2003 News letter 
(covering activities up to February 2004)

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The most important development during 2003 was the setting up of the SIT Tamilnadu Chapter (SITTNC) with the renowned agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan as its Chairperson. The Other office bearers and Trustees of this new Chapter are Dr. Vineeta, Hon. Vice Chairperson, Col. (Retd.) E.J.J. Isaacs, Vice Chairperson, Ms Sarah Chanda, Treasurer. Mrs Naina Shah, Managing Trustee, Mrs. Jaya Arunachalam, Mr. Moosa Raza, Mrs. Perviz Bhote, Mr. Shariffa A. Azeez, Mr. Susai Jeyraj, Mr. Surjit Singh Sahney and Mr. Kailash Mull Dugar.

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan signing the SITTNC Trust deed

The President of India graciously sent the following message on this occasion.:

"I am happy to learn that a new Chapter of Sarvodaya International Trust is being launched at Tamilnadu on July 14, 2003.

I am happy that the trust is striving to spread the values of integrity in public life, non violence, communal harmony, humanitarian service and peace. All of these values were dear to Mahatma Gandhi and are necessary for the functioning of a healthy and dynamic society.

On this occasion, I extend my warm greetings and felicitations to all those associated with the Trust and wish the ceremony all success."

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
July 10, 2003.

The newly launched Tamilnadu Chapter was able to present a joyful Gandhi Jayanti celebration at Chennai on October 2nd 2003, as all other regional Chapter did in their respective cities. The Governor of Tamilnadu H.E. Sri. P.S. Ramamohan Rao inaugurated the celebration and the well known Bharata Natyam Guru Smt. Chitra Vishweshwaran an her disciples presented a specially choreographed dance item titled 'The Mahatma'. This much appreciated dance item was preceded by a moving presentation of songs of harmony and peace by the Madras Youth Choir.

'The Mahatma' presented by  Guru Chitra Vishweshwaran and  her disciples at Chennai

Gandhi Jayanti was also joyfully celebrated with concerts of music and dance in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and New Delhi. The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) co-sponsored the concerts in all these cities, as also Chennai, as their respectful tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. In Bangalore the concert was also co-sponsored by Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

The Special feature of the 2003 Gandhi Jayanti celebration at Bangalore was an impactful 'Shraddhanjali to Gandhiji' presentation by dancers of the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy, Inphal.  

'Shraddanjali to Gandhiji' by Manipuri dancers at Bangalore

This was made possible by Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi kindly making a travel grant available to these dancers to come to Bangalore. The Manipuri Dance presentation was preceded by a short Western music concert in which Dr. Gunilla von Bahr, Director, Royal Academy of Music, Stockholm was the lead flute soloist. The concert ended with a moving presentation of Gandhiji's favourite hymns and songs of harmony by the Frank Antony School Band and Choir. The Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University Prof. M.S. Thimmappa was Chief Guest on this occasion. On the last weekend of October, Mrs. Anita Reddy, a Trustee of our Karnataka Chapter and Managing Trustee of AVAS, presented an outstanding song and dance tribute to Gandhiji by Dalit Children at Ambedar, Hall. This programme was titled  'Jeevanotsava'.

At Hyderabad, the Andhra Pradesh Chapter presented Padma Shri Dr. Shoba Naidu and her disciples in a Kuchipudi dance ballet titled 'Chandalika' as the main item in their 2003 Gandhi Jayanti celebration. A fine rendition of Gandhiji's favourite hymns by the A.P. Gibbs Choir proceeded this. Dr. C. Narayan Reddy, Chairman, Andhra Pradesh State Cultural Council, was the chief Guest. In the previous week the AP chapter held a seminar at the Rajaji International Institute of Public Affairs and Administration, Hyderabad on 'The Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's Teachings to 21st Century India' and an inter-school Quiz competition on ' Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian Freedom Struggle' at Little Flower School. In which 36 teams from 14 schools took part.

'Chandalika' presented by Guru Shoba Naidu and her desciples  at Hyderabad

The Maharashtra Chapter presented Jaimini Pathak in Ramu Ramanathan's powerful play 'Mahadevbhai', as their 2003 Gandhi Jayanti celebration at thee National Center for thee Performing Arts, Mumbai. This made a powerful evocation of thee great challenges Gandhiji had faced and how he dealt with them.

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