Sir
I wish to thank you for having published a new item on the Sunday New Indian Express on Ms Chandra Lekha – the oxymoron – by Geetha Doctor. I wish to share the following.

MS CHANDRA LEKHA – THE LEGEND
It is hard to believe the diva of the neo Bharat natyam exponent is no more. I vividly remember exactly 26 years ago during November 1980 I and my friend Rita Rayan had gone to SKILLS – the organization where Ms Chandra Lekha stayed in Besant Nagar, Chennai. We had gone there to collect some posters on the women’s issues from SKILLS which had published many posters. We were greeted by Ms Chandra Lekha . Even though were total strangers to her, the moment she heard that we required posters for exhibition, she warmly appreciated us and invited us to be introduced to Mr Sadananda Menon.

I have been watching the lady growing in to a legend. She is an icon and an iconoclast. She is a legend and also the destroyer of the legend. The life and times of Ms Chandra Lekha are historical and path breaking. She broke down the traditional barriers and taboos linked to classical dance Bharat natyam.

Generally the dance form of Bharat natyam is to have religious and holy themes with traditional silk sarees, ornaments etc to be danced in the court of kings and nobles. In fact the form was almost high jacked bycertain community as the only proponents of this classical dance. Even the original teachers (“gurus”) were sidelined. Any change to the form and content was resented and treated as rebellion. When any change was considered as subversion against this great classical dance, Ms Chandra Lekha had the courage and bravery to stand up. Traditionally all the teachers (“gurus”) of classical dance followed the great tradition (“parampara”).

The Bharat natyam dance without silk saree, ornaments, holy and religious themes was an anathema. In art form the form and content are complementary and harmonizing. Chandra took the liberty which none dared in the long history of Bharat natyam dancing to introduce new look in terms of dress, ornaments, themes and “bahva”. In fact she democratized the form to hold ordinary and common place themes. However, it was not without opposition. She was ridiculed, derided, and laughed at by the majority of whom are “sabha” dancers.

Ms Chandra Lekha was also a feminist and it is rare to find feminists among classical dancers. For the very canvas of classical dance is conformity which Chandra Lekha fought relentlessly. Her death has created a greatest irrevocable vacuum among the feminists for she blended the classical and modern feminism with such ease and poise.

Ms Chandra Lekha is to be respected as one of the greatest artist who experimented the medium of Bharat natyam to introduce common place themes as against the traditional holy and religious themes. Probably her admirers should institute an award to encourage the path paved by Ms Chandra Lekha. She is to be counted with some of the archetypal legends like Tutankhamen, Prometheus, Spartacus, and others

Sincerely,
D Xavier Gnanaraj, Ayanavaram, Chennai 23 x_g_raj@yahoo.co.uk

LEAD KINDLY TO LIGHT
NJO REACH OUT is a voluntary association of individuals working at the New Join Office, Southern Railway, Ayanavaram, Chennai 23 who have expressed overt interest in social concerns like relief work for earthquake, flood, tsunami victims and other social causes.

From 2005 onwards NJO REACH OUT is awarding Annual School Toppers Award for SSLC (10th) students of the Railway Colony Aided High School, Ayanavaram, Chennai 23. The cash award consists of two first prizes of Rs 2000/- each and two second prizes of Rs 1500/- each and the staff of New Joint Office, Ayanavaram, generously contributes towards the awards.

Annual School Toppers Award for the year 2006-07 was held on 11th September 2007. Shri M Jeychandren, IRAS, FA&CAO/S&W/PER, Shri R Kuppan, IRSME, CWM/LW/PER, Shri P Balan, IRPS, Dy CPO/LW/PER were the special invitees who awarded the prizes.

The award winners are P K Divya, B Vennila from girls and J Udyakumar, R Karthikeyan from boys. The percentage of pass has dramatically increased from 43 to 70 over the last year. Pulavar Purushothaman, the HM appreciated the efforts of the NJO REACHOUT /PER and proposed the vote of thanks.

Convenor: Xavier Gnanaraj 9444937659

NJO REACHOUT NEWS LETTER
NJO REACH OUT is nothing but you and us.

