An article by Mr. Vedanthan

My most unforgettable experience(s)!

Vanitha Sadhana in Mysore is located adjacent to Ashoka Puram. K.M. Puram previously called ‘weaver’s lines’ was probably a community of weavers during the erstwhile Maharaja’s days. My grandfather, a retired amildar from the British Civil Services moved to Mysore city from Madras presidency, mostly due to the fact that my father late P.D. Krishnasawmi was a student at Mysore Medical college.

Our family has been extremely close with Children’s Book Council (CBC), an integral part of Vanitha Sadhana. Both my grandfather and father were presidents of the CBC. My grand mother, a Tamilian by birth and a Hindi scholar by choice was very close to the founders Smt. Susheela Bai and Sri N. Nagesha Rao and even today a yearly memorial quiz competition in Hindi is held in her honor. The closeness of our families was probably taken for granted by me. I would go into tantrums to attend the 1^st grade classes and my dad had to arrange for me to be transported back and forth to the school, riding on the neck of our family servant Giriya. I would listen to Giriya more than I would to my parents; he would tell me stories, listen and obey to my most unreasonable demands.

Very vividly I remember two of the episodes during my very ‘short’ tenure at Vanitha Sadhana.  One has to do with the students athletic competition they conduct every year. Despite my disability to run fast due to Polio at age 2, I enrolled to compete in the 100 metres sack race (Goni cheela race). No wonder I was the last one to finish and also the downpour during the event was not of much help! Before the prize distribution, I pleaded with my grandfather who was the chief guest for the function to grant me a ‘complimentary’ prize for my dismal performance. He obviously cancelled me off rudely and still wanted me to attend the function without fail. To my utter surprise, at the end of prize distribution, they announced my ‘complimentary’ medal for participation. I was just amazed at the generosity and that was probably the only prize I have ever won in my life for my athletic abilities.

The second episode I would like to quote ended in a heartbreaking manner too forcing me to quit Vanitha Sadhana under awkward conditions! During my 1^st grade, we were all given plenty of toys and gadgets to play around in the school. I was under the impression that whatever I played with belonged to me permanently. I started carrying a huge bag to the school so I can fill it up with as many toys as possible to bring home to play. One day, I was playing with a used car tire along with other students during our “out door” activities in front of the school. Thinking that the tire was also a “gift” to me like the other toys, I left the ground quietly rolling the tire towards our home and was successful in storing it safely in our garage! None of these activities were brought to my parents’ or grandparents’ attention. It was our grand father who was basically in charge of our activities and education, rather than my father who was an extremely busy medical practitioner. After the 1^st year in VS, when I sat along with my friends in the 2nd year class, something ‘unbelievable’ occurred.  The 2^nd year teacher came to me close, physically lifted me out of the class and landed me back in the 1^st grade class again. She announced to me that I have ‘failed’ in the 1^st grade due to my ‘stealing’ habits and have to serve one more year before graduating into grade 2. I landed again at my grand father with a strong plea to get me out of Vanitha Sadhana due to this unfortunate incident. He succumbed to my pressure and got me discharged and readmitted me into the ‘Gubbacchi’ primary school about a block away in the 2nd grade. 

This short and eventful experiences at Vanitha Sadhana have been unique and unforgettable events in my life to share with today’s youngsters with an appeal not to repeat my ‘mistakes’. I preside over the meetings at VS when they honor our grandmother (Late Smt. Ranagnayakamma Hindi memorial) and share my stories to appeal to our younger generation to observe civic rules first and foremost to become better citizens.

P.K. Vedanthan , Colorado USA

Vision Vanitha Sadna 2010

VANITHA SADANA (WOMEN’S FORUM)

      Vanitha Sadana is an institution dedicated to the development of women and children, for close to seven decades. It was established in 1937 by a group of residents in Mysore City (Karnataka) who were inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and ably led by the distinguished and a devote Gandhian couple – Smt. Susheela Bai and Prof. Nagesha Rao.  The founders foresaw the imperative of women’s development at a time when gender issues were still far away from main stream discourse, and pioneered a local revolution in educating and training women and children in general and destitute women in particular.  Starting off with Hindi and Charkha (Spinning wheel) classes, Vanitha Sadana entered into the fields of adult literacy, vocational education, sports, arts, children’s library and leadership development. 

      Vanitha Sadana is managed by a Trust called Smt. Susheela Bai – Sri Nagesha Rao Educational and Charitable Trust (R), a nonprofit organization recognized by the Government of Karnataka.  The Trust consists of 9 (nine) members. A managing committee, an education committee, a cultural committee and an advisory board represented by eminent local people from different walks of life assist in efficiently running the institution. 

