Chitra mam Bday Gift

Having spent most of our lives together, over 39 years,I more than anyone else can recognize the inevitability ofthe force called Chitra in my life. I might have succeededin my career or as a professional, but I could never havebecome a responsible person without Chitra, my lifepartner. So, eternally grateful to whatever forces thatbrought us together.- Thulasi

As we think of Chitra: modest to a fault(though we find no fault in her), a sharp yetgentle humor, she leads by example, yet alsowith warmth. One of the finest examples ofwhy we treasure the Aravind family, thirtyyears ago we came to know her as Thulsi’sChitra, but that was misleading. Equally, itnow is clear to us. It is Chitra’s Thulsi. In afarming phrase that once was common, theyare evenly yoked. We admire such couples.Congratulations, dear Chitra,Mary and FredI remember Chitra as a Ring Master for Vishnu, when both me and Madam were away in the US. She isthe one who took responsibility of developing DTP and Communications with her innovative ideas. Wealways feel comfortable giving her any assignment either related to the family or Aravind, with the fullconfidence that she will deliver the best. I cannot believe that she is 60 and I am happy to wish her onthis very special occasion- Dr. Nam

Dear Chitra,I am not able to imagine your age as 60. Long back, my mother used to tell me to adopt you as mydaughter to serve me during my old age. To my eyes, you are still like a young person even though you are60 now.We are very proud of your role both in the family and also in the institution. In most of the areas anyhelp we need whether to improve my English, to edit any letters, to put up a stage for hospital functionor marriage, you were there to help everyone. You are a great supporter to all of us both in the family aswell as in the institution. You are a great wife for Thulasi tolerating all his travel most of the time. As amother, you have brought up your two girls in a beautiful way. You are very happy to see your childrensettled with nice husband and good children. As a grand mother, you are doing your best to bring them upin their life. I am sure you will be available still to take care of your great grandchildren in future. Butdon’t forget to keep up my mother’s promise.I always appreciate and am proud of your thinking pro-actively towards community problems likecollecting items for flood relief, to appreciate Perumalda and arranging art exhibition to make other artistand the family happy. The way you took care of his photos to distribute to various Aravind Units.You also introduced us to Mr.Manohar Devadoss, a great friend of Aravind Family. We are very proudof you. You should continue your participation in all the activities both in the family as well as in theinstitution.I wish you a healthy, long life and I am still expecting you to come and help me when I become very old!- Dr.G.Natchiar

I remember Chitra as a quiet girl, very docileand responsible. Even during her childhood,she showed herself to be very mature and non-mischievous, going always by her mother’sinstructions. And so, she will never get into anytroubles or quarrels. Happy to share this photo onthis occasion, probably one of the earliest photosof Chitra!!I am happy to wish her on this very specialoccasion.- Dr. VijayalakshmiChitra, I have known you for 35 or so years now, and it was you whointroduced me to just about everything in India! I know firsthand all thegreat work you have done and continue to do at the hospital, but that’s not what I’m going to writeabout. I met Thulsi in the 1980’s back in the USA at a time when I never had heard of Aravind, justthat I was going to be going to help in a project in India for a few weeks. I lost my baggage along theway (it eventually showed up), so I got to Madurai with nothing more than the contents of my camerabag and what I was wearing. It was you who introduced me to “India”, how to sit on the ground (ouch!),how to eat, and how to try to blend in - and just as importantly, what to avoid (behavior, food, water,and so on. Within days of my arrival you invited me to the first Indian Wedding that I had ever seen,with the trumpets blaring outside, the decorated elephants, and all the strange and wonderful goings-on,none of which I understood, but which I enjoyed photographing. This happened again and again, onwhat became many trips to India. You invited me to join a group of people who took me to the roof ofa downtown building, and watched this gigantic crowd forming, who eventually were to pull chariotsthat were as large as the buildings! That was just the first of what became many trips, all over! WhenI damaged the floor of my eye in my accident, and I was put into my “recovery room”, you were thefirst person to come to see me. I now have two families, one back in USA, and one in India, and itwas you who “adopted” me. Asa photographer, I also know theChitra who accomplishes so muchin DTP. Anyone can take a photo.Anyone can put words on a piece ofpaper, but only an artist can makeit beautiful. You take whateveris available, and create somethingbeautiful out of it - over and overand over and over again! That’ssomething people can’t learn - theyhave to be born with. Happy 60thBirthday!- Mike

