Talk:Never Too Late for Love

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Cover-nevertoolate.jpg

Image:Cover-nevertoolate.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 20:18, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Dr A R K Pillai

[Dr.A R K pillai is a very down-to-earth man, a social scientist with long years of social and humanitarian services. His life and professions are led by simplicity and humility. His social work directed towards neediest-needy who suffer from most stigmatized population of India, spans over 3 decades and continues with greater vigor. He left his highly lucrative job to take up leprosy service - a unbelievable self and family sacrifice anyone would ever do with a sole intention of uplifting leprosy patients. He ventured in spite of odds against at the time, when this disease was looked down upon and people suffering with were social outcasts. He is none other than Dr. A. R. K. Pillai, fondly known to mangalorean.com and to his close friends as 'Ram'. Let us understand Dr. Pillai's greatest humanitarian work and his amazing achievements.

Dr. Pillai is the President of Indian Development Foundation (IDF) a leading National Registered NGO based in Mumbai and is spread over several states in India. Started as Indian Leprosy Foundation in 1983-84, it had almost achieved its objectives and therefore, got diversified and rechristened as Indian Development Foundation in April 2005. IDF focuses on Health, Education and Development and the aim is to assist in the process of India's development.

IDF is registered under the Public Trusts Act and the Societies Act and is recognized by the government and donors are eligible for income Tax deductions under Section 80-G. IDF is also registered with the Home Ministry, Government of India and is permitted to receive foreign funds.

IDF is a self-reliant NGO supported by public donations. It has never sought or taken any government grant so far. With a small compliment of its own staff members and a large base of volunteers, IDF carries on with the development work to serve suffering humanity. By limiting its own expenses, IDF has been giving away its major resources as IDF Grants to Hospitals and Projects. IDF has over 100 Associate Hospitals and Projects spread out in India and a very large number of NGOs and committed citizens groups to collaborate in the national task.

(L) Dr. Cherian, Governor of Maharashtra giving away the gold medal for journalism to Dr.Pillai (1966), (R) Mr. S.K. Patil, Union Minister for Transport & Communications hands over the first all India prize for the ROAD SAFETY CONTEST at Mumbai (1965)

Dr. Pillai presenting a draft proposal on leprosy eradication work in India to the Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi at PM's office in New Delhi. (July 1984)

Dr. Pillai with Mother Teresa

Dr. Pillai receiving an award from the Health Minister of Maharashtra, Dr. Suresh Shetty.

Dr. Pillai with former President Dr. Abdul Kalam and IDF's National co-ordinator Dr. Narayan B. Iyer

(L) Gandhian Dr. Usha Mehta, (R) Dr. Bhalachandra L. Mungekar, Member of Planning Commission

(L) Mr. C. Subramaniam, Governor of Maharashtra receives Dr. Pillai at the Raj Bhavan. Incidentally, Mr. C. Subramaniam is the father of India's Green Revolution. (R) with Sunil Gavaskar

(L) Dr. Pillai being congratulated by the doyen of industries Mr. J.R.D. Tata at Bombay House for excellent leprosy work.

(R) Dr. Pillai talking to Veteran skipper-cum-industrialist Mr. Vijay Merchant on social work.

Invitation from the Pope to Vatican

Dr. Pillai, nearing 80 and a widower leads a simple life in Mumbai. A peep into his life story may reveal his crusading effort spread over several decades.

Dr. Pillai was born on July 3, 1928 in a small village by name Kandiyoor, now a municipal ward of Mavelikara, District Alapuzha, Kerala. (Formerly Travancore state, a princely state, in the southern most tip of India) His parents were Late Mr.Ananthan Pillai and Late Mrs.Bhagavathi Amma. He was called Ram by his parents. He had an elder sister by name Thulasi, but no brothers. Thulasi was senior to Ram by 6 years. They lived in joint family with father’s brothers and their families. The Pillai joint family had vast landed properties and good resources, but was locked up by a civil suit with another family over property matters.

Dr. Pillai studied in the local primary school at Kandiyoor and later moved to English Middle School at Mattom, managed by the local Church. He had to walk about 6 Kms daily to the school and back. His high school education was at the Bishop Hodges high School, Mavelikara, an old and prestigious school. He ranked first in the class awards from 4th standard till matriculation. He was studious and obedient but was not very good in sports.

