Connoisseur, Founder of Thirukural Research Centre and Kumari Kalai Kazhaham, Writer , Thinker, Humanitarian Thirukural Dr. Kesava Subbiah . Part Final.

Dr. Kesava Subbiah founded the Kumari KalaiKazhaham in 1983:  Thiru Kesava Subbiah was not only a Tamil Scholar but also a great visionary and connoisseur . He was a great artist , lover of all fine arts like music, drawing, dance, painting, etc,. And as a creative visionary he wanted to inspire, encourage  and bring out the artistic and other related skills and talents of students and so he founded the famous Kumari Kalai Kazhaham in 1983. with the support of some like minded friends and well wishers.   Since its inception and inauguration Kumari kalai Kazhakam  has been conducting competitions annually every year for the students ranging from LKG to University.  Annually the Kumari Kalai kazhakam conducts Elocution competition, Singing competition, Drawing competition, Essay writing competition, Short Story Writing competition and Poem writing competition, Fancy dress competition, Quiz competition, Dance competition, Thirukural recital competition etc. for the participating students and recognize their talents by giving Prizes and Certificates to the winners. Dr. Subbiah's death was/is a great loss to Kumari Kalai Kazhaham and to the people of Kumari district. In his absence the  annual Competition and administration of the Kumari Kalai Kazham is carried out by PDG.MPHF. Dr V. Shanmugam [President], Mrs. Rajam Muray [ Director and Treasurer] and Mrs Velammal Arumugam[ general Secretary]  and some other office bearers with great commitment, interest and efficiency. 

                           

                                          Dr. Kesava Subbiah [ Front row middle]

Awards and recognition received by Dr. Kesava Subbiah : The world recognized the valuable  and indelible services rendered by Dr. Kesava Subbiah  for the cause of Thirukural and fine Arts  and society , and he deservingly received many medals, awards, honorary degree and citations from  eminent individuals and institutions from India and abroad. The following are some of the important recognition and titles that he received :[1]  Star of Asia  award from International Open University , [2] Doctor of Hon SW  from International Open University, Malaysia  [3] Visvakarma Retna  award from Minister Shri. Sarguna Pandian,[4] Viswakarma Mootha Marabu Kani award from Architect Selvaraj, [5]  Thirumanthira Aaivu Chemmal award from Dr.S.Chokkalingam, [6] Thirukural Chemmal award from Dina Mani Editor Shri. K. Vaithiya Nathan,[7] Samuthaya Chirpi  award from Minister Vezha Vanthan, [8] Ashta Avathani award from Rev. Dr.N.P.Immanuel, [9] Adhithanar Memorial Prize from the president of Chennai Bharathiyar Sangam Shri..Gandhi, [10]  Bharathi Puhazh Parappunar award from Malaysia minister Datto Saravanan,[11] kalai Kavalar  award from World Tamil Kalai Ilakkiya Mambattu Paravai , [12]  Raja Kalainjan award from Thrichy kalai Pannpaattu  Paravai and many other awards.

Books written by him: Dr. kesava Subbiah had written many outstanding books ; [1] Then Paandi Thantha Thiruvalluvar, [2]Mayan in Tamil literature, [3]Bharathiyin Pannokku Paarvai [Poetry],[4] Thiru Manthirathil Oru Manthiram , [5] Dr. Vaasthu Vinjani Sthapathy Ganapathy Valkai Varalaru, [6]Ainthirama Ainthirrama ? Ore Aaivu., [7] Vunarvum Ninaivum [ Poetry]. 