The ninth issue for the year 2007 and twenty-fifth from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during September 2007.

ACCOUNTS FESTIVAL:

For the first time in the annals of the FA&CAO/W&S/PER, three days seminar was organized by the Workshop Accounts Office on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of August 2007. It was instantaneously popular and attracted accolades from all quarters. Recently the Workshop Accounts Office along with CEWE/PER obtained the ISO 2000 certificates. True to obtaining of ISO 2000, the Workshop Accounts Office has launched prestigious programmes. In all the three days, the best questions were presented with gifts. On the last day, the best organizers, the event managers, the best trainers were presented with awards. The credit goes to Shri K Ramasubramonia Pillai, DY FA&CAO/W/PER for scrupulous planning, meticulous execution, the allotment of port folios, every event was thought of earlier including presentation of bouquets, shawls etc to the dignitaries.

The three days seminar witnessed tremendous welcome from staff of both the Workshop Accounts and executive offices. It has brought out the immense talents our senior supervisors have been hiding all along. It brought about camaraderie between the Workshop Accounts Office and the executive staff.

Shri M Jeychandren FA&CAO/S&W/PER inaugurated the seminar. The first day seminar was devoted to the passing of suppliers, contractors and miscellaneous bills, allocation, misclassification etc. the xloco section, budget, books, costing and WC section staff participated along with the executive staff. It was dynamic interaction between them and cleared doubts on the passing of bills etc. Shri R Kuppan, CWM/LW/PER in his own inimitable style made a presentation on the expectation during the valedictory function in the evening.

Shri M Jeychandren FA&CAO/S&W/PER inaugurated the seminar on the second day. The seminar was devoted to the passing of claims pertaining to employees and Pensioners etc. The E Audit Section besides, Wages, Pension, PF, E Suspense and Incentive section staff participated along with the Personnel Branch staff of executive offices. It was truly participatory, as the PB staff participated with full vigor and strength. Being the day devoted to staff matters, the organized unions of NJO/PER also actively participated. Shri B Raikwar, CWM/CW/PER shared his expectation from the Workshop Accounts Office during the valedictory function in the evening.

Shri M Jeychandren FA&CAO/S&W/PER inaugurated the seminar on the third and penultimate day. The seminar was devoted to the vetting of estimates, NS indents, and miscellaneous finance proposals all pertaining to finance functions. , the E Finance sections (seven of them) Mechanical Budgeting, other section staff participated along with the executive staff including staff from CME/MAS, CSTE/MAS, CSC/RPF/MAS, MD/RH/PER etc . During the noon, Shri Vijayakumar, CEWE/PER shared his vision of expectation from accounts office.

The grand finale to the seminar came on the third day’s valedictory session. Dr S Ram Mohan, Ph D, FA&CAO/MAS, and Shri Saraf, CWE/MAS graced the seminar during the valedictory function in the evening. Shri Saraf, CWE/MAS made a presentation through PowerPoint about the expectation from the accounts office. Almost all the executive staff pointed out the shortcomings, omission, and commission at Accounts Office. On the last day, all the accounts officers of NJO/PER both stores and workshop participated.

Dr S Ram Mohan, Ph D, FA&CAO/MAS in his valedictory address pointed out the role of finance as a complimentary and not contradictory. He shared a number of anecdotes to highlight his point. Thus, the seminar brought out the voluminous talents the accounts staff have and their ability to face the staff of executive offices face to face and give excellent rendering of their knowledge and experience. The only thought of every one in the seminar was why no cash awards were announced on the last day by Dr S Ram Mohan, FA&CAO/MAS or Shri M Jeychandren FA&CAO/S&W/PER

HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI DAY
August 6th and 9th were celebrated as anti nuclear day all over the world. During the World War II, in retaliation to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the American planes dropped atom bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th and on Nagasaki on August 9th. The combined heat and blast pulverized everything in the explosion's immediate vicinity, generated spontaneous fires that burned almost 4.4 square miles completely out, and killed between 70,000 and 80,000 people, besides injuring more than 70,000 others. In Nagasaki on August 9, between 35,000 and 40,000 were people killed, injured a like number, and devastated 1.8 square miles.

