SNM Admin Account, Author at Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore)

Spreading Festive Cheer to Underprivileged Families

Ravi Subramanian

Festivals are cultural manifestations of community bonding, one of shared feelings, one of coming together to celebrate. It is a pinnacle of human bonding. So, when a partnership emerges that spreads this spirit of festivity to the underprivileged, it is the pinnacle of both human spirit and human bonding.

This is the spirit behind the Lighting Heart Lighting Homes (LHLH) – Sree Narayana Mission Singapore (SNM) partnership, launched in 2017.

For LHLH, it all started when a group of like-minded individuals had a calling. A call to make a small difference in the lives of underprivileged elderly and families. And a door opened, the festival of lights was around the corner.

These benevolent individuals came up with a novel way of spreading festive cheer. They decided to lighten up the festive moods of these underprivileged by visiting them and by giving festive goodies and “ang bao’s”.

Their initial target was modest – raise $2000, help 20 families. But the response from the donors was overwhelming. The team realised that many people in the community wanted to help, but needed a platform for this. Thus, LHLH was born. This was 2013.

They ended up sprucing several elderly homes, helping 80 households, 60 migrant workers and 28 boys at the Ramakrishnan Mission during its maiden initiative.

Today, LHLH continues to provide a platform for those who want to make a difference and connects them with those who will benefit from the help extended.

SNM’s mission is to serve with care and compassion, regardless of race, religion and language, all anchored on the profound philosophies of Sree Narayana Guru. It has been serving the community for 70 long years.

SNM understands community welfare work is a team work. It has been building partnerships assiduously.

In all these partnerships, the end goal is the same – let each member of the community lead a dignified life, empower each member to live a life to their full potential; where required, support to make this a reality.

And, there are many paths and each path can have many stages to reach this end goal. Once a path is identified, it is like a relay race; the partners hand over the batons. Each partner brings their best into the play. There are two winners in this race, the community member and the community.

So how does this SNM/LHLH partnership work?

LHLH benefits from SNM’s infrastructure to raise funds and to deliver longer term support to the needy. SNM benefits from LHLH’s last mile connectivity with the underprivileged family.

Once LHLH identifies a family, SNM brings its resources and taps into its own partner network to deliver succour to the family. There is a hand holding for a period of time.

A partnership of this kind lights hearts, lights homes and lights community. The ultimate winner is mankind!

Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) – An Institution Inspired by the Life and Teachings of Sree Narayana Guru

Jayadev Unnithan

They came with just their shirts on their back and with a heart full of hope to make life better for kin in faraway places.

Difficult times loomed, but they pressed on inspired by the teachings of a venerable saint from their native place.

The end of World War II changed the political and economic landscape worldwide. In Singapore people were picking themselves up to rebuild lives after the ravages of the war. Our Pioneers were inspired by the teachings of the revered saint Sree Narayana Guru (1856 to 1928) who had emancipated the oppressed in Kerala. Revered Sree Narayana Guru instilled in the masses a sense of self-worth and values to live by in the Atmopadesa Satakam (One Hundred Verses in Self Instruction).

‘What is dear to another- that should spell endearment to me also. This is the correct policy. Therefore, what one does for his own good should be for the benefit of others.’

Atmopadesa Satakam Verse 22

Staying true to the Revered Guru’s teachings, our pioneers organised themselves to form a body that will promote social and welfare programs to uplift Singapore society. SNM was registered as a Society in 1948, and its programmes were open to all regardless of race, language or religion which parallels the Revered Guru’s teachings of embracing universal brotherhood. They lived by the principle that any action performed must be for the betterment of fellow men and society as a whole.

‘A compassionate man without any vested interest works both day and night for the welfare of others. On the other hand, a selfish man, desirous of his own good, toils day and night and comes again and again to frustration’.

Atmopadesa Satakam, Verse 23

SNM has stayed true to the principles of the teachings of the Revered Guru in providing selfless service to society. This verse sets the direction and sustains the drive to serve. Inspired by this, SNM has executed its services with full dedication and commitment, focusing fully on the interests of its beneficiaries.

SNM continued to serve the community in Singapore, enlarging the scope of services offered and reaching out to many. The expanded services included a Nursing Home, a welfare home for male destitute persons who require psychiatric care, and Senior Care Centres, and more recently for Dementia care. The outreach to the public at large was through programmes like meals-on- wheels, Helping Hands, educational bursaries and financial assistance.