Conclusion:  Dr. kesava Subbiah  also payed a vital role for the total development of his Visvakarma community. he served as the  general Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Viswakarma Seva sangam . He also served as the president of  Bharathiyar Sangam  and Thirumanthira Aaivu kazhaham of KK Dist, Dr K. Subbiah also served as the Director of Viswa karma Educational Trust, KK dist,  He enrolled and continued as the life member of the Kanyakumari District Tamil Writers Welfare Association. He also served as the President of the Brama Gnana Sabai, Kanyakuamri district. with great distinction.  He proved himself as an efficacious journalist by seving as the Editor and publisher of  V.K. Seithi Malar . Out of his spontaneous love of Tamil he also founded Thol kappiar Paravai and served as its president in an enviable manner. He loved Tamil  language and Tamil people . He was a great humanitarian and championed the the cause of equality, human dignity and fraternity among all human beings. He had conducted many inportant Thirukural conferences and Tamil Research conferences and had presided and presented many valuble research papers in thse conferences. This Article will not not have enough space to record all his literary, intellectual and soical contributions. So long as Thirukural will be remembered Thirukural Dr kesava Subbiah will also remembered. He was really a remarkable Tamilan.
By. P. Babu Manoharan , M.A.[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be modified, enlarged and corrected later if needed ].

Tamil Scholar,Connoisseur, Founder of Thirukural Aaivumaiyam and Kumari kalai kazhaham, Author of much debated book 'Thenpandi Thantha Thiruvalluvar' , Dr. Kesava Subbiah . Part . B.

Thiru kesava Subbiah's wife and Children and their families:  Thiru kesava Subbiah married a modest and lovely lady by name Ms. U. Rajeswari without any dowry in line with his progressive thinking. . Mrs Rajeswari Subbiah also worked as a teacher. Thiru Kesava Subbiah and Mrs Rajeswari Subbiah led a blissful conjugal life and this couple was blessed with two sons namely S. Velkumar and S. Suresh Kumar . Thiru Subbiah's  eldest son,S. Velkumar M. A, is working as Health Inspector, Government of Tamil Nadu and his wife Mrs Dr.K.R. Beena Velkumar, M.A, M.Phil, Ph.D, is working as a Teacher at the famous SBI Junior College, Anna Nagar, Chennai .  Mr. S.Velkumar couple's son S.V. Akash stood first in Tamil Nadu, in Karnatic music state level competition conducted for the Higher Secondary.School students. Mr K. Subbiah's second son Mr.S. Suresh Kumar, B.Com, is working with Muthoot Finance and Suresh's wife Mrs Senthil Kumari Suresh is also working with Muthoot Finance. and this couple is blessed with two brilliant children and Janani one of these two  children bagged the prestigious  Little Scholar Award while she was doing her LKG .  Thiru kesava Subbiah was very proud of his brilliant grandchildren and loved them so much.

                              
               Thirukural Dr. Kesava Subbiah with his wife Mrs. U. Rajeswari Subbiah


Dr. Kesava Subbiah's early struggles and teaching career : . Thiru Kesava Subbiah started his teaching career as a Varanda Tuition Master in 1958. in Ponmudi estate, then with the help of the Estate workers he started a Primary School in the  Ponmudi Estate , Kerala ,  and started a handwritten Tamil magazine by name , 'Vazhkai Choozhal' and he himself distributed the hand written news letter to the people. In this juncture an Ex Minister of Labour, Kerala Government  appointed Thiru Kesava Subbiah as Secretary of a Trade Union consisting of workers from 12 estates with a total membership of 40000 laborers.  During this period as the Secretary of the Trade Union he conducted a strike and as a result he lost his job in the estate. He returned to Palliyady and started a Tutorial  in Palliyadi and simultaneously he studied for his Tamil Vidhuvan Course and passed his Tamil Vidhuvan Course in 1959, from the University of Kerala. . After having passed his Tamil Vidhuvan Course he got an appointment as a Tamil Teacher in the famous St. John Vianney's Covent,Palliyadi in 1959. . In 1960 Thiru Kesava Subbiah joined St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Asaripallam as a Tamil Teacher . He was an efficacious Tamil teacher and inspiring guide to his students, he loved teaching;and  for nearly 32 years he was serving the cause of education with sincere devotion, dedication, involvement and interest. During his teaching career he read hundreds of books and enriched his mind with valuable information and innovative ideas.

