Alternate Vision

RUNNING FOR RAKUM

I am committed to running the half marathon in Mumbai on the 16th. January 2005 (see http://www.mumbaimarathon.indiatimes.com) for Rakum's cause --specifically, for The Blind School that he manages. My running number is 9896. I write this to request that you consider donations to the school . Income Tax ( 80G ) exemption to tax payers in India are available for such donations. I got to know about the school from Aruna; the school in which she teaches has an ongoing programme with the students of the Rakum School for the Blind. All of us are keen to help in whatever way we can. I am running a 21.097 Km appeal and am determined to do it in 3 hours or less. My personal satisfaction in running the distance in good time will be complete if this appeal generates some funds for Sri Rakum School for the Blind. If you feel that Rakum needs wider support, and know of anyone who is prepared to help, I would thank you to forward this communication to them as well.

Rakum is a karate Black Belt ( 5e Dan) holder who was trained by the late Sosai Mas Oyama (1923-1994), the founder of the Kyokushin Kai School of Karate. He has distinguished himself in the art and has held positions such as the Chairman of the Indian Karate Association and the Chairman of the International Karate Association for South -East Asia. He has taught Karate in India and in Japan and came to live in Bangalore in 1984. From one who started by teaching karate to physically challenged children, he has now moved on to reach out, in his own way, to the underprivileged in and around Bangalore. I consider his efforts to be both very uncommon and extremely laudable -- as much for his total dedication to the cause as for the self reliance that he inculcates in the students of his school. They cook, clean, wash, repair, fetch and carry and engage in every conceivable activity that is required to maintain and run the school.

Sri Rakum School for the Blind, situated in Indiranagar, Bangalore was established in 1998 and is a residential school for the economically underprivileged and the visually challenged. It is a school registered with the Government of Karnataka. The school now has about 130 students, about half of whom are visually impaired boys and girls. The school employs 4 teachers; they need to employ more. All other instructors at the school are volunteers, many of them part-time; they could do with some full-time ones. Besides education, board, lodge and clothing are provided free of cost to the children of this school. Classes range from nursery to end of school and classes are taken up to the BA and MA levels as well. For more information on the school, you may log on to http://www.rakumschools.com ( The website has not been updated for two years)

Rakum manages another school in Devenahalli ( of international airport fame, 36 Km from Indiranagar) for the economically weak sections of the community there. This school has 210 students , many of whom are children of quarry workers. This school, which provides free nursery and 1st standard education, mid-day meals and school uniforms to 3- 5 year olds was started in 2003 to meet pressing local needs. The Indiranagar school will ultimately move to the Devenahalli campus and will be expanded to provide better computer facilities, a college for the underprivileged visually impaired and perhaps an R & D Centre for the schools alumni.

Rakum helps elderly destitute women by regularly providing rations, clothing and Rs 100 to 127 of them every month

Funds for the above activities are channeled through a charitable trust of which Rakum is the sole trustee. M/s Singhvi Dev & Unni, Bangalore are the auditors of the Trust. Rakum is fond of saying that "the Management Committee of the Trust consists of God, you and me". Costs are met entirely through private donations in cash and kind. The Trust does not have any funding from Government and there is no permanent funding arrangement with Institutions or NGOs.

Subject to my completing the half marathon ( evidence of which will be made available to you ) I suggest that you seriously consider making a donation to Rakum's Trust through a demand draft or cheque payable in Bangalore and drawn in favour of Sri Rakum School for the blind" the payment may be sent directly to :

Sri Rakum school for the blind
421 / 1 Sri Krishna Temple Road
Indiranagar, Stage I, Bangalore 560038
Tel : (91)80-25215253 / 25215705

You will get a receipt from the school with the details that you need for your 80 G claim

The amount that you wish to donate is entirely up to you. However, Rakum has given me the following which may be useful to you in making your decision:

1.. Rs 600 will meet annual education expenses for one child
2.. Rs 900 will provide one child with clothing for a year
3.. Rs 1000 can sponsor a days' breakfast for all the schools' children
4.. Rs 2000 can sponsor either lunch or dinner / day for the schools' children
5.. Rs 3000 will provide a child with food and education for a year
6.. Rs 5750 will provide all the schools' children with Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & snacks and Dinner ( ie all meals) for a day

The attachment contains press interviews with Rakum that have appeared in the past few years. You may want to read them to know more about the man and his philosophy, about the schools and the way they are run.

Warm regards and seasons greetings

Krishna Chidambi

# posted by Surya Swamy : 10:47 AM