Retire from the unorganized sector with pension benefit

Prime Minister Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM) has been launched. The effective scheme is aimed at extending pension benefits to the workers in the unorganized sector. It attracts workers earning INR 15,000 or less.

Reportedly, the scheme guarantees a minimum of INR 3,000 as the pension on attaining the age of 60. The prerequisites to register for the scheme include, the income of the worker should not be subject to tax and uncovered under any other pension scheme, ESI or EPF schemes. The registrations for the scheme has commenced.

Under the scheme, both the beneficiary and the Centre contributes on a 50:50 basis while the latter has allocated INR 500 crore for the scheme. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 40 crore workers in the unorganized sector.

Reference

The Splendid 'Nanganalluril Margazhi Maha Utsav'

A home to witness the definition of patience, hard work, and perseverance pitched to the music

The happening of 'Nanganalluril Margazhi Maha Utsav' has always brought a festive mode to everyone associated with the Sai Fine Arts. It has been the second consecutive year of me and my sibling, Archena, participating in the Utsav.

The event took place on 30th December 2018, with Shrimathi Manjula, the sub-editor of Dinamani; Shrimathi Varalakshmi Anandakumar, an All India A grade artist; Shri Vijaya Murugesh, the founder of Sai Music School & Fine Arts, and the father of Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy; along with various other dignitaries, as the guests of honour.

Subsequent to the grand event, I recalled the effort put by Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy, Guru Shrimathi V Thanga Selvi, Guru Shri A Vishwamithran and also Nellai Sai Sisters. It all began immediately after the Chithirai Thiruvizha. The lessons we learned were tremendous. Respect to the Gurus for intensifying our standards in music.

We were asked if we desire to play any song for the group concert. Frankly speaking, I had no idea and surrendered to the choice of Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy. I grouped with my cousin this time. (However, she also learns violin. Hopefully the succeeding year, I also will). A song titled Adi kondar (Mayamalavagowla raga) which we used to sing for vocal concerts was taught to us. The charanam of the particular song was challenging. We had to make up with the speed and yes we endured it.

For the major happening of the event, the mega concert, our Guru embraced the technological advancements and uploaded the songs for supporting us to learn through his YouTube channel. Tutoring 150 students and coordinating their efforts on stage is made possible by the Sai Fine Arts. We had to sing them during our classes before the guru. I reminisce how we used to cherish singing English notes each time during the practice session.

We had the opportunity to learn pancharatna krithis. Charana Sevanam, a Sai Pancharatna Krithi, was taught to us through YouTube channel. Learning Jagadananda Karaka was a huge task for us. Instrumental practices began soon after that. Going by the success mantra of the ideal Guru, I believe that consistent practices always help us get good outcomes.

Every time before the mass practice session, I ensure I do the individual practices of popular songs to go along with the speed at which the seniors play. We did learn a couple of songs for the previous Margazhi Maha Utsav. And I still remember how we used to struggle to play those songs. Self-assessing, I wanted to play those songs way better than the previous event. We used to practice it with the previous videos uploaded on Youtube. The mega concert did go live on the channel. The speedier versions of each bhajan were challenging as nearer to the Krithis. Special thanks to all the Gurus for concentrating on improving the standards of all budding musicians and directing us to play right.

I was given the opportunity to play the Veena for vocal group concerts. We were taught various bhajans. One of my favourites is the Thatpurusha song. I recollect how I used to repeatedly ask Guru for notes. I also observed that I was able to follow his notes (though after he played it on keyboard several times very patiently) which I used to find hard during my vocal classes while learning various ragas. Practising the Veena along with the vocal was yet another challenge. To accompany, we hold the responsibility to be extra careful because messing up ruins the whole performance, I realized. With Guru on Harmonium for the vocal concerts going along with Violin, Veena, Keyboard by various disciples of Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy in turns, Tabla, and Mridangam was pleasant. I commit to equip my level to go well with them in the upcoming event aimed at making the righteous happen.

During the event, one of the chief guests addressed on handling personal and professional careers and advised us not to discontinue music due to academic pressure. I thought though we did months of practice at the midst of work, news on job transfers, and others, the execution on stage mattered.

Interestingly, during one of my usual class post the happening of our Margazhi Maha Utsav, expressing on our performances Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy stated that the learnings throughout the period were huge and it will support us in handling our respective instruments way better than we did before due to consistent practice. It seemed to be a gratifying philosophical perception to me. Special thanks to the Guru for leading us in the right way. Each day counts when you work towards a long-term goal. Let us keep moving forward!