THE CHENNAI CITY’S BIRTHDAY:
The city of Chennai turned 368 years on August 24th. The week long celebrations of Chennai city started from 17th August and included heritage walking, visit to places of historical importance, talks on heritage, exhibition of rare artifacts, coins, postal stamps, etc.

WEDDING BELLS:
Selvan Mohana Krishna, S/O Smt K S Lakshmi Saradha & Shri K Subrahmanyam Selvi Lakshmi Soujanya D/O Smt Geetha Kumari and Shri B Ramakrishna were married on 25th August 2007 at G V S Kalyana Mandapam Bhimavaram, AP. Many staff and Officers from NJO/PER and other offices attended the reception on Tuesday 28th August 2007 at MSR Mahal Pursaiwakkam, Chennai. NJOREACH OUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt K S Lakshmi Saradha & Shri K Subrahmanyam

Selvan K Madan and Selvi E V Pavithra D/O Smt M Jayanthi and Shri E D Vijayakumar AA were married on 30th August 2007 at Sri Ranga Mahal Kolathur, Chennai 99. Many staff and Officers from NJO/PER and other offices attended the reception on Wednesday 29th August 2007 at the same premises. NJOREACH OUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt M Jayanthi and Shri E D Vijayakumar

TRAINING:
Smt Hema Ashok, Sr So / X Finance, attended one week training at C-TARA, Secunderabad, on the management of professional skills.



THE PURPOSE OF LIFE:
Mr. Whitehead continuously met with catastrophes. Somehow, he was bearing with these. One day he lost his patience. He let out a loud cry “Oh God Why do you send so many problems to me while others are so happy in this world. I want to drop all my problems at your place. Let me know where to meet you”. God agreed to meet him and accept his burdens. He went around to a large playground where even before his arrival so many persons were waiting with bundles of burdens, most of them bigger than his. Nevertheless, he waited for God to appear. Suddenly there was some commotion. Everybody rushed to meet God who just entered the playground. Everyone was pleading to God to take out his or her burdens. Mr. Whitehead was frightened by the size of the burdens of most people. He stood still. God came near to him and asked him, “Mr. Whitehead what are you doing? Have you not come to swap your bundle of problems? What prevents you now?” Still Mr. Whitehead was silent. He realized that every one had problems and most of them were bigger. After all, he was foolish to ask God to take his burdens. He said firmly,” Thank you God for your presence here. However, I have changed my mind after seeing so many persons with greater sorrows. Let me live with my problems. However God give me one boon”. God said “it’s Granted”. Mr. Whitehead said, “I shall not pray to God, Lord do not give me problems. However during my problematic days give me the courage and perseverance to bear with those problems”. Mr. Whitehead returned home wiser, saner, and sober.

Staffs are encouraged to contribute to the newsletter. It is intended to bring a community spirit among the staff of NJO/PER. Any event in the office and personal profiles of exception may be sent for inclusion.

The Third School Toppers Awards are to be distributed at 11 am on the 11th September 2007 at the school premises (just behind NJO/PER). Shri M Jeychandren, FA&CAO/S&W/PER and Shri R Kuppan CWM/LW/PER have agreed to grace the function.

View your Newsletter in the Internet: http://www.gracemugil-pothigai.blogspot.com/

THE EDITORIAL TEAM: JOY MURALISHANKAR,Sr SO, ARUNA MOHAN, SR CA, SELVANATHAN P, AA, CHANDRASEKAR S, AA ANEETHA K B, AA, BALASUBRAMANIAN R. SO & RAJENDRAN HC Stores

CONTACT: V S MULAIDHAR SR SO, SUDHA GOPAKUMAR,SrSO , ASHA ARNETTE, AA, RAGHAVAN M N, AA & KIRAN M S, AA

NJO REACHOUT NEWS LETTER
NJO REACH OUT is nothing but you and us.

The eighth issue for the year 2007 and twenty-fourth from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during August 2007.

