In this issue of the Shine Newsletter, we’ve highlighted some notable happenings from around the Lily Foundation. We hope you’ll read through and catch up on the latest news and announcements from our organization’s various projects, efforts and events. As always, we truly appreciate your support of our mission and thank you for spending time on our website.
Two More Computer Centers Added
Purulia on Lily Map – Nirvani Karisma Computer Learning Center [CC#8]
Radhamohanpur in the district of Purulia lies quiet on the rim of Bengal, within a few kilometers from the greenary of Jharkhand’s Dimna hills terrain. Appearing like the center of world peace, its habitats are sparsely populated by villagers – 40% tribals and rest OBCs (other backward caste) – whose living depends on the strip farming along the rocky land. The color-washed cottages, clean yards with scavaging hens, mothers giving clean-showers to kids at public tubewells or carrying water home make up the picturesque scape.
Kolkata Gets its First – Lily Computer Kendra [CC#9]
New year’s first project inaugurated was Lily Computer Kendra. Lily Foundation’s designated Center-of-Excellence facility at Haridevpur is hosting this newest computer center.
EDCON XI Unites Students, Teachers & Sponsors
11th Annual Education Conference glitters in Asha Auditorium, Ghatsila
The town of Ghatsila at the foothills of Dalma range on the bank of golden Subarnarekha river witnessed a historic event that stirred the quiet peace loving tribal and non-tribal citizens alike in a very positive way. The confluence of teachers, students, educationists and sponsors from all over the region of midwest Bengal through the lower east Jharkhand became spectacular with 350 attendees. Education conference provided a new meaning of inspiration to the local school staff, swamis, company official and news reporters.
On Sunday, the 28th December 2014, the conference began with a dance item. The Chief Guest Mr. Harish Srivastava, GM of Indian Copper Corporation, spoke of Lily Foundation igniting the zeal among the underprivileged to become higher-educated and now it is upon all of us to carry the legacy. Prof. Dilip Basu, ex-VC Burdwan University and Tripura University, delineated the avenues open to the high school graduates for joint exams in various professional fields. Swami Arup Maharaj of Ramakrishna Math, Ghatsila reminded students with Swami Vivekananda’s words of wisdom. Mrs. Arunima Mukhopadhyay, retired HoD Physics, Lady Brabourne College, herself a leader of an NGO, stressed the need for more such work as Lily Foundation does.
Spelling Bee 2015
Spelling Bee 2014
Coming Soon to Plano, Texas
Lily Foundation will be hosting a DFW Spelling Bee Contest on March 29th at 10am. Students will be placed into one of four groups based on grade level. All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation for their efforts and trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each group. Registrants will receive a sample word list along with contest rules upon sign-up.
As always, 100% of the proceeds will goto Lily Foundation’s Education Projects. Be sure to check our Events Calendar for updates and further details.
Other Upcoming Events
Appreciation Dinner
Park Plaza Tower will host the 2015 Annual Appreciation Dinner. The exciting panoramic view from top will capture your imagination. And the exotic food too. Please mark your calendar. We look forward to your continued patronage to support the Lily cause.
Mother’s Day Feeding
Following the Lily Foundation tradition we would be hosting a homeless feeding program to serve the guest community on Mother’s Day at Union Gospel Mission, Fort Worth: a fun cooking and treating event not to be missed by volunteers and families!
Lily Fun Cricket
Who doesn’t want to relive the nostalgic bat-ball experience by trying a shot? The opportunity is coming soon near you. The most popular game in India – the game of cricket – is for us to lay hands on while raising a few charity dollars. Watch for date.
Exuberant Enthusiasm at the 2014 Appreciation Dinner
Lily Foundation’s Annual Appreciation Dinner was held on 6th September, 2014, at Park Plaza Towers , located in Richardson , Texas . The new and stylish venue brought about a breath of fresh air with its walnut stained wooden floors and sparkling chandeliers. The 7th floor was elegantly decorated and packed with over two hundred and twenty guests. The event started with a beautiful rendition of Ganesh Vandana in Bharatanatyam classical dance form performed by Nikita Srivastava, followed by the President of Lily Foundation, Dr. Amal Mukherjee’s speech. Lily Foundation Projects were well presented by speakers Dr. Aishawarya Sarkar, Dr. Padmakar Kulkarni and Mr. John Hammond. An array of great food and desserts was served to satisfy everyone’s palate and stomach.
The event continued with two very enjoyable musical programs performed by “Mahanadi Unplugged” and “Ivy Chatterjee and her Team” that kept the audience engaged and dancing to the tune of R.D. Burman, in celebration of his 75th birthday . The Auction run by Shabnam Modgil was a huge success, where paintings by Shreyoshi Sanyal were put up. Smile Scholars were presented for sponsorship. Several paintings were sold with part proceeds going to Lily Foundation. All of the meritorious SMILE Scholar candidates received sponsorship. Plaques and certificates were distributed in appreciation of Lily Foundation’s generous patrons and well-wishers. Thanks to all guests, contributors and volunteers, the event ended with a great feeling of fun, frolic and desired success!
Education Mission News
Vocational Training in Hijaldiha
No wonder, Andrew Yule company is inspired even more to work with us in their CSR program. A repeat of the vocational project Mobile Phone Repairing has started in Hijaldiha VSS for the first time to train 20 students in a 6-mo long course.
Healthcare Disciplines
SMILE Medical is a subprogram that awards students of medicine (MBBS) as well as medical-related disciplines, such as nursing (GNM), lab technician and diagnostic tools specialists (DMLT) training, usually of 4 yr., 3 1/2 yr. or less duration. Bandana Mahanta, our ex SMILE scholar, currently a nurse and a sponsor, is the Administrator. Student enrollment is going on now.
SMILE Fairs
Every year, SMILE Fair is conducted in villages and small town centers to attract students who do not have any easy means to find out how to apply for the scholarship. Our office representatives highlight the features of the scholarship and student eligibility criteria in a slide presentation on site. Also they do spot checks on the select-able students’ homes and living standards to make sure of the eligibility.
Healthcare Mission News
Bandel Dental Camp
At Bandel Abakash on 2nd Nov 2014, Dental Camp was organized, courtesy of Kalyan Mukherjee, where about 100 patients were examined, diagnosed and emergency-treated for problems. All patients were given a toothbrush and a toothpaste each.
Dhulai Asthma Camp
Dhulai DMS Institute held Asthma Camp on 4th January 2015, where Dr. Priyatosh Dhalla, a specialist, was at hand to make computerized diagnosis and provide expert opinions. The camp was organized at the courtesy of Lupia Respira.
Dhulai Blood Donation Camp
Blood Donation Camp was organized at Dhulai DMS Institute on 2nd November 2014. Like every year, this popular camp provided opportunity to the villagers to come forward to the rescue of the needy at hospitals.
Kolkata Cancer Awareness & Thallasemia Camp
On 4th January 2015, Lily Foundation’s Center-O-Excellence facility at Haridevpur organized a Cancer Awareness presentation by Netaji Subhas Cancer research Institute Dr. Ashis Mukhopadhyay. Thallasemia diagnosis for unmarried youth group was conducted.
Water Filter Distribution
DrinkingWater filters for home, courtesy of Moyee Foundation, were distributed in November 2014 to selected SMILE students’ homes. The operating procedure and maintenance of candle replacement were explained to the houselady. More such filters are to be distributed in the near future.