In the meantime, the court decree went against the family and most of the properties were annexed by the opposing party and Pillai family had to go through hard times. They were left with a single property and their ancestral home.

Ram had to move out of his ancestral home to Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram) as there were no colleges in the neighboring towns. It was a hard decision, because the family couldn’t afford college education. Ram moved out of the ancestral home and did some odd jobs at the age of 15 to earn a living and college education. He studied at the University College, Trivandrum, one of the premier colleges in Kerala. It was difficult to manage both these assignments, but there was no alternative. Ram got good marks at the Intermediate Exam, but could not join a professional course due to paucity of funds. He couldn’t locate any sponsors either. He spent some days brooding over what to do next, but no clear view was visible.

Ram left Trivandrum for Madras (now Chennai) in November 1947 and finding no favorable response there, set off for Bombay (now Mumbai) with a few rupees. The future was uncertain and everything looked blank for the young Ram. Landing in Mumbai with no one known to him, it was difficult to manage with funds in the pocket. God has His ways and within a few days, a Samaritan offered a sharing place in a low chawl (hut like accommodation) He did odd jobs to eke out a living, but tried hard to get into a steady job. Luck favored him as he passed the government test and got appointment as an Assistant in the Railway’s Accounts Department. The Railways offered very low salary for the Assistants, but for Ram it was something of a boon with steady income. But it was a life of struggle and he had to change several places, as accommodation was scarce in Mumbai. He had to live in someone’s place, sharing costs and this pattern continued for a long time. Ram used to support his parents by sending small remittances to them out of his meagre income

The Railways has a system of departmental examinations for the Accounts and Finance Department. Ram saw an opportunity and appeared for the exams one after the other and got small promotions. The final was an All India Exam with 2 to 3 % success rates and 5 years continuous service was the qualifying condition. Ram passed this All India Exam getting into the 1955 batch qualifying for an officer’s post and with avenues for very high promotion channel. By this time, Ram was in a better official status and income.

In the meantime, the announcement for Emergency Recruitment for Civil Services came up (IAS) but the minimum qualification was a degree. Ram missed an excellent opportunity because he had no degree. Ram decided to change this status, but education was very costly and he had to find out part time courses in the university to fit in with his suitability. A friendly cooperative bank gave him small educational loans at low interest rates and Ram took up earning and learning process. He passed BA and LL.B Exams in due course continuing in the railway job.

Dr. Pillai with (L) Founder of the Art of Living, Shri Shri Ravishankar & (R) Sunil Dutt

Dr. Pillai receiving Gandhian Award

(L) posing with the Police Commissioner of Mumbai Mr. Julio Rebiero.

(R) The President of India Mr. R. Venkatraman congratulates Dr. Pillai for excellent social transformation in India.

Dr. Pillai with (L) President, Zail Singh & (R) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

(R) Dr. P.C. Alexander, Governor of Maharashtra discussing a point with Dr. Pillai at the Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.

(L) with President Pratibha Patil, (R) meeting with former president Abdhul Kalam

Dr. Pillai with his beloved wife late Mrs. Syama Pillai

His mother persuaded Ram to marry Shyama, the daughter of a distant relative based in Vaikom, a town in Ernakulam district, near Cochin. Ram got married to Shyama during October 1958. It took some time for Ram to locate a small place to bring his wife to Mumbai and ultimately succeeded in the effort. Thus Ram started a family life in Mumbai continuing the railway job. They were blessed with a boy, who was named Girish.

The railway was facing a complicated accounts issue relating to stores purchases, storage and issue covering for about 10 years duration and the Management called the officers seeking their intervention. Ram took up the challenge but requested a selected team to be attached to him for the probe. The issue was also under a Parliamentary Committee scrutiny. Ram was given 3 years to complete with the committed team who worked day and night and tabled the report. Acceptable to the Ministry within 2 years and 9 months, which earned Ram a Commendation Certificate from the Ministry.

