New Jersey Tamil Sangam (NJTS)

Members of NJ and NY tamil sangam, using private donations, have established a fund to help poor students complete their college studies. Student selection is based solely on their financial status, without regard to their religion, caste or sex. Their academic progress is carefully monitored by a committee of College Professors. Since 1992, an average of 75 students per year are receiving this aid in and around Madurai area. To date, more than 300 students have completed their graduate studies because of this education fund.

Two unique features of this project are:

1. Students promise in writing that they will repay this amount without interest, once they are gainfully employed so that more number of students will benefit from the added funds. This creates a sense of responsibility and a willingness to help others.

2. The scholarship amount is given in two installments to the students. The scholarship amount will cover their tuition fees, exam fees, books etc. Local businessmen or officials, who have comeup in life facing poverty through sheer determination and hard work, give words of encouragement to these students and then distribute the checks.

There is an enormous and urgent need for similar projects in various districts of Tamilnadu that will brighten the lives of thousands of desperately poor students.If you need further information about this project or if you want to start a similar one, please contact P. Sundaram at sundaram@comcast.net

The first Charity Club was started about eight years ago in NJ by Mr. A.R. Srinivasan and friends. This is an unique and novel scheme where like minded people come together to implement projects that will benefit one or more individuals or the entire community.

Many of us contribute frequently to numerous charitable causes. The fund-raisers are generally sponsored by some organizations or dedicated individuals. However, most of us are not able to assume such leadership roles, because of lack of time and other reasons. Given a chance, every individual would like to play a part in executing such noble tasks. The end result, a Super Happiness, provides the necessary backing and extra energy to successfully complete these projects. Eventually, these actions tend to become a part of our life. It is with this philosophy that we have initiated two small charity clubs in New Jersey, USA.

There are currently three charity clubs. The first two charity club consists of 11 families. Each member (family) is identified by a month, during which they will receive a fixed contribution or more from the rest of the members. This money will be used by each member to identify and complete a charitable project, the merits of which are solely decided by that family. With the net amount in hand and a whole year at their disposal, completion of this task becomes easy and entertaining. Family discussions and communication with relatives, as well as friends, help a person to easily identify a deserving case. Each club functions indepedently on the above principles. The third mini charity club was recently started by some students.

We all meet at the year end and discuss our charitable projects. Members come up with different ideas every year. In the small time of eight years, collectively, we have completed more than 100 noteworthy projects. This is only a start. With His Blessings, we hope to do more and pass on the torch to the next generation.

Charity has two faces: Giving and receiving. Technically, both sides receive things of a different kind! For more information about starting your own club, please contact A.R.Srinivasn at srini545@aol.com

Cindhanai Vattam (CV) is a study circle formed in 1996 in New Jersey. The objective is to provide an opportunity for an in depth discussion on topics related to Tamil, Tamilnadu and Tamil Society. There is no restriction on topics except we will avoid the generally divisive and intensely sensitive areas such as politics and religion. Each meeting is conducted like a seminar. Setting is informal and usually held in the residence of a host family. The speakers in CV are the regular participants of CV; visiting scholars and artists. Main focus is to provide information and analysis that can trigger healthy discussion among the participants. The duration of each meeting is from 3 to 6 hours.

Meetings are usually spread throughout the year depending upon the availability of topics, speakers and the participants. We hope to conduct four to six meetings a year. The flexibility in the timing can be made use of to accommodate visiting scholars from India and other Tamil speaking countries. CV members also undertake projects regularly in association with other Tamil related organizations to promote the welfare of Tamils in an intellectual front. Meeting details will be announced by telephone and/or e-mail. For additional details contact one of the following organizers: N. Muruganandam, G. Rajaram, or P. Sundaram

Tamil classes are held twice a month except in Jan & Feb and during the summer holidays, at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Classes last for 1-11/2 Hours on Sunday mornings. For additional details, please contact A.R.Srinivasan at srini545@aol.com