Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friends Society - A friend for every generation.
It was 1969. Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda was closed due to communal riots in the city.
The University students broke into a rampage and strike,but some students were inspired to bring back peace and harmony to the campus. Niranjan Dave, Giridhar Vaswani and Merry George, all students of the University, started Friends Society ( FS ) on 15th August, 1969.
The main objective was to provide the youth with a platform for more constructive activities. Soon around 60-70 other students joined hands to work for the differently abled and deprived people of society, and FS has since been functioning as a non-profit, non-political NGO.
" Self Development through Service " - the motto of FS can be seen in every Member and Associate, since its inception in 1969. It is a Voluntary Organisation, which has always induced high moral and social values in all its members. Due to its socialistic vision and noble cause, it has inspired many young students to work with people of various strata.
It is unique as it is the only organisation that is functioning effectively under the leadership of Maharaja Sayajirao University students. It renders service to children and senior citizens. It also caters to the poor and the needy people.
FS undertakes various activities, such as " Cheer Up " , catering to the physically challenged children, along with Balwadi, Sunday School, income generation programmes for the women and senior citizens, Blood Donation etc.
Friends Society is, in a true sense, a friend for every generation.
The material above has been taken from two separate articles that appeared in News papers:
The University students broke into a rampage and strike,but some students were inspired to bring back peace and harmony to the campus. Niranjan Dave, Giridhar Vaswani and Merry George, all students of the University, started Friends Society ( FS ) on 15th August, 1969.
The main objective was to provide the youth with a platform for more constructive activities. Soon around 60-70 other students joined hands to work for the differently abled and deprived people of society, and FS has since been functioning as a non-profit, non-political NGO.
" Self Development through Service " - the motto of FS can be seen in every Member and Associate, since its inception in 1969. It is a Voluntary Organisation, which has always induced high moral and social values in all its members. Due to its socialistic vision and noble cause, it has inspired many young students to work with people of various strata.
It is unique as it is the only organisation that is functioning effectively under the leadership of Maharaja Sayajirao University students. It renders service to children and senior citizens. It also caters to the poor and the needy people.
FS undertakes various activities, such as " Cheer Up " , catering to the physically challenged children, along with Balwadi, Sunday School, income generation programmes for the women and senior citizens, Blood Donation etc.
Friends Society is, in a true sense, a friend for every generation.
The material above has been taken from two separate articles that appeared in News papers:
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Jewellery Exhibition at FS Campus
Duration : 24 to 28 September, 2011
Time: 2.00 PM to 8.00 PM - Daily
Location: Friends Society Campus
Time: 2.00 PM to 8.00 PM - Daily
Location: Friends Society Campus
Since last 3 decades, Friends Society - Sewing & Embroidery
Class has been instrumental in empowering the ladies of lower socio-economic
class from the neighboring community by teaching them various vocational based
courses. Apart from running regular annual batch for teaching them basic skills
of Sewing & Embroidery and preparing them for appearing in Govt. conducted
W.C.G.M. (Women & Children Garment Making) exam, we are conducting
regularly other vocational based courses such as Jewellery & Mehendi
making.
We had conducted Exhibition on August 10 & 11, 2011
for Jewellery items, which were prepared by our beneficiaries (see the photos below). Encouraged by its good response, we are once again conducting
Exhibition on September 24, 25, 26 & 28, 2011 (Time 2.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.)
at FS campus.
We look forward to your presence during this Exhibition
and also request you to inform your relatives & friends, since there will
be demand for such items in view of forthcoming Navratri festival.
Please note that the exhibited items can be purchased.
Please note that the exhibited items can be purchased.
Pictures
Monday, September 5, 2011
INFORM INSPIRE INVOLVE
Friends Society Newsletter INVOLVE
INFORMS YOU - INSPIRES YOU - INVOLVES YOU
You are member of Friends Society - you received information about FS, which inspired you and led to your involvement with FS.