Ram got promotions in the railway, but the government system was too slow to bring meaningful advancement as the system relied on seniority at every stage. To overcome this handicap, Ram looked around for professional courses and found very limited courses open to him, because he had to continue his job while learning. After collecting details about various possibilities, he found that professional courses on communications were a good try. Enquiries from various universities gave the possibilities that suited earn and learn pattern. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan had excellent Mass Communications and related course and these were within the reach. Ram studied various possibilities and opted for Post Graduate course in Advertising and Public Relations. Eminent Faculty drawn from business and industry gave excellent inputs and coaching for this course. Ram was adjudged the “Best Student” and awarded Kulapati Medal. He also bagged the first and second awards for all "All India Road Safety Congress" competition in coining slogans and got the "Transport Minister’s Award."

Encouraged by this, Ram went for Specialisation in Public Relations. Thereafter he took up Post Graduate courses in Business Management and then Advanced Journalism and Newspaper Management. He got Honors for both these courses from His Excellency the Governor of Maharashtra.

Offers started coming in for Ram from Business Houses. On the one side there was steel security and advancement in government service, but the progress pattern was too long due to government procedures. On the other hand, there were good advancement chances in Business Houses, but there was no security because of the "hire and fire" system prevalent in commercial circles. The choice was difficult, but years of efforts had already been made. Trusting in God Almighty, Ram resigned the government railway job and joined a leading Advertising Agency on a good start.

The Agency work was an exciting experience. There was no office time as such many people "lived in the Agency" premises almost. Things wanted "yesterday" were the rule not the exception. The hyperactive Client service wing with Account Executives, the busy Creative Art Studio, the Photo division, the copy writers, media, planning and operations, the language department, printing and production, the TV and Radio division, secretarial division, the Administration and the Establishment, Accounts, Security and the Public Relations Unit worked hand in hand with admirable cohesion. It is a hair rising experience for many, but the seasoned man goes about with rhythmic dynamism.

In course of time, their Agency set up another Advertising Agency for business expansion reasons at New Delhi and time was opportune for Ram to shift to Delhi, while maintaining effective liaison with Mumbai office along with other Metro offices.

Work in Delhi is yet another cup of tea. Nothing happens in business here without political influence and the Agency danced to the tune of such forces if it suited them. Ram could meet many outstanding political leaders including the then Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi and a number of Central Ministers and leaders of various political hues. Work was hectic as usual in an Agency, but it differed from Mumbai because of Delhi overtones. Recoveries from clients were a vexed problem, because most of them seemed to enjoy delayed settlements.

Delhi offered a platform for meeting people from all walks of life. Ram joined a group which used to walk early morning from New Rajinder Nagar to Parliament House. As the ranks of the walkers gained in strength, he could make friends with high profile people in the process of walking and discussing on some current topic selected daily.

Ram Pillai comes from a devout Hindu family and he could meet and interact with persons of deep knowledge on this topic. He could also meet VVIPs in the course of work and social gatherings. Here is an interesting true life story:

While in Delhi, Ram had to go for a routine check-up at the All India Institute of Medicine and an interesting event took place. He saw a young boy Subhash in the cardiology ward in extreme anguish. Coming from a poor family from Assam, he could not know how to manage about Rs.15000/ as subsidized medical expenses and 30 bottles of blood. Subhash was advised to go in for open heart surgery. Ram and family took up the cause believing in God Almighty. Ram family had been ardent devotees of Shree Raghavendra Swami of Mantralaya and they knew that prayers can find a way out. Ram wrote a few articles in Kerala Kaumudi, Free Press Journal and the Blitz seeking help for Subhash. He also wrote to the Indian Red Cross and an Air Vice Marshall class mate for arranging blood for the boy. Within a fortnight, donations and money orders came pouring in, while the Red Cross gave the required supply of blood. And about 100 Air Force men trooped in to offer blood. Subhash underwent open heart surgery and had a miraculous escape. On discharge from the AIIMS, the Ram family took Subhash to their home and took loving care of the boy. Ram wrote several articles on Subhash, which came in several newspapers and it was a craze for readers to enquire about Subhash. Later, Subhash went to his home town in eastern Assam and he found a large crowd waiting for his arrival at Guwahati Railway station, thanks to the newspaper stories about him. Subhash is quite healthy and is married and the couple has a daughter.

