B. Lakshmi honoured by District Committee of Kerala Brahmana Sabha

B. Lakshmi, 1^st Rank holder in M. Sc. Physics of M. G. University was honoured by the District Committee of Kerala Brahmana Sabha. K. Annalakshmi, President of Vanitha Vibhagam presented the cash award on Sunday, 28^th November 2010 at Lakshmi’s residence at Thripunithura. V. Krishnaswami, District President and other office bearers were also present on the occasion. (For more news on B. Lakshmi, please search in the previous posts in this blog using the search box provided)

Well done Rohith!

Rohith R. Krishnan, 8^th standard student of Rajagiri Public School has won 1st Prize for Carnatic Instrumental Music – Violin and 2^nd Prize for Carnatic Music – Vocal in  Category IV in the 16^th State C. B. S. E. School Festival held at M. E. T. Public School, Perumbavoor on 26^th, 27^th and 28^th  of November 2010. Congratulations to Rohith in his achievement. Rohith is son of K. Ramakrishnan, Manager, Federal Bank and S. Latha; and grandson of R. Krishna Iyer and Thankam Krishna Iyer of Perumbavoor. (For more news on Rohith, please visit http://kbsekm.blogspot.com/2010/08/scholarship-for-rohith-r-krishnan.html)

Pallamkuzhi attracts youngsters

Pallamkuzhi is a traditional indoor game that is played in South India and Sri Lanka, popularized in Kerala by the Tamil Brahmins. In Tamil, ‘Pal’means "many" and ‘kuzhi’ means "pit" – combining both the words – many pits.

Pallamkuzhi board

Two players can play the game. You need a Pallamkuzhi board – usually a wooden board with 14 pits, 7 on each row – and few cowries to play this game. Each row belongs to a player. The pit on the middle of both sides is referred as ‘Kasi’ where the players store their cowries which indicate the wealth. Each player will be given 72 cowries which are to be equally distributed in 6 pits except ‘Kasi’in one side. The player will start distributing cowries in clockwise direction. The pit you had chosen initially is left empty. The attempt is to collect all the shells of the opponent. The immediate pit that comes after an empty one on the other side belongs to the player and thus the cowries in it. Thus the game goes on till one player’s cowries are totally captured and the game demonstrates the art of capturing pits. Quick counting of the cowries and judgement of the number of pits to be filled requires one to be very attentive and the ability for some rapid mental calculations.

“Generally boys were discouraged from playing this game but I don’t know the reason behind this. It is a good brain exercise and perhaps a defense against Alzheimer's like diseases too. Different variants of games are played like ‘Mukkattam’ etc. using the same board and cowries. You can use ‘manjadikkuru’ or ‘kunnikkuru’ instead of cowries; but the rhythmic sound that produced using cowries are excellent” – says Santha Sabesan, President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Vanitha Vibhagam, Mattancherry who is an expert in this game.

Former history professor of Madras University V. Balambal says she was was surprised to see the western scholars had conducted researches on the game to find out the various skills of students at various levels. The game is taught in schools to improve the memory and motor skills of the students, and gender plays an important role in the game - she said. She has traced 11 versions of the game and though played for entertainment, at a subconscious level the game is credited to have improved memory, motor and mathematical skills.

Kerala Brahmana Sabha has included this indoor board game in “Vipra Vismayam” – the Sports and Games competitions for its members conducted in alternate years. A recently released movie song “pallamkuzhiyin vattam parthen otrai nanayam” popularised Pallamkuzhi among the youngsters; anyhow the actual 'vattam' is a little bit more than that of a one rupee coin.