Now you have this chance - bring out the Writer / Journalist in you - contribute to this blog.
Compared to traditional Newsletters which are composed, edited and printed out on paper, a blog is more flexible and allows everyone to contribute - a blog is easily available to anyone who has a Computer and Internet - it caters to a global community.
The blog post allows you to format text in different ways, in different colours, add images, videos, links - you can also write in different languages. Once you write and post, it is immediately available to everyone to see and read and comment upon.
Please provide your comments / suggestions - for improving and enhancing the blog.
INFORMS YOU - INSPIRES YOU - INVOLVES YOU
You are member of Friends Society - you received information about FS, which inspired you and led to your involvement with FS.
Now you have this chance - bring out the Writer / Journalist in you - contribute to this blog.
Compared to traditional Newsletters which are composed, edited and printed out on paper, a blog is more flexible and allows everyone to contribute - a blog is easily available to anyone who has a Computer and Internet - it caters to a global community.
The blog post allows you to format text in different ways, in different colours, add images, videos, links - you can also write in different languages. Once you write and post, it is immediately available to everyone to see and read and comment upon.
Please provide your comments / suggestions - for improving and enhancing the blog.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
FS GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
Friends Society activities cater to the benefit of different sections of the community:
A) Hospital patients
B) Differently abled children
C) Residents of nearby slums
D) School students
E) University students
F) Library for the community
G) Balwadi - for children from poor families
H) Income generation and Skill development programs for poor families
I) Blood donation camps for the Hospital
..... And many more.
All these activities are organised under different Groups.
There is a committee of sudents, which looks after the running of Friends Society and the Group activites - The committe consists of a Secretery, Joint Secretery, Treasurer and Incharges of different Groups - all these are students of M S Universiy. Each Group consists of student volunteers, who plan and organise activities that fall under their Group.
The committee is helped with guidance and support by an Advisory Group.
A) Hospital patients
B) Differently abled children
C) Residents of nearby slums
D) School students
E) University students
F) Library for the community
G) Balwadi - for children from poor families
H) Income generation and Skill development programs for poor families
I) Blood donation camps for the Hospital
..... And many more.
All these activities are organised under different Groups.
There is a committee of sudents, which looks after the running of Friends Society and the Group activites - The committe consists of a Secretery, Joint Secretery, Treasurer and Incharges of different Groups - all these are students of M S Universiy. Each Group consists of student volunteers, who plan and organise activities that fall under their Group.
The committee is helped with guidance and support by an Advisory Group.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Self-Development through Service
This is the idea which gave birth to Friends Society and is sustaining it over the years - voluneers and well wishers are inspired by this idea, and contribute
In various ways towards the activities of FS.
We say " Once a Friend, always a Friend " - a volunteer of FS who has internalised this idea is always going to be of Service to the community.
What are the requirements to become a FS volunteer ? - a member has neatly summed it up - " A friendly smile and a helping hand " !
We say " Once a Friend, always a Friend " - a volunteer of FS who has internalised this idea is always going to be of Service to the community.
What are the requirements to become a FS volunteer ? - a member has neatly summed it up - " A friendly smile and a helping hand " !
Friday, September 2, 2011
Why " INVOLVE " ?
The Newsletter of an organisation is a brief statement about the organisation itself - it can inform its readers about the organisations values, vision, activities etc - We know that " First Impressions " are very important.
As active members of FS, we used to carry issues of INVOLVE with us - they were very useful when:
A) We went to meet Prospective Donors, well wishers
B) At the Blood Donation Camps
C) to motivate people to become members
and in many other situations.
I do not know the history of how the Newsletter came to be named as INVOLVE but that was brilliant - it is a powerful word.
As active members of FS, we used to carry issues of INVOLVE with us - they were very useful when:
A) We went to meet Prospective Donors, well wishers
B) At the Blood Donation Camps
C) to motivate people to become members
and in many other situations.
I do not know the history of how the Newsletter came to be named as INVOLVE but that was brilliant - it is a powerful word.