Shyama and Ram had a comfortable life with their son Girish. Shyama was a kind person and she used to contribute liberally to people and causes, sometimes far beyond the normal level. But she had absolute freedom to do what she liked; there were no fetters at all.

Their family discussions often converged on the plight of the poor and the suffering sick. Shyama in her spare time used to look after some sick people and also visit those in distress for a friendly chat. The Rams used to discuss on the purpose of life on this planet and it came clear to them that money or position did not carry them any further. It was however clear to them that some money is required to manage life with self reliance and without becoming a parasite on someone. The first decision was to simplify life and they prepared a break-even budget, taking into consideration the needs of Girish in future.

It became clear that the high profile job is an entanglement in some way and prevented them from doing what seemed right and proper for a saner and sober life. Though Girish was only in the 8th standard at that time, they used to include him in their discussions and sought his independent opinion. He too gave his right signal.

Discussions of this nature became a frequent routine for the Pillai family. It became clear that Ram and Shyama should take up some social and humanitarian work to sublimate their life. Some good Samaritans were of the opinion that leprosy work was the most sacred among all, because leprosy victims were denied basic human dignity and were victims of social stigma.

Ram did not know anything about leprosy, but the friends kept on reminding him on his role. Mr. Paul, a top official of the Indian Red Cross and a Samaritan, used to be a frequent visitor to Ram family in Delhi. Several dialogues with him ended in Ram taking the resolve. He learnt about leprosy and its manifestations as thoroughly as possible keeping in mind the social angle. His wife Shyama and young son Girish lent their support and they were prepared to shed their star life they were leading. Ram and his family took the decision to simplify their lives and this process became a continuing pattern.

Finally, Ram left a highly lucrative job to take up leprosy work in all earnestness. He started writing articles in leading papers and journals about leprosy and the social stigma, reminding the society about their obligations to suffering leprosy patients.

It was at that time that the Germans and the Swiss approached him with a suggestion and he agreed to take an honorary assignment as their Public Relations Adviser in India. Around this time late Prime Minister announced India's resolve to eradicate leprosy and lent full political support. Dr. Swaminathan Commission on leprosy was appointed and Ram was a special invitee for the Commission during its tenure. He had a few interactions with Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. All these gave a thorough insight into the field. He was also a regular visitor to Germany and Europe and Ram addressed several donor groups raising funds for India on behalf of the German Agency.

Ram Pillai felt that instead of raising funds in Germany for India, it was better to do the same work in India. There were reasons for this argument. Leprosy is a problem for India and it is for Indians to solve this. We have a large number of benevolent people in this country and they can give their mite and in the process, leprosy awareness too can carry on. No one gives money unless the donor is satisfied with the purpose and here is an opportunity to educate people. He discussed the matter with the Germans and also with our former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi and got a nod of approval.

Thus Indian Leprosy Foundation was founded by Ram Pillai and he was chosen by the Trustees to be its Founder President. Important decisions were then taken by the Foundation. The first decision was that the Trustees must sacrifice something for the cause and they will not be entitled for monetary benefit. The Foundation has to be self-reliant and for this purpose it has to enthuse the people to support the cause by donating money according to their mite. The Foundation shall not take any government grant nor take funds from big business houses. In addition, by practicing economy and saving some funds, the Foundation could share such funds for voluntary organisations doing leprosy work in India.

These decisions are observed in letter and sprit by the Foundation even now. It gives ILEF Grants to about 100 leprosy organizations in India to the tune of Rs.35 to Rs.40 lakhs every year and this has been going on for the past 15 years now without break.

The Foundation is working closely in collaboration with the central and state governments, NGOs and networking agencies in India and abroad. Ram Pillai had been offered 5 short-term assignments by WHO and Govt of India for independent evaluation of ongoing leprosy programs in different states. This meant some recognition.

Ram Pillai had also organised a novel scheme with the help of volunteer teachers known as Pragati Prakalp for tribal students of Karjat area, Maharashtra.

He is the Chief Editor and Publisher of Joint Action, a magazine devoted to the cause of leprosy. He is a prolific reader and writer and contributes to periodicals and journals regularly on current topics. He is deeply religious and is a senior Traditional Reiki Master and Teacher.