The Quiet Cyclone that is Chitra Surprisingly, it was not my declining vision that took me to Aravind Eye Hospital. Contrarily it was my ‘Artistic Vision’ that brought me into the wonderful Aravind fold. But how? In April1977, my first book, ‘Green Well Years’ was published. I received a stream of appreciative letters, among these a hand written letter that I received in August struck the strongest chord in my mind. This insightful, sensitive letter with a tinge of humour was written by one Chitra Thulasiraj from Madurai. Her letter began thus: “I am half way through, your book, “Green Well years”, exactly at the point where you three heroes were totally vanquished by Thothavathal. In her letter Chitra expressed her appreciationHeroes jumping minutes before Thothavathal of the artwork and thanked me on behalf of the scratching his head vanquishes them. people of Madurai for capturing the city so well in art. In my reply I wrote that there was tobe a launch of the book on September 26th at the Study Centre for Indian Literature in English andTranslation in American College and warmly invited her family. So I met Chitra and Thulasi for thefirst time ever there and happily that moment was recorded in a photograph taken by SCILET which isnow one of my valued possessions.I knew about Aravind Eye Hospital from the early 1980s. My aunt, Felicia talked fondly about engalAravind. When I went to Madurai next, Chitra took my friend, his wife and me on an informal tourof the hospital, LAICO and Auro Lab. I was amazed to realize the enormity and the magnitude ofthe operations that went on there with a deep humane touch. Later on, I met many, many members ofthe greater Aravind family and the amazing person a Dr. G Venkataswamy with whom I had a livelyconversation while Chitra listened silently. Soon I came to realize that Chitra was aware of the negative and positive aspects of situations and of people, but she quietly supported the positive aspect to the benefit of all. For instance, when my wife Mahema, in a wheel chair visited Madurai in August 2002, Chitra initiated a talk by my wife in Tamil to 500 or so members of the middle level management of Aravind which was deeply appreciated by the audience which brought great joy to Mahema. Chitra is an extraordinarily helpful person. When she came to know that I could see the outer world

better at dawn or dusk she took the trouble of taking me to the rural outskirts of Madurai even while itwas dark so that I could capture the scenes we saw at dawn in ink later on. For instance, in January2002, Thulasi and Chitra took me on a road, east of Yanai Malai and waited for the sun to rise. It wasa glorious morning and the sun rose right above the head of Yanai Malai like a coronation crown. I senta colour drawing of this in a letter to them.Chitra made things happen without being in the limelight. For instance, when Aravind acquiredPerumal Da’s original paintings Chitra quietly initiated an art event at Aravind. So I used the symbol‘C’ and called the Quiet Cyclone.Chitra and her sisters are generous persons. She and her sisters decided to donate little over 9 lakhs tothe endowment honouring Mahema. Thulasi and his brothers gifted around 60 thousand. Together, theamount touched 10 lakhs.When Mahema saw the Nattakasala within the Mahal I felt intimidated partly because of the dimlight. Chitra took the trouble to patiently explain to me various aspects and presented me with a set ofphotographs. So I managed the drawing to everyone’s great joy. In this drawing, I have included a thin,tall woman (Chitra) explaining to hefty man (Mano).Kingpin is a name given to a person or thing which makes a machine or an institution run smoothly. So,I have given the title Queen Pin to Chitra. Once when Chitra visited me, I got a kolam drawn with aninscription ‘Welcome Q.P. Chitra’.Mahema once said, “Green Well Years brought many, many gifts to us. Of these, through Chitra theaffection we enjoy from the larger Aravind family is a very precious gift.” Aravind is God’s gift to many,many visually challenged children and adults. Chitra is one among God’s gifts to Aravind.- Mano

Dearest Chitra,You are the soul of goodness and grace, of patience and amazing strength. Your talents are soooo manyand even then, some remain untapped. You are a gift to all who know you and I am grateful to be one ofthem. :) Happy 60th! I wish we were there to share it with you!With much love and affection,- MegWhat a joy to celebrate our years of friendship. From our first meetingin Ann Arbor in 1982 up through our recent holiday together inTanjavur. So many opportunities to enjoy life and family and service.We look forward to spending many birthdays with you.Love,- The Gilberts, Suzanne, Tim, Mike, Molly, Anna, RossDear Chitra, sixty years young! We hope you celebrate this round-number anniversary in style, surrounded by friends and family. The small part of your sixty years we spentwith you includes some of our fondest memories. Happy birthday, dear friend, and best wishes for manymore.- Tom Wilmore