      Over the years, the institution has provided solid educational foundation to tens of thousands of poor children and have brought new power and light into the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged women.  Today it is an acknowledged leader in providing basic, all-round education through its four well organized wings, namely,  

• Vanitha Sadana School
• Vanitha Sadana Vocational Centre
• Vanitha Sadana Cultural Centre
• Vanitha Sadana Children’s Book Council

VANITHA SADANA SCHOOL

Started in 1939, this school, today, has about 800 wards, mostly girls on its rolls from pre-school to 10^th standard (equivalent to high school graduation). 

 The school has won numerous awards and honors at various levels in Education as well as sports and arts.  Its alumni have established their reputation in different fields worldwide. As an aided school of the Karnataka Government, the school has been able to retain well qualified, full-time teachers who have been consistently striving to impart quality education to the children and even financially supporting some of them. 

An extraordinary feature of this school is that the majority of its students come from economically backward families and many of them are unable to pay even the admission / tuition fees. Despite severe financial, infrastructural and other constraints, the school has never compromised on quality and has been providing all-round education to the students in keeping with its stated objective which is- educating children and empowering women.   

ii.  VANITHA SADANA VOCATIONAL CENTRE

To provide vocational education to women was one of the prime objectives of this Institution.  It began its activities with Charakha Training for poor women.  The success of this programme soon led to the development of an exclusive Vocational Centre with a range of training programmes like tailoring, embroidery, cloth weaving, cloth printing and  mat making.  Tailoring and embroidery training programmes  proved to be a remarkable success as it  opened up good career and self employment opportunities to a number of poor women. But with passage of time and due to financial constraints many of these courses have been withdrawn.  Some courses have gone out of demand as well, necessitating introduction of a new generation of courses, relevant to today’s market demands.   

iii.  VANITHA SADANA CULTURAL CENTRE

This Centre was started in 1938 to encourage creative talent and foster interest in culture among women and young girls.  Vocal and Instrumental Music, Dance are taught here.  The Centre also organizes Seminars and holds performances for promotion of Indian culture.  The Centre is recognized by the State Government. 
 

iv.VANITHA SADANA  CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL(CBC)

The CBC, an important wing of the Sadana, was founded in 1947 with the objective of establishing a Library of Children’s Books and a reading room with audio-visual aids.    

During its 62 years of existence, the CBC has achieved its objective with distinction.  It has published number of educational books and magazines for children, has held book exhibitions and has been involved in many children’s activities.  It has a collection of more than 10,000 books in its library. Today’s CBC activities include organizing Dasara and summer camps for bringing science awareness amongst children, imparting training in personality development and leadership qualities, field training in first aid, teaching discipline  etc.  The children are also taken to rural areas to have a peep into the life of villagers.   

Thus, it is seen that the Vanitha Sadana, in seventy long years of its existence, has done commendable service in educating   thousands of girls and empowering women coming from poorer strata of society.  In doing so, it has taken the financial burden on itself and with generous offers from good Samaritans without penalizing the students.  One would be surprised to note that the average fee charged to the students at the Sadana is Rs.250/- per annum which is abysmally low in today’s context.  

However, if Vanitha Sadana is to continue to uphold the noble cause and make progress, new courses aided by modern technology have to be introduced.  It has to provide proper infrastructure for educating the children in a clean, safe and healthy environment.   These improvements are possible only if enough funds are available with the managers of the institution. Also, what is most unfortunate is, the school which has a heritage of about seventy decades, remains unknown to most of the residents of Mysore.

Hence, a group of Sadana’s alumni have come forward and have decided to focus on following three areas which need urgent attention.

1. Raise Funds for Sadanas developmental activities,

2. Boost student enrollment in the  school,

3. Popularize Sadana through publicity and other related activities.

As a first step in the direction the above students and the Members of the Sadana (Trustees, committee members and teachers) are jointly organizing a cultural event  titled ‘Vision Vanitha Sadana’ on 3^rd of July at ‘Jagan Mohana Palace.’

 Mr. R N Murthy, Managing Partner, M/S Ranga Rao and Sons, Mysore has kindly agreed to be the chief guest for the event. Hon. Smt. B Jayashree, M.P. (Rajya Sabha), an accomplished singer, renowned Actress and Theater personality, has graciously agreed to be the Guest of Honour.

Smt B. Jayashree will present ‘Ranga geetegalu’ which will be followed by cultural programmes from students, members and alumni of the School.  A Photo exhibition depicting the story of Vanitha Sadana as it has traversed through these 70 odd years and its achievements will form part of the function.

Estimated expenditure for the event ‘Vision Vanitha Sadana’ is attached with this letter for reference.  It will be highly appreciated if you could kindly support this great cause through your generous donations.

NOTE:

·        Individuals/firms/Institutions/Organisations that will donate Rs. 2000 and above will be allowed to have their banner in the auditorium during the event.

