“Anando Brahmeti vyajanath” declares the Upanishad! There is nothing like Ananda or bliss for mankind. It is to achieve this bliss that mankind is struggling. Brughu, son of Varuna approaches his father to know the nature of Brahman. Advised by Varuna to perform tapas, he considers Annam as Brahman first. Not satisfied, he thinks Prana is Brahman.Then he thinks Manas is Brahman. Still dissatisfied he considers Vijnana as Brahman. Finally after careful deliberation he concludes that Ananda or bliss is itself the Brahman! The four sheaths that are embedded in us finally lead to the inevitable goal Ananda! It is through food or Annam that man lives. Prana or breath is dependant on Annam. After many changes in the body energy is released and there is satisfaction or Ananda for the individual! Therefore our ancestors said, 'anna data sukhi bhava” Man’s desires are countless and he is never satisfied! But he has a limited stomach and once it is filled he is totally satisfied and doesn't want more. So to feed the needy and the destitutes is one of the greatest services to mankind!
Ananda--a free home for senior citizens is a pioneer in this field! The Trust, established in 1995, with the motto ‘ Service to Man is service to God’ started it's activities in 2003 and with the help of large hearted benefactors has now 101 ’elders who have no living children and no source of income’.We have many old age homes that charge a fee for receiving old age senior citizens but Ananda is outstanding as all service is free of cost! The inmates are extremely fortunate in finding a home like this! Anandam authorities consider them as their own parents and cater to all their needs till their last breath! Organ donations are made when they pass away and their cremations are taken care of! It is very difficult to find an old age home like this in India. The dedication with which they serve the inmates is enviable and worth emulation by other homes! Music, yoga, meditation, and bhajan sessions are regular at Anandam and attend to the physical,mental, and spiritual needs of the hundred and one senior citizens at the home. The Medical care center attached to the home looks after entire health and wellness of the inmates! It is a wonder that from its humble beginnings, Anandam has taken big strides and has its own premises in a 24000 sqft building with all facilities in ‘15 grounds of land’. The facilities include steam cooking, solar powered heaters, solar lights and fans, kitchen garden, STP treated water used for flushing and gardening. Situated in Kallikuppam, near Ambattur, Chennai, surrounded by about 20 villages nearby, Anandam is the cynosure of all eyes! Tuition classes started with 5 neighborhood deserving children have now fructified into 'a full fledged educational assistance project’! The students were provided snacks and drinks since they come directly from school. ‘ ‘ happy stomach leads to a happy mind' The reward is not wanting. They have scored brilliantly! I was stunned at the facilities provided for the senior citizens in Anandam. Spacious well ventilated rooms, cots and mattresses, separate room with air conditioning for puja and entertainment and a big dining hall with chairs and tables are things to dream about for an old age home! Not satisfied with these rare facilities for the aged senior citizen,it wants to soar high and wants to embark on future projects like Hospice--palliative cure for needy terminally ill patients! It wants to open a full fledged Diagnostic centre at affordable rates for the low income group of society. We know how people are fleeced for these tests by private centres! There is a proposal to start a Blood Bank facility in Thiruvallur district!
The live wire and the key player of Anandam is Mrs Bhagirathi Ramamurthy who has sacrificed her entire life for the well being of the senior citizens without children and home! Even at her advanced age she is agile and active like a youth and manages the entire working of the old age home! It is really a “ Bhagiratha prayatna” like the legendary Ikshvaku king Bhagiratha who brought the river Ganga from heaven to earth! Well employed in a bank, she was stung at the thought of the aged and elderly suffering to get their pensions. That was the germinal idea, which by her tremendous effort and tenacity of purpose, has taken root, grown, branched out, flowered and has taken shape as Anandam! She has taken a great risk, not out of selfishness but for the sake of suffering thousands who have none to look after and fall back upon. It is this courage that Providence likes and HE has provided her worthy, dedicated, sincere and honest lieutenants to assist her! Donations poured forth and slowly and steadily Anandam took shape to the delight, wonder and satisfaction of all! “ Dhairye sahase Lakshmi” ---Lakshmi or money comes to those who take a risk and are adventurous! When the risk is for a selfless cause it succeeds. According to the Bible ‘he loses himself who finds himself; he finds himself who loses himself.’
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