My Thoughts
The declaration of independence says that everyone is entitled to the pursuit of happiness, and my intention is to bring that happiness to the reach of the common man. The life I had led as a youngster fired the instinct in me, to lend a helping hand to as many people that I could. The living condition of many people who crossed my path on my way to stardom genuinely affected me. I always pondered on what I could leverage when fame and prosperity came my way. So creating this Manidha Neya Mandram was a spontaneous episode after my first movie was released. But, it had never occurred to me that I should maintain a detailed record of the Mandram’s activities, as I was always taught that when helping a person even the left hand should not be aware of what the right hand had given in charity. So what I have put together is a concise summary of what has been accomplished.
Manidha Neya Mandram (MNM)
R Parthepan started the Manidha Neya Mandram (MNM) as a social awareness program. His aim is to bring about awareness in people about the short-comings' in today’s world and extend support wherever possible! Being a visionary in many ways he has channeled his fan following to the betterment of society. He comes across as modest person living his life for others, as seen from the movies he makes, to the lifestyle he leads. All proceedings from the sale of his book KIRUKKALGAL goes to this
organization
The MNM understands the needs of our society by large. It runs an ambulance service, a library and has chipped in during natural calamities like the tsunami and the Gujarat earthquake. The organization holds regular blood donation camps and polio drives. Programs against dowry and other social evils have been staged. Started out of the concern for underprivileged children is NADAIPATHAI POOKAL.
R Parthepan has envisioned this to be a dynamic organization where self-motivated and like minded people come together for the betterment of the society. It is a place where young energetic minds get an opportunity to achieve their noble ideals, by combining their resources.
THE CONCEPTION OF MNM
On April 14, 1989 – “Pudhiya Padhai” was released in the theaters. Not just stopping with the claps and whistles it received as accolade that endorsed R. Parthepan’s film efforts, he used his fan circle to create humanitarian hearts in order to help and feed fellow human beings.
Since that day without being colored by cast, politics and commercial interest andcompletely supported by society aware youth from different walks of life, R.Parthepan’s Manidha Neya Mandram has been functioning exceptionally in Chennai and rest of Tamilnadu.
“I am not the leader of this Mandram…………...only its first member” is how R. Parthepan identifies himself.
ACHEIVEMENTS OF MNM
R. Parthepan had registered himself in the organ donor registry several years ago. He now conducts blood donation camps at least 3 times a year, eye donation registration camps, Polio eradication campaigns, World AIDS Day, Rose Day, World Elders’ Day and such global awareness days. He also has conducted dowry eradication forums and other social awareness programmes through which he directly participates amongst public.
On January 1, 2000 in a Public hall in Chennai he celebrated the arrival of new millennium with over 2000 orphaned, physically challenged and mentally challenged children along with film and public personalities. This effort of his was well appreciate by the deserving.
Over 12 Social Welfare and Destitute Homes in and around Chennai have been provided with essential equipment such as sewing machines, washing machines, grinders, gas stoves, cooking utensils and ceiling fans through Manidha Neya Mandram on Thamizhar Tirunal.
| MNM’S PROGRAMMES | ||
| On Physically Challenged Persons Day the Mandram distributed T-shirts carrying encouraging slogans in support of physically challenged and donated hand operated tricycles for their use. | ||
| Parthepan has donated the sale proceeds of his first creation called “Kirukkalgal” to the Mandram. This book contains his thoughts, ideologies and concepts. It is a trend setter in modern Tamil literature. The book sold over 25000 copies when it was released creating ripples in the literary world. This contribution only, has helped the Mandram to carry out its society betterment activities. | ||
| MNM set up a public library for the underprivileged. | ||
| A 24 hour Ambulance service was started and successfully operated to help the needy. | ||
| During the Latur earthquake in Gujarat, Mandram’s members quickly overcame their personal shock and proceeded to help people in that state by collecting huge quantities of food, clothing, medicines along with funds. This was accomplished by every member of the Mandram ersonally campaigning and collecting relief material from public and coordinating the supply of that material to the needy through the Red Cross Society. | ||
| R. Parthepan’s movie “EVAN”, recorded constructive concepts in a compelling way in every frame and every line of dialogue in the film, proving him as an accomplished artist in the Tamil film world. At the same time because of the good ideas promoted, it won for all the members of the Mandram, a high degree of respect from general public in their respective towns. Usually we find large number of children engaged in begging at traffic signals in large cities. Taking concern on this community of children, R. Parthepan with his usual kind-gentle-primacy view of the situation selected around 25 children as “Nadaipaathai Pookal” (Flowers of the pavement) and adopted their education responsibilities. All the collections from a special show screening of the movie “Evan” was assigned to this cause. A sum of Rs.75,000.00 was collected through this event. |
A LITTLE ABOUT NADAIPATHAI POOKKAL |
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| The children stopped begging and were given an opportunity at education. | ||
| This education boosted their self confidence and their ability to face the world. | ||
| As the attention of the children was diverted towards educating themselves, all of them began showing a great involvement. | ||
| Parents of the children were made to realize the importance of an education and there by setting up of a lucrative future for them. | ||
| Subsequently the parents are also being given training in small scale industries like phenyl making, candle making etc to support themselves. |
Some of the Mandram’s activities have been stated above and some are yet to be stated or may not be stated here. Whatever activities taken up by R.Parthepan’s Manidha Neya Mandram, it always does everything as a service to mankind.
Besides turning his personal filmdom popularity, respect and earnings as a goal for himself, R. Parthepan ensures that it also takes root in the heart of his fans and associates, in a fashion that R.Parthepan,s Manidha Neya Mandram shines today as it did when it was instituted on April 14, 1989. With support of disciplined youth groups and their aggression it has grown into a meaningful tree.
“None is an orphan Till another man lives”
Realizing that this is the only true “order” and that each and every one of you are ready to be the “other man” and take great joy in joining our hearts with you.