THEN INDIA SANMARGA IKYA SANGAM ANNOUNCES THE SAD DEMISE OF ITS SECRETARY GENERAL, MR. MUNI RATHNAM REDDY.

20th December 1943 – 23rd October 2006
The National Secretary General of Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam of Fiji died peacefully at his home on Monday the 23rd day of October 2006 at approximately 1.30pm.

Mr. Reddy who became the Secretary General after the retirement of the Late Mr. N K Naidu has been involved in Sangam in various capacities. He was the Secretary of the Suva District for several years and was very active in the religious and cultural affairs of the Suva Mariamman Kovil. He was also involved in educational matters affecting Suva Sangam School.

Mr. Reddy was a devout Hindu and a family man, very involved in Sangam activities as a true volunteer. His commitment and involvement in the social, charitable, religious and educational work of Sangam at all levels is to be greatly admired.

He was with FTIB prior to his retirement and brought a wealth of experience and knowledge in his job as Secretary General. His new and innovative ideas added greater impetus to Sangam’s work in the 21st Century.

Mr. Reddy is survived by his wife, a son, daughter in law and a grandson not to mention his large extended family.

The National President of T. I. S. I. Sangam of Fiji, together with the National Executives, members of the Central Council, Executives and members of TIV and TIM Sangam, the teachers, staff and management of all Sangam Schools and Temples are deeply saddened by the passing away of Thiru Muni Rathnam Reddy.

Funeral took place from his residence at Malolo Nadi on Thursday the 26th day of October 2006.

A very large crowd made of members of various Sangam Branches from Suva, Nasinu, Navua, Nadroga, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, RakiRaki, Tavua and Labasa attended the final rites. Other prominent mourners were staff from FTIB including its Chairman Mr Joe Singh, staff from the ANZ Bank, staff from Williams & Goslings, Carpenters Shipping, Reddy Group of Companies, Sheraton Hotels together with the numerous village members. Almost all his friends and relatives attended the funeral and paid respect.

The eulogies were delivered by Mr. D S Naidu the National President of TISI Sangam, Mr Sanjeev Mudaliar, the Secretary of Suva Sangam, Mr Pillay a relative of Salovi and Mr Joe Singh.

“He who has taken the bold step of coming to me
Will find happiness and peace.”
- GITA

OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE ALWAYS WITH HIM AND HIS FAMILY.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE

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Volume 1 18 December, 2004 Issue iii

EDITORIAL………..
This is the third issue of Sangam Sanmarga Jyothi. The intention of this newsletter is to disseminate news and information on the activities of Sangam to members and well wishers of Sangam. The newsletter also provides a medium to our readers to contribute materials and also to simply provide their views and comments on Sangam. However, it is regrettable that very few responses have been received so far.
It is an accepted norm that the success of any newsletter depends on how well it is received by its readers and their reactions to various news and views contained in it. The editorial board can only provide limited information. It is therefore, extremely important that readers also make contributions.
So please readers if you have any material which is relevant and is for the well being of Sangam and its membership forward it to us. Contributions on issues relating to education, religion, culture, language, etc. will be more than welcome. We assure that we will endeavour to publish your contributions in the Sangam Sanmarga Jyothi. Any article which is judged by the editors to be of quality will be published in the souvenir programme which is published during Sangam Annual Convention.

Please forward your materials on the following address :-

P.O.Box 9, Nadi; or
Fax : 6703777; or
Email : sangam@connect.com.fj :
Email : munireddy@connect.com.fj.

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SANGAM MOVES TO ESTABLISH A NURSING SCHOOL

Upon Government’s approval Then India Sanmarga Ikya has moved in a business like manner to set up the school in Labasa. This being a national project and is a tertiary institution it falls within the ambit of Sangam Institute of Technology which is also the managing authority of the Sangam School of Nursing. Sangam has
been fortunate to acquire the services of

Mr Ashok Mani, the Principal of Nadi SKM College, who has been seconded to Sangam Institute of Technology as its CEO specially to oversee the establishment of the nursing school apart from other duties he is required to perform for SIT. The development so far have been very encouraging. Interviews fot Tutors have been completed together with the shortlisting of students. With the current rate of progress we are hopeful that school will open late March 2005.
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SANGAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