B. Lakshmi honoured by Thripunithura Upasabha

B. Lakshmi, who secured 1st Rank in M. Sc. (Physics) exams of M. G. University was honoured by Dr. P. S. Raman, President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Thripunithura Upasabha on Tuesday, 23rd November 2010. A memento was presented to Lakshmi by Dr. P. S. Raman and Certificate was presented by K. Venugopal, Secretary of Thripunithura Upasabha. R. Hariharan (Vice President), N. V. Krishnan (Joint Secretary), Balu Narayanan (State Joint Secretary), S. Gopalakrishnan (Executive Member), S. Naganathan (District Organising Secretary), N. V. venkitachalam (Executive Member) were also present on the occasion held at her residence. She is daughter of P. S. Babu, Retired Superintendent of Customs and R. Girija, Manager, ESI Corporation. She has two sisters, B. Supriya and B. Suchithra. B. Lakshmi is President of the Yuvajana Vibhagam of Thripunithura Upsabha and was one among the 10 finalists of Amritha Super Star reality show. She had also won 2nd prize in Carnatic Music competition in M. G. University Kalolsavam.

Facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims at Kottayam

The Sabarimala pilgrims are offered grand facilities at Brahmana Samooha Madom at Kottayam, as the city is having a strategic importance for the pilgrims. Rooms, Dormitories (a/c & non-a/c), food, toilets, travel arrangements etc. are offered here irrespective of religion, caste at the Samooha Madom located at Srinivasa Iyer Road. It is to be noted that the services offered here are purely voluntary and without any profit motive.  Those who wish to utilize the facilities may contact any one of the following in the cell phone numbers given in brackets. Ramanathan/Ramji (0 94473 62569), S. Sankar/Devan (0 93495 27765),  Umamaheswaran/ Mahesh (0 93878 84646, 0 93880 19898), Ajay Sankar (0 93884 44458), Venkidesh K. (0 98954 36680, 097463 22922). Addres: Brahmana Samooha Madom, Srinivasa Iyer Road, beside Thirunakkara Temple, Kottayam – 686 001. Phone: 0481 – 2566 926.

Reception for R.Venugopal, Subhalakshmi, Dr.V.Ramalingam and Dr.P.S.Raman at Thripunithura Upasabha

A meeting to honour the newly elected Chairman of Thripunithura Municipal Council - R. Venugopal, Counciller of Chakkamkulangara Ward in Thripunithura Municipal Council - Subhalakshmi Mahadevan, the leaders of Kerala Brahmana Sabha who were conferred with Doctorate (Honorary) degree - Dr. V. Ramalingam and Dr. P. S. Raman was held on Sunday, 21st of November 2010 at 12.00 noon.

Dr. V. Ramalingam draping Ponnada to R. Venugopal. (From left to right) R. Hariharan, Dr. P. S. Raman, K. G. V. Pathy

K. Annalakshmi draping Ponnada to Subhalakshmi Mahadevan. (From left to right) Harinatha D., Dr. V. Ramalingam, Revathy Krishnan, R. Venugopal, R. Hariharan, N. R. Parameswaran, Dr. P. S. Raman, K. G. V. Pathy

The meeting was presided over by R. Hariharan, Vice President of Thripunithura Upasabha. In his presidential address, R. Hariharan praised the impartial service rendered by R. Venugopal irrespective of caste or creed for more than 25 years in the city. Venugopal’s life is an example of the power of simplicity. Appreciating Subhalakshmi Mahadevan for her victory in Chakkamkulangara ward, he said she is the most deserving person to represent the ward by all means. He also mentioned the contributions made by Dr. V. Ramalingam and Dr. P. S. Raman to the society, especially to uplift and unite the Brahmin community. The names of the members of the community who were elected to the local bodies from other parts of the State – K. Hari (Perumbavoor), Udayakrishna (Thiruvananthapuram), C. J. Narayanaswami (Cherppu), K. V. Viswanathan (Kalpathy), Usha Ramachandran (Nurani), V. K. Reghu (Kadangode), P. V. Narayanaswami (Vadakkancherry) – were mentioned and appreciated by Hariharan on behalf of Thripunithura Upasabha in his address.

