Badagas of the Blue Mountains

Dr.Rajammal, the Badaga “Lady with the Magic Lamp” informs that there is a wonderful opening opening at TATA company.

She can help you reach there. Contact her at +91 9841357720

The ever helpful lady, Dr.Rajammal, whose two eyes are Education & Service, can be reached

at +91 9841357720

Like any society or community in our country, women are not given the equal importance. Badagas are no exception. But of late, it is heartening to note that in their own way there are many Badaga women who are doing a great service in many fields.

The greatest Badaga leader Ari Gowder always felt that women empowerment through education is very important. He believed that girls/daughters should be given equal share in property. And he ensured that by dividing his vast property by giving equal share to his daughter in law and two grand daughters along with the grandson. This he did it seventy years back in 1950s.

The initiative of starting a Facebook group known as Badaga Mandha Women is doing a great service by discussing many issues. In one of the recent discussion on NGO Management , Anuja Jaishree Arun conducted an excellent Zoom session with the ever inspirational Dr. Rajamma about whom I have written a lot in our website http://www.badaga.co which is touching almost 800,000 hits. A big thank you for all the visitors for keeping me motivated.

It is with much happiness and pride that we give the youtube link here.

https://fb.watch/8mdB5wCxg

I have written about the Badaga Lady from Kethorai, Dr.Rajammal who has been an inspiration to many. As a teacher, social activist and motivational speaker, she has achieved many laurels including the coveted “Best Teacher” award from the President of India and the ‘Dronacharya Award‘ to name just two of the twenty plus awards she has received so far. She was conferred a Doctorate by an USA University.

A book on her, The Lady with the Magic Lamp, by Dr.Aswathy Rajan & Manju K Manohar has proved to be a runaway success receiving rave reviews. Presently she is associated with the NGO Sarvalayam that runs an orphanage home for elderly and girl children.

Dr.Rajamma, we are very proud of you!

The Podhigai TV channel telecast an interview with her on 26 Sep 2021. A must see inspirational video.

Read about the book launch

Rao Bahadur Ari Gowder 50th death anniversary Song Competition – Results

Hearty Congratulations to all the winners. But in fact, it is a big win for the Badaga community since we have discovered the fact that there are so many young, some are indeed very young, singers who are going to be our future treasures. In my opinion, each and every participant is a winners. Our best wishes to them.

Advisory Committee

There are no words to greet and convey our thanks to Ramakrishan and his team in the Nakkubetta TV who have proved that we can conduct such a competition completely online, and make it digitally a great success. The two pillars of this competition are of course, Melur G Rama and Shanthi Deisingh ( who, though based in USA, has given her time and efforts completely). Congratulations to also, to all judges for their great work..

My humble thanks to my colleagues in the advisory committee, IAS Sundradeva, ISRO Bhojaraj and Godalatty Singha Sadhu.

An happy ending indeed. On behalf of Rao Bahadur HB Ari Gowder family, especially my wife Tara, son Abhimanyu Ari and daughter Pakshalika Nanji, I thank Nakkubetta TV, Ramakrisha in particular, for making the Ari Gowder’s 50th Death anniversary year, remarkable and memorable.

You would have  been 109 today!

A journey that was extraordinary ! A life full of challenges !!

But you never gave up !

The steely determination with which you faced  fate and life, is an inspiration for many generations!!

Happy birthday to Mrs.Idyammal [Idy Hethe], wherever you are!!

The book on Dr. Rajammal by Manju K Manohar and Dr. Aswathy Rajan was formally launched yesterday, coinciding with our 75th Independence Day.

THE LADY WITH THE MAGIC LAMP: The Real Life Story of a National Awardee

(Most of the information about the book has been taken from the net, from the pages of the book as they appear in Google Books and the credit goes to the authors themselves – Wg Cdr JP)

Dr. Aswathy Rajan, Manju K Manohar

Read “What impressed me most about Dr. Rajammal – Dr. Aswathy“

What impressed me most about Dr. Rajammal – Manju

This is a real-life inspirational story of a National Awardee Dr. R. Rajammal (India). She was born in a remote village in the Badaga Community. Against all odds, she achieved success after escaping from a child marriage. She became the first lady from her village to go to college. She is the first lady from the Badaga Community to secure National Award for Best Teacher (India). She was ridiculed as a child as she was a bit dark-skinned. She fought discrimination with determination, turned pain into power and after attaining success, she did not forget to help others. She is an ardent social worker and is now living in Sarvalayam (a home for orphans and destitute elders), mentoring the youngsters and serving the elderly. She is very kind & empathetic. She believes in the Joy of Giving.

You can access a few pages of the book on Google Books – here

The ebook which is available online on kindle can be purchased for Rs.75/-

The paperback is available soon in Amazon / Flipkart

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Rajamma is a shinning example of courage and determination. But treated, rather shabbily by our community for marrying from outside. Though the marriage lasted only for a year, she was separated from her husband permanently. But the Badaga community, her village people specifically, did not accept and prevented her from entering the hatti. But undeterred she went on to become a National Awardee (President’s Medal for Best Teacher) and many more awards. Her work has been recognised around the world. She was conferred a Doctorate by an USA University too.

This book is a must read for Badagas, especially the women folk.