Thiru kesava Subbiah  and Thirukural: Thiru Kesava Subbiah loved Thirukural so much and sincerely longed to dissipate the wisdom and message of Thrurukural to all the people and so he founded Thirukural Aaivumaiyam [ Thirukural Research Centre ] at Nagercoil. in 1996 and he served as the Founder President of this Thirukural  Research Centre till he breathed his last. He regularly conducted a monthly meeting at a small conference hall near Maniadichan Koil,  north of Meenankshipuram, Nagercoil  and invited Tamil Scholars and Researchers  to speak on a selected Chapter from Thirukural regularly and the interaction part of the meetings were used to be very interesting, inspiring and of high order.
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As we know there exist many controversial and different opinions about the birth place of Thiruvalluvar among the Historians and Tamil Researchers.  Thiruvalluvar is generally and traditionally believed to have born at Mylapore, Chennai. At this context we are bound to notice the view expressed by the well known historian and researcher Dr. S. Padmanabhan; and according to Dr S. Padmanabhan, Thiruvalluvar the author of Thirukural, was born at Thruunainar Kurichi near kadapatiinam in Kanyakumari District. The honorable former President of India Dr.APJ. Abdul Kalam on 25th may 2009 during his interview to Dinamalr tamil daily,  he requested the Tamil Scholars and Historians to do necessary research to finalize the birth place of Thiruvalluvar,  In response to Dr. APJ Kalam's reasonable request, Dr. Kesava Subbiah has written his epoch making research book , THENPANDI THANTHA THIRUVALLUVAR[Nagercoil, 2014, Total pages  228]]and has concluded his research on Thiruvalluvar's birhth place  with a candid conclusion  that Thiruvalluvar was born at THIRUMADAVIZHAHAM KURATHIARAI, village that lies adjacent and south of "KEERANKULAM" village and east of the historical Azhahiyapandipuram village in Thovali Taluk, Kanyakumai Dist.  But unfortunately the historical and literary importance of the cute tiny village KEERANKULAM  has not been explored, visited and researched by the historians and researchers so far. More than one hundred Researchers have given their reviews to this iconic book of Dr. Kesava Subbiah. Dr. A. Govinda Pillai former Principal of Puthukottai Mamannar College and historian has said in his review that he acknowledges KORATHIARAI as the birth place of Thiruvalluvar  and agrees with Dr. Kesava Subbiah in this regard.

[ Even though the difference of opinion found between Thirukural Dr. kesava Subiah and  researcher Dr. S. Padmanabhan still remains to be solved,  the people of Kanyakuamri district can be proud and happy that both of them agree that Thiruvalluvar was born in Kanyakumari district not in Mylapore, Chennai. Research is a continuous process.]
Part Final will follow soon.
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A, .[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected later if needed].

Tamil Scholar, Connoisseur, Founder of Thirukural Aaivumaiyam and Kumari Kalaikazhaham, Author, Star of Asia Thirukural Dr. Kesava Subbiah . Part - A.

Introduction; The great Tamil Scholar and Researcher Thirukural Dr. Kesava Subbiah, the founder of Thirukural Aaivumaiyam [Thirukural Research Centre] and Kumari Kalaikazhaham, Nagercoil  and the author of the epoch making book, ,"Thenpandithantha Thiruvallur" is no more with us physically but his indelible memory still haunts our memories and he lives in our thoughts.. He loved Thirukural wholeheartedly and lived for the cause of spreading the message of Thirukural to all human beings. We can rarely come across a person who loved Thiru Valluvar and his book Thirukural like our Thirukural K. Subbiah. Kanyakumari district is really proud of Thirukural Kesva Subbiah , and so long as people remember Thirukural, people will also remember Thirukurla Dr. kesava Subbiah . We can call him a prominent, unique and shimmering milestone in the social, artistic and literary history of Kanyakumari District and Tamil Nadu. 

