Well, this line of thought need not be true when we are part of an association.

Let's take a modest example. If we are a group of 500 old students and even if each of us can contribute 100 rupees, we can pool in a fund of Rs.50,000/-. That's a straggering amount, when compared to the almost negligent contribution each of us make. The possibilities are immense, its only a matter of taking that little extra effort, which could mean so much to the needy students.

We haven't committed to the school authorities about the charity angle yet. Our imemdiate concerns have been limited to forming an association and conducting the Re-union. Depending on the support from the alumni, there is so much we can do for needy students. If your are desirous of helping the needy students of our school through the KNHS Alumni association, u can mail us at knhs.alumni@gmail.com

Its bye for now. Hope to meet you during the Re-union on 29 Aug 2010. Until then, do take care.

Suspended Animation

June month wasn't particularly good for our alumni association. Things came to a grinding halt from the author's end. There was some misunderstanding among few old students that their ideas are not taken. On the contrary, all out efforts were made time and again to make all decisions on democratic principles. Some old students didn't attend and when their ideas are not aired, there is no means of knowing whats in their mind.

At last, the misunderstanding was solved after a direct talk over phone. Our effort has always been to search for able guys and girls who can run the show. When no one comes forward, someone else will do the work. And then no one should complain. If one doesn't take part in a democratic process, he/she can't cry hoarse later. The past meeting was attended by rank youngsters who were the majority. Though bigger responsibilities can't be placed on their shoulders, their views and proposals won't be ignored.

When we are involved with Old Student's association, every batch students have to be included. This author doesn't want to take any portfolios whatsoever, unless they are handed down to him in a democratic process. An able and strong person should always be at the helm of affairs. Last meeting wasn't attended by many seniors due to their commitments. Now some rapprochement has been made.

Things are again moving in forward direction. Due to the misunderstanding cited earlier, our alumni association works were in suspended animation. The registration needs to be done earlier. Without that, keeping an account of the money being received or spent will be difficult. Fingers can be raised by anyone. Hopefully this registration process will be done soon. Some dissenting voices are still there, lets see if we can take them on board soon enough.

Planned Get Together of 1988 Batch

Its heartening to know that alumni of 1988 pass out batch of our school are planning for a get together on 19 Jun 2010. Its a big step which will go a long way in augmenting our association strength. If every batch were to organise such get togethers it will become so much more easier. Its desired that from every batch a couple of persons become the points men for their respective batch. An equal participation from the ladies should also be encouraged. The interest is picking up among the alumni and gaining steam. May this trend grow in to a movement.

A Good Precursor

The old students had a gathering on 06 Jun 2010, for a small meeting. Being a sunday, most of them could make it to the meeting called at our school. Though the purported purpose of the meeting wasn't fully achieved, the attendance was a precursor to the scale of Re-union we are going to have.

Though only 50 old students were expected, this number got crossed easily. The attendees' names and contact numbers have been noted down for future use. The large presence for the meeting is a big achievement for the alumni association. Since old students from various batches turned up, both old and new, they didn't know each other. Everyone got busy with their own batch friends. Getting all of them in one frequency didn't happen. Also a strong anchor in the form of a show manager didn't arise amongst us. We shall take this as a lesson learnt, for the future.

Since nobody is adept at managing this kind of get-together, the expected outcome in the form of healthy deliberations didn't happen. The excitement of the youngsters who had come in big numbers was high, when they got to see their friends. This is a good sign, but we must also see that the primary purpose of the meeting is met.

During the grand Re-union in August 2010, we will move with definite plans. We shall all strive together to make it a big success. Of-course the excitement would be on a larger scale, but that shouldn't hamper the programme. We are planning to honour our teachers both present and past. During that time, discipline and good order should be maintained to facilitate the formal part of the get together.

Afterwards, there would be tea and snacks and that's the time everyone can let their hair down and have a blast. There would be no minders for discipline during this time, as long as we don't become a nuisance to others. Enjoy and let enjoy, that should be the spirit.

Lets hope we make the Re-union a grand success by our active participation.

Registration in the Offing

You guys would be quite glad to know that your Alumni Association will be formally registered in few weeks time. Lack of co-ordination has cost us with lot of wasted time. This sunday on 06 Jun 2010 exactly at 4PM, a meeting is scheduled at our school premises to deliberate on various topics in relation to the registration of our association.

If you can spare a few hours this coming sunday, please do attend the meeting. Even last sunday, a few people were called for initial discussions in regard to same topic, but the numbers that attended were pathetically minimal. Enough efforts have been taken to avoid this kind of bungled up meetings. Lets hope most of the old students make it this time.

A lack of integration of ideas have been our bane for quite long now. Everyone has ideas, but though there is platform in place to share, the strong will is missing. Any organisation cannot run with one or two individuals. That will never serve any purpose. Let each one of us not think ourselves as one among the crowd. There is nothing known as "someone else". That usage is the undoing of any kind of association.

If after reading this blog post, u have any kind of thoughts passing in your mind, share it with us. This plea has been made time and again and no one seems to listen. Please do come forward and give ur suggestions, or share ur views. Otherwise, the whole purpose of a blog is defeated.

Meeting with Remani Madam

Ohh...what kind of emotions i went through meeting Remani Ma'am, after so many years!!! She hasn't grown as old as i had thought, but the visible greying of hair is there, but her energy levels, affection and aura haven't dwindled. Had the good fortune of meeting her in God's own country, in a more or less pleasant weather.

We had long discussion, after she saw the presentation that i had handed over that was prepared yesterday. I had to come down to trivandrum from Tirunelveli because the distance isnt much and didnt want to lose the chance of meeting her. It all went well and we had discussions and open talk for an hour.

I couldnt resist paying my obeisance to her by touching her feet the moment i saw her and felt good to receive her blessings. It was her husband's ancestral home in trivandrum, where we met. They had come there in connection with a wedding and i didnt want to lose that opportunity.

There is so much more to share, but there is a train to catch under two hours from now. Unless someone shares the responsibility of this blog, i may have to keep away from posting blogs regularly, due to professional commitments. In August 2010, lets meet with renewed energy. God bless, until then.

Leave No Stone Unturned

True workers are few everywhere. But if those few are potent enough, many things can be achieved. Any organisation is as good as its workers are. And that should hold good in our case too. Till now, passionate members have been few to come by, but that doesn't discount the fact that some of the alumni expressed willingness to contribute with their efforts.

The very purpose of an old students association is defeated without active participation of the alumni. First step in this is finding them, next is to impress upon them the need for an organisation. Any organisation or association is better placed to make bigger impacts. Organisations/Associations need workers for their survival and vice versa. Here we are trying to build an Association from scratch. Every bit of help from each of the alumni will be a big factor.

We should leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to build up this organisation from scratch.