Penned as gratitude to Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy and all other Gurus at the Sai Fine Arts for identifying the potentials and focusing on developing the musical skills in each of us.

The Musical Journey (Chithirai Thiruvizha)

A measure to bridge the gap between me and music!

We overcome a lot during the day, and love to pen them in our diary. There are some instances which we wish to expose on the internet. I had one such happening in the recent time.

Chithirai Thiruvizha, the event conducted by Sai Fine Arts, Nanganallur to felicitate the budding musicians who have qualified the annual examination.

The event happened on 7th July 2018 with the graceful presence of Mrs. Kanthalakshmi Chandramouli, Writer and Journalist; Kavinaya Chelvar Mannai Pasanthi; and Mr. Sathaya Ganesh, the correspondent, and principal of Karpaga Vigneshwara Vidhyalaya.

Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy, the young energetic tutor at Sai Fine Arts scheduled a vocal concert to be performed at the beginning of the ceremony. Delighted that I was part of the team.

It has been one and half years since I had been practicing Veena and Vocal under the guidance of the gurus at the Sai Fine Arts. I believe music fall under the same ambit of academics. There are so much to learn, practice and tap creativity. I had been wondering at the skills obtained by the co-students, mostly in the ninth and tenth grade of school whom I proudly address as my seniors in music. I and my sibling were associated with such talented performers for the vocal concert. Though the kid in them seemed visible, they outperformed.

I remember the practice sessions began in the second week of June. Songs were challenging, especially the Krithis. I remember each day we were taught a new Krithi by our Guru, I would look at my sister with that ‘CAN I?’ feel. She acknowledges with a smile each time I do that. I recollect recording the songs sung by Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy, and the Sai Sisters (daughters of the Guru, awarded with the Sangeetha Yuva Sarathi title). They never denied to help us when we were struck at something during the practice sessions.

Sometimes, we always need that minimal percentage of fear which pulls us to practice better and perform better. I go by it.

Every day after work, we gathered, learned, practiced and practiced. The practices equipped the skills and helped confidence balance the fear. I recognized that the energy during those sessions never lessened, rather it increased day after day. It was solely possible because of the ideal Guru who kept endlessly, teaching, correcting, advising, encouraging, motivating and grooming us.

The bhajans were given equal importance like that of the Krithis and I recollect the kids, probably below the age of ten, actively participating.

The learnings were THE HUGE. I realize that there are so much in music that demands a lifetime and beyond to master the art. Once again, this concert has helped us get understand the nuances in music. I witnessed many passionate students rewarded for qualifying the musical grade exams. Numerous awards and titles were given including the Guru S P Sivasubramania Bhagavathar award. 

A word of gratitude, from us as disciples, seem ‘no equal’ to the efforts put by the Gurus at the Sai Fine Arts. The desire to learn more never ends.

Aspiring to bridge the gap between me and music with the teachings and guidance of Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy, Guru Shrimathi V Thanga Selvi, Guru Shri A Vishwamithran and the budding musicians in line with practice.

Margazhi Maha Utsavam- The Grand Musical Delight by Sai Fine Arts

It is a gargantuan task to identify musical talents in youngsters and kids. Even more huge to equip, educate and teach the art to them. That is what Sai Fine Arts does at its best!! The institution was formed by Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy who is the disciple of Suchindram S.P. Sivasubramania Bhagavatar. If you desire to learn any music instrument say Violin, Veena, Keyboard, Guitar, Tabla, Piano and such others, Sai Fine Arts bridges the journey to meet the desire. Gurus at Sai Fine Arts includes Shrimathi V. Thanga Selvi, wife of Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy and Shri A. Vishwamithran.

With average interest to learn Veena, I joined in January 2017 with my sibling who desired to learn Violin. Right at the start, Guru Shri A. Vishwamithran said us that one vocal session is made compulsory in each week for students who learn musical instruments. That shook me. I hadn’t been into singing since my lower class but my sister had already been establishing her singing standards with bhajan groups in school. Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaka Moorthy emphasized that learning vocal supports effective playing of notes in the instruments. His passion for music drives him to teach his disciples. I and my sister were part of a vocal group for whom classes were held on Tuesday. The team had been so adaptive and caring, I must admit. With time, interest developed and I still keep trying to enhance each day. Be a beginner or a budding music professional, he showers right amount of interest in teaching. There are enormous activities conducted for the students to equip and enhance their skills.