·        Individuals/firms/Institutions/Organisations that will donate Rs. 5000 and above will be allowed to have a stall during the event at the auditorium premises.

·        Individuals/firms/Institutions/Organisations that will donate Rs. 10000 and above will be given a ‘VIP’ seat (Seat for two) and can have their banner and stall if they wish to.

·        Individuals/firms/Institutions/Organisations that will donate Rs. 25000 and above will be given a ‘VIP’ seat (Seat for four) and can have their banner and stall if they wish to and they will be feted during the event.

Organizing committee:

President:                                Smt Kamala Raman

Vice President:                        Smt. Vimala

Secretary:                                Smt Anasuya N.

                                                Vanitha Sadana

                                                 Mysore

Trustees:                                  Mr. Srinivasa Murthy N.

                                                Mr. Ravi B R

                                                Mr. Srinivasa Rao P.

Convener of the event:            Kum Srividya M R

                                                Alumni of the School

Other members:                       Smt Bharathi (Papu), Smt Shashikala,

                                                Smt. Vijayalakshmi N, Smt. Jeni Bai B M

                                                Smt. Yashaswini, Smt. Shalini Chari

                                                Smt Chandramma, Smt Chandrika

                                                Smt Ashwini S Y, Smt. Shwetha Pradhan,

                                                Smt Nudi, Kum Hemavathi

                                                Kum Chandrika, Kumari Lakshmi

                                                Sri Ravi V, Sri Hemanth

                                                Sri Ajay T R, Sri Jayanth

                                                                                Sri Pradeep Bhagavath

People who have dedicated their lives for 'Sadan' and its motto.

Smt Anasuya(Top), Smt Bharathi (Papu)(middle) and Smt. Vasundhara.(Last)

Few more snaps..

Recently a workshop on 'Home remedies' from 'Ayurveda' was held in our school by Dr. Srivatsan. Some of the snaps of the workshop.

 

You can see our President Dr. Kamala Raman in the picture (above), Wise president Smt. Vimala and other participants taking part in the discussion.

             School Field                                                                  Steps of Success

Memories

  School Entrance

Children Book Council

Logo

Here is the Logo of Vanitha Sadana. It symbolizes the sacrifices, the hard work of Sadan, founders and management in bringing light into others life.

Thank you..

MY SCHOOL IS THE BEST-An article by Lakshmi

"MY SCHOOL IS THE BEST". I got so much to learn and play here. I studied for 3 years in this school and passed out in year 2000. The encouragement and motivation i got from the teachers was amazing, it helped me to emerge as a new individual.Teachers were really devoted, they always tried to groom the overall personality of the student, prepared them to face future challenges. I think this is what we call as education and that is what we get here in my school Vanitha Sadan.

Vanitha Sadan was second home for me, i never wanted to take a leave/bunk from school even when i was sick. It could feel so much positive energy around the campus.

Whatever I am today in my life ,I proudly say that Vanitha Sadan has played a major role in that for sure. I promise that I will stand by and support the School at all good and bad times.

KUDOS Vanitha Sadan!!!

From ,

Lakshmi

United States

I love you Vanitha Sadana

When young children go to school, they mostly think they are there to get good grades. The most important things you learn in life are not in a classroom, they are out in the real world, everyday situations that we learn and grow from. Children should learn only to brighten their own individual knowledge and to learn moral values that are actually important in life.
But a ‘School’ plays a very important role in shaping the personality of an individual. I studied in a school which made me a human being today; which made me a teacher today; which takes the full credit of making me ‘Myself’.
I studied in a school which never pressurized me to take extra ordinary grades. I studied in a school where I was not forced to run in the race. But my school taught me how to ‘Study’ and not to ‘Read’. My school taught me how to live, how to help and how to fly. I learnt the meaning of ‘learning’ in my school.
The school I am talking about is ‘Vanitha Sadana’. A School which has given education to thousands has a story of about seven decades. Founded by Smt Susheela Bai and Nagesha Rao, the school has always taken financial burdens on itself without penalizing the students.
In fact, the school is run by the ‘Women’s forum’. Vanitha Sadana is an Institution dedicated to the development of women and children. The institution is acting with the motto ‘educating children and empowering women’. Over the years, the institution has provided good educational foundations to many students, among which majority come from economically backward families. Despite of all economical constraints the institution has never compromised with its goal of giving quality education to the children and extending helping hands to women.
I am proud to be called as a ‘typical product of Vanitha Sadana’ (As many of my friends call me always). I love my school and I dedicate this blog to the Institution.
I take this opportunity to invite articles from alumni of ‘Vanitha Sadan’ to share their moments they spent during their period at Vanitha Sadana. This blog will now continue with articles/essays/stories about Vanitha Sadana and its journey of seventy odd years.
Thanks.
Regards
Sri