His Parents and Birth:  Some time ago at a pleasant village called Palliyadi [ Vilavancode taluk, KK Dist ] A Tamil gentle man by name Thiru C. Kesavan Achari was living happily with his beloved wife Mrs Bagavathiammal and as a blessing of their conjugal life a smart and intelligent boy child was born to this couple on 24th August 1931,.and this couple christened their boy, 'Subbiah'. .

                                

                                         Thirukural Dr. Kesava Subbiah 

Education :  Thiru Kesava Subbiah did his Primary School Education at his native village Palliyadi and did his High School education at a  famous High School at Kattathurai [SSLC-1952].  He did his FA [ Intermediate Course ] at the famous ST Hindu College , Nagercoil during 1955-1957. Since childhood Thiru Kesava Subbiah loved Tamil so much and so he studied and passed his Tamil Vidhuvan course from the University of Kerala with flying colors in 1959.  He longed to become a Teacher and accordingly he passed his B.Ed examination [ Madras University ] . In tune with his thirst for knowledge he continued his education and passed his M.A[History] from the University of Madras and  M.A [ Tamil] from Madurai Kamaraj University.  He was a born Artist and so in line with his natural flair for drawing and Art he passed the 'Drawing Master Certificate'  Course conducted by the Government of Tamil Nadu. He was a multifaceted personality ,  he was a brilliant Violinist, Palmist, Astrologer, Drama Director,  Actor, Editor, Connoisseur, Social Thinker, Orator, Organizer and so on .
Part B will follow soon.
By P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,.[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged , modified, and corrected later if needed].

Award Winning Journalist, winner of the prestigious Cry Media Fellowship, Photographer, Writer, Social Researcher Ms.Sangeetha Neeraja, B.Sc, M.S.W, M.Sc [ UK]. Part Final

  

Sangeetha Neeraja's Higher Education in UK : Quest for knowledge has been Sangeetha's unquenchable thirst since her early childhood. and this quest for knowledge has been doing all the difference in her life. She wanted and decided to do her higher Education in a reputed University in the United Kingdom and accordingly she applied to Swansea University, Wales, UK and she was selected and given a scholarship of excellence and she pursued her M.Sc in [ Social Research Methods] in the Swansea University, UK [2015-2016 ]. This Program has Research Training [ RT ], accreditation from the Economic and Social Research Council [ESRC ], of UK, and ESRC is the UK's top Research and Training agency addressing economic and social concerns . She also did a a module in Criminology. as a part of her studies  She  meritoriously passed her M.Sc [ Social research methods] in high first class [ with Merit] in June 2016  from the department of Public Health, Policy and Social Sciences of Swansea University. Swansea University has been adjudged as the 3rd  best in the UK in the subject category of Social Policy and Administration by the Guardian University Guide 2017, which ranks the Universities in UK . As part II of the course curriculum Sangeetha submitted a dissertation titled , "Poverty Policy Making --The Distance traveled : A Narrative View of the last 25 Years This path breaking study addressed the key question, how have the various Poverty approaches led to the measures and definition of poverty globally and also in the UK and India during the last 25 years. 


                                          


                                                    
                                                           Sangeetha Neeraja


At Present ; Sangeetha is a promising entrepreneur and has co-founded a Company in UK.

                          
                                              Photo by Sangeetha  Neeraja
Conclusion :  A notable number of Sangeetha Neeraja's Articles and Stories that appeared in the English Dailies like the New Indian Express over the time had been used as reference by many Research students in their thesis and dissertations, and also have been used in many Compilations of National Reports on Human Rights,  and by NGOs of both national and international, and also by Committees and Bodies which work on Social Justice, Child Rights and Human Rights.   Every line she writes the Writer  in herself  spontaneously comes out.from those words. She has also worked as an editorial member and Project Coordinator of the Gourmet Guide, Chennai 2007 [ Pages 218 +] brought out by the Indian Express. She has also authored a Biography of a Leprosy Activist of international repute , which is yet to be published. She loves photography and gardening so much and she is a creative and talented photographer. Those who have known her expect still greater achievements from her in the days to follow.  Unrelenting positive thinking is the most predominant trait of her personality.

