93rd week of Sailathil Saturday Sangamam event was held on 27/4/2024.  With the elders from Papakudi, this week there were more than 110 elders and event started with the appreciation for the Vama Team’s hospitality.  To enable all to gather around 10 A.M., Vama’s Van was sent to Papakudi at around 7.45 A.M. and they reached much earlier around 8.45 A.M.  Elders visited Sree Paramakalyani Semeda Sree Sivasailanathar Temple and back to Sailam.  As they started before 7.30 A.M. from their houses, they could not take breakfast and hesitant to ask.  Sh. Natarajan sir who coordinated to bring elders from Papakudi checked with Ms. Lakshmi of Vama Team on the availability of tea in the nearby shop.  Immediately Ms. Lakshmi connected with Ms. Vadivoo for arranging breakfast and served Uppuma and Tea to all.  Both Mr. Natarajan and Mr. Subramanian appreciated the team for their hospitality with smile.

Mr. Natarajan introduced Mr. Subramanian from Ambasamudram.  Mr. Subramanian, native of Aruppukottai, Thanjavur District, is part of “Manitha Urimaigal Kalagam” and helps through his organisation, genuine causes by all means.  Someone rightly said that there is a need to have reference when you are happened to be there in a hospital, police station and educational institution which help to get support.  Mr. Subramanian always reaches to support genuine causes with his team and mentioned that now Vama’s members (elders) can always approach him for any support at any time.

Mr. Subramanian appreciated the efforts of Vama Team and the concept to care elders.

Ms. Kausalya and Ms. Gomathy Subha, compered the event.  Conducted various activities and games to engage elders mentally and physically. Asked elders to make whatever coming to their mind with clays.  Elders became children and made toys/ doll – dog, cat, Pilliayar, cow, etc.

At 11.30 A.M. – White Pumkin Juice was prepared and served to elders.  Ms. Vadivoo explained the values of Pumkin to preventing Cancer and the usage in villages of While Pumkin in Moore Kuzhambu and Kottu.   Ms. Vadivoo shared with sarrow that during last week there were two incidences of death in Vama Family members viz.

(1) Mr.  Ammaiappan, the beneficiary from Kalidaikurichi.  Mr. Ammaiappan was performing Thiruvasagam recitals regularly whenever he came to Sailam.  He along with some elders recited Thiruvasam and performed puja for the wellness of all elders.  Vama team came to know that Mr. Ammaiappan was suffering from Cancer and needed financial support as he was survived by his wife only and did not have a child.  Vama supported him for his medical expenses and travel expenses to visit Government Hospital, High Ground, Tirunelveli.  There was good improvement in his health.  But suddenly, he demised on 22nd April afternoon. Our trustees visited his place and paid homage to him.  

(2) Another loss was the sudden demise of daughter of Mr. Rengasamy of V.K. Puram.  Sh. Rengasamy is associated with Vama since its 6th week of Sangamam and regularly attends weekly events and also supported in Summer Camp activities last year.  All of sudden his daughter left him due to cardiac attack last Thursday.  Several members of Vama family visited Mr. Rengasamy’s place and condoled him and his family.  One-minute silence was observed to pray the Almighty to bless the Noble Soul to RIP.

It was very difficult to change the mood of elders after hearing the above sad news. They remembered the presence and participation of Mr. Ammaiappan and also talked about the difficulties being faced by Sh. Rengasamy as his wife was not well for some time.  She was in the hospital and Mr. Rengasamy was helping her. 

Sh. Kannan Bhattar visited and performed Puja to Sree Soundarya Ganapathy and Sundal prasadam was distributed.  Sh. Natarajan mentioned that yesterday was Sankatahara Chaturthi and all prayed to remove the difficulties being faced.

To enable elders to become normal, Ms. Keerthana Devi, a student of ‘Computer for All’ performed dance to the song of “Konnodu Kanbathellam” and made elders delighted with her performance.  All appreciated the dance performance.

For a change, Chitrannam  – Lemon Rice, Coconut Rice, Sambar Rice and Curd Rice was served at lunch.  Elders enjoyed the different, extremely simple and easy rice-based recipe prepared with basis and simple ingredients.

Post lunch, Smt. Amutha and Smt. Pushpam from V.K. Puram headed the event and activities sharing experiences.  Smt. Amutha shared her experience of visit to a temple in Ambasamudram, Mr. Lakshman shared his experience of attending a function at Madurai, Mr. Natarajan and Mr. Subramanian shared their experience of visiting Vama’s Saturday Sangamam.  Ms. Kalayani and Mr. Ganeshan shared their experience of their family and current living.

Elders enjoying tea, elders departed for their houses with mixed memories.