Chitra is special in so many ways!! She is uniquelyperceptive and thoughtful, always observing whatis around her and finding creative ways to expressimages and thoughts.Through her work, she has brought into formmany special projects. Her aesthetics andunwavering commitment to excellence meansthat anything she undertakes will be creative,beautiful and perfectly executed. Her AnnualReports have become works of art.She brings these same qualities to her untiringdevotion to her extended family. With herquiet smile and open arms she welcomes anyopportunity to support family and friends. I have been the fortunate recipient of her caring actions andshe does them seemingly without effort, almost anticipating what needs to be done. She is the perfectcompanion for dear Thulsiraj and all of us in the wider Aravind Family are fortunate to know her.Happy, happy birthday, dearest Chitra.- Girija and Larry BrilliantChitra, Richard and I would like to wish you a wonderful Birthday!I had it in mind to create a poem for you, the most creative personthat I know, but I was challenged when trying to find words thatdescribe you that rhyme with: - Super Mother, - Super Grandmother - Adventurous - Extraordinarily Talented, Artistic - Thoughtful, Endlessly Kind, Infinitely Patient - ElegantAnd then I thought a collage of wonderful times spenttogether would be best, but you are the one with thatcreates the visual splendor, so I have in my mind’s eye:Images of the many museums we visited in LondonImages of the snowy gondola ride in VancouverImages of many, many celebrations in MaduraiHappy Birthday, it is true, this is what we wish for you!Love,- Richard and Christine

Aravind Communications are notorious,For showing all that’s great and glorious,As over blindness we’re victorious.Let’s express with all our gratitude,Our debt of greatest magnitude,To one with talent so Chitratorious- Richard LitwinHappy Birthday, Chitra, from all the Campbell-Hartmans!When I saw this stylized drawing of a banyan tree, it remindedme of you – creative, generous, fearless, colorful, supportive,patient, and joyous! Thank you for inspiring my family tomake time for others, try new things, and have a smile ready tochange someone’s day.- DonnaDear Chitra, Happy 60th! Thank you for your manykindnesses - so many delicious meals at your house anda warm feeling of family in your midst, which has beenpriceless. May you have many wonderful years of goodhealth and happiness ahead of you, as you enjoy your everexpanding Aravind Family! Be well,- DavidHere’s to the magician behind Aravind’s face to the world!It’s ironic that Chitra has such talent for presentingAravind to the world when she is so self-effacing andmodest. Aravind is remarkably successful, but it takes a genius like Chitra to package that excellence andquest for perfection and show it to the world. Aravind - and all of your many friends - are fortunate toknow you.Happy Birthday Chitra!With warmest wishes,- MartyOur association with Thulsi is nearly 30 years & with Chitra, may be a little less – due to her self-effacing nature in all she does for Aravind as a volunteer.Ever since we have come to know her, we have had experienced her affectionate hospitality, artisticinterests, philosophical outlook, compassionate heart which translates into creative programs to make thelives of those around her a lot better.There is a lot in common with Chitra & us- our D-i-L is Chitra & her sister Divya, our granddaughtersare Jahnvi, Varalakshmi & Kannamma. My father is Doraiswamy , same as Chitra’s F-i-L.

While Thulsi & I have travelled to most corners of the worldtogether, often sharing rooms, there was one occasion whenChitra also came to Chaitanyapur. Swamiji did not havea guest house. There was one room on top of Ashram office.Thulsi, Chitra & I slept on the floor of that room. It was onthat trip Chitra noticed the special bronze water pots, got one& convereted it into a hall lamp.We have got together in all odd places like Frankfurt airportwhere we (Dr. V, Prajna, Thulsi & I) were after attendingIAPB in Berlin- Chitra came with Murukku & other snacksfrom India which we enjoyed in the airport. We have been together in Berkeley, Kutralam, Srivillipttur &recently in Tanjore en route to Pondy with Tim & Tom.Though Thulsi has been to our house many times Chitra has been only once, last year November alongwith her sisters – sharing what our home could offerMy wife has had many birthdays in Madurai, her latest on Feb ’17 was with members of AravindFoundation at Heritage, Madurai- with Chitra thoughtfully organizing the cake.It is hard to believe Chitra is turning 60.. It was just twenty years back in Oct 1997 that Dr. V Thulsi &Chitra attended my 60th birthday celebration at Tiruchi. Now it is her 60th !!!!!!What better wish can we offer except to say they must have their shatabhishekam in Karaikkudi like Dr.Muthukkaruppan couple?Dear Chitra, We wish you many more years of smile, service and joy which arises out of bothYours affectionately- Sundari, NagarajanDear Chitra,As you reach this milestone, there is so muchthat has benefited from your touch andthoughtfulness. Thank you for your warmwelcome and kindness to us over the years.Sending you the happiest of birthday wishesfor today and the years ahead. Always,- Corey and Heidi‘Happy Birthday Chitra – and thanks forbeing a good friend over many years!-Colin Williams