LOOKING BACK – SREE NARAYANA MISSION HOME FOR THE AGED SICK AT BLOCK 87 & 89, CANBERRA ROAD

By R ASOKAN

Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) was recently awarded the contract to run a second Nursing Home in Yishun. Looking back, I remember the time when the Sree Narayana Mission Home for the Aged Sick was located at 87 & 89 Canberra Road. During this period I served in the Executive Committee of the Sree Narayana Mission from 1978 to 2002.

Towards the end of 1978, Sree Narayana Mission (SNM) was informed that the Government’s Bases Economic Conversion Division was offering us two very imposing double-storied brick buildings at 87 and 89 Canberra Road, to manage a Home for the Aged. The Executive Committee was very pleased to take up the offer. The buildings were offered at a nominal rent and had the capacity to accommodate a total of 120 residents.

As the buildings needed substantial renovation before it could accommodate any residents, SNM renovated the premises and the buildings were ready by February 1979. We placed a portrait of Sree Narayana Guru in the new Home. The SNM Welfare Committee was entrusted with the management of the Home. It worked closely with the Aged Sick Advisory Committee in the running of the Home. A former employee of Naval Base Hospital was employed on a daily basis at a rate of $7.00 per day to look after the premises. The Home started operating on 18 Feb 1979 with four residents. A ‘Sree Narayana Mission Home for the Aged Fund’ was also launched.

One of our Executive Committee members, Mr Paran, volunteered to oversee the day-to-day running of the Home. The Mission’s Welfare Officer, Don Mathews, was then transferred to the Aged Home, and the Home employed an Assistant Nurse around the same time. We had a dedicated volunteer doctor, Dr Seng Kwang Meng, who used to regularly see the residents of the Home. Later, another doctor, Dr M G John, also agreed to render his services.

As the number of our residents increased, we needed some form of transport. In April 1980 a Datsun 120 Y station wagon was donated by Tan Chong & Co. By October 1980 there were 51 residents living in the Home. Some of the residents helped the Mission during its Annual Flag Day. There used to be many visitors, volunteers, and other well-wishers to the Home. The then Member of Parliament for Sembawang, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, visited the Home during the Chinese New Year celebrations to distribute ‘Hong Baos’ to residents. Dr Tony Tan also declared the Canberra premises officially open on 22 February 1981, at a ceremony well attended by SNM members.

The Home remained at this location until 22 October 1983, after which it shifted to a new premise at the former Sembawang Hospital. To assist in the shifting operations, we were helped by staff of the Singapore Armed Forces and members of Chong Hua Tong Tou Teck Hwee, a Chinese Association.

(Cont)

The Sembawang Hospital was located on a 5-acre plot of land along Canberra Road. What was underwhelming was that though the land was huge in size, the building was too small to house the residents we had hoped to cater for. The Home’s nursing and support staff would report to the Matron, Mr A Ananda Cumarasamy, who was in office for a few years

The Home had hosted many visits by distinguished guests. Among them was the late President of Singapore, Mr Wee Kim Wee, who visited the Home on 30 September 1988. He was given a tour of the Home and he met the in-house residents face-to-face. He was very pleased with what he saw and heard about the care and support given to the residents at the Home.

In July 1987, the Home was adopted by the RSAF Sembawang under the “Be-Friend“ scheme. Members of the SAF “adopted” individual residents and would visit them to break their loneliness and at least once a week at the Home.
On 15 July 1990, the first ceremonial pile driving for the construction of a new building in Yishun was graced by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Chief Patron of the Project, the Minister of Education and MP for Sembawang GRC. The Minister, together with Mr Ng Pock Too, MP for Nee Soon Central, flagged off a Walkathon which was organised in conjunction with the ground breaking ceremony.

The Home’s Volunteer Corps was formed in March 1992. There were about 50 members and they would visit the Home on Saturdays from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. to befriend residents. In their line of duty, they would provide emotional and psychological support to the elderly residents.

The new Home at 12 Yishun Ave 5 was completed in June 1993. Residents moved to the Home on 6 February 1994.

Friendships, Community – What the SNM Means to Me

G.P.Sasidharan

My association with Sree Narayana Mission began in 1968, when a good friend, Mr V. Srinivasan, who was then the secretary of the Mission, persuaded me to become a member of the executive committee. A year later, I became the secretary and served in that capacity, for the next four years, as Mr Srinivasan took on the unenviable task of organising and very successfully executing, the annual flag day. The importance of the flag day could not be over emphasised, as at that time, the Mission depended solely on the proceeds of the flag day to finance the welfare and social services, that the Mission, was providing to the community.