His wife Shyama was a social worker and a Trustee of the Foundation and helped Dr. Pillai and other members for furthering leprosy work. Shyama developed symptoms of cancer in December 2002. Shyama passed away in April 2003.

Son Girish, a Chartered Accountant by profession, is the Director of a leading CA Firm Grant Thornton in Gaborone, Botswana. He is also the International Cricket Umpire - Umpires for matches in African Continent. Daughter-in-law: Dr. Indu Girish - An accomplished teacher and historian. Girish has been one of the major supporters for his decision and on going work.

Dr. Pillai is an unassuming person, easily accessible to people of all shades and positions. He has been a counselor for forty years and many people come to him with a variety of problems and he finds solutions.

Dr. Pillai was invited by the Pope to visit Vatican to address an annual world group, which he did in November 2001. Shyama and Dr. Narayan accompanied him as the guests of the Holy Father. Ram Pillai had two special audiences with the Pope as a distinguished guest.

Dr. Pillai with (L) Arch Bishop of Delhi, HE Vincent Concessao & (R) Sheriff of Mumbai

(L) Uli-Nehe, Mayor of Papenburg, Germany, (R) Speaker of Lokha Sabha Manohar Joshi

(L) Dr. Pillai and Mr. Suresh Kaul presenting IDF Memento of Appreciation to Mrs. Klara of Leben Ohne Lepra ev., Papenburg, Germany at Jaipur. (R) Dr. Pillai in a animated conversation with Mr. Hermann Kober, founder President of German Leprosy Relief Association and Mrs. Irene Kober during a press conference in Mumbai (1982)

Diwali Celebration

with the patients

(L) The Vision and Mission of Indian Leprosy Foundation Dr. Pillai lighting the inaugural lamp at the World Congress of Alternative Medicines at Russian Cultural Centre, Mumbai. (R) Eminent Scientist Dr. Y.S. Rajan presents Dr. Kalam's book Wings of Fire to a brilliant student at IDF's felicitation programme.

Leprosy Scenario in India:

It is relevant to add here that leprosy was a misunderstood disease over the generations with no cure and social stigma was the main curse attached to the disease. Leprosy is a visible disease with crippling deformities. Those suffering from leprosy were hounded and thrown out of society and even the doctors and social workers in leprosy had the same fate.

In 1982, India had 4 million leprosy patients (world 12 Mn). The national prevalence rate was 60 per 10,000 populations. Some states and districts had even 300 to 400 patients per 10,000 populations. 75 districts were hyper-endemic

The union Health ministry was the coordinator and the states, municipalities and NGOs shared the work according to their mite. Our Foundation had the strength in mass communications and net working and therefore took up massive leprosy awareness to the millions.

Our Field Teams and committed Volunteers worked hand in hand in spreading leprosy awareness among the teeming millions. The Head office of our Foundation spearheaded mass communication through mass media, through papers, radio and the TV. It was a fight to the finish for them. The Foundation worked in close collaboration with the Govt of India, state governments, municipalities and other NGOs and earned the status of a leading NGO for leprosy elimination over the years. WHO also considered their work good and invited Dr. Pillai to join the team of Evaluators for the state programs in states.

The result: India reached leprosy elimination status by 2006 with total case loads less than 80,000 in while of India and the prevalence rate at 0.80 per 10,000 populations. This is the most spectacular success in any public health program in independent India.

The impossible had been achieved by public participation. An age old disease carried down from generation to generation, causing gross and crippling deformities, grossly misunderstood because of lack of cure, object of rejection for patients from the kith and kin and the society with worldwide social stigma, could be eliminated in India where gross poverty, illiteracy and superstitious beliefs predominate! An incredible feat was thus achieved in modern India by excellent team work backed by the political will. What can be more satisfying to the nation and its people?

With the drastic fall in the number of leprosy cases, it was decided to broaden the Foundation’s functions and diversify. Therefore it was re-christened as Indian Development Foundation (IDF) from April 1, 2005.

IDF and its road map

IDF has 3 broad areas of focus:

Health- TB-HIV AIDs-Cancer-Blindness and residual leprosy Education – for the poor and the marginalized including physically handicapped Development - of rural and tribal villages and evolving a scientific and social temper. Health

IDF has its own Field Teams and a large number of Volunteers for carrying on its work. It includes health awareness campaigns, treatment facilities through 120 Associate Hospitals and Net working for better results.