Dear ChitraWe send you warmest good wishes on your birthday. Have a wonderful day! We look forward to seeing youin January.- Astrid and IanDearest Chitrakka,Wait....what? Who’s turning 60? Impossible! We can argue this till we’re blue in the face, but I guess youhave birth records to prove it.You’re at an exciting milestone akka! Your 60th birthday is only the beginning. May this time in yourlife be the start of new experiences. May you dream as big as you have in the past and look forward to thefuture, and may you continue to be a great example for those around you.A special person like you deserves complete and utter happiness. We hope that your children andgrandchildren always see what an amazing person you are - a woman who has taken on her various rolesin life with such devotion and pride. Whether you feel joyful or anxious about life after sixty, here are justa few of the benefits you should focus on: 1. Senior discounts come pouring in.2. At this age, the only opinions that matter are your own. So be proud, be happy, and be yourself.3. You make your own rules at 60.4. You get to drive at your own speed in the fast lane, and most of the time, you’re not in any hurry to get anywhere.5. Wrinkles are just laugh lines which serve as proof that you’ve lived your life to the fullest (you don’t have wrinkles so this doesn’t really apply).6. You’re more fabulous at 60 than you were at 50! 7. You are still 40 years away from a century. 8. 60 years of incredible style and adorable goodness. 9. Not old. Classic! 10. You are 60 years of amazing blessings to all the people whose lives you have touched! We are grateful to have known you for at least part of the sixty years of your magical life, and you will continue to be an inspiration to all of us. Have a fabulous, wondrous, and adventurous birthday! Much love, - Ravi, Radha, Anirudh, Anisha & Twix

Very happy. Best wishes. I have attached a picture from my collectionyou may consider adding it. This was taken on the day we celebratedin LAICO the 60th birth day of Mr. Thulasiraj. The backgroundis of the wedding scene of Meenakshi that one finds in Meenakshitemple. I have no words to describe her except that she is the silentperson behind everything that happens in Aravind. Nothing moveswithout gravity. This is Physics. Gravity for us is caused by our earth.Chitra can be aptly identified as the earth goddess (Boomidevi ofAravind). My best wishes to her and all of you involved in arrangingfor the celebration. Best wishes- Prof. SrinivasanPersonally blessed to have such a caring sister in law, who has a big heart to host any number of us on anyday in her house and make everyone feel at home. Wish her a Happy, Happy 60th Birthday. She has beena huge support to Thulasi, managing the household singlehandedly and efficiently, which lets Thulasitravel all over the globe to take up our mission of eliminating blindness and fulfilling the dream of Dr.V.In that way she is truly behind the success of her husband and the organisation. She also has a verypositive outlook towards life and is also her big strength. Her eye for perfection and details has contributedimmensely to Aravind’s publications and celebrations. Wish her healthy and Happy life in the comingyears.-Ravi and Kannamma