By. P.Babu Manonoharan, M.A,.[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged , modified and corrected later if needed].

Winner of Laadli Media Award, CRY Media Fellowship, Delegation Member Of Journalists who visited Srilanka after the War on the invitation of the Govt of Srilanka, Ms.Sangeetha Neeraja, MSW, M.Sc [UK}. Part B.

Sangeetha Neeraja and her Marriage:    Ms.Sangeetha Neeraja married Mr. Sanjit Daniel , son of Mr Rodney Daniel, B.Sc {Agri] and Ms. Annie Daniel, B.A, [ Mr. Rodney Daniel is the second son of the famous Lawyer Shri. Packia Raj, BA, BL,and Ms Annie Daniel is a granddaughter of the renowned Parliamentarian Marshal A.Nesamony ,B.A, B.L,, Ex. M.P ]. Mr. Sanjit Daniel is a Software Programmer and Entrepreneur and currently resides in London.

Her journalistic career: Natural flair for writing has been Sangeetha's  inherent trait and inclination.  In line with her innate aspirations and goal in 2005 she joined the famous Indian Express [Business Division ] as Correspondent, in Chennai for the following magazines , Express Travel World, Express Aviation World, Express Hospitality, Express Pharma and Express Healthcare and continued in the same job till she did quit the job in 2008. In 2008 she joined the famous Times of India as News Reporter and in the same year she  resigned the job and joined the New Indian Express, Chennai [2008-2013 ] as a News Reporter and continued as News Reporter till she resigned her job in 2013..

                                               
                                    Sangeetha Neeraja, B.Sc. MSW, M.S[UK].

While working with these leading national English News papers as news Reporter/ Correspondent she had written  on a whole range of human interests over a decade . She has cogently and extensively covered and reported on Woman, Girl Children, Lesbians and the abuses they suffer in silence . She has given voice to the marginalized children, tribal people, slum dwellers, differently abled, bonded laborers, children of coastal dwellers, child abuse victims, child laborers, children affected by HIV + , migrant laborers , dispossessed rural children, neglected girl children and so on.  Naturally the sensational reports and stories written by her got the attention of many social thinkers, readers and social organization and she was recognized by deserving Media Awards and Media Fellowship.

                      
Sangeetha Neeraja[L] receives Laadli Media Award[ 2010-2011]in Bangalore, from Parvathi Menon[ The Hindu Bureau Chief, Bangalore]

She Won Laadli Media Awards Twice: Sangeetha Neeraja won the UNFPA[ United Nations Population Fund] supported , "Laadli Media Award " for gender sensitivity given by the Population First in the consecutive years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 [ Southern Region- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Pondichery ] in the category of Print Media  . In 2010-2011, the Laadli Media Award was given to her for the story   , "City's Suicide Point" in the category , Print Media- English Best feature. In 2011-2012 the  Laadli Media Award was given to her in the category of Print Media- English Best Feature for a collection of her stories on pavement dwellers,Trans-men[Woman-man], lesbian woman, Hiv+ woman and the stigma they suffer when they seek health care.


                           

Sangeetha Neeraja Receives Laadli Media Award[ 2011-2012- Southern Division,in Trivandrum , from the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Kerala 

She was selected for the CRY Media Fellowship [2011-2012]:  She was one of the two Journalists selected by the CRY [ Child Rights and You] in 2011-2012 in the whole of India for the prestigious, "Growing Up in War"   Media Fellowship [Rs. One Lakh + travel expenses]  for working Journalists to study the impact of conflict on children ,women, communities at the Maoist Conflict Area in India . As a part of the Fellowship she traveled deep into the most backward hinterland of Telegana [a part of then Andra Pradesh] and Gadchiroll district of Maharashtra in India and reported the Stories she saw , heard, and observed on issues like , Malnutrition, Healthcare , Addiction to Toddy, Mass Migration in search of livelihood, , Quality of education in single teacher schools, . Displacement and resettlement of the Chenchu tribal people, question of safe drinking water, and rebuilding life/lives after a decade of displacement due to police violence , were explored by her.

