World Environment Day Celebrations 2012

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June. To mark the occasion, ICWO jointly organized a campaign along with SCI India and Action aid titled “World Environment Day 2012” among the youth to create environmental awareness. 

Thiru B.V.Ramanaa, Minister for Environment Government of Tamil Nadu inaugurated the event. Speaking on the occasion Thiru B.V.Ramanaa, Minister for Environment Government of Tamil Nadu stated that There is a need for  awakening the world over to have a clean and healthy environment. 

The Minister further stated that everyone should take it as their personal responsibility to safeguard the environment and brighten up life and future generations.Mr.Janardhanam, Former President SCI Tamil Nadu said that many people and governments are already working hard to cut greenhouse gases.Mr.A.J.Hariharan shared that the Go Green campaign focus mainly on youth involvement.

 ICWO is committed to initiate intervention wherever needed to stop global warming. Ms Esther MariaSelvam, Programme Manager, Action Aid India Chennai Region participated in the function. Indian Community Welfare Organisation-I.C.W.O is located at AP-216, 18th Main Road, 'I' Block, 6th Street, Vallalar Colony, Anna Nagar West. For details contact  044-26184392, 65515742.

Thematic Presentations Needs Encouragement For Better Participation Of Rasikas

Under the auspices of Sarvani Sangeetha Sabha Trust, T Nagar, a thematic presentation entitled "Sri Rama Darshan" was organised for Thyagaraja Jayanthi at Raga Sudha Hall, Mylapore, Chennai on 12th May 2012.The program was conceived and conducted by Shri V L Sudarshan who is an Assistant Professor for Violin in Annamalai University. 

The program commenced with a brief sketch of the thematic presentation which highlighted the importance of the sequence of krithis selected as celebrating Rama Navami. The 24 krithis presented were carefully chosen and presented with dexterity to match the 24,000 verses of Valmiki. 

The presentation itself and the sequence were so well conceived to fee the presence of Lord Rama at every instance. 

Sri V L Sudarshan was assisted ably and supported commedably by the vocal musicians Paramakudi Shri Ravindran, Dr K Madhumohan, Calcutta Shri V N Shankar and Kalladaikurichi Shri M Balakrishnan on the Violin, Shri C K Patanjali on the Flute, Thanjavur Shri Subramanian on the Mridangam and Shri D V Venkatasubramaniam on the Ghatam. 

The idea behind the entire exercise is to bring the beauty of Saint Thyagaraja's compositions and bring awareness of the rich meaning and spirituality in his compositions. 

Such thematic presentations have to be encouraged more to envisage more participation of rasikas and to acquire knowledge about the lyrical beauty and spiritual effect of the great composers of Carnatic music.

 All the artistes coordinated beautifully to bring out the essence of "Sri Rama Darshan" and make a lasting impression on the minds of the rasikas and musicians who were fortunate to get the blessings of Lord Rama through this wholesome musical journey.

Ten New Scholarships For India’s Top Candidates

Ten top PhD scholars from India will be awarded AUD$90,000 each and additionally have their fees waived by approximately AUD$90,000 over a period of three years, at one of nine universities, in Victoria, Australia, beginning in 2013

 .The second year of the prestigious Victoria India Doctoral Scholarships (VIDS) Program was launched recently  by the State Government of Victoria and the Australia India Institute. 

 The program is one of a number of strategic engagement opportunities initiated by the Victorian Government to strengthen bilateral relationships between Victoria and India.The ten new scholarships, which will support living costs and education related travel, will extend over the duration of the students doctoral studies. 

Victoria’s universities have agreed to provide a full tuition fee waiver. Ms. Louise Asher, Victoria’s Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, launched the program at an event attended by Victoria’s Commissioner to India, Mr. Geoffrey Conaghan, Director of the Australia India Institute, Professor Amitabh Mattoo and Australia’s Consul-General for South India, David Holly. 

 The launch programme was held at Taj Connemara in Chennai.Speaking at the launch in Chennai, Mr Conaghan said the 2013 scholarship offer was one of the most lucrative available for Indian scholars: “This is a great opportunity for some of India's brightest and best researchers to pursue their PHD studies at Victoria's world renowned universities.”

 Professor Amitabh Mattoo spoke at launch that the “scholarships were a critical part of the Victorian Government’s strategy to build a strong bilateral partnership with India and congratulated the Victorian Government ".

Eminent universities would offer excellent doctoral opportunities across science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences and humanities, business studies, education and the arts.

Melbourne also ranks alongside Paris, London and Boston as the best student city, in the QS rankings which compare cities quality of life, quality of education liveability and access to employment. More information on the Victorian Government’s Victoria India Doctoral Scholarships Program click  www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/scholarships