IN - DE P TH

In-depth

Educate a friend
For rupees ten
A bunch of students from MIT are committed to helping their fellow needy students,
under their own Trust called, Charishma. All that a member spends for this is a mea-
ger ten rupees per month.

“T
his is a time
for bold mea-
sures. This is
Charishma educates five
the country, other engineering students
and you are and an Arts student.
the generation” – these words of
Charishma also conducts
Bono seemed to have inspired this
young bunch of students of Madras medical camps, orphanage
Institute of Technology (MIT). They visits and eye camps
are committed to helping their fel-
low needy students, under their own
Trust called, Charishma.
The story of Charishma goes back
to the evening, when the mess boy
Shakthivel said that he discontin-
ued studies even after scoring 84%
in Class 10th, due to financial con-
straints. The hostel boys of MIT were
taken aback. After dinner, when the
boys met for a chit-chat, Vivek raised
a question, “If Shakthi were to have
a little money, wouldn’t he be one
among us, as an engineer?”
Ganesh asked in reply, “Surely ! But
where is the money? Someone else group of five friends. Now, Shakthiv- dent. The trust grew in numbers, to
in the group asked, “Where will the el is a polytechnic student at Tara- 800 in a year.
money come from?” There was an mani polytechnic doing sandwich
The members wanted to take the
air of silence for a while. Finally, course in Mechanical Engineering,
trust to the next level and adopted the
came the answer from Manoj, “From sponsored by Charishma.
Dazzling Stone Orphanage, offering
your pocket and mine”.
Started with 393 members, Char- medical aids to the inmates. Every
The idea took shape and thus was ishma educates five other engi- month, the trust conducts activities
formed Charishma in July 2006, by a neering students and an Arts stu- like orphanage visits, medical camps
28 ed matrix MAY 2008
 IN - DE P TH
In-depth

and eye camps apart from provid-
ing educational assistance. Recently,
they conducted cataract operation
for seven people, with the support
of Sankara Nethralaya Hospital. All
that a member spends for this is a
meager ten rupees per month.
Vivek, who took the initiative to
start this trust in his final year, says
“The trust has been functioning
successfully mainly because of the
students. If not for their interest and
involvement, we will not be able
to achieve our purpose”. This year
more students, especially juniors,
have joined Charishma and now the
strength is 1176.
effort and the social concern of the
Charishma’s day out with children
students and said that they have of Dazzling Stone Orphanage
plans to extend it to other college
students also.
“I have no words to express my grati-
tude and these Annas(brothers) are
the reasons behind my continuing
education” said an emotional Har-
ish (name changed), a physically
challenged and whose education is
supported by Charishma. Earlier, he
availed educational loan from a bank
and it was stopped when he failed in
one subject. After that, it is Charish-
ma which is funding his education.
He is studying second year automo-
bile engineering in MIT.

The trust has ideas of

hiring a trainer in com-
munication skill as few
students lose the op-
portunity to get placed
as they lack communi-
cation skills.
Members of Charishma
the fund. “So far, we have been
picking up people whom we come
across as needy. We are yet to
find ways to identify deserving
students, who are good in studies
yet poor.” They have also planned
to give cash awards for top rank
holders in 10th and +2 levels.
What would happen to the trust when
they leave the college at the end of
their course? Sathish, who is doing
his final year, said that he would still
offer his support and service. He
added that he could offer more fund
when he earned.
Ganesh said, we see great enthusiasm
among juniors and more and more
active participants are joining us. We
will not let the service fade or die.

