- By Sheela Balaji, Secretary & Trustee, AIM For Seva (India)
The Cumbum inauguration went off very well in June 2009. There was a large turnout of the Melpakkam clan. Plus the local bigwigs - mainly cardamom plantation owners. Very visible in the fragrant cardamom garlands that they generously gave to Swamiji, Swami Omkaranandaji, to me, Narayanan and his wife. We returned with the aroma of cardamom clinging to our hair and clothes!!!!!! And green cardamoms too at that - I could not but request for half a kilo of the spice and within 10 minutes, I had a packet in my hand to take home. Lovely.
The location of the student home is beautiful, so picturesque - with a backdrop of coconut groves framed by blue hills. Munnar, a large tea plantation region, is just 90 Kms. away. Cumbum is very near the Kerala border.
The ChAtrAlayA (student home) is well constructed, bright, and airy - Hari Vishwanath is the contractor - he has constructed the Tiruvidaimarudur, Palani, and Semmangudi student homes earlier. There is good local support to our work here, and Swami Omkaranandaji has agreed to help and oversee, which is a wonderful gesture on his part.
Initially we are starting with 10 students. But more will join in a few months time. There is a good school nearby - and our students will study in this school. Age group of students between 12 and 14. The warden is Tiruvachakam. Photos to follow.
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