Sivananda Gurukulam
We provide a hygienic environment, balanced nutritious food, clothing, shelter, education, morals, basic family values, culture, and above all the true value of love and affection.
We get an unexplainable sense of satisfaction by serving these children.
Old Age Home:
The idea of starting an old age home was proposed by His Holiness Sankaracharya of Kanchee Mutt when he visited the orphanage. It is due to his efforts a home for the aged was started in the year 1985 and inaugurated by SHRI R.Venkataraman, the then honorable vice-president of india.
One of the major advantages of our organization is that all the 300 orphaned kids have the support of the 80+ senior citizens who themselves are neglected by their kith and kin. The kids do not feel that they are born as orphans and they can select one or more of the 80 senior citizens as their father, mother, grandma or grandpa. In return, the senior citizens get love and affection from more than 300 tiny tots when they need it the most.
We currently have approximately 20 employees helping take care of the orphanage and the old age home.
Medical Dispensary:
The Ashram has a dispensary in which a Doctor takes care of not only the kids & elders of the institution, but also the villagers of Chengalpattu MGR District.
Schools:
The organization runs both primary and high schools accredited by the State Government, which benefits the orphans and thousands of rural children in and around Chengalpattu MGR District. We have been successfully running a Matriculation school (in English medium) for the past few years as well.
Total number of children in all schools = 2000
Total number of staff in all schools = 120
Total number of villages served = 25
SOME OF OUR KEY INITIATIVES
A Seminar On Promotion Of National Integration And Mass Feeding :
Dr. S. Rajaram wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to sanction grants for conducting 5 Seminars during 5 National Festivals of our Country. The Government accepted his suggestion for a seminar and mass feeding for thousands of villagers for five festivals. Due to his initiative the organization conducted seminars on promotion of national integration and mass feeding by inviting key individuals and Ministers. Thousands of villagers attended the seminar and got benefited. This approach resulted as a very good platform for the villagers to understand the reality of life, create sense of Unity, and promote National Integration.
Rehabilitation Of Srilanka Orphan Children:
The riots in Sri Lanka was a rude shock for everyone as the people from Indian origin were badly affected. When the trouble started, Dr. S. Rajaram wrote to the Government of India that he is prepared to admit 50 orphan children who are parentless or helpless in the orphanage and try to rehabilitate them. He proceeded to the refugee camp in Mandapam near Rameswaram and worked in the relief camp for a week along with Shri Ramakrishna Mission. He identified the children and fulfilled all the formalities and gave asylum to 50 orphan children at Sivananda Gurukulam.
Providing Relief For Bhopal Gas Tragedy Victims:
At the time of this catastrophe, Dr. S. Rajaram offered the Government of Madya Pradesh and the Government of India to adopt 50 affected orphan children.
Contact Us
We firmly believe that your physical presence and interaction with our kids and senior citizens are worth far more than any other form of Karma Yoga. Therefore, we always recommend and do appreciate if you could drop by our premises. The details are as follows:
Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram
Next to S.R.M Engineering College,
9 Miles from Tambaram,
On the Grand Southern Trunk road,
Between Tambaram and Chengalpattu,
Phone : +91-44-27452345 and +91-44-27451815
Contact: Mrs. Lakshmi Rajaram (Cell: 98410 77298) - Executive Secretary.
If you have any specific questions on any social issue or would like to contribute to our organization, please direct your inquiry and/or contributions to the following address. Cheque (Check) or Draft may be drawn in favour of "Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram"
Administrative Office
Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram,
No. 20 Kambar Street,
East Tambaram,
P.O. Box No. 8, Chennai : 600059 - Tamilnadu, India.