Dear Chitra Akka and sister,Wish you a happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful 60th birthday. We prayGod for you for wonderful and productive years ahead. It is hard to believethat you have attained 60 years of age. You are the real binding force in ourfamily like G.N.madam. Whatever occasion, you will be there and you willbe the acting director in that function. You have played a very importantrole & contributed a lot in the hospital and in the family. The yearlyactivity report and other DTP works speak all about your perfection andhard work. You have taken this to more than international standards.In the family, no need to say you have played and been playing a pivotalrole in all occasions. Simply to say you are so kind, affectionate, concerned,truthful, flexible, neutral at the same time you are very strict, never deviatefrom truth.As far as we are concerned, your house is the real, Mothers house for all of us. There are no wordsto express our thanks & gratitude for what you have done for us. I studied DO during the finalexaminations from your house. I cannot forget how much concern & support you have showed on me. Icannot forget the 5’ o clock coffee.Vivek and Vikky were there in their infancy in your house and your role in each and every stage of growthof them& our family is far beyond descriptions. We have (Saradha) have not done anything in our familywithout informing you. You have corrected us on so many occasions. We cannot forget the love & affectionshown by you & Raju to all of us.Akka, there is no doubt & not an exaggeration you are Junior Janaki Athai for us. Whenever we cometo Madurai, we will receive a call from you every time “v§f tªâ£L ïU¡Ñ§f, neuh å£L¡FtªâU§f” 2 or 3 calls from you. This is more than a motherly love & affection.

In the earlier days, we cannot forget the Sunday picnics we all went by “SPARK” and Saturday eveningwith “nrh¤J cU©il” by Raju with Ravi & Kannamma, those are all wonderful memories whichwe cannot forget.Akka & sister, on this special &auspicious occasion, we once again wish you & pray god for everything.With lots of love,Saradha & RK Anna.Dear Chitrakka,At the expense of sounding more of a cliche than my real intent,let me say this anyways-kka - I can’t believe that you are 60!!! Fora person of your calibre of energy and enthusiasm about life, onewill never age-kka. Your poise, grace, kindness and down to earthattitude are very inspiring and very grateful for that-kka.Our heartfelt wishes for a very very Happy 60th B’day!!! And manymore to come!!!- Kasi, Aswini & RengaSpecial people deserve special greetings!You are someone special in our life who is like ananchor. You are the one to whom we can share ourhappiness and worries. Fear and sadness can be healedby a sister like you who shows care and concern. We feelblessed to have you in our life. You are such an amazinggift to our family.Thank you for being such an understanding, kind,generous and supportive sister.We wish you a very happy 60th birthday!- Sriram & MahalakshmiHow does one choose to reminisce of a person who always and only thinks of assisting and facilitating others and only thinks of selflessly putting others’ interests and welfare prior to her own? Chitra is one person who always strives to promote the interests not only of her family and friends, but also of other members of the organization we are part of. And when it comes to any voluntary efforts at Aravind for the sake of community welfare, it is always Chitra (and her elder sibling Vara) who are always in the forefront willingly volunteering and organizing the necessary resources. When it comes to holding

major functions or felicitations at Aravind, it is Chitra who is the silent mastermind behind the efficientconduct of the events. We have never known her to claim responsibility for the success and grandeur of anyof these events. Everyone familiar with Chitra would know her to be a person most compassionate andconsiderate to others. A very unassuming person that she is, she gets every work done by love and kindnessand not by enforcing her power or authority. A great host to anyone who visits her home, she rivals hermother in warmth and hospitality. With the likes of Chitra, the spirit and compassion of Janakiammalives on. We take great pride and pleasure in wishing Chitra, her legendary husband, loving daughters,the fortunate sons in law of the family and the grandchildren all health and happiness they richly deserve.- R Krishnadas, R Banushree, R Subbulaskshmi, K SubashreeDear Chitra Akka,Wish you a very Happy Birthday!It does not really sink into me that you are turning sixty.It is mainly because of how you carry yourself.I was very close to you, fondly remember the days when Istayed with you all when my Mom and Dad went to USA, you took care of me, combing my hair and thebedtime stories were special,I was always fascinated seeing your school friends. The veena classes, we always loved to come to yourhouse for dinner the chips and the dip was awesome,I used to enjoy the Jamaican music, your canvaspaintings .our trip to kolkatta ,kulfi at night and thanks for all the good times.It is always fun to be with you .we should all plan one trip together every year.Wishing you many more happy years to come.Affectionately,- KalpanaDear Chitra Akka,Wish you a very happy happy birthday. We need to learn from you as to how to keep a cool and a calmface, even in difficult situations. Your creativity and willingness to take on any work given is a blessing toall of us. The DTP section, which you head, is a unique place, very special to all of us, which have helpedour ordinary presentations to extra ordinary masterpieces. Thank you and we treasure your expertise.- Prajna