“The Dean and the staff are very
supportive and we are very thank-
ful to them”, said Ganesh, another
member. The college provides
transportation facilities for their
camp and orphanage visits. Prof.
Sivakumar, who has been giving
them his moral support, lauded the
Jagadish, a member, said that the Keerthana Raj
trust has ideas of hiring a trainer
Readers can send in information
in communication skill. He says
about students or individuals involved
that a few students lose the op-
in such developmental activities.
portunity to get placed as they Write to edmatrix.edu@gmail.com.
lack communication skills. Other They will be brought to lime light
plans of the trust include identi- through EDMATRIX.
fying deserving students to avail
ed matrix MAY 2008 29
IN - D E P TH
A dignifying crusader of
the unclaimed bodies
N
eila, a social activist claims the unclaimed dead
bodies and offers them dignity in spite of the
discouraging words of friends and neighbours.
Dignity is assured at last for those who hardly
enjoyed that during their life time.
For many, a visit to a burial ground is rare and is normally
associated either with a funeral or to pay tributes to the
deceased. Apart from this one normally visits to pray for the
deceased every year on their death anniversary.
Otherwise, people shun burial grounds and
dead bodies.
For 43-year-old Neila, however, it
is about fighting against disparity
between a rich and poor and against
religious taboos to ensure a decent
burial for unclaimed bodies in the
Moolakothalam area in Chennai,
Tamilnadu.
As an active social worker and a district
organiser for women in Human
Rights Organisation, an
NGO, Neila has been
28 ed matrix june 2008
burying unclaimed bodies from the
Government General Hospitals for the
last four years. People keep informing
her about dead bodies which no one
comes forward to claim.
Although, a woman is barred from
accompanying the corpse of her
husband according to Hindu tradition,
Neila is different as she has managed
to break this cultural barrier in order
to serve those who die anonymously.
For many touching a dead body is
something scary. Not so for Neila.
She seems to have shed not only the
cultural barriers, but, the inhibitions
and fears.
Her inspiration for social service is
rooted in personal experience. “In
December 2004, a sick old woman,
abandoned by her sons, used to sleep
in front of my house. I used to help
her. After two days, she went missing.
A fortnight later, she was found
dead. Since there was nobody

to initiate her final rites, I buried
the body. This incident forced me
to break that cultural barrier,” she
recounted.
Since then, Neila has cremated 74
unclaimed bodies and more than 12
bodies, whose burials relatives of the
deceased were not able to afford.
In a country where getting
permissions from government
authorities is quite a task, Neila’s
efforts appear to be unswerving. She
spends Rs.800 for every burial. After
getting the necessary permission
from the police, the hospital and
Corporation officials, she would
take the body to the cemetery and
perform final rites according to
Hindu tradition, she added.
Her zeal for selfless service has led
to the formation of the Utra Helping
Organisation, an association which
provides psychological counselling
for family problems, helps deserted
senior citizens, and getting them
admitted to old age homes and
organising awareness campaigns
against committing suicide.
It was not that easy for Neila. Though
it is a voluntary service, Neila had
ed matrix june 2008
IN - D E P TH
to rub shoulders with many. There
were many who laughed at her;
many discouraged her cautioning
here against the legal problems
involved in doing such strange social
dealings.
But, for Neila it was a different
experience. Helping someone
particularly those who are aging
and those who died but await the last
respects brings a lot of meaning. It is
as if helping someone to have a pass
to enter the bliss of heavenly life. She
becomes a person who removes all
stumbling blocks for a dead person
to have their path cleared in entering
heaven. So it is meaningful and very
rewarding.
In appreciation of her service, Neila
received several awards from various
organisations in the State including
human rights commission.
She can be contacted at 9444027146
or 25921003 regarding last rites
for unclaimed bodies, admission
of senior citizens to old age homes
and legal counsel for women
undergoing harassment by employers
or spouses.
Kalpana.E
Readers can send in information about
individuals involved in such developmental
activities. Write to edmatrix.edu@gmail.
com. They will be brought to lime light
through EDMATRIX.
29
IN - D E P TH
Retracing the footprints
of Freedom fighters!!
Students at the book fair organized by Stalin Gunasekarn
I
t was the year 1970. A ten year
old boy was reading the biography
of Bhagat Singh to 33 of his
companions and they were greatly
impressed with the courage of
Bhagat Singh. The boys who were
listening with unwavering attention burst
into tears when they heard Bhagat Singh
was hanged to death. The life history of
Bhagat Singh made such a great impact
on them that after ten years, this group
of 33 young boys came together to form
a movement called “Maunavar Munnetra
Sangam”. Their main motive was to read
the books of great leaders and to know
about their life history and to meditate
on the ideologies of great people who
made a big impact. This ten year old
28
boy named Stalin Gunasekar, who read
the biography to his friends is now the
founder of the movement.
After 38 years, Stalin is still continuing
his service of imparting patriotic feelings
to the mass in and around the district of
Erode in Tamil Nadu. This time its not
through reading that he has delivered
the messages of the leaders to the
young generation but by his writing, by
his speech, by conducting book festivals,
by opening libraries and by conducting
literary festivals.
Maunavar Munnetra Sangam took
various shapes before becoming Makkal
Sindhanai Peravai. The medium has
ed matrix july 2008
changed but the focus has remained the
same to help the upcoming generation,
to develop love for the country, to value
the hard earned freedom and a love and
passion for literature.
“Today people think that independence
was easily won. They are unaware of the
struggle the noble leaders underwent
to win freedom and the innumerable
atrocities leashed out against them and
the whole nation. It is not the mistake of
the youngsters, but it is the irresponsibility
of the elders who failed to communicate
them,” says Stalin Gunasekaran.
The movement he had started has more
than a thousand members including
teachers, professors, doctors and

