Jeevodaya celebrates Rose Day

It was an unusual afternoon on Thursday – the 22nd of September, 2005 . The usually calm and serene village of Mathur , in the suburb of Chennai was abuzz with activity – reason? – Jeevodaya Hospice for Cancer patients, situated in Mathur had got the whole local community involved in celebrating Rose Day. As we all know Rose Day is a celebration of Life for all patients with cancer, perpetrated in the name of Milinda Rose, a Canadian born 14 year old, who, though herself afflicted with cancer spent her last days spreading cheer and happiness all around her.

The afternoon started off with a massive rally, with more than 500 participants gathered at the MMDA grounds. The participants belonged to

1. Corporation Higher Secondary School , Perambur.[Students belonging to Red Cross, Scouts and Guides,]

2. Loyola College – NCC –Army and Navy Wing.

3. Agarsen College , Madhavaram. – NSS students

4.Mar Gregorious College, Mogappair.

5. Mathur Youth Group.

6.Women's self help groups –NEWS –from Mathur

Each of them was sporting a trendy cap that read ‘I don't smoke. Do you?' and wearing the Rose Day badge designed by Jeevodaya.

The rally was flagged off by the Chief Guest, Mr. P.K.Prasad, IAS, Special Officer and Managing Director of Tamilnadu Co-operative Milk Products Federation Ltd., –[Aavin ] [incidentally Aavin is Jeevodaya's neighbour] and the flag was handed over to Mr.Pratap – Vice- President, Mathur Panchayat. - who headed the procession along with Dr.Nanjunda Rao, President, Jeevodaya. Earlier Mr. Prasad visited Jeevodaya - he evinced a keen interest in the activities of Jeevodaya and interacted personally with all the patients.

The rally wound through the Mathur streets with messages from a public address system in an auto-rickshaw creating awareness on Cancer. The messages were ‘Do not be afraid of Cancer', ‘Cancer is curable if detected early' ‘Many cancers are preventable', 'Cancer is not contagious', ‘Support Cancer patients.' The main thrust, however, was on the ill-effects of tobacco and its usage in any form –the AICUF students enacted a street play –the placards read ‘Tobacco is a killer', ‘Ban Tobacco' , ‘Tobacco causes Cancer, Heart attack, Stroke and other Life threatening diseases', ‘Say No to Tobacco' ‘Smoking Kills' ‘Ban paan paraag' etc. The rally ended at Jeevodaya with the rallyists being treated to delicious rose milk [courtesy Aavin].

Next followed, the main event of the evening. A beautiful stage had been erected with seating for the public in the ethereal garden in front of Jeevodaya. Prominently on display was the 6' long cigarette with the tip glowing and ash dropping into a giant ashtray [ash of cigarette or was it the ash of the human body itself ,consumed by all the diseases caused by smoking ?] The spectacular model was created by none other than the famous Thota Tharani – art director of many award winning films.

The VIP'S were of course the patients from Jeevodaya – all those who could, were brought and seated in the front rows. Our special invitees were Sr.Ronald, Sr. Sammuvel and Sr. Balred –all former executive directors of Jeevodaya. The programme started with a prayer song by the home-care nursing trainees. Sr.Josy, Nursing Supdt., of Jeevodaya gave the welcome address. Dr.Nanjunda Rao, President, Jeevodaya inaugurated the proceedings and in his speech outlined the services rendered by Jeevodaya and he extolled the youth to be the ambassadors of change – to bring forth a lifestyle minus tobacco in any form.

The entertainment part started with a padai attam from the students of Loyola College moving rhythmically to the sound of the drum.

Little Preeti Ravi was a treat to the eyes as she danced to ‘Senthamizh then Mozhiyal' –her eyes and her smile said it all. Her next number ‘ Taal pe Taal mila' was an embodiment of grace itself.

Thanks to Ms.Mala Manyan of Seventh Channel – we had an excellent programme from two renowned artists. Mr ‘Mimicry' Senthil had the crowd in splits as he spoke in the voice of all the famous stars of the Tamil Cinema with a generous sprinkle of enjoyable comedy. ‘Robot' Ganesh had everyone gaping as he came on stage painted silver and gyrated to astounding music.

Mr.Viswanath, a dance master, gave an excellent rendering of Bharathanatyam as he danced to ‘Raa, raa' from Chandramukhi.

The local lads stole the show by enacting a skit to highlight the dangers of smoking and at the end of the play made all the audiences take a pledge along with them, never to fall into the bad habits of smoking cigarettes or chewing paan paraag.

Two in mates of Jeevodaya – Ms.Lakshmi and Mr.Paul Raj spoke emotionally about their life and the love and care they received in Jeevodaya,

Mr. Pratap,Vice – President, Mathur Panchayat, commended the work done by Jeevodaya to the community and said that Mathur was fortunate to have their services.

The best was of course yet to come – Ms. S.P.Shailaja – the famous playback singer came on stage to enthrall the audience with some lilting melodies – she willingly obliged the audience by singing the songs they requested. But what was even more touching was what she said – while she thanked the staff of Jeevodaya for taking care of one of their staff, she said that she felt more like one of the family of Jeevodaya and would not hesitate to help Jeevodaya in any capacity she could.

With emotions running deep, the programme was brought to a close with Br. Dolphy thanking all those involved, mentioning them individually, who were instrumental in making the function a great success. Sr.Lalitha invited on stage the MSW students, Fr.Dolphy, Henry Joe, J.Rosario and Bardat S.V .of Loyola College , the brains behind the entire programme, for a standing ovation.

M.K.

From the Editors desk ……………

September and October are festival months at Jeevodaya – 22 nd September is Rose Day. This year the planning of Rose Day celebration was entrusted to the young MSW students of Loyola College and they have come out in flying colours. Thanks to the Almighty, the programme was a grand success.

For the first time the workers in Palliative Care all over the world will be observing 8 th of October as World Hospice Day and Jeevodaya being the first hospice in South India will be celebrating too. Jeevodaya wishes all her colleagues in Palliative Care ‘A happy hospice day' and best wishes in all their endeavours.

It is also time to wish all our readers a very happy and prosperous Diwali.

Sr.Lalitha Teresa