Chithra Akka is always special to me. Anything you ask, her reply starts with a smile, same smile andcalm face I am familiar for past three decades. Never ever seen her angry!. It needs great courage to be asilent back screen hard worker for every other person’s success. I think she has taken Vipasana course evenin her previous life.Wonderful husband, lovely kids and grand kids and a tireless mind are His Blessing to this great lady- Dr. RathinamYour hard work, dedication and sincerity has redefined 60, making it fabulously all your own AkkaHappy Birthday Akka!!Love,- Dharsini, Veena and VenkateshI always think of Chitra akka as the lead person behind any initiative at Aravind, but hardly seen on-stage. Her presence, even at the back stage always ensured the success of any programme. I still rememberone of our early doctors Dr. Manoj referring to her as a “highly quality-oriented lady”. All our familymembers wish you a very Happy Birthday and lot of happy achievements.- Dr.VPRChitra Akka has in her own quiet ways contributed immensely to Aravind eye care system. She broughtsubtle aspects of the Aravind way through the annual reports and other communication modes. She isgame for everything and one could see that in her organising flood relief to chennai in 2015 and inorganising Angadi every year. An optimist who spreads joy around. Her contribution to the family andthe organisation is unique and immense. Wish her a wonderful birthday and a wonderful journey in thecoming decades- Dr. S. Aravind

Dear Chitra Acca,It was my first birthday after we were married, Aravind was away at Michigan. Was feeling low thatevening, until you came home with Thulsi anna to wish me and give me a gift that brightened up myday. Am sure each person you know have many such instances to quote and remember. It’s always funto chat with you and get inspired to do small acts of kindness. Enjoy doing things with you includingplanning for Angaadi, preparing for events and weddings etc. If your unintentional missed calls are anyindication, we probably have a bond from a previous birth (atleast with your phone)! We need more likeyou in the society, institution and family.You are the best thing that was made in 1957- original, vintage & limited edition…Wishing you a very happy birthday and prayers for all good things.Affectionately,- PriyaDear Madam,I have always admired your calm way of interaction with everyone, humility & talent of multitasking.May everyday turnout to be as amazing as you. Wish you a happy birthday.-Dr. R. Meenakshi

Dear AkkaYou are God’s gift to us, so loving and caring, someonewho touches each life she enters. May the love you haveshared to others return to you multiplied. Wishing youmany more blessed and healthy years filled with endlessHappiness, Success and Peace. Thank you for all you doat LAICO and Aravind and hope that you continue tocontribute in many ways which keeps motivating us todo the same.Happy 60th Birthday!- Anjani, Chitra and VishnuA very Happy Birthday Chitra Ma’amRuminate on all your blessingsToday, tomorrow you are wished life’s richest blessingsIt is my honour to greet you as your 60th birthday dawnsHoping you know how much love is sent your wayCherish every single moment!To a lady who is elegance personified, May you have a great 60 years ahead!!Best wishes- Preethi

Dear Madam,You are so special to me and my family in many ways… - You are the first person whom my mother contacted regarding the research student vacancy at Aravind in 1997! - Your recommendation helped both my children to get admission at Lakshmi School! - You made things possible for our children which were not possible by us at home - like providing an opportunity to learn swimming, taking them to historical places, skywatch during Summer Camp. You are their “Avva”! - Above all you have always been there for us whenever we come at the last moment for making posters/flex boards for our meetings.I take this opportunity to thank you for all the guidance and support, Wishing you a happy 60th birtgday!- Gowri Priya ChidambaranathanDear Chitra Akka,ïªj ÃWtd¤âš 33 tUl KG mDgt¤âš (m¡fh v‹W) Kiwit¤J xnu eg®Ú§fŸ. ekJ ÃWtd¤â‹ 40 tUl rhjidfis M©LnjhW« ïªj cyf¤â‰FfsŠáakhŒ gil¤J tU« fiyŠr® Ú§fŸ. j§fË‹ g§fË¥ò ïšyhkšvªÃfœ¢áí« elªjJ ïšiy. mij¡ fh£o¡bfhŸs K‹ÅW¤Jtâš KidtJ«ïšiy. bgUªj‹ik midtU« m¿ªjnj. muɪ⋠mid¤J Mtz§fS¡F«Ú§fŸ xU mHF¡ fiy Ãòz®. j§fË‹ Ãõh¥j g bjhlu£L«. üwh©L thHr¤j« ngh£L thœ¤J»nwh«. thœf tsKl‹.- RMSDear Chitra akka,I cannot believe that you are turning 60. I have beenseeing you for nearly 30 years and I never noticed anychanges in you since day one. I whole-heartedly respectyour way of caring and loving the people around youand helping them when they need. I wish and pray foryour healthy, lovely and long life with all you need.- Ganesh Babu BS.A Complete womanBalance well the Family & Career. Play well in the roles gifted by god as daughter, sister, wife, mother& grandma. Blood vein of the family & department. I remember you as a Loving sister, Affectionatemother, Bonding Granny, Excellent Team Worker, Person with human Concern.Long live !!!Sakthi