KNOW YOUR PRESIDENT:
The year 2007 is a milestone in the history of this great country. A woman is elected as the President of India and housed in Raisina Hill the official residence of the President. Even the greatest democratic country like the USA could not even dream of such an event. No non- white, non-Christian and woman has ever been elected as the President of the USA. She is Pratibha Patel Shekawat M A LL B. She was an MLA in the Maharashtra Assembly 1967-85. She was Deputy Minister in Maharashtra for the Departments of Health, Prohibition, Tourism, and Housing etc during 1967-72. Again she was the Social Welfare Minister in Maharashtra during 1972-74, State Minister for Health in Maharashtra 1974-75, State Minister for Prohibition and Cultural Affairs in Maharashtra 1975-76, State Minister for Education, Maharashtra 1977-78, Leader of the Opposition during 1979-1980; State Housing Minister, Maharashtra 1982-1985; member of Rajya Sabha 1985-1990; Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha 1986-88. Finally, she assumed the gubernatorial post of Governor of State of Rajasthan in 2004. Further, she established women’s hostels in Delhi and Mumbai. She established Rural Engineering College at Jalgoan, Maharashtra for the youth. She was also the Managing Trustee of the Shramdhana Trust at Mumbai. She launched the Govt sponsored Magila Vikas Mandal. She started a school for the blind, and a formal school for the children of tribal folk. She launched the first ever Women Cooperative Bank in Maharashtra State. She was a delegate to the UN sponsored International Social Welfare Conferences at Nairobi and Puerto Ricoh. She was the leader of the women’s delegation to the UN Conference on the Status of Women at Austria and Bulgaria. She was a participant in the UN sponsored International Conference on “The Status of Women” at Beijing, China. She launched the first ever women only Home Guards at Maharashtra State. She launched nursery schools for the children of backward classes. The life and career of this woman is totally dedicated to the people of India. Despite many opposition in the form of slander and defame campaign from various quarters, she is finally elected as the first ever woman President of India.

RETIREMENT OF GM, S Rly:
Shri Thomas Varghese GM SRLY voluntarily retired on 17th July to join the Railway Rates Tribunal as Member Economic, after a stint of two years as GM SRLY. The 1969 IRTS batch officer had served on various capacities in the S RLY including that of DRM, CCM, CVO and SDGM. For a brief period, he was DRM/TVC. Later he was elevated as GM Northern Railway in 2005 and within a short period of six months, he joined S RLY as GM. Incidentally his uncle Shri John was the GM SRLY in 1950s. His father was Chief Secretary to Govt of Tamil Nadu and so was his brother Shri T V Antony. Unfortunately, none of their children is in Civil Services today. Shri Thomas Varghese is a very popular person for his easily approachable nature and magnanimity. During his tenure as CVO and SDGM he was helped many staff who were falsely implicated in vigilance cases. This GM is known as story telling GM all over the railway. He and his spouse Rita Thomas are staying in their house at Perungudi. Smt Rita Thomas had taken special interest in helping staff with heart ailment and urinary problems as the President of SRWWO. Also she had shown special attention to the mentally challenged children of railway staff in the Ashraya/Egmore. His son is in the United States of America and daughter is settled in Cochin. NJO REACH OUT /PER wishes him all the best in his post SRLY and RRT life.


LOCOMOTIVE WORKSHOP/PERAMBUR CELEBRATES PLATINUM JUBILEE:
LOCOMOTIVE WORKSHOP/PERAMBUR celebrates platinum jubilee this year. To mark this occasion, a Platinum Jubilee Auditorium, a Heritage Museum etc were declared opened by Shri Thomas Varghese GM/S RLY on the 14th July 2007. The Locomotive Workshop popularly known as Loco works was segregated from the Carriage Wagon Workshops with the view to overhaul steam locomotives, the iron horses of the past era. It is worthwhile to remember, that the LOCO works will always be remembered by the progeny for its excellent revival of the “FAIRIE QUEENE”, the oldest serving steam loco in the world. The Loco Workshops/Perambur revived the silent beauty in the rail museum at New Delhi to run on the railroads.