Phone : +91-44-22392444, Fax/Phone : +91-44-22391078
(Our administrative office is located next to the Indian Bank near Madras Christian College - southern gate)
Contact:
1. Dr. S. Rajaram - General Secretary. (Cell: 98410 77690)
2. Mrs. Lakshmi Rajaram - Executive Secretary. (Cell: 98410 77298)
Welcome To Our Orphanage! Old age Home
The mission is largely run on a communal basis with many of the staff working as volunteers, without pay but the mission helps to meet their needs by providing food and supplies. There are also workers who do work for a salary, though it is very minimal. The whole "family" consists of about 220 people. The mission loves to have volunteer workers to help out, more information can be found the in volunteering sections of our site.
Old age homes have come to stay in Thanjavur. For many of the inmates in them, they are like "heaven" as they lead a happy life without causing any worry to their family members.
K.Gowri Shankar, (77), a retired LIC branch manager is living in Swathi Elders Home at Ganapathy Nagar in Thanjavur. Asked about the concept of old age homes, he said they are necessary in this fast changing world. "Old people have one foot on the grave. Bu their children are young and want to live. We have to respect their feelings and give them freedom," said Gowri Shankar.
He is of the opinion that Government should run old age homes. "These private homes are good for middle aged people and pernsioners. What about poor people? Government has to step in and run old age homes" he said. His two children are at Mumbai and Chennai.
There are bachelors too in the Swathi Elders Home. A.Swaminathan (80), a former officer of the Handicrafts department of Union ministry is a bachelor who is living in the home. "I was in another home at Pillaiyarpatti near Thanjavur. Now I have shifted to this home" he said. D.J.Manuel is another bachelor. He is 82. He is a retired railway engineer. He finds the home good.
Old age homes are shelters to couples who don't have children. V.Ramamoorthy, retired Head Master is staying with his wife Shantha at Swathi Elders home. Ananthavalli (87) of Thanjavur says that she has come to the home for "peace of mind". "Excellent" she said when asked about how she is looked after at the home. "We are gifted to be here in this home" she said. S.Jayam (67) of Mannargudi said that she wanted both her children and herself to be happy and that was why she preferred the old age home. U.Thirupurasundari, (57) of Thanjavur has her son in United States of America. She spends six months in America and another six months in the home. "I am very happy to live with these people when I am in India" she said. All the inmates praised Sundari Subramanyam, secretary of the home, who they said "is taking care of us well". The secretary said "We give the dignity and respect they expect here. We treat them well. But then it is a complex task to deal with old people who were once well employed. But when we understand them, it is not a problem. I have experience in taking care of children in orphanages. This is the first time I am in charge of an elders home. I learn a lot and have satisfaction of serving them.”
Swathi Elders Home is the brain child of A.M.Swaminathan, former IAS Officer. He started the home by contributing Rs.10 lakhs and collecting donations from philanthropists. The home was built at a cost of Rs. 75 lakhs and has 27 inmates at present.
What good did the creature of the earth do to the clouds that pour the rain? So indeed should you serve society seeking no return. There is no pleasure in this world or in the other world equal to the joy of being helpful to those around you. Do not lose the opportunity for this rare pleasure."
-Thirukkural
(THIRUKKURAL is one of the greatest poetical composition of antiquity written ever in Indian Literature)
PRIMARY ACTIVITIES
Child Welfare:
New children are admitted to our orphanage periodically. We normally admit kids who have lost both their parents. Currently, total strength of our ashram is 300. Inflow of children is balanced with the outflow of children that graduate from 10th class every year. Generally, children who have one parent alive are not admitted, but the ashram board makes certain exceptions based on their poverty levels etc. Pure orphans are our first priority.
-Thirukkural
(THIRUKKURAL is one of the greatest poetical composition of antiquity written ever in Indian Literature)
PRIMARY ACTIVITIES
Child Welfare:
New children are admitted to our orphanage periodically. We normally admit kids who have lost both their parents. Currently, total strength of our ashram is 300. Inflow of children is balanced with the outflow of children that graduate from 10th class every year. Generally, children who have one parent alive are not admitted, but the ashram board makes certain exceptions based on their poverty levels etc. Pure orphans are our first priority.