Schools are:

Tilak Bal Gurukul I -Langadiyawas village, Ramgarh, Jaipur Tilak Bal Gurukul II- Nonpura village, Ramgarh, Jaipur Empowerment Classes:

In Tamil Nadu - Chennai, Dindigul, Tirupattur and Kanyakumari In Karnataka - BR Hills, Chamarajanagar Dist and Bangalore In Maharashtra - Karjat, Raigad and Andheri West, Mumbai In Madhya Pradesh – Tilak Bal Gurukul, Ratlam In addition IDF sponsors children of all leprosy patients in Maharashtra State for primary and secondary education.

IDF supports groups of children at Vimala Centre Mumbai and Gremaltes Hospital Chennai under its care and attention.

Development - IDF had adopted Tamnath Village, Karjat and several improvements had been carried out during the last 3 years. IDF is in the process of adopting more villages.

Volunteerism has been the core of the Foundation. People from all walks of life have been lending their support. The names of those who had influenced Dr.Pillai and supported him could be a mammoth list. It will be a giant effort.

Above all, God's hand is supreme and needs to be mention, however, some notable persons, who are young and dynamic, listed below are worth mentioning:

Mr. Cecil Joseph, an intimate friend of Dr. Pillai, has been a constant supporter in many ways who introduced him to mangalorean.com. He had been associated with the Foundation from the start. He had participated in several programs at various locations. He continues to be a supporter and well wisher.

Dr. Narayan Iyer, Mr. C. Chidambaram and Mr. S. Franklin are senior Managers and functionaries of the Foundation. There are several others and it is difficult to mention the names of all.

Please log onto www.idf.org.in for the netizens information to know more on IDF.

Dr. Pillai's Current Assignments:

President - Indian Development Foundation President - Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh - Maharashtra President - Bombay Leprosy Project Chairman - Nilgiris Leprosy Eradication Scheme Hon. PR Advisor - GLRA (Germany)/ ALES (Switzerland) Chief Editor - Joint Action Magazine Former Member - WHO/ Govt. of India - Evaluation Team Dr. Pillai's Awards and Honors:

Award from His Grace Cardinal Valerian Gracias Award for Excellence from Govt. Of Maharashtra Excellence in tribal work from Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Appreciation - Mother Teresa Diploma of Honour - International Association of Educators for World Peace Diploma of Honour - Institute of International Affairs, Paris Award of Excellence - Indian Association of Leprologists Millennium Award - World Congress of Medicina Alternativa 2000 Albert Schweitzer Award - Albert Schweitzer Society, Vienna Apostolic Blessing - Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Invitation from the Pope to Vatican Life Time Achievement Award from Bharat Sevak Samaj founded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Gandhian Award for leprosy work – Tamil Nadu Government Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Award 2004 and few more. Teaching Assignments

Organised several Groups and conducted public Speaking courses from 1960 Taught at the NM Institute of Management Studies ( now a deemed University) for Management Students (MMS course) Taught at the Canara Bank Training College for staff and officers for more than 10 years.

Initiated a few hundred persons into Reiki system of drugless healing. Took several classes for Executive and Managers from various industries. Went to Saudi Arabia for taking classes for Executives- organized by Mr Cecil Joseph. Currently taking Empowerment Sessions for undergraduate and post-graduate students.

Dr. Pillai's message to our readers:

"Life presents immense opportunities to advance self and others during the journey of life. Positive attitude is the key stone for all pursuits and we must plan and do things in pursuit of goals set by us. A large number of people suffer from poverty, ignorance, disease and adverse circumstances. Here lies an excellent opportunity to serve all those in distress and wipe out their tears. By doing so, we find God. Service to living beings is service to God.

Knowledge holds the key for empowerment . We must progress by all means, but tune our minds to progress others as well. An educated and enlightened civil society is the best insurance against all odds. Our active interest can transform the world into a dream land. We can certainly win and sublimate our lives through this simple formula. Why postpone good things in life?"] —Preceding unsigned comment added by Vikas mb (talk • contribs) 19:39, 14 May 2008 (UTC)