Another good friend, Mr D. Sambasivan joined the executive committee, the following year. He became the secretary later on. This association with the SNM, bonded us closely and strengthened our friendship. In our late twenties at that time, we were the youngest members in the Exco. Soon, a few older members labelled us ‘The three Ss’. I fondly recall that we were even called the ‘Thrimoorthi’ by, another ‘new’ friend, the late Mr N. Valalan. To some others, we were ‘The Three Musketeers.’ Though, as members of the ex-co, we often differed on principles and methods to be employed, the friendships formed, remained steadfast. I am also grateful to Mr R.Raveendran, with whom I’ve argued on many issues, but who has remained a good friend over the years. At ninety-one years of age, he is probably the oldest member of SNM today.

I’ve often been asked what I have gained from my association and ‘work’ with the Mission. I must stress that none of us ever considered it work. It was truly a learning experience that enriched us morally and spiritually. We learnt the various ways by which, we could serve the local community. We had to raise funds and in the process, we learnt valuable lessons in managing such funds, the varied ways we could help the community, form meaningful friendships and how to interact appropriately with the community at large. The icing on the cake, was that our friendships strengthened, new friendships were formed, all of which, have stood the test of time. Perhaps, Sree Narayana Guru’s guiding hand was directing us towards what the Mission has become today; an organisation in the forefront, in providing the best in welfare services, to the needy of all races, in our nation.

Now, as I am entering the eighth decade of my life, I am grateful for my fifty years of association with and service to Sree Narayana Mission. The one axiom of Guru’s teachings, that is forever embedded in me and which I pray that all of society will one day, accept and abide by, is, “Whichever be the religion, it is enough that man improves.”

Growing Spiritually through Volunteering

Foo Say Thye

He was an institutional stock dealer, caught up in the fast pace of the stock market every day, always on his toes, and with a short temper to match.

It all changed one day for Foo Say Thye. He had an epiphany during a friend’s wedding in 1994. “I had a friend who was a volunteer with disabled people. He had invited all the beneficiaries to his wedding. I felt inspired when I saw them at the wedding. I realised that what he was doing was meaningful, and interesting,” he explained.

That was a pivotal day for Say Thye. “I felt that my life had been meaningless. I wanted to help people. So I told my friend that I wanted to be a volunteer as well.” Say Thye’s friend advised him to contact the National Council of Social Services for training. As part of its orientation course, Say Thye visited the Sree Narayana Mission. There was no turning back for him after that.

The Sree Narayana Volunteers group had been formed in 1992 as a team who visit residents in the Sree Narayana Mission Home for the Aged every weekend. Say Thye joined them by the end of 1994.

But it was a rough start. “In the stock market, you have to think quickly and make quick decisions, so your temper is also quick. After becoming a volunteer, I had to change – because initially we had a lot of misunderstandings since the volunteers come from all walks of life. Monday to Friday, I have my quick temper and then on Saturday and Sunday, I have to change myself. I learnt a lot.”

Say Thye also grew spiritually, learning to harness the Guru’s grace. ‘When I started, we only had eight volunteers. I was a new volunteer then and didn’t know much about the Guru. One day, I just started praying in front of his picture at the Mission and asked for help to get more volunteers. I said to him, ‘If you want me to help you, you must help me.’ By our tenth anniversary, we had 300 volunteers. Whatever I wish for started to come true slowly. I feel that when you look upon the Guru, he will help you.”

Say Thye now helms SN Volunteers. His genuine wish to serve the residents at the SNM Home keeps him committed, “If you don’t go and visit them, the elderly will miss you. So we must find ways to sustain our activities. The benefit that we get is greater than what we are doing. People think that we are doing a lot but the benefit that we get is a lot. My temper was the first thing to change. It has also turned me in to a person with a better character – I am more approachable, I have more friends, more contacts, more people come to you for help, and people trust you more and are willing to help you more when they see you helping people. Even though you don’t start volunteering with this in mind, but this is the result. I am lucky. I am glad I went this way, for otherwise, I’d be a different person. I like the way I am now. Even my whole family is doing this. My son and daughter are the second generation running this group of SN Volunteers.”