Stalin has given
up his profession
as an advocate
and involves in
the welfare of the
people.
college students. Stalin who is the author
of numerous books has also published
Viduthalai Velviyil Tamilagam, which
deals with the life of freedom fighters
of Tamil Nadu in a detailed manner.
He distributed this book of two
volumes to thousand students whom
he selected from the schools of Erode.
This book is distributed free of cost
as an effort to inculcate patriotism in
youngsters’ mind.
He also met a number of surviving
freedom fighters to write the book and
shared his experience with ED Matrix,
which showed the plight of some freedom
fighters, who are not cared for.
Address a gathering Stalin Gunasekarn
He gives speeches in the schools of
Erode, Coimbatore, Madurai and Salem
districts of Tamilnadu about great
scholars and freedom fighters . His urge
lies in meeting one lakh students together
with in a limited period. The main aim is
to motivate students to develop a social
outlook, to be proud of the Indian history
and culture, to encourage the habit of
reading and to make students socially
concerned and committed.
The association conducts book fair every
year, which has been very successful, as
a result of which one find in spite of the
fact that the book fair gave free entry to
the public.
Apart from this, the association has opened
a library with more than 10,000 books
in a village called Manickampalayam.
Stalin has given up his profession as an
advocate and involves in the welfare of
the people. As you would have guessed
from his name, he associates himself
with the Communist Party of India and
ed matrix july 2008
IN - D E P TH
is a member of the National Council. His
father inspired him to be interested in
the communist ideologies. He cherishes
the moments and the opportunities
he experienced with great leaders like
Captain Laxmi, Kalpana Datt, and other
freedom fighters.
The latest project of the association is to
felicitate the government teachers who
created state ranks in their subjects.
Stalin receives feedback from students and
youth. Invariably everyone of them points out
that his speech was a turning point in each of
their life. Stalin considers this response from
growing youth as his success. He comments
that he has to journey many more miles to
reach his destiny just as Robert frost says
‘I have promises to keep and miles to go
before I sleep’.
Keerthana raj
Readers can send in information about
individuals involved in such developmental
activities. Write to edmatrix@edmatrix.net
They will be brought to lime light through
EDMATRIX.
29
IN - D E P TH

“I show real life

heroes in my films”
Interview with R.R. Srinivasan, documentary and
short film producer

A
nyone interested in
documentaries and short
films in Tamilnadu cannot
miss R.R. Srinivasan. Amidst
myriads of film makers in
Taminadu he stands out as a responsible
film maker with social consciousness. His
nine short films and nine documentaries
depict his own powerful personality.
Initiating a film appreciation movement
through Kanchanai, an organization he
started for creating awareness among
rural people on films, he went on to host
the first Documentary Fest in Tamilnadu
through DBICA, a communication centre
in Chennai. His recent film on Palaru River
made a big impact as it was released
during a very crucial period of time when
there is a big issue of sand quarrying
and water scarcity. He exhibits his social
consciousness through his extensive
and varied experiences in several areas
of visual arts in this interview.
MULTIFACETED: R.R. Srinivasan during a filming schedule. Photo: Senthil
Q:You have been producing and
directing documentaries for many
Q: Do you work with a “Pre- Q: Post-production is an essential
years. How do you select the content
Production Plan” or do you work part in a documentary. How
for the documentary films?
without any specific plan? important was post-production in
R.R: I basically have great interest in your documentaries? What is your
some fields like; culture, anthropology R.R: Right now I am doing a film on experience?
and folklore. I am not interested in Poombuhar. I do not have sufficient time
and money to research on Poombuhar. R.R: It is a well-known fact that films
politically oriented documentaries
I have to study a bit and then I have to are shaped fine tuned when they are
or any other genre that conveys
film it. During my filming schedules I will in post-production period. That’s why
messages directly. I have done
many documentaries for others. So, I get to know the complete history. To tell I spend a lot of time in this aspect. I
have not chosen the subjects for the the truth there are both a planned and have always used “live sounds” to this
documentaries; they have chosen. But I unplanned element in my work. I like to day and I use additional music rarely. I
make sure I do not take up subjects that work without a plan because, working try to use the sounds that are present
have already been handled by others. I without pre-conceived notion and a there. During post-production I work a
choose my own subjects based on folk predetermined style is quite important. lot to preserve the originality of the film.
traditions in which I am interested in. That is how we get to see wonders. There is a lot to convey in exposure
28 ed matrix august 2008