Dr. P. S. Raman draping Ponnada to Dr. Ramalingam. R. Hariharan also seen

R. Hariharan draping Ponnada to Dr. P. S. Raman. (From left to right) R. Venugopal, N. R. Parameswaran, K. G. V. Pathy, K. Annalakshmi

In his reply speech R. Venugopal assured that he will uphold the values while executing the responsibility entrusted on him. He thanked and requested the people gathered for their whole hearted support in future. Subhalakshmi Mahadevan, Dr. V. Ramalingam and Dr. P. S. Raman expressed their gratitude in their speech.

R. Venugopal and Subhalakshmi Mahadevan distributing prizes to the winners of Vipra Vismayam held in Thripunithura Upasabha

The prizes and certificates for the winners in the Vipra Vismayam competitions held in Upasabha level were distributed in the meeting.

A view of the gathering

K. G. V. Pathy (State Treasurer), N. R. Parameswaran (secretary, Central Zone) and K. Annalakshmi (District President, Vanitha Vibhagam) felicitated the dignitaries. Balu Narayanan (State Joint Secretary – Head Quarters), Harinath D. (State Co-ordinator, Yuvajana Vibhagam), K. Venugopal (Secretary, Thripunithura Upasabha), Revathy Krishnan (President, Vanitha Vibhagam, Thripunithura Upasabha), Meenakshi Varadarajan (Secretary, Vanitha Vibhagam, Thripunithura Upasabha) were also present on the occasion. S. Ramakrishnan, Executive Committee Member, Thripunithura Upasabha welcomed the gathering and N. V. Krishnan, Joint Secretary, Thripunithura Upasabha said the vote of thanks.

Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer's 96th birthday celebrated

R. Ramakrishnan, President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Ernakulam City Unit draping Ponnada to Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer. M. Vanchiswaran, Secretary and Krishnamony, Vice President also seen

Noted jurist Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer celebrated his 96th birthday at Kochi. On behalf of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Ernakulam City Unit, the office bearers visited his residence and honoured him by draping a Ponada.

Venugopal Sasthrikal's 60th Birthday celebrated at Ernakulam

Dr. V. Ramalingam, Dr. P. S. Raman and office bearers of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Ernakulam City Unit with Venugopal Sasthrikal

The 60th birthday of Venugopal Sasthrikal (Madura Vadhyar), the Samooham Vadhyar of Gramajana Samooham, Ernakulam was held on Saturday, 6th November 2010. He belongs to Madurai and he is serving as Samooham Vadhyar for last 25 years. Venugopal Sasthrikal is blessed with one son and one daughter. His son is following his tradition in profession.

V. Ramalingam and P. S. Raman conferred Honorary Doctorate

V. Ramalingam (State President) and P. S. Raman (State Vice President) of Kerala Brahmana Sabha were conferred Doctorate (Honorary) degree at Colombo, Sri Lanka by the Open International University for Complimentary Medicines, during the 48th World Congress of Integrated Medicines.

V. Ramalingam and P. S. Raman were bestowed with this international honour on Sunday, 14th November 2010 at Colombo for the outstanding service delivered by them in Philanthropic, Social and Spiritual segments. Both, with their better halves were at Colombo for the Convocation and returned to Kerala as Dr. V. Ramalingam and Dr. P. S. Raman. Chairman and Chancellor of Open International University for Complimentary Medicines, Prof. Dr. Gitanjan Mendis conferred the Doctorate. The ceremony took place at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. Inaugural Session on Friday, 12th November was blessed by P. Dayaratne and C. B. Rathnayake, Central Ministers of Government of Sri Lanka. Around 1100 members from all over the World attended the Congress. Dr. V. Ramalingam and Dr. P. S. Raman expressed their sincere thanks to Dr.T. K. Raman, Chairman, TILT, Kochi for the initiative and guidance, who is also the Promoter & Guide for the Doctorate Candidates of the University.