NJO CULTURAL ASSOCIATION VISITS YERCAUD, SALEM:
The association is gradually picking up acceleration due to series of activities during the couple of months. During July 28th and 29th about 45 members and their families visited Yercaud, Salem. Yercaud is called poor man’s Ooty for its pristine forests, mountains, rivulets, streams, and the short heights compared to Kodai and Ooty. In short it is yet to be commercilaised. The team stayed at the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Board lodgings. On Saturday the team visited the local sites at Yercaud. They stayed at the top gear on the day and had variety of cultural programmes by the team members. It was a lovely evening to enjoy the talents of the railway employees. The next day Sunday the team visited the Mettur Dam, which was full to the brim due to copious rains at the catchments area of the Cauvery River at Karnataka.

NEW SPO/S/PER:
Shri Baskar, APO/Ele/PER has joined NJO/PER as the SPO/S/PER. NJO REACHOUT/PER wishes him all the best and welcome to the NJO/PER.

NEW SECTION OFFICERS:
NJO REACHOUT/PER congratulates all the new section officers who are promoted on account of cadre restructuring in the accounts branch. Also it welcomes other Section Officers who have joined this office recently. NJO REACHOUT/PER wishes all success in their endevours and efforts in their new portfolios.
THIRD SCHOOL TOPPERS’ AWARD:
The Third School Toppers’ Award is to be distributed to the students of the railway colony aided high school, which is situated behind NJO/PER. The date and time will be shortly announced.
THE PURPOSE OF LIFE:
There was a young man in the United States of America. He was one of the pioneers of the industry. He worked like a monster and never used to rest. He wanted to convert every minute of his life on earth into dollars. At the age of 33 he earned his first million dollars. Within the next ten years at the age of 43 he was one of the richest man in the world and a billionaire. To achieve the dizzying heights, he lost the hairs on his head, eyebrows and eyes. His weekly earnings were million dollars. However, he could only munch soft biscuits and milk. He was advised by his doctors against any other food. He never loved any one. He was cruel with his employees and competitors. The oil wells of Pennsylvania still cry out against his cruelty. People who were thrown out by him hanged his effigy publicly. That was the anger the people had for him. Yet he was one of the richest men of the world. When he attained the age of 53, his doctors advised him that probably he would not live to see his next birthday. The fear of death tortured him. He spent sleepless nights in his bed. He realized none of his dollar could save his life from the cruel jaws of death. His death was certain. He realized that money is not a matter to be saved but to be spent on the welfare of the needy and the poor. One fine morning he called his attorneys to launch a global foundation to help the people in need, the poor, the desolate children, and the lowly persons without a meal. A huge part of his millions of dollars were diverted for charity, foundation and missionary works all over the world. His acts of charities knew no boundaries. Those are a legion. Instead of cursing and condemnation, he started receiving blessings, love, prayers and wishes and good tidings from all sorts of people from all over the world. His health greatly improved. He became a normal man. He ate normal meal. He slept well. He loved every one. He responded to any act of kindness. His doctors were amazed at the speed of his recovery. He realized that the more you give the double than that one would receive. He became the living example for the saying. His act of charity increased his life span from 53 years to 98 years. That was the blessing of the Lord to any one who gives, gives happily. The man was none other than Mr. John D Rockefeller, founder of the Rockefeller Foundation.
Staffs are encouraged to contribute to the newsletter. It is intended to bring a community spirit among the staff of NJO/PER. Any event in the office and personal profiles of exception may be sent for inclusion.
THE EDITORIAL TEAM: JOY MURALISHANKAR,Sr SO, ARUNA MOHAN, SR CA, SELVANATHAN P, AA, CHANDRASEKAR S, AA ANEETHA K B, AA, BALASUBRAMANIAN R. SO & RAJENDRAN HC Stores
CONTACT:V S MULAIDHAR SR SO, SUDHA GOPAKUMAR,SrSO , ASHA ARNETTE, AA, RAGHAVAN M N, AA & KIRAN M S, AA