- Ms. Lata Vaidyanathan highlights the need to correlate the education system and societal needs
-at the 19th Edition of Tara Ali Baig Memorial Lecture -

In continuation of its efforts to keep the contribution of Tara Ali Baig afresh in the minds of countrymen, SOS Children’s Villages of India organized the 19th edition of Tara Ali Baig memorial lecture today. Ms. Lata Vaidyanathan, Principal- Modern School, Barakhamba Road was the keynote speaker while Dr. Kiran Bedi, first woman IPS officer, graced the occasion as chief guest. The occasion marks the birth anniversary of Smt. Tara Ali Baig, a multifaceted personality with diverse interest and deeply committed to social issues, who is remembered for the pivotal role she played at the policy and implementation level of the country’s social agenda. Also present during the occasion were Shri. S. Sandilya, President SOS Children’s Villages of India along with other board members of SOS - India. The speaker aimed at highlighting education as the thread of the social change.

Highlighting the stumbling blocks in the education system in India Ms. Lata Vaidyanathan drew the attention of the gathering towards the correlation between the prevailing education system and the factors affecting positive change in the society. Further highlighting the responsibilities of various sections of the society she said, ‘Today we are puzzled by the difficulty with education system to provide the most rudimentary education to all segments of the society, despite active participation of the private players. This has clear impact on the changes taking place in our society. We need to educate our children to face every crisis arising out of social conflicts, which is lacking in the present system. The costs of our educational crisis, in terms of social alienation, psychological rootlessness, and ignorance of the world and the possibilities of human experience within it, are incalculable and heartbreaking.’

Remembering a lady with a vision, drive and compassion- Tara Ali Baig, Shri S. Sandilya, President SOS Children’s Villages of India India said, ‘It is our privilege & honour that we are living the vision of Tara Ali Baig at SOS India. In a time when conception of an educated mind is based upon old notions of erudition and scholarship not germane to this century, we could get a guiding force in Madam - Tara Ali Baig who foresaw the coming time and framed a path following which we are able to transform children at SOS Children’s Villages of India into good citizens and a responsible social beings.’

During the occasion, children from SOS Children’s Villages and other members of SOS family paid tribute to their Dadi, as Tara Ali Baig is fondly remembered by the children.

Tara Ali Baig Memorial lecture in its previous 18 editions have had some distinguished keynote speakers. They are Professor Upendra Bakshi, VC Delhi University, M.S.Gore, Ms. Nanadana Reddy, Hon. Justice H.L.Anand, Rakesh Lodha from AIIMS, Aruna Bharadwaj & Gurcharan Das.

Kamini Devi and Sapon Sangma of SOS Children’s Village Guwahati to represent Assam state in Youth Exchange Programme in Thailand. Both have been selected and extended an invitation by The Royal Thai Embassy to participate in the “Thailand through the eyes of Indian Youth”programme from 10th to 17th August.

During their week long visit to Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Ayutthaya, Kamini and Sapon would have the opportunity to learn more about Thailand – her history, culture and people. Both are looking forward to their trip and said most excitedly,” Visiting the Royal Chitralada Project, The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha would be an intense experience for us.”

House Warming Ceremony of SOS Children’s Village at Begusarai took place on the auspicious occasion of SOS day, June 23. The day started with a traditional Puja (prayer ceremony) in the house Deoghar. It was a very special day to all 18 children who came home. All children, Mothers, coworkers and dignitaries participated in the puja ceremony. Mr. Bharat Bhushan Deva with his family participated in the entire day’s proceedings, spending time with children and Mothers. IPS, S.P, Begusarai Amit Lodha, chief guest for the day, participated in the ceremonies with his parents. He much appreciated the work done by SOS Children’s Villages for the needy children in society. All dignitaries visited the homes where the Mothers and children welcomed them warmly in a traditional manner. Soon after the Puja ceremony, the children, Mothers and dignitaries offered floral tributes to the founder father Dr. Hermann Gmeiner. A cultural program was presented by the children of village as well as the family strengthening programme children. It was a medley of colorful traditional dances and songs of Bihar.The program was followed by a community lunch.

SOS India joins SOS worldwide in celebrating SOS Day. Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, Founder Father who started SOS movement around the globe, was very fondly remembered by children, Mothers and co-workers on his 89h birthday. The whole atmosphere was filled with emotions and nostalgia as SOS family paid tribute to their guiding force, Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, Founder Father SOS Kinderdorf International. The day long celebrations saw children showcasing colourful cultural programs and enjoying fun filled activities.

In his message on this occasion Shri. S. Sandilya, President- SOS Children’s Villages of India said, “SOS Children’s Villages of India today joins SOS Children's Villages around the world in celebrating Hermann Gmeiner's humanitarian achievement and his timeless vision of a world where every child has a secure place in society.

He further added, “On this day, let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals propounded by our founder and resolve to make our best efforts to achieve family care for children in need. Let us move forward in our mission to build families for children in need, help them shape their own future and share in the development of their communities, and provide every child growing up in our SOS families with all the love, respect and security. “

He urged all to take a vow on this day to make all efforts to make every child who comes home to SOS CV of India a good citizen of this world and thus pay tribute to the great man, Dr. Hermann Gmeiner.

SOS Children’s Villages of India organized a unique and much acclaimed musical concert, “Music 4 Kids by Kids” at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. The concert was an effort at supporting the cause of Children in Need. Former President of India Shri R Venkataraman and former cabinet minister in Government of India Shri K.C. Pant, Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan along with Minister for social Justice & Empowerment, Ms Miera Kumar graced the occasion.

Internationally acclaimed and accomplished soprano Tara L.Venkatesan, the young ambassadress of SOS India regaled the audience with excellent western classical music, opera and Broadway pieces, supported by pianist Svetlana Radashkevich, Violinist Raja Singh, Flutist Mikhail Ushinin, Gabrielle Bodda-Rechner, Situ Singh Buehler and dancers from Danceworx. Tara also performed her first ever fusion piece with Chitkala Natya Tarangini artiste choreographed by the renowned Yamini Reddy.

Mr S. Sandilya, President, SOS-India said, “SOS Children’s Villages of India is committed to provide the best possible opportunities to children in need. Tara’s responsiveness towards the cause of children has initiated a unique association with SOS and resulted in ‘Music 4 Kids by Kids’.

Tara said of her special association with SOS India, “Realizing the plight of children, specially of that of the girl child, I decided to work for their cause in my own way. Through “Music 4 Kids by Kids” I performed for them in Chennai early this year and we plan to take this to other parts of the country also”.