One such is the ‘Weekly Rounds’. The students play instruments before Guru each Wednesday and the Guru tirelessly reviews the performances. Music Quiz, Tempo Maestro and such others are conducted just to enrich learning. Musical theories are also taught during Vocal sessions. Guru Vinayaga Moorthy had also said about the importance of theoretical knowledge requirement. We, the students are also given opportunities to perform at various music concerts through Sai Fine Arts.

Wonder what? The greatest gratitude students can ever give to their Guru’s is rendering an astonishing performance over the stage granted. That is what Sai Fine Arts did at a recent event. The Sai Fine Arts hosted ‘Margazhi Maha Utsavam’ on 7th January, this year. Nearly 150 of us participated in the event.  It was a whole day event with students performing numerous songs in groups during the day and an exclusive event, ‘Meha Concert’ where all the budding musicians performing in a row. It was such a pleasant feeling to witness the performances. The parents and friends were the major audiences. Known or the unknown, you get greeted by people for having performed on stage. Such friendly atmosphere prevailed. The Meha Concert was astounding with each song played at various tempos. The coordination should be recognized and applauded. The reason behind such delivery are the practice sessions.    

Having the lessons being taught much prior, we had effective practice sessions in the class. For almost two weeks prior to the event, students had been performing before Guru Vinayaga Moorthy with Guru Vishwamithran playing Tabla. And if they notice something wasn’t inline, they just uttered “You have much more time to practice. You can”. So much of positive vibes. To unite the members of each group, train them passionately in the midst of exam season and others aided in putting up a grand show. When I’m questioned to cite living examples who dedicatedly teach any form of art to their students, I get only one name all through my mind; Sai Fine Arts. The chief guests of the event notably spoke about Guru Vinayaga Moorthy’s deeds. Every participant was honored with a trophy and medal. The event ended but the journey had not.

I took to come up with this write-up as a tribute to Guru Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy and A Vishwamithran since ‘thank you’ seemed to be much less.

To all the budding musicians, wish you a great future. ‘Age is no bar to begin.’ 

Strengthen Basics

If not, how are we to march towards ‘World-Class Education’?

Our Prime Minister addressed a gathering at the centenary celebrations of Patna University. Announcement of the plan to create a world-class education in India was made. “He said the government has developed a plan to make 10 private and 10 public universities world-class by granting them autonomy from the constraints of government rules and freedom to grow”, reported a leading newspaper in print and online on 17th October, 2017. The investment was reported to be Rs.10,000 crore. Wonder what? Bihar was the state that had lowest literacy rate by 2011 with 63.8%. What can a five year or six year plan do to the state? Was an effective education policy put forth? Did it have a direct impact?

It reflected in the speech of Mr. Modi. He added that "In every state, the top level of the civil services has people who have studied in Patna University. In Delhi, I interact with so many officials, many of whom belong to Bihar”. Only some super power has to validate the truth behind the growth (if any). How many of us are aware of the education policies that were formulated by the Indian Government?

There had been two National Education Policy formulated by the Government of India; one in the year 1968 and the other in 1986. Presently, the Government had appointed a new nine member committee under K. Kasturirangan, space scientist, to prepare a draft on new education policy in 2017. Further the second policy was modified in the year 1992. Each education policy had unique focus from envisaging the learning of regional languages, conduct of common entrance examination, removal of disparities and equalizing educational opportunities, and various other factors. It is vital to know that the Government of Tamil Nadu had published a website titling Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education. 

“Traditionally Tamil Nadu has held a pre-eminent position in the world in a number of fields of basic sciences, mathematics, literature and economic sciences. At the same time, the Government is aware of the recent declining trend in quality of education in arts and sciences in the country. Many of the postgraduate programs in arts and sciences, even in prestigious institutions have failed to attract the brightest students. This has become a matter of great national concern”, extracted from the website mentioned in the above paragraph. Does it not embarrass to comment on the quality of education and charge that the prestigious institutions have failed to attract the brightest students? 