Indian Language Options
મિત્રો
આ બ્લોગ પર ગુજરાતી કે હિન્દી માં પણ લખી શકાય છે
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
मित्रो
आप इस ब्लॉग पर हिंदी एवं गुजराती में भी लिख सकते हैं
Some Housekeeping Rules !
The intention behind creation of the blog is that it will function like FS newsletter - providing information about FS Events/ Activities that will take place in near future based on FS Calender of Activities, provide reports on completed activities etc.
Organisational newletters are formal in nature - before posting any item or comment, please make sure that it will not in anyway reflect badly on Friends Society - such comments and posts will be removed and such members will be warned and even removed from membership list - IF IN DOUBT ASK - ask before you post - send what you want to post, by E-Mail to: fsinvolve@gmail.com, for approval.
For informal networking between members, please use the FS Group on Facebook.
Organisational newletters are formal in nature - before posting any item or comment, please make sure that it will not in anyway reflect badly on Friends Society - such comments and posts will be removed and such members will be warned and even removed from membership list - IF IN DOUBT ASK - ask before you post - send what you want to post, by E-Mail to: fsinvolve@gmail.com, for approval.
For informal networking between members, please use the FS Group on Facebook.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Friends Society - 42 years old !
Dear Friends,
I hope you and your family are doing well. On completion of 42 years, this mail is to keep you updated on the developments and activities that have taken place in Friends Society since the beginning of this year.
Mrs. Manorama Dubey, who has been closely associated with our Sewing & Embroidery Class for the past 27 years, has been appointed to attend to the overall functioning of Friends Society since December 2011. In May this year, Sunil Rana has been recruited as the Office Assistant. Now our Office hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday thru’ Saturday) and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Mrs. Manorama Dubey / Sunil Rana are available in the office during above hours. Also, our office number has changed to 0265-2750629.
We are proud to inform you that in the year 2012 the FS building will become a heritage building as it completes 100 years of existence.
We have recently completed major renovations in the premises. Major challenge was water proofing as our century-old Library building with jack arch flooring roof at top had weathering effect of years together and was leaking. Leakage was also there at Balwadi building covered with RCC slab and had weathering effect of years together. The key issue was to keep the original specialized work of jack arch flooring intact, particularly brick on edge and carry out water proofing. At this juncture, we did not had to go far looking for suitable technical expert as only a phone call to our very own Ashvin Dhabalia was sufficient.
Apart from above, the building has been painted and the garden spruced up. The Library has been extended to provide additional space for the Sewing & Embroidery Class and a wall has been built in the Balwadi to separate it from the next door hostel. A window has been made at Study Centre to ensure adequate ventilation. Also, Aquaguard and Water Cooler have been installed.
Recently the Library has been cleared off 1600 old, tattered books. It currently boasts of 8000 books in Gujarati, Hindi, and English including books dedicated to children. The Library members have almost doubled to 105 this year.
Since December last year our Income Generation programme has introduced Beautician, Jewellery-making and Mehendi classes optimizing on the availability of the Library space between 12 noon and 2 pm. Around 145 girls have made use of this opportunity of which at least 10 have initiated their own set up. On August 10th & 11th we held a two-day Exhibition-cum-sale promoting the jewellery made by the girls.
Home visits are been mandatorily carried out to follow-up on the well-being of the 2009-10 batch Balwadi children and to ensure that they have been enrolled in schools. Assessment for mentally challenged Sunday school children has been conducted by Psychologist Dr. Ronak Pandit (registered with Rehabilitation Council of India).
All important celebrations including Christmas, Uttarayan, Republic and Independence Day along with regular FS activities such as Blood donation camps, Cheer Up and Annual Picnic for Sunday School have been well conducted. Our blind children participated in the Chess competition as well as in Prerena (Annual event of Techo Faculty, MSU for the differently abled). “XVIIth All Vadodara Special Children Sports Meet - “SHOURYA…A FEAT OF COURAGE” for the differently-abled children, was successfully held in Dec. 2010, which truly covered entire city of Vadodara in terms of nature of disability and geographical reach as participation was by around 400 children from 20 Institutions (in the area of Physically challenged, Mental retardation, Hearing Impaired & Visually impaired).