Nirangal Award and Sangeetha Neeraja:  In 2012, Sangeetha won the famous Nirangal Award for the excellence in journalistic coverage of LGBT[ Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender] issues for Sensitivity and in-depth reportage

She Visited Columbo , Srilanka as a Member Delegation of Journalists after the War:  Sangeetha Neeraja was a part the Delegation of Journalists[ She represented the New Indian Express]  from India who visited Columbo, Srilanka after the ethnic conflict war, on an initiative taken by the Government of  Srilanka as they showcased the Post War. An official dinner was hosted to the Delegation Members by the  then first lady of Srilanka,  .
Part Final will follow soon
By. P. Babu Manoharan , M.A,.[ All the rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected later if needed].

Winner of Laadli Media Award Twice 2010-2011 & 2011-2012 , Prestigious CRY Media Fellowship 2011-2012, Nirangal Award [2012]. Ms. Sangeetha Neeraja , B.Sc, MSW, M.Sc [ UK}. . Part A.

Introduction Ms. Sangeetha Neeraja, B.Sc, M.S.W, M.Sc [ Swansea University U.K] had served as News Reporter in some of the well known national  English News Papers like Indian Express, Times of India and the New Indian Express for nearly a decade and had won the following prestigious media awards, "Laadli Media Award" [2010-2011 and 2011-2012],  Growing Up in War--"CRY Media Fellowship" [2011-2012] to study the impact of conflict on children, women and communities at Maoist conflict area and "Nirangal Award"in 2012 for excellence in Journalistic coverage of LGBT.  She was/is well appreciated for her splendid aesthetic sense and exemplary photographic skill. Definitely her accomplishment in the field of development journalism as an impartial, fearless and efficacious News Reporter/ Journalist will inspire many youth and young journalists of the globe. Definitely she is one of the outstanding journalistic milestones from our Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. 
                                                  

                                      Sangeetha Neeraja .B.Sc, M.S.W,  M.S[ UK ].


Her Birth, Parents and Siblings :  Sangeetha Neeraja was born as the eldest daughter to Mr P. Babu Manoharan and Mrs Ann Vanitha on  12th January 1975 at Nagercoil . Sangeetha's brother Praveen Reuben is living in United kingdom with his wife Heroline Reuben  and two daughters Michelle Reuben and Rachel Reuben and her younger sister Anuraga Vimal is also living in United kingdom with her husband Mr. Vimal  and daughter Varsha Vimal.

Her Education in India :  Ms Sangeetha Neeraja did her high School and higher Secondary School education at the famous Duthie Higher secondary School, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India.  She did her B.Sc [ Chemistry- 1992- 1995 ] at the prestigious Holy Cross College, Nagercoil.[ Manonmaniam Sundaranar University] . While she was doing her studies at the Holy Cross College she served as the Secretary of the Chemistry  Student Association of the college[ 1994- 1995 ]and also she had the privilege to serve as the President of the Rotaract Club of Holy Cross College, Nagercoil [ 1994-1995]. She did her M. S. W [ Master of Social Work ] at the famous Bishop Heber College, Trichy  [Bharathidhasan University, Trichy]. She passed her M.S.W degree with flying colors; she stood first in her class and got 4th rank in the Bharathidhasan University. While she was doing her MSW she got a Diploma in Labour Law as a private student from Annamalai University.

Part B will follow soon 
ByP. Babu Manoharan, M.A,[ All rights are reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected later if needed ].