BWA, Mattancherry Celebrates Annual Day

V. Krishnaswami, District President, Kerala Brahmana Sabha addressing the audience. (From left to right) K. Annalakshmi, V. Devasikhamony, Santha Sabesan and S. P. Rajkumar on the stage.

The Annual Day celebrations of BWA, Mattancherry was held on Sunday, 14th November 2010 at 4.00 p. m. Adv. V. Devasikhamony, Vice President presided over the meeting and V. Krishnaswami delivered the keynote address.

The children participated in the celebrations

The members of Vanitha Vibhagam

Addressing the audience, V. Krishnaswami (District President) said one should not enclose their minds with a fence, instead, should be able to connect beyond limits by building bridges that has strong footing on the values. Santha Sabesan, President of Vanitha Vibhagam, K. Annalakshmi, District President, Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Vanitha Vibhagam and Rajkumar S. P. were also present on the occasion. Ranganathan, Prof. Ramanathan, S. L. Narayanan and Sankaranarayana Iyer shared a few words with the audience in the meeting.

Ranganathan, Prof. Ramanathan, S. L. Narayanan and Sankaranarayana Iyer sharing moments with audience

Sankaranarayana Iyer known as Ambi Mama reached to attend the function after attending the ‘Maharudram’ at Pandi Samooham, Thrissur continuously for the 50th year. S. L. Narayanan brought the attention of the audience to Narayanan Krishnan of Akshaya Trust who is short listed to be elected as CNN Hero of the year. Performances by the members and their family were held after the meeting.

Reception to Valsala Prasannakumar, Chairperson and K. R. Vani at Parur

Valsala Prasannakumar, Chairperson, Parur inaugurating the meeting

The Kerala Brahmana Sabha of Parur organized a reception to the newly elected Chairperson of Parur Municipality, Valsala Prasannakumar and K. R. Vani, 2nd Rank holder in B. Sc. degree exams from M. G. University on Sunday, 14th November 2010.

V. Krishnaswami presenting cash award to K. R. Vani. (From left to right) V. Parameswaran, K. R. Chandran, G. Murali, Adv. Ranjith Krishnan, Dr. M. N. Venkiteswaran and Krishnamurthy

K. R. Chandran, President, Parur Upasabha presided over the meeting and was inaugurated by Valsala Prasannakumar by lighting the Nilavilakku. Krishnamurthy (Secretary, Parur Samooham) delivered the welcome speech. V. Krishnaswami (District Ptresident), G. Murali (Secretary, Parur Upasabha), Pradeep (Municipal Counciller), V. Parameswaran (District Organizing Secretary), Dr. M. N. Venkiteswaran, Adv. Renjith Krishnan and Sekhar (Manager, Parur Samooham) were present on the occasion.

Dr. M. N. Venkiteswaran presenting cash award to K. R. Vani. (From left to right) V. Parameswaran, V. Krishnaswami, G. Murali, Adv. Ranjith Krishnan, K. R. Chandran and Krishnamurthy

K. R. Vani, 2nd Rank holder in B. Sc. (Electronics and Computer Hardware) from M. G. University was honoured in the meeting. On behalf of the District Committee of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, V. Krishnaswami presented a cash award of Rs. 1000/- to Vani in her achievement. Dr. M. N. Venkiteswaran also presented a cash award to Vani.

CNN Hero of the Year - Vote for Narayanan Krishnan

Narayanan Krishnan, all of 29 years old now, does what he was professionally trained to do as a chef. Feed people. Only Krishnan does not do this in the swanky confines of a 5-star hotel. Every day, he wakes up at 4.00 a. m., cooks a simple hot meal and then, along with his team, loads it in a van and travels about 200 k. m. feeding the homeless in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Krishnan feeds, often with his hands, almost 400 destitute people every day. And for those who need it, he provides a free haircut too.