This time during Independence Day celebration, we were fortunate to have presence of Shri Atul Mehta (our close neighbor as well as a leading Advocate) as Chief Guest. He is also the President of Hindu Mahajan Trust, which owns the land on which our FS stands. He wished that Friends Society volunteers would continue to contribute for the community for many years to come and FS would continue to be a place of pride especially among residents of Fatehgunj as for over 2 generations their tiny tots, adolescent, youth & Sr. Citizens have grown hand-in-hand with FS. He was indeed very happy to see the metamorphosis which the campus has undergone over the last 4 decades, especially after the recent renovations which will ensure long term structural stability of the building as well as user friendly initiatives related to health and hygiene. In the enclosed photos of Independence Day you will find Atulbhai as well as see a glimpse of performance by our children.
Friends on this Independence Day, our darling FS has turned 42. It is heartening to note that FS is forging ahead against many odds. We have all the reasons to feel happy that a student voluntary organization for community service is still going on. This has become possible due to the strong foundation laid by you all and your constant support from far flung places. Last year was significant in the context that many of the things could be achieved due to generous contributions made by you all in the last year. At that time many friends had suggested that we remind them for contribution again around birthday of FS. Therefore, we take this opportunity to appeal to you for making your contribution to FS once again. We shall be happy if you could inspire other past members and other well wishers to contribute their mite, looking to the fact that rising cost of services and materials have raised our annual expenditure to about Rs. 8 to 10 lakhs. We are confident that you will rise to the occasion once again and be with our dear FS.
We shall certainly appreciate your suggestions for betterment of FS.
Let us all remember the FS song….Chalte, chalte mere yeh geet yaad rakhna. kabhi alvida na kehana. Kabhi Alvida Na Kehana. ….
With best wishes and warm regards
Sagun Gowri Anuj
I hope you and your family are doing well. On completion of 42 years, this mail is to keep you updated on the developments and activities that have taken place in Friends Society since the beginning of this year.
Mrs. Manorama Dubey, who has been closely associated with our Sewing & Embroidery Class for the past 27 years, has been appointed to attend to the overall functioning of Friends Society since December 2011. In May this year, Sunil Rana has been recruited as the Office Assistant. Now our Office hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday thru’ Saturday) and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Mrs. Manorama Dubey / Sunil Rana are available in the office during above hours. Also, our office number has changed to 0265-2750629.
We are proud to inform you that in the year 2012 the FS building will become a heritage building as it completes 100 years of existence.
We have recently completed major renovations in the premises. Major challenge was water proofing as our century-old Library building with jack arch flooring roof at top had weathering effect of years together and was leaking. Leakage was also there at Balwadi building covered with RCC slab and had weathering effect of years together. The key issue was to keep the original specialized work of jack arch flooring intact, particularly brick on edge and carry out water proofing. At this juncture, we did not had to go far looking for suitable technical expert as only a phone call to our very own Ashvin Dhabalia was sufficient.
Apart from above, the building has been painted and the garden spruced up. The Library has been extended to provide additional space for the Sewing & Embroidery Class and a wall has been built in the Balwadi to separate it from the next door hostel. A window has been made at Study Centre to ensure adequate ventilation. Also, Aquaguard and Water Cooler have been installed.
Recently the Library has been cleared off 1600 old, tattered books. It currently boasts of 8000 books in Gujarati, Hindi, and English including books dedicated to children. The Library members have almost doubled to 105 this year.
Since December last year our Income Generation programme has introduced Beautician, Jewellery-making and Mehendi classes optimizing on the availability of the Library space between 12 noon and 2 pm. Around 145 girls have made use of this opportunity of which at least 10 have initiated their own set up. On August 10th & 11th we held a two-day Exhibition-cum-sale promoting the jewellery made by the girls.