To review on the higher education, the foundation should have been strong. The Literacy rate in India was reported as 74.04% in 2011 and especially that of Tamil Nadu amounts to 80.3%. Personally, I feel that more emphasis was given to the grades and marks than that of the quality gained or offered. Well, of course it decided our fate in pursuing graduation and the caste system, reservations had its own impact too. Making education accessible by all class of people is appreciable. But the quality of primary education should be put to check. Because that helps the student community in competing since world-class education would demand tougher entrance examinations in the years to come. Consideration of government schools? Smart classrooms! And yet caged? 

Open up! With wide range of opportunities coming up, it should be brought to the attention of the students. Because our dream for future begins from school. Exposure to practical knowledge can be spoken at the primary level. But in an encouraging manner than stressing the students for higher results that does less good. Learning should be made fun. It shapes the future. 

Resolutions are not episodic

It was the time when most of the educational institutions had closed for Christmas vacation. It had left me at home though it was not any big event at least for me. After doing some daily chores, pondering for relaxation, I switched on the television with the daily newspaper held in hand.

As any of the peer group teens of this modern era, I did skip channels and tuned for a music channel. The coming of yet another prosperous year became the topic and talk for that day. Queerly that did not stop with people greeting each other.

Usually the video jockeys raise questions to the callers to germinate some discussions that would engage time and its viewers. The callers would enthusiastically react like they had been blessed with some kind of wizard on call. At times, they do go mad when they their favourite video jockeys on call. To my surprise, the jockeys questioned the callers about the resolution they had set for this New Year. More astonishingly, the callers revealed every daily chore possible as their resolution for the year like being good at work and education, being punctual and many more. They sounded odd. Questions like what can vitally be named under resolution and are they meant to be occasional rose in my mind.

Peeping into a daily newspaper held in my hands, with all my interest, I read a story titled “What can be your New Year resolution?” in its supplementary sheet. Comically, that was the day I realized being affectionate to people and falling in love can be called a resolution too.

My grandparents and parents lived in the era where they celebrated occasions of togetherness and took resolutions whenever (possible) they had to survive a hardship. They also took resolutions then and there from the experiences and lessons they learnt from life. It was like as immediate as they were punished for a wrong doing; they set themselves to a resolution as not to commit it any longer. But the people of today think of resolutions occasionally and their follow up have become episodic.

Making resolutions occasional, it has almost lost its momentum, spirit and value. Timeliness speaks the worth of it. Much before we set a resolution for the upcoming year to be punctual, we had been late to work for almost two hundred days of the preceding year. Much before we set a resolution for the year to be loving and affectionate to people around, we already ended up earning lot of hatred from our neighbourhood. Resolutions are meant to serve its purpose when developed and more vitally followed. Do you still want your resolutions be occasionally set and followed? Don’t let your resolutions be episodic. Wishing you accomplish timely resolutions in all the years to come.

The Game Changer

Time cannot be paused. Knowing it is irreversible, we have invested them in battling for life. We also created a tomorrow overcoming the battle. Would we attain hearts-ease/serenity finally? No. Instead we would experience desperate state of mind counting the non-material loss incurred. But in our later age, we never regret to conceive that time had flown. Day after day, we doubt if we had lived our life to the fullest. It is all because the Time has driven us.

Now, Why have we missed to appreciate the painting of nature that is exhibited all around us? Why haven’t we awarded oneself for the betterment that incurred within? Why have we squandered the chance of understanding ourselves? Why have we taken to play a ‘stranger’ role among family? Time had been the game changer. It has been spinning us through ordeals of life, much before we realized we were into the battle. We had spent all our time to run behind the material needs that could satisfy the greedy mind.

In the midst of the hectic traffic that had cost all our energy, we missed to witness the first drop of rain that fell in the hand of a little girl. In all occasion times, we were engaged with updating wishes in the network. Did we take time to greet people with us? We were busy-working to escape some current state of affairs. Did we spare time to analyse and cherish our own growth? Haven’t we lost the spirit of life being goaded by time? Even when the spirit of life was lost, we still continued to battle.

We battled with ourselves. We fought with the inner soul within us. The purpose of seeking calm state of mind, after losing all possibilities of acquiring it, will always remain a magical mystery, not reached. Let us hold. Let us take a pause. Let us loan our time.

Let us loan our time like abundance can happen in one’s life. Let us appreciate the nature for being so systematic. Let us prosper understanding the inner soul within. Let us spend time enriching the relationship we are gifted with. What time did to us is huge, but what we could do with time is immense. Hereby the question of being carried away by time all through life fails.