Dear Friend,
It is with absolute delight that I share with you,that the 2nd Vidyarthi Samman Felicitation,will be held on 30th Aug 2008 at The Academy of Fine Arts auditorium in Kolkata,West Bengal.
To refresh your memory...
The 1st VIDYARTHI SAMMAN event took place last year on Sep 1st 2007 at Dharmadam,District Cananore,Kerala .
The Chief Guest at the Event was,noted Playwright and Theatre Director,Shri Kavalam Narayana Pannikkar.
The four people who were acknowledged last year as part of VIDYARTHI SAMMAN were
1. Mrs. NARAYANI A Grandmother in a Theyyam artists family.
2. Mr. Ramakrishan A beedi worker,whose daughters are pursuing higher studies.
3. V N Narayanan A Circus Artist
4. Mr K. Vijayan School Head master and Social worker.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/02/stories/2007090253450300.htm
The following is the ethos of the award.
Vidyarthi samman
'Vidyarthi Samman' is an acknowledgement.
In a world where people judge and evaluate others and then decide to honor or not honor them, Vidyarthi Samman chooses to be a platform which will bring into existence acknowledging people for who they are and not for how they have fared.
Vidyarthi Samman is saying "Thank You", "Congratulations", "We are proud of you" to people who don't fit any criteria of any existing awards.
People who are unknown, unsung, unrecognized and even unseen for the better part of their life will be acknowledged.
For long, only people who have "achieved" have fitted the bill to be felicitated. Vidyarthi Samman will acknowledge people like,the unseen grandmother in an idol makers family, the unsung 'Gambhira' artist who has entertained thousands , the unknown municipal worker who toiled night or day,ensuring his kids got education,the unrecognized government school master who has spent his life……teaching !
These are the kind of "ordinary", people next door who will be honored each year.
Our commitment is to bring about a culture of acknowledgement, where people see it as privilege to thank their mother, brother, employee, the rickshaw puller, just about anybody they come in touch with.
Govind Vidyarthi lived a life wherein he respected and acknowledged people not based on their status or achievement, but as recognition of who they were as human beings.
In his memory Vidyarthi Samman will honor and acknowledge 'four ordinary people' each year,knowing fully well that a billion more await to be acknowledged.
We intend to inspire people, to acknowledge and thank people around them.
I feel this is a thought which has validity for the whole of the country and the world.
Hence,Vidyarthi Samman will travel...to different parts of the country and the world.
It began its journey in Palayad,Kerala,Govind Vidyarthi's Birth place.
In its second year it comes to Kolkata,a city he loved,where he formed endearing friendships during his years as a freedom fighter and later during his visits,whilst working in the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Vidyarthi Samman is no organization,just a thought.
A thought of spreading the word of acknowledgement.
I am clear,many would want to support it in more ways than I can think of...
So,spread the word...
For any queries or offer to support,please mail me on okashish@gmail.com
You may check out
govindvidyarthi.blogspot.com
Cheers from Chennai !
Friday, 4 July 2008
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