A. SIT proposes to carry out projects and activities in the following three areas:
a.Department of health sciences:- two projects are to be undertaken-
i.Nursing – Labasa
ii.Health care – Sangam Village, Lautoka
b.Department of Research, Development and Training
i.Cultural dance training; currently in RakiRaki, but will be extended to other centres
ii.Workshops in floral art, baking and South Indian dishes will be conducted in the district centres.
c.Department of Technical Vocational
Education
i.Doing feasibility studies to escalate development in Penang to a National Engineering Training Centre

ii.Exploring possibilities of commencing Hotel and Catering course at Sangam Village

B.Glimpse of SIT activities
i.Floral Art.
The first workshop was conducted at SSKMC in Nadi in November.

Two workshops are planned for Penang and Sangam Village in early
January 2005.

ii.Botanical Garden
a.Planting of cuttings has begun for the development of a Botanical garden in Nawai farm

iii.Cultural Dances
Ms Chandrani Pillay has been appointed a full time classical dance teacher. Her first assignment is at the Penang Centre. Thanks to the Principal, TIMS and the Manager Mr. Manikam Gounder for facilitating the classes.

Penang Sangam Dance class
iv. Workshop for development of Tertiary Education.
This was jointly organised by the Director Sangam Education Board,
Mr Raman and CEO SIT Mr. Ashok Mani at the Waterfront Hotel. There were preliminary discussions on how we will progress over the next 5years to develop Tertiary Education for Sangam.

SANGAM ANNUAL CONVENTION 2005

The Annual Convention of Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam in 2005 will be held in Suva over the Easter holidays from 25 to 28 March. Suva Branch is the host for this Convention and has already proceeded to make all necessary preparations. The Sangam conventions have turned out to be grand affairs with large turnout of members. The host branch, under difficult circumstances, is expected to provide all comfort and satisfy the needs of each member. This indeed is a mammoth task and therefore, requires the goodwill and corporation of all concerned, specially so from all TISI, TIV and Maathra Sangam branches to make the convention a success.
All branches are requested to send their requirements to the Organising Committee at their earliest. For more information please contact Suva Branch on the following :-
Phone : 338257/3387311
Fax :
For your information the principal office bearers of the Convention Organising committee are :-
Mr Narain Sami Goundar - Organising Chairman
Mr Sanjeev Mudaliar - Secretary
Mr Sunil Kumar - Treasurer.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS OF BRANCHES

The Rules and Guidelines of the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam stipulate that all affiliates of Sangam including all district branches, village branches, school committees, temple committees, other institutions, etc. should hold their Annual General Meetings before the annual convention of Sangam. In the past years some affiliates were in the habit of not holding their AGM within the stipulated time frame, thus causing a lot of difficulties in the proper management of the said branch, school, temple or an institution and was a cause of disputes and disagreements within the membership of the branches. In view of this the Central Council has decided that any branch, institution, temple, school, etc. being a subsidiary of Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, without any valid reason, does not hold its AGM within the stipulated time frame, then the Central Council will take over control and hand over to a nominated executive committee to manage the affairs of that branch, institution, temple, school, etc. until such time a proper AGM is held.
All branches, schools, temples of Sangam are therefore, asked to hold their AGMs within the stipulated time frame to avoid any difficulties. You are advised to contact the Head Office if you need any assistance.
All schools should also note that the Ministry of Education will release grants only upon receiving audited annual accounts and the minutes of the AGM. So every effort should be made to hold the AGM in time.

THAI POOSAM AT SRI SUBRAMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE
Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple is a declared national temple of Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, is one of the oldest and the largest temples in Fiji. This Temple is the pride of Sangam and a popular place of worship for Hindus from all over Fiji and other countries.
The major annual religious festival held at the Temple is the Thai Poosam which in 2005 will be observed from 20 – 30 January. This is one time when Hindus of all denominations from all over Fiji and oversees flock to the Temple in large numbers to the Temple to offer their prayers to Lord Sri Subramanya.
Traditionally all branches and affiliates of Sangam participate and contribute towards the organisation of this popular annual religious event. The branches ensure that they do not hold any event, particularly during the second weekend of the festival to enable their members to travel to Nadi and participate in the pooja ceremonies.
The Board of Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple extends a warm invitation to all devotees to visit the Temple during the religious festival to offer their prayers and be blessed by Lord Subramanya.