“Together, WE all can make this a better World”

The biographical book on Dr. R Rajammal, a Badaga & National Awardee, “The Lady With The Magic Lamp”, being released on 15th Aug 2021. I have written many posts on this lady with lots of determination, grit and guts who fought many hurdles on her way to achieve success.

We wish the launch of the book authored by Dr Aswathy Rajan and Manju K Manohar a great success.

Dr Rajammal is a lady, who was born in a remote village of Nilgiris of South India. She narrowly escaped being married of as a child and went on to create history by becoming the first woman from her Badaga community to win a National Award (Best Teacher).Life was not at all a bed of roses for little Raji. At each stage of her life she had to overcome multiple challenges to reach the pinnacles of success. She is an eminent social worker. Learn what she had in her magic lamp, with which she used to overcome the obstacles. Authors : Dr Aswathy Rajan and Manju K Manohar

Results of Badaga Kathe Gamalu – First round

Congratulations to the winners and to all the participants, especially to the ‘Kuttee Pappus’ under the age of 9.

Each one of you, who participated in this contest, is a winner.

Great effort by the judges, including the ever green singers and Chief Judges Shanti Desingh & G Raman ( both from Sholur) and most importantly Nakkubetta TV Ramakrishna and his excellent ‘tech savy’ team.

I am honoured to be in the Advisory committee of Sundradeva (IAS), Dr.Bhojaraj (ISRO) and Singan Sadhu (Banker).

I am humbled to realise that I was the originator of this idea that has become a talking point now.

Wishing all the first rounder winners many more success in the rounds that follow.

Chief Judges

Judges

Porthy Mani, Mynale Bhojraj, Naduhatty Manigandan, Peduva Raman, Mel Kowhatty Sai Prasad,

Thuneri Murugan, Chinna Coonoor Prema, Kodhumudi K R Manigandan,

Thuneri Rajkumar, Midhene Dinesh, Annikorai Mano

Advisory Committee

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The man who is responsible for the grand success of this Competition is

N N Ramakrishnan of Nakkubetta TV

I was watching Ramakrishna’s “Badaga Kathe Gamalu” on a friday evening. He was talking to Kattabettu Naduhatti Maniganda. That was the time we, my wife Tara (Ari Gowder’s grand daughter and I (Ari Gowder’s sister Idyammal’s son) wondering how to pay homage to the greatest leader of Badagas Rao Bahadur H B Ari Gowder as his 50th Death Anniversary was coming (28th Jun 2021). I sent a message to Ramakrishna suggesting a Badaga Kathe competition with old, maamule songs with a prize amount of Rs.50,000 from us. He didn’t even take a few seconds to say why not as the idea stuck a nerve deep down. Initially it was a prize money of Rs.5000 each to five girls and boys selected.

And once the idea was announced on the TV, it created so much of enthusiasm among the children, their parents and viewers. Many good hearted friends came forward to contribute more prize money. The scope of winners was expanded to three categories of age groups upto 8 yrs, upto17 yrs and upto 25 yrs.

Ramakrishna being a thorough professional, involved the ever green singers Solur Santhi Desingh and G. Raman and twelve well known singers/music makers as judges, that included legends like Thuneri Murugan.

To have a very fair competition that will have the best selection method with no chance for any complaints. he involved some of the well known Badaga personalities like Dr.Sundaradevan, the first and so far only IAS officer from the Badagas, Dr. Bhojaraj, a reputed and the first Badaga Space Scientist with ISRO, Mr. Singan Sadhu, a renowned banker and Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash, (the first Badaga to join Indian Air Force as an officer in 1972).

Ramakrishna , with an excellent team of highly qualified/technically savy, youngsters organised many Google Meet Ups. The judges were given the exact requirements where marks were given to participants as per talents. High levels of secrecy was maintained so that the only criteria was merit.

A total number of 156 participated with 239 songs. After streamlining there were 25 ‘baby’ singers in the age group upto 8, 77 in the age group upto 17 and 52 in the age group upto 25.

Fifteen in each age group were selected as shown above in the first round.

Mahesh Joghee Gowder from Kiyoor (Mynale) writes:

Prize of Honour

The participants who were not shortlisted should also feel proud as they have really won in this competition by contributing their voices and in turn NBTV has recognised all by showing their performance very frequently. So all of you should feel proud and say that I have competed with the star singers .

I also feel proud to be a spectator and the result also come out nicely as I shortlisted / expected. So we all should feel proud of this competition and playing a responsible role in uplifting our community in all aspects

(Mahesh from Kiyoor (Mynale) is the grandson of Late Sri Narayana Gowder and great grandson of late Sri Joghee Gowder, both were teachers, probably students of Hubbathalai Rao Bahadur Bellie Gowder School. His late father Sri. Subramanian was Chief Secretary LD Bank and Founder President of Gudalur YBA. Mahesh is presently involved in Cut Flower trading business. He says that his present ambition is to have a United Nilgiris (Badagas are already known for their hospitality)

50th Death Anniversary of Rao Bahadur H B Ari Gowder

04 – 12 – 1883 to 28 – 06 – 1971

Great Indian, Great Badaga

Homage was paid at NCMS, Compound today (28-6-2021)

see – > ARI GOWDER -the undisputed Badaga leader | Badagas of the Blue Mountains