On 12th December 2023, MNC completed 34 years of service to children in the age group birth to six years, with Intellectual disability and associated conditions providing them Early Intervention. A special day for MNC, since it brings to the front the last thirty three years of tireless and dedicated work put in by the Founders, Management Team, the Staff, and of course the Children and the Parents.
Cyclone Michaung struck Chennai on December 4, while making its way northwards from Tamilnadu, eventually making its landfall in Andhra Pradesh on December 5, 2023. Many people were killed and thousands were marooned in the city. Torrential rains poured for days together and Chennai was flooded for a week. People found it difficult to walk on the water logged streets and commuting came to a stop. Mothers and children found it difficult to come to centre and so no practice sessions was possible for a performance at the Annual Day. MNC scaled down its annual day celebration to a prayer meet at the conference hall in our premises. A few devotional songs were rendered by our teachers.
The Chief Guest for the 34th Annual Day was Mr. V Sriram, Columnist, Writer and Historian. Sriram is an Indian entrepreneur, columnist, music historian and heritage activist. It was in 1999 that Sriram, inspired by heritage walks and tours he had seen in London, Delhi and Mumbai, pioneered the concept in Chennai. Since then, his heritage tours are an integral part of the city’s cultural calendar. Sriram has also convinced some heritage enthusiasts and scholars to lead tours of their own in the city and this has added to the numbers.
Mr. S Krishnan, Hony Joint Secretary, BMKT welcomed the gathering. We give below his welcome address that highlights the activities of the year and other main features :
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That ladies and gentlemen was an overview of MNC.
Significant achievements
Switching on to another significant aspect of my welcome address today is that MNCs journey has also has been a significant journey of Mrs Jaya Krishnaswamy.
She was like a sculptor that designs works of art either by moulding, joining materials, cutting, carving the forms to take away the extra material and bring out a beautiful statue. MNC was literally sculpted by her to perfection.
Let me dwell a few minutes of Jaya’s journey of nine decades. The first 2 decades were a typical journey of a middle class Madras family girl. Her father who was a towering personality both in literal sense and otherwise and a wise grandmother were influencing factors to shape her thoughts on values of life which she cherished and became a strong foundation to face the next decades of life. He father was progressive in terms of ensuring proper education to his children. He did not hesitate even a moment to see Jaya had her schooling in Church park Presentation Convent in those times that is early 1930s. She went on to do her graduation in Geography although I feel she is excellent in History British Mogul or Indian or for that matter even in family history. Further to this, she successfully completed her post graduation in Sociology. Having taken up teaching, she pursued to do her Bachelor of Education and also Masters in Education, which helped her in taking up both academic as well as administrative responsibilities.
Next 4 decades were an experience of running a family. When she got married the young and naive girl she was, she did not know what she was getting into. She married an Air force officer. Now imagine an early twenties young girl completely taken out of her comfort zone of Chennai or Madras which was called then and placed in North. Now in defence, officers are posted alternatively in field station where you cannot take your family and then family station where family is with them. AVMVK being a strict disciplinarian, Jaya found that even a family station was almost like a field station. So rearing up children and learning to make chapathis and Paneer from neighbouring families which were totally alien to our south Indian food, at the same time becoming a teacher were all an experience to her and which she gracefully accepted. Incidentally even now she can cook excellent Paneer or Rajma dishes.
Conquest of knowledge and putting into application is her forte whether it was her taking a post graduate degree in education where she took interest in special education during her career or acquiring an MA in psychology when she was in late seventies were standing examples .Challenges a plenty during this period but she took every challenge as an opportunity to learn. All these period her networking with family and friends is an amazing aspect
60 years gone and then came the last three decades during which she achieved the purpose of her life. A question all of us ask is why I am here in this world and what is the purpose. Not many would find an answer but she found. She is spiritual not necessarily ritualistic. The 3 decades of her life with MNC has been a crowning glory. I am not talking about the various awards and recognition she received during this phase, because she dedicated that to MNC since she felt that was one of the ways by which the disability sector is made aware of. She touched many lives, consoled and counselled many parents and teachers, taught innumerable lessons to the staff, while helping our children on the way. Everyone she met was influenced by her gentle manners, her empathy to the cause, her ability to lead and all this without even exhibiting an iota of ego.
People who have travelled with her are innumerable. I am one of them. It was again a destiny which brought me to MNC. Coming from a corporate background and not knowing the working of an NGO nor this field of disability I was fish out of water. Although she is my sister in law and knowing how delicate family relationships could be, in a work atmosphere where she was the boss she made my path easy comfortable and learning experience. But her way of teaching and giving instructions without letting me feel that she was bossing over me. Not once either of us has used our relation in our work at MNC. I am using my example to express the wisdom behind her thoughts and how if one has clarity of thought and purpose in life one achieves what she has achieved. Call her a role model, Good leader or God’s good soul her nine decades of journey has been an epochal journey with application of knowledge, wisdom, compassion, service and altruism.
Salutations to you Mrs Jaya Krishnaswamy, Jaya, Jaya aunty, Jaya madam and Akka. Those who have been associated with you all may not be able to articulate in speech, but have put those thoughts and experiences on paper, in gratitude and appreciation of all that you have done, in the form of a book.
It very apt that we have Mr Sriram with us today being a historian is present before her, who also is an admirer of history. This book is a compilation of such thoughts done with love from their hearts. I request Mr Sriram to open the book;
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Mr. N Kumar who addressed the gathering gave a message of hope and support to MNC. Mr. Sriram in his speech appreciated the efforts of MNC to help children who needed Early Intervention and that he has been observing the institution for many years now, and is really impressed with the way it has progressed. He wished the centre all the very best.
Mrs. Vijayalakshmi. Group Head proposed the vote of thanks and the celebration came to an end with the National anthem and light refreshments.