We provide a hygienic environment, balanced nutritious food, clothing, shelter, education, morals, basic family values, culture, and above all the true value of love and affection.
We get an unexplainable sense of satisfaction by serving these children.
Old Age Home:
The idea of starting an old age home was proposed by His Holiness Sankaracharya of Kanchee Mutt when he visited the orphanage. It is due to his efforts a home for the aged was started in the year 1985 and inaugurated by SHRI R.Venkataraman, the then honorable vice-president of india.
One of the major advantages of our organization is that all the 300 orphaned kids have the support of the 80+ senior citizens who themselves are neglected by their kith and kin. The kids do not feel that they are born as orphans and they can select one or more of the 80 senior citizens as their father, mother, grandma or grandpa. In return, the senior citizens get love and affection from more than 300 tiny tots when they need it the most.
We currently have approximately 20 employees helping take care of the orphanage and the old age home.
Medical Dispensary:
The Ashram has a dispensary in which a Doctor takes care of not only the kids & elders of the institution, but also the villagers of Chengalpattu MGR District.
Schools:
The organization runs both primary and high schools accredited by the State Government, which benefits the orphans and thousands of rural children in and around Chengalpattu MGR District. We have been successfully running a Matriculation school (in English medium) for the past few years as well.
Total number of children in all schools = 2000
Total number of staff in all schools = 120
Total number of villages served = 25
SOME OF OUR KEY INITIATIVES
A Seminar On Promotion Of National Integration And Mass Feeding :
Dr. S. Rajaram wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to sanction grants for conducting 5 Seminars during 5 National Festivals of our Country. The Government accepted his suggestion for a seminar and mass feeding for thousands of villagers for five festivals. Due to his initiative the organization conducted seminars on promotion of national integration and mass feeding by inviting key individuals and Ministers. Thousands of villagers attended the seminar and got benefited. This approach resulted as a very good platform for the villagers to understand the reality of life, create sense of Unity, and promote National Integration.
Rehabilitation Of Srilanka Orphan Children:
The riots in Sri Lanka was a rude shock for everyone as the people from Indian origin were badly affected. When the trouble started, Dr. S. Rajaram wrote to the Government of India that he is prepared to admit 50 orphan children who are parentless or helpless in the orphanage and try to rehabilitate them. He proceeded to the refugee camp in Mandapam near Rameswaram and worked in the relief camp for a week along with Shri Ramakrishna Mission. He identified the children and fulfilled all the formalities and gave asylum to 50 orphan children at Sivananda Gurukulam.
Providing Relief For Bhopal Gas Tragedy Victims:
At the time of this catastrophe, Dr. S. Rajaram offered the Government of Madya Pradesh and the Government of India to adopt 50 affected orphan children.
Contact Us
We firmly believe that your physical presence and interaction with our kids and senior citizens are worth far more than any other form of Karma Yoga. Therefore, we always recommend and do appreciate if you could drop by our premises. The details are as follows:
Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram
Next to S.R.M Engineering College,
9 Miles from Tambaram,
On the Grand Southern Trunk road,
Between Tambaram and Chengalpattu,
Phone : +91-44-27452345 and +91-44-27451815
Contact: Mrs. Lakshmi Rajaram (Cell: 98410 77298) - Executive Secretary.
If you have any specific questions on any social issue or would like to contribute to our organization, please direct your inquiry and/or contributions to the following address. Cheque (Check) or Draft may be drawn in favour of "Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram"
Administrative Office
Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram,
No. 20 Kambar Street,
East Tambaram,
P.O. Box No. 8, Chennai : 600059 - Tamilnadu, India.