and educative documentaries. At the
end of the shoot the filmmaker wants
to say and include many things. As a
result h comes with commentaries and
narrations. But I dislike commentaries. I
work hard to avoid commentaries in my
productions.
Q: Though “The Old Sea and the
Man” portrays Tsunami’s great
havoc quite openly, its composition
gives a great sense of wonder to
the viewers. How did you decide on
the subject as you have had many
options?
R.R: I had plans to work on two of my
pet projects. I wanted a documentary on
Koodangulam, being close to my native
place, Tirunelveli, and the second on
Sethu Samuthiram Project. I wanted
to do separate films on each of them
knowing the risks and problems involved
in that. As I was contemplating the
idea, Tsunami struck Tamilnadu and
I was really confused about choosing
the subject. The devastating effects of
Tsunami was fresh in the minds of the
people and they may not be interested
in Koodangulam or Sethu Samuthram
Project. Specifically I chose to film
tsunami as I researched on the subject.
The organizations working for the
fishing communities gave me enough
materials for the where I had meaning
and space to bring in the evil effects of
Koodangulam and Sethusamuthram.
That is how I ventured into the tsunami
project. “The Old Sea and the Man” was
the outcome of this process.
Q: In “The Old Sea and the Man” you
have interviewed several members of
the Federations like; Natural Farming
Federation, Farmer’s Land Rights
Movement, Coastal Action Network,
South Indian Fishermen Movement
and People’s Forum for Anti-Nuclear
Energy etc. Did you meet them by
chance or did you preplan it?
R.R: Actually I preplanned it after
going through a process of discernment.
Media present many personalities to the
public as great icons. Most often 95% of
them are all wrong icons. So I decided
to show real life heroes in my films and
documentaries. The icons I propose are
immersed in doing some good to the
society. I go in search of them to show
to the public. This is how I wish to show
my commitment to the society.
Q: “Death of a River” made a great
impact among the people more
than others. You said once that you
wanted to record it as an event in
history and not as a film. Can you
elaborate on it?
R.R: After the incident we interviewed
all the affected people immediately. We
documented the event for the sake
of the witness value it has in court, in
case somebody files a case. There is
a lot of difference in documenting an
event immediately and interviewing after
20 days. When we do it immediately
those affected will speak firmly and
with depth. We started interviewing
the affected people on the same day.
If you had watched the documentary
you can see how firm the people were
in expressing their sorrow. We worked
on it immediately and after recording
many people’s interviews, due to the
compulsion of my friends I compiled all
of them and made this documentary.
Q: You had collected many scenes
of police beating up the people from
the News channels and televisions.
ed matrix august 2008
IN - D E P TH
You have compiled all of them for
Death of a River and presented in
the documentary. How difficult the
project was?
R.R: We wanted to gather as many
resources as possible like, photographs
from the print media and videos from
T.V. channels. But we did not succeed
because it was elaborately covered by
Sun T.V., a channel of DMK, the then
ruling party. They shot for more than an
hour and they did not telecast it to this
day. A Nila T.V. news reporter covered
the incident and the rights were with
Puthiya Tamizhagam party and I used
them in the documentary.
Q: Looking back at what you
have achieved, what are your
musings about your short films and
documentaries?
R.R: They are direct lessons from life.
I do not look at a job or project, as if it
is done by the camera. This connects
me with what I shoot. I relish every
bit of my work. I may be shooting an
important project, but, if there happens
to be a beautiful tree and if I like to take
a little rest on the tree, I do not mind
resting a while. There is nothing to be
excited about it. I learn a lot by directly
experiencing and learning from life.
Staff Reporter
29