Personal Weblog of Deepak Vasudevan

Rang De -- A novel Micro-Lending Platform A couple of weeks back, I learnt about Rang De , an unique innovative micro-lending platform from Go-Ergo (a tabloid from the publishing house of ' The Hindu '). After a little perusal, I just signed up with it. One of the cofounders (Smita Ram) almost responds to any query on this unique micro-financing website quite fast. Currently, the website is in nascent stages and is addressing the requirements of farmers, milk persons, vegetable vendors from Maharastra and Tamil Nadu. I just thought of sharing this on my weblog so that more interested people can know about the same and help out the needy. This way, the underprivilege of the society who have good aspirations to accomplish something but handicapped for want of funds would really be immensely benefitted. I also feel that there is one more need for similar projects like Rang De. The small business people like farmers and vegetable vendors, because of their nature of business, can ...

Safety Tips for Girls I got an PDF attachment carrying a number of tips and articles for the safety and security of girls/women. With gruesome incidents of rape and murder on girls like Prathiba Srikanth Murthy (Bangalore), Sarika (Chennai), it is a duty of us to ensure that the women fraternity breathe free from any evil forces acting on the society. I just thought of sharing the tips with other readers too. Please feel free to forward the permalink URL to your friends too. Let us make the society a peaceful place to live upon. 1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do it! 2. If a robber asks for your handbag, do not hand it to him . Toss it away from you.... he is probably more interested in your handbag than you and he will go for the handbag. You may like to take to your heels immediately after tossing out the handbag. 3. If you are ever thrown into the boot of a car: Kick out the back tail lights and stick your ar...

Prayer for Global Peace Shri Shri Shri Maha Periayava Athirudra Mahayagna Samithi will be conducting the Adhirudra Maha Yagnam and Chandi Homam from July 28, 2008 to August 7, 2008 at Suvasini Kalyana Mandapam, No. 1, Periazhwar Street, Sundaram Colony, East Tambaram. The yagna would be conducted by Chitlapakkam Brahmasri Ramakrishna Ganapadigal and is conducted for the welfare of the entire world. Devotees are encouraged and invited to take part in it and also to liberally donate and contribute articles to be used in the yagna. The organizers can be contacted in the following addresses for further details: No. 27/10, Vyasar Street, East Tambaram. Telephone: +914422393047 [Courtesy: Tambaram Talk]

Prathishta and Samprokshanam of Sri Ayyappa and Sri Guruvayoorappa Temple in Velacherry (Reminder) Just a reminder that Prathishta and Samprokshanam of Sri Ayyappa and Sri Guruvayoorappa Temple (Velacherry) is tomorrow. We have discussed about it over here . Keep your schedules free on your calendar tomorrow to attend and get the blessings of the Lord. Swamiyae Saranam Ayyappa!!

Sri Ayyappan Temple Samprokshanam Whilst casually browsing through today's Tambaram edition of 'The Hindu' DownTown, I learnt about the consecration and Ashtabandhana Maha Kumbabishekam of Sri Dharma Sastha Trust's Ayyappan temple in Shankar Nagar, Pammal. The temple houses the deities of Ayyappan, Kannimoola Ganapathy, Bhana Lingam, Ashtabuja Durga and 'nava grahas'. The temple has been built on a plot of land measuring 9600 square feet mostly from the contributions of philanthropists and the general public. The Maha Kumbabhishekam would be conducted on July 12, 2008 (Saturday) between 0530 hours and 0600 hours in the presence of Raman Namboodhiri (former MelSanthi of Sabarimala). The related poojas and utsavams would be performed from July 7 to July 15. The Dharma Sastha Trust also appeals to devotees to take part in the Kumbabhishekam and contribute to the same. The organizers and Trust members can be contacted on +919444444238 and +919840309893.