Keeping the Family Together

Foo Ci En

Being a volunteer for nine years is long by any account. But for nineteen-year-old Foo Ci En, that equates to half her lifetime. “When I was in Primary Four, I started going with my parents for their volunteer work every Saturday. I’ve been volunteering since then because of my parents’ influence.” Her parents are Foo Say Thye and …, part of the Sree Narayana Volunteers group.

In fact, the spirit of volunteering forms the very foundation of their family, “My parents met and got married when they were volunteering at the Sree Narayana Mission Home for the Aged Sick,” she reveals. “So, from young I’ve been going with them to the Sree Narayana Mission Home for the Aged Sick. And I really enjoyed it – it’s very meaningful.”

The initial interest instilled in the young and impressionable Ci En could have easily fizzled out as she grew older and developed other pursuits. Instead, her childhood passion for volunteering only strengthened and became more entrenched with maturity and the passage of time. “When I was a young kid I didn’t understand what I was doing – I just followed my parents and felt happy doing it. But now I realise that it helps people and makes their day. And so, I want to continue. I feel the elderly will not enjoy their Saturday if we don’t hold our activities for them. Even on days when I am not well, I will still go down. I feel like it’s a mission that I have to carry out”.

Nowadays, Ci En is a more frequent face than her parents within the SNV group. “I became an active volunteer in 2015 and since my parents started other volunteer groups, I am now more active than my parents at SNV.” She is currently on the SNV Committee, creating more programmes that will bring joy to the elderly residents of the Home, “If you don’t go for one Saturday, the following week the elderly will ask you why you were not there.” Thus, she persists in ensuring that the SNV’s objectives are achieved even when challenges arise, “Passion is needed for volunteer work, passion is important to sustain this – to continue to do this on weekends instead of enjoying the weekend with your family.”

Perhaps, that is why families tend to be get roped into volunteering – it allows them to be together while the volunteers pursue their passion, which happens with a lot of the SNV members. In fact, Ci En’s brother is also part of the SNV Committee and is equally committed as she is. This practice of ‘family volunteers’ holds a deep significance for Ci En, “Parents are imparting values to their children from young when they do this,” she reasons. Ci En’s parents had patiently done that with the two siblings and Ci En hopes to extend the tradition, “I will continue even when I go to University, and after I marry, I will bring my husband along to volunteer and later, my children. We will continue into the third generation.”

“In the three years that I have been the CEO of this nursing home, we have said goodbye to our residents when they pass on. Today we are saying goodbye to a resident who is moving on to a new phase in his life. This is a rare occurrence. So each time such an occurrence takes place, it’s for us that one starfish moment and we celebrate it.”

S. Devendran, CEO, Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home

Empowering Dignified Lives – A Love Story

“There is no me without her, just like, there is no her without me”, says Mr. Velappan Vellaiyan with his eyes lit, looking intently at his newly betrothed, Ms. Savithiri Kaliappan. They are sitting close to each other on his bed at the Sree Narayana Mission (SNM) Nursing Home.

“I was lost in life, but found meaning when I started visiting him” responds Ms. Savithiri thoughtfully, holding his hands.

These may read like lines from the romantic Mills & Boon novels. Novels people read, enjoy and possibly forget.

However, Mr. Velappan’s romantic story is not meant to be forgotten, for it is real, as it signifies a societal change, one of empowering individuals to lead dignified lives. A transformation that makes our community more compassionate and inclusive.

Firstly, this is a story of two elders, both over 70 years, coming together to help each other. Something rare.

Secondly, the hero, a wheel-chair bound resident in a nursing home, is motivated to walk when he finds purpose in life. Something miraculous.

Thirdly, the couple decide to get married with the hero moving to a home of their own, to lead a life of dignity. Something blissful.

For SNM, it’s a new first. An incredible experience in supporting a resident to fulfil his dreams and empowering the couple to lead a life on their own terms.

And the upshot, they are re-integrating back into the community. Can the script get any better?

It all starts in the 60’s. “We are buddies from the same kampung. I remember him as an energetic and charming young person” recalls Ms. Savithiri, nostalgically thinking of her Silat Road home and Mr. Velappan’s Henderson locality.

Mr. Velappan, a first-generation immigrant, is a movie buff. “I have even watched English and Mandarin movies without understanding anything, in my younger days”. Tamil film songs were his best friend.