Phone : +91-44-22392444, Fax/Phone : +91-44-22391078
(Our administrative office is located next to the Indian Bank near Madras Christian College - southern gate)
Contact:
1. Dr. S. Rajaram - General Secretary. (Cell: 98410 77690)
2. Mrs. Lakshmi Rajaram - Executive Secretary. (Cell: 98410 77298)
Welcome To Our Orphanage! Old age Home
Welcome to the official website of our orphanage, The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission. We are a farm based orphanage home for destitute children of North India and Nepal. The GSAM is located 350kms to the East of Delhi on the border of Nepal. There are approximately 100 orphan children on the mission. The GSAM is a fully non-profit orphanage run by the Shipway Family that relies on donations and support from volunteers and workers to keep changing the lives of hundreds of Indian children. For information on how you can volunteer or donate to our orphans / mission please take a look at the rest of our website. Volunteering information can be found in the volunteer section.
The GSAM was started in 1948 in a remote jungle area of Northern India, on the border of Nepal. The "mission" is now surrounded by many villages and small towns. There are approximately 100 orphan children on the mission, ranging from newborn to young adults. Though it is partially self-supporting thanks to a 60 acre farm, the GSAM relies primarily on help from caring individuals to keep changing the lives of so many orphan children.
The GSAM was started in 1948 in a remote jungle area of Northern India, on the border of Nepal. The "mission" is now surrounded by many villages and small towns. There are approximately 100 orphan children on the mission, ranging from newborn to young adults. Though it is partially self-supporting thanks to a 60 acre farm, the GSAM relies primarily on help from caring individuals to keep changing the lives of so many orphan children.
The mission is largely run on a communal basis with many of the staff working as volunteers, without pay but the mission helps to meet their needs by providing food and supplies. There are also workers who do work for a salary, though it is very minimal. The whole "family" consists of about 220 people. The mission loves to have volunteer workers to help out, more information can be found the in volunteering sections of our site.
Old age homes have come to stay in Thanjavur. For many of the inmates in them, they are like "heaven" as they lead a happy life without causing any worry to their family members.
K.Gowri Shankar, (77), a retired LIC branch manager is living in Swathi Elders Home at Ganapathy Nagar in Thanjavur. Asked about the concept of old age homes, he said they are necessary in this fast changing world. "Old people have one foot on the grave. Bu their children are young and want to live. We have to respect their feelings and give them freedom," said Gowri Shankar.
He is of the opinion that Government should run old age homes. "These private homes are good for middle aged people and pernsioners. What about poor people? Government has to step in and run old age homes" he said. His two children are at Mumbai and Chennai.
There are bachelors too in the Swathi Elders Home. A.Swaminathan (80), a former officer of the Handicrafts department of Union ministry is a bachelor who is living in the home. "I was in another home at Pillaiyarpatti near Thanjavur. Now I have shifted to this home" he said. D.J.Manuel is another bachelor. He is 82. He is a retired railway engineer. He finds the home good.
Old age homes are shelters to couples who don't have children. V.Ramamoorthy, retired Head Master is staying with his wife Shantha at Swathi Elders home. Ananthavalli (87) of Thanjavur says that she has come to the home for "peace of mind". "Excellent" she said when asked about how she is looked after at the home. "We are gifted to be here in this home" she said. S.Jayam (67) of Mannargudi said that she wanted both her children and herself to be happy and that was why she preferred the old age home. U.Thirupurasundari, (57) of Thanjavur has her son in United States of America. She spends six months in America and another six months in the home. "I am very happy to live with these people when I am in India" she said. All the inmates praised Sundari Subramanyam, secretary of the home, who they said "is taking care of us well". The secretary said "We give the dignity and respect they expect here. We treat them well. But then it is a complex task to deal with old people who were once well employed. But when we understand them, it is not a problem. I have experience in taking care of children in orphanages. This is the first time I am in charge of an elders home. I learn a lot and have satisfaction of serving them.”
Swathi Elders Home is the brain child of A.M.Swaminathan, former IAS Officer. He started the home by contributing Rs.10 lakhs and collecting donations from philanthropists. The home was built at a cost of Rs. 75 lakhs and has 27 inmates at present.