Home visits are been mandatorily carried out to follow-up on the well-being of the 2009-10 batch Balwadi children and to ensure that they have been enrolled in schools. Assessment for mentally challenged Sunday school children has been conducted by Psychologist Dr. Ronak Pandit (registered with Rehabilitation Council of India).
All important celebrations including Christmas, Uttarayan, Republic and Independence Day along with regular FS activities such as Blood donation camps, Cheer Up and Annual Picnic for Sunday School have been well conducted. Our blind children participated in the Chess competition as well as in Prerena (Annual event of Techo Faculty, MSU for the differently abled). “XVIIth All Vadodara Special Children Sports Meet - “SHOURYA…A FEAT OF COURAGE” for the differently-abled children, was successfully held in Dec. 2010, which truly covered entire city of Vadodara in terms of nature of disability and geographical reach as participation was by around 400 children from 20 Institutions (in the area of Physically challenged, Mental retardation, Hearing Impaired & Visually impaired).
This time during Independence Day celebration, we were fortunate to have presence of Shri Atul Mehta (our close neighbor as well as a leading Advocate) as Chief Guest. He is also the President of Hindu Mahajan Trust, which owns the land on which our FS stands. He wished that Friends Society volunteers would continue to contribute for the community for many years to come and FS would continue to be a place of pride especially among residents of Fatehgunj as for over 2 generations their tiny tots, adolescent, youth & Sr. Citizens have grown hand-in-hand with FS. He was indeed very happy to see the metamorphosis which the campus has undergone over the last 4 decades, especially after the recent renovations which will ensure long term structural stability of the building as well as user friendly initiatives related to health and hygiene. In the enclosed photos of Independence Day you will find Atulbhai as well as see a glimpse of performance by our children.
Friends on this Independence Day, our darling FS has turned 42. It is heartening to note that FS is forging ahead against many odds. We have all the reasons to feel happy that a student voluntary organization for community service is still going on. This has become possible due to the strong foundation laid by you all and your constant support from far flung places. Last year was significant in the context that many of the things could be achieved due to generous contributions made by you all in the last year. At that time many friends had suggested that we remind them for contribution again around birthday of FS. Therefore, we take this opportunity to appeal to you for making your contribution to FS once again. We shall be happy if you could inspire other past members and other well wishers to contribute their mite, looking to the fact that rising cost of services and materials have raised our annual expenditure to about Rs. 8 to 10 lakhs. We are confident that you will rise to the occasion once again and be with our dear FS.
We shall certainly appreciate your suggestions for betterment of FS.
Let us all remember the FS song….Chalte, chalte mere yeh geet yaad rakhna. kabhi alvida na kehana. Kabhi Alvida Na Kehana. ….
With best wishes and warm regards
Sagun Gowri Anuj
A new beginning for INVOLVE
Dear Friends
The person who gets an idea is usually the best person to action it ! I had been thinking of creating a blog which would function like FS Newsletter " INVOLVE ".
All FS Members can participate and make it a reflection of the Ideals and Activities and Achievements of Friends Society.
The motto of Friends Society - " Self Development Through Service ".
I hope this blog will be of some service to Friends Society, and provide Self Development to members in its own unique way !
Hope you will take this venture to your heart and contribute in the development, enhancement and maintenance of this blog.
Viswanath V
The person who gets an idea is usually the best person to action it ! I had been thinking of creating a blog which would function like FS Newsletter " INVOLVE ".
All FS Members can participate and make it a reflection of the Ideals and Activities and Achievements of Friends Society.
The motto of Friends Society - " Self Development Through Service ".
I hope this blog will be of some service to Friends Society, and provide Self Development to members in its own unique way !
Hope you will take this venture to your heart and contribute in the development, enhancement and maintenance of this blog.
Viswanath V
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