They go their ways and lose touch. She marries a Ceylonese Tamil and he marries a girl of his choice. Their families grow, she has a son and he, a daughter. He works as a helper at coffee shops and at construction sites. She works as an administrative assistant in schools.

Mr. Velappan and his wife separate. He stayed with his married daughter initially, but things do not work out well. He suffers a bad fall. And the struggle shows on him.

Serendipity brings them back together. In 2004, while participating in a skills training workshop he meets his old kampung friend.

Recollecting, Ms. Savithiri says “I was shocked. He was very weak, not the youthful, energetic person that I had seen”. They reminiscence about their childhood days over a coffee and the conversation drifts to the current situation. She realises he is alone, struggling with a weak body and painful knees.

Her kind-hearted instinct takes over. She begins meeting him regularly.

Ms. Savithiri helps him through his lowest point when he was bedridden and hospitalized. He recalls emotionally “She saved my life, she is my god, I would not have survived without her”.

In 2008, Mr.Velappan moves into SNM when his health worsens. Ms. Savithiri lives in her Bukit Merah rental flat by herself after her husband passes away in 2009. Her son is estranged. She visits Mr. Velappan regularly, despite the one-hour bus ride from her home.

Mr. Vellapan says “She was the only visitor. She would cook my favourite dishes, buy vadai, kerapu, nasi goreng”. He would eagerly wait for her visits. With her continual affection and SNM’s care, his health improves. Their bond grows deeper.

They decide to take the next bold step, to get married.

“I am excited to start this new life with him. What else do we need other than each other’s company in our twilight years” Ms. Savithiri says with conviction when probed. Adding on, she declares “I will take him home, cook for him, take care of him. He has simple needs. I intend to go out with him and enjoy our last years together”.

SNM supports their decision after reviewing the case carefully. It is made easier, as the staff have been working on his health and see an improvement. Ms. Illamaran Kalaiselvi, from the social work team, becomes a mentor guide to them. She has been supporting him for close to a year.

Friday, April 12th, 2019 arrives. It is their big day, their wedding.

SNM puts its weight behind the wedding. The staff rises to the occasion. It is a family wedding in their own home.

It is an elegant affair with the couple donning traditional attires, taking their marriage vows. Dignitaries grace the occasion and join the celebrations. Cake cutting, heartfelt toasts, buffet lunch, photo shoots and trishaw rides with Cycling Without Age Singapore to a nearby temple, all culminating in a happy farewell, as they are chauffeured to their ‘new’ home.

There are tears of joy. Mr. Velappan’s best friend Ms. Vanitha, a SNM resident, cries “You were my best friend. I will miss you now”.

The couple’s newly spruced up home is ready to welcome them.

They are aware life will present its challenges, and marriage is only an initial step. But they are wiser, for they have been through it all. Their needs are simple. They understand each other. And they will make it happen for they have shown they are alchemists.

In this true-life story, the lovely moments are not counted by age, but by the wrinkles and affection. This is a saga of two individuals, trying to fathom the meaning of their life with a steely determination to walk back into the community.

#1747 (Level 1/Room 7/Bed47) will be immortalized in the walls of SNM. This is where a new life began, “The Love Story of SNM”, a shining example of human triumph.
We wish the lovely couple a blissful life. We will continue to support. We want Shakespeare’s words to come true in their lives – “All’s Well, That Ends Well”.

Feeling the Wind in their Hair

Ravi Subramanian.

Is there a partner who could run a programme where seniors face no social isolation, and get an opportunity to feel the wind in their hair?

Yes, there is. It is Cycling Without Age Singapore (CWA) under the Temasek Foundation Cares Moving Generations programme. The Sree Narayana Mission Singapore (SNM) – CWA partnership was facilitated by the Agency of Integrated Care (AIC). The MOU was signed in 2017.

This is a programme that gives youth opportunities to engage with seniors in an active setting, allowing them to have a meaningful dialogue with them and to learn from them about the past. The settings are the one-hour trishaw rides piloted by trained youth volunteers from CWA.

At SNM, a trishaw waits on the weekends. This is an opportunity for the residents to dress up, to go out, to snack, to enjoy nature, to wave to the gallery, to engage the community, to chat with the youth, andto walk down the memory lane. It’s opportunities galore, and it means a lot to the residents!

The vintage three-wheeler trishaws with their conspicuous red coloured seats have become a common sight in Yishun, especially on weekends. They can be spotted at the parks, near the lakes or the play areas with regally seated and well-groomed elderly passengers, some sporting floppy hats, being safely pedalled by cheerful youngsters. These are some real selfie, wefie photo moments and the youthful volunteers revel in that!