According to CNN, eight years ago, this award-winning chef with a five-star hotel chain was all set to go to Switzerland for a high-profile posting. On a visit to a Madurai temple, he came across a homeless, old man eating his own human waste. That stark sight changed Krishnan's life.

Much to the dismay of his parents, CNN says, Krishnan abandoned his career plans and decided to spend his life and his professional training in looking after those who could not care for themselves. He has provided more than 1.2 million hot meals through his nonprofit organization Akshaya Trust, and now hopes to extend this to shelter for the homeless too.

Krishnan is the only Indian in a list of 10 heroes that CNN has picked worldwide to honour. One of them will be chosen CNN Hero of the Year, selected by the public through an online poll. If many Indians get together to vote for this inspiring man, he can win by a long mile.

If Krishnan wins he will get $100,000 in addition to the $25,000 that he gets for being shortlisted for the Top 10. Akshaya Trust needs all the monetary support it can get to build on Krishnan's dream. Let's help him get there.

Vote for Krishnan here. http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/index.html

The poll continues through 2010 November 18 at 6.00 a.m. ET.

Vipra Vismayam 2010 at Thripunithura Upasabha

On Childrens Day, 14^th of November 2010, the Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Thripunithura Upasabha conducted competitions on various Games – Vipra Vismayam. More than 50 competitors participated in the Games held at Lions Club Indoor Court at Thripunithura. R. Hariharan, Vice President and K. Venugopal, Secretary of Upasabha inaugurated the Games at 10.00 a.m. Competitions were held in two categories – above and below 18 years – for Chess, Carroms, Shuttle Badminton and Pallamkuzhi. The Pallamkuzhi competition for women attracted many youngsters since it was all new to the generation.

Office Bearers of Yuvajana Vibhagam, KBS, Thripunithura

B. Lakshmi (President), Sreeram R. (Secretary), H. Padmanabhan (Treasurer)

Rajagopal H. (Vice President), Neelakandan H. (Joint Secretary), Ramesh Venugopal (Representative)



Introductory meeting of District Youth Wing held at Ernakulam

An introductory meeting of the members of the District Committee of Yuvajana Vibhagam in Ernakulam District was held at District Committee office at Gramajana Samooham buildings on Sunday, 7^th November 2010. The meeting was presided over by V. Krishnaswami, District President. Office bearers from various Upasabhas in the District participated in the meeting. V. Ramalingam, State President inaugutated the meeting. He exhorted the youngsters to donate blood to the needy patients in time by preparing a blood donors data bank in the District. E. V. Lakshmi (District President, Yuvajana Vibhagam) and Harinath D. (District Secretary, Yuvajana Vibhagam) were also present in the meeting. Balu Narayanan (State Joint Secretary) briefed the Directions given to the Yuvajana Vibhagam for their activities in an interactive session. V. Krishnaswami, N. Ramachandran (District Vice President) and Thangam Ramakrishnan (District Secretary) with Balu Narayanan clarified the points raised by the members. N. Ramachandran delivered the welcome address and H. Vanchiswaran (District Vice President, Yuvajana Vibhagam) said the vote of thanks.

R. Venugopal, K. Hari and Subhalakshmi honoured

The three Councillors who have won from Thripunithura and Perumbavoor Municipalities were honoured by the District Committee of Kerala Brahmana Sabha in a meeting held at Ernakulam. R. Venugopal, Subhalakshmi and K. Hari were given a warm welcome in the District Committee held on Sunday, 7^th November 2010 at 10.00 a.m..

V. Ramalingam draping Ponnada and P. S. Raman presenting a memento to R. Venugopal

P. S. Raman draping Ponnada to K. Hari and N. Ramachandran presenting a memeto to K. Hari

V. Krishnaswami draping Ponnada and R. Ramakrishnan presenting a memeto to Subhalakshmi

The meeting was presided over by V. Krishnaswami, District President. In his presidential address, he requested the elected Councillors to strictly uphold the values during their tenure in serving the society. Delivering the reply address, R. Venugopal expressed his gratitude towards Kerala Brahmana Sabha and assured that he will deliver his duty without any fear and partiality. Subhalakshmi and K. Hari also thanked the District Committee for the reception in few words.