In fact, a buzz was created when the 107 year-old SNM resident, Mdm. Yeo Iu went on a CWA trishaw ride. Apparently, a world record for the most senior resident taking a ride on a trishaw. A truly amazing feat!
There is synergy in this partnership. The partners have a shared mission and their values are aligned. Both are exploring ways to improve quality of life for elders and empower them to lead dignified lives.
For youth volunteers, these trishaw rides are a bridge that connects the past with the future. SNM is the best place to put this to practice.

And it shows. The partnership has blossomed. The number of rides has grown. More volunteers have joined, more are getting trained and elders are enjoying more rides than before. People are noticing it.
Happy memories create happy association. Owen, a regular volunteer from CWA is a shining example. He has developed a close bond with some of the residents. They seek each other and the camaraderie they enjoy during these scenic rides speaks volumes of what these rides can accomplish.

It’s not only feeling that wind in the hair, it’s also experiencing that enduring joy of life!!
Let this community keep growing. It benefits all.

Compassion – Sabu

കരുണ എന്ന . വരദാനം

” ഒരുപീഢയെറുമ്പിനും വരു

ത്തരുതെന്നുള്ളൊ രനു കമ്പയും”

ശ്രേഷ്ടനായ ശ്രീ നാരായണ ഗുരു 1914 ൽ എഴുതിയ” അനുകമ്പാദശക”ത്തിലെ പ്രാരംഭ വരികളാണ് മേലുദ്ധരിച്ചത്. ഒരു എറുമ്പിനോടു പോലും കരുണ കാട്ടണമെന്ന് ശഠിക്കുന്ന തരം വികാരമാണ് ഈ കവിതയുടെ ആത്മാവ്

നമ്മുടെ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ നിറയണമെന്ന് നാം ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്ന ദൈവിക ചൈതന്യത്തിന്റെ അത്ര തന്നെ അളവിൽ കരുണയും നിറയാൻ പരമേശ്വരനോട് അപേക്ഷിക്കാനാണ് ഗുരുജി ആഹ്വാനം ചെയ്യുന്നത് അതെ, “കരുണ” എന്നത് ദൈവതേജസിന്റെ ഒരു വരദാനമാണെന്ന് തന്നെ.

കരുണ എന്ന ദിവ്യ വികാരത്തെ ആപേക്ഷികമായിട്ടല്ലാതെ, ഒരു പൂർണ അളവിൽ തന്റെ തന്നെ ജീവിതത്തിലും നവോത്ഥാന ചിന്തകളിലും പഠിപ്പിയ്ക്കലുകളിലും പ്രതിഫലിപ്പിച്ചതിനാലാകണം ഗുരുജി ജനകോടികളുടെ ആരാധകനായിത്തീർന്നത്. അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ നവോത്ഥാന തത്വ സംഹിതകൾ ‘കരുണ’ യുമായി എങ്ങിനെ ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടു കിടക്കുന്നു എന്ന് നോക്കാം

മതമല്ല മറിച്ച് മനുഷ്യനായിരുന്നു ഗുരുജിയുടെ വിഷയം – മതമേതായാലും മനുഷ്യൻ നന്നായാൽ മതി എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞതിന്റെ സൂചന അതായിരുന്നു. മനുഷ്യനിലെ ഉച്ച നീ ചത്വചിന്തകളെ എതിർത്ത് സമഭാവത്തിന്റെ ആത്മാവിന് ഊടുംപാവും നൽകാൻ തന്റെ ജീവിതം ഉഴിഞ്ഞു വയ്ക്കാൻ അദ്ദേഹത്തെ പ്രേരിപ്പിച്ചതും മഹത്തായ കാരുണ്യമെന്ന ദിവ്യ ഗുണം തന്നെ ആയിരുന്നു.