V. Krishnaswami honouring V. Ramalingam by draping Ponnada

V. Ramalingam, State President was also honoured in the meeting for receiving the award of Top Exporter of Whole Spices instituted by Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Kochi. P. S. Raman (State Vice President), P. Ananthasubramaniam (State General Secretary), Balu Narayanan, Navaneetha Krishnan (both State Joint Secretaries), N. Ramachandran (District Vice President), R. Ramakrishnan (District Secretary), Mohandas S., R. Hariharaputhran (both District Joint Secretaries), S. Naganathan (District Organizing Secretary) and M. Vanchiswaran (Secretary, Ernakulam City Unit) were present on the occasion.

Top Exporter Award for V. Ramalingam

V. Ramalingam, Managing Partner of G. R. K. & Company and State President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha won the award for Top Exporter of Whole Spices 2009-2010 instituted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Kochi. The award was presented to V. Ramalingam by Madhavan Nayar, I. R. S., Chief Commissioner, Income Tax, Kochi.

Ezhikode Sasi Namboothiri, proposed Melsanthy of Sabarimala at Perumbavoor

The proposed Melsanthi of Sabarimala for the coming season, Ezhikode Sasi Namboothiri and K. Hari, who has been elected as Municipal Councilor in Temple Ward of Perumbaovor Municipality, were given a warm reception on Sunday, the 31st of October 2010 at 4.00 p. m. at Samooham Mandapom, Perumbavoor. The meeting was organized by Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Perumbavoor Upsabha and was presided over by V. Krishnaswami, District President. N. Ramachandran, President of Perumbavoor Upasabha welcomed the gathering. Earlier Ezhikode Sasi Namboothiri was given a ceremonial welcome by offering Poornakumbham under the auspices of Adv. R. Harihara Iyer. S. Yagneswaran, Treasurer, Vadarkutti Brahmana Samooham and other eminent personalities were present on the occasion. The meeting was inaugurated by Sasi Namboothiri by lighting the Nilavilakku.

Ezhikode Sasi Namboothiri did his early studies at Painkulam and Thuravoor, Alapuzha and he was graduated from Maharajas College, Ernakulam. He was Melsanthi of Sidhaputhur Ayyappa Temple, Coimbatore and Guruvayoor Temple for 16 years and 6 months respectively. Presently he is Melsanthy of Pavakkulam Mahadeva Temple at Kaloor, Ernakulam. His wife Prasanna, hails from Asikkath Mana of Marampilly and the couple is blessed with two children – Dr. Aparna and Visakh Aryan.

K. Hari is presently Secretary of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Perumbavoor Upasabha. He started his public life right from the school days and was very active in student organisations. Later he was lifted to official posts of party and he served the society for more than 30 years in different levels. He is son of A. K. Krishna Iyer of Kavungal Puthen Madom (Hotel Rajalakshmi) and Seethalakshmi Ammal. His wife is Sujatha and the couple has two children – Sreelakshmi and Sarada.

The dignitaries were honoured by Vanitha Vibhagam, Youth Wing and Narayaneeyam Seva Samithy of Perumbavoor. H. Ramanathan (President, Vadarkutti Brahmana Samooham), C. K. Krishnan (Vice President, S. N. D. P., Kunnathunadu Thaluk Union), Prof. Panduranga Pai (President, Gauda Saraswatha Brahmana Samooham, Perumbavoor) and T. K. Rajeev (General Convenor, Temple Ward Election Committee) felicitated both with few words in their achievement. Ezhikode Sasi Namboothiri and K. Hari expressed their happiness in their reply speech. Lakshmi H. Iyer, Secretary of Vanitha Vibhagam said the vote of thanks.