കരുണ എന്ന വികാരത്തിന്റെ പൂർത്തീകരണം കർമ്മത്തിലൂടെ മാത്രമേ സാദ്ധ്യമാകൂ എന്ന് ഗുരുജീ ഓർമിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. കണ്ണടച്ചിരുന്ന് ധ്യാനിക്കലല്ല കർമ്മം എന്നും നിരാലമ്പർക്കും , പീഡിതർക്കും, നിന്ദിതർക്കും ആശയറ്റവർക്കും അതു പോലെ അർഹിക്കുന്ന ഏവർക്കും സഹായം ചെയ്യുന്നതാണ് യഥാർത്ഥ കർമമെന്നും ഗുരുജീ ഓർമിപ്പിച്ചു. ഗുരുജിയുടെ പേരിലുള്ള വൃദ്ധ പരിപാലന സ്ഥാപനങ്ങളും മറ്റ് ധർമ്മ സ്ഥാപനങ്ങളും ഗുരുജിയുടെ കരുണാ സിദ്ധാന്തത്തെ പുനരുജജീവിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ഓജസുറ്റ സാക്ഷ്യങ്ങൾ തന്നെയാണ്.

ഹൃദയത്തിൽ കരുണ വറ്റിപ്പോയ , തുടർന്നും മനുഷ്യനായി ജീവിക്കുന്നവരെ കുറിച്ച് ” അനുകമ്പാദശക”ത്തിലെ രണ്ടു വരികൾ കൂടി കുറിയ്ക്കട്ടെ.

” അരുളില്ല യതെങ്കില സ്ഥി തോൽ
സിര നാറുന്നൊരു ടമ്പു താനവൻ”

ജാതിയുടെയും മതത്തിന്റെയും വർണ്ണത്തിന്റെയും പേരിൽ പോരെടുക്കുന്ന , കരുണ കാട്ടാത്ത അജ്ഞരായ സമൂഹത്തെ ഗുരുജി
” നാറുന്നൊരുമ്പു താനവൻ” എന്ന് വിശേഷിപ്പിച്ചത് ശ്രദ്ധേയമാണ്.

സഹജീവികളെയും സമജീവികളെയും സ്നേഹിച്ചും കരുണ കാണിച്ചും ജീവിക്കുന്ന ഒരു പുതു സമൂഹത്തെ വാർത്തെടുക്കാൻ ഗുരുജിയുടെ ആദർശങ്ങൾ പങ്കു വെച്ച് നമ്മാലാവത് നമുക്കും ശ്രമിക്കാം.

Mathew PV

Aathira Jeyadev

Having practically grown up as a ‘child of the Mission’, Aathira Jeyadev firmly believes that the Sree Narayana Mission can have something for everyone, and mean something to everyone.

Aathira’s connection with the Mission can be traced to her grandparents, Mr and Mrs Unnithan, who were among its early members. Her sprightly grandmother still actively participates in its events, at the ripe old age of (XXX). Thus, it is no surprise that the urge to serve the Mission was seeded in young Aathira, naturally and unconsciously, in the course of the time she spent there. She recalls, “I have grown up, and grown, with the Mission. From enjoying the games as a child, I started organising them and, and then performing for the events. Every time we went to the Mission, I saw the elderly at the Mission’s Home for the Aged Sick, and always wanted to interact with them. It was always at the back of my mind. So, after my ‘A’ Level Examinations, I asked my father whether I could volunteer at the Mission. That’s how I ended up serving at its Dementia Care Centre first. I realise that being there for the elderly is something that I enjoy”. After that encouraging start, Aathira has taken on other roles in the Mission.

This deeper involvement with the Mission has opened Aathira’s eyes to the scope of its activities. “I now realise that the Mission caters to single parent families, low income groups, and others – not just the elderly. So, anyone with a heart to volunteer can come to the Mission and find something that they can do,” she shares.

Aathira feels that all this bodes well for the Mission’s ability to attract more likeminded people, and, thus, continue being an integral part of the evolving Singaporean society, as it has done since its very foundation. “The Mission has the facilities and the people to do much more, and I would like to see the Mission grow in that way. There are more youth coming in. We recently had a Youth Symposium called SOWOKE, as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations, and we heard the youth on their take regarding volunteering and service. So, we are also learning what drives today’s youth, to stay relevant.”

That includes staying relevant to the layman, who should be able to view the Mission as a place they can enjoy being at. “It is nice to have events that can attract the everyday person to chill out at the Mission, like boardgames, etc.” These are, indeed, the plans in the pipeline for the Mission’s new premises at Race Course Road, where activities can be held without impinging on the operations at the Home for the Aged in Yishun. “I am looking forward to hanging out at the Mission in Race Course Road; we can have workshops, the guys can plan soccer games, we can hold one-day events to attract people,” Aathira enthuses, as she envisions the future of the Mission.