Chitra Ma’am,A person who is soft spoken and considerate about the well-being of her colleagues, One who has adifferent artistic mind and approach to the subject. Working with Ma’am had always been fun andlearnt and shared a lot with her. Watching her working and putting things in a simple but elegant way,made me sometimes wonder whether I could do some extra training in Home Science, to par with chitrama’am, which will always remain as a dream.- Manju R PillaiTo Chitra aunty,Remembering your help always, Aunty with our new age group and VoW projects.Wishing You Many More Years Of Happiness & Good Health.- Ram and MeenakshiDear Akka,You are always in sweet sixteen, cannot imaginethe number “Sixty”! Your enthusiasm, humor andenergy level is keep growing when you are technicallygetting old and bringing so much joy to the entirefamily! I admire your talents in art and creativity andmoreover your perseverance in completing the workbeautifully, which has developed its own trademark as“Aravind way of doing”. Your are inspirational androle model for graceful, lovable, supportive and strongnature for all younger generation to follow.I wish you a happy and wonderful 60th birthday- Veni

Hello Ma’am,60 years might seem life has come full circle! Who knows!!Maybe not yet!!! Nowadays life in 60s in another newbeginning for many who are raring to go and I believeyou are one among those enthusiasts about life and whatyou can contribute in the coming years – to the family,to Aravind and the community J Wishing you all thevery best for another memorable three scores of life!! Asmuch as that, I also wish to see you and ED explore places(I’m reminded of the recent Vodafone ads by the renowneddancers, Dhanajayans, Bharatanatyam exponentsJ), We may see you performing Veena; hold an artexhibition… looking forward to those days!!You get us involved in all the new initiatives and new ideas you try out and implement!!! You have beenalways there for us!! Such a great moral support!!! Your enthusiasm to try out new is something weadmire too, both at work and home (including Bagels J)!! Keep it coming!!!Thank you ma’am for everything! Ever grateful,- SashiYou were the first person I met in the family and I am sure you’ve notchanged a bit. There is nothing ordinary about you. Supermom, supergrandmom, super aunt and the list is never ending. You are immenselytalented but still no air about it. I’ve always admired you for yourcompassionate nature. You volunteer to help all, no matter hwo young orold. You sure are a great example of how one should be. A super aunt likeyou definitely deserves a grand birthday celebration and all the beautifulwishes in the world for achieving this milestone. May you continue to be thediamond, always shining and radiating light and happiness into our lives.Happy 60th Birthday, Aunty!!-Divya, Kartik, Jyotsna and PragnyaDear Madam,Sincerely speaking, you are one of the strongest women I haveever met. I admire you for your thoughtfulness about peoplearound you and your ability to help people do wonderfulthings in their areas of expertise and passion.I owe you a lot for what little I have managed to do in musicwhile working at Aravind. Our family is indebted to you forthe care and support you provide from time to time to makeour life in Madurai comfortable. Wish you many more years ofpeace and happiness and opportunities to serve the world.

I would like to present to you this (attempt to write a) set of A beautiful women & Motherhaiku on this special occasion! who cares with love & affection and trusts all the children (staff )silently powerful groomed under her.warm, friendly and thoughtful toobold and inspiring Indeed a strict father too…. with noble character of allowing heraim at perfection children to make mistakes & makeinstill team spirit in all them learn from ityou’re a true leader A mentor who helps to sees morelove art and music ability and talent within you, thannurture talents in others you see in yourself and helps bringyou’re a true ‘artist’ it out of you.have an awesome day! In short she is Mother, father &and many great years ahead!! Guru to all who are associated withhappy birthday ma’am!!! her.Love and prayers, Happy Birthday Chitra Mo(a)m….- Sanil - Deepa (HR)Dear Akka,Many more happy returns of the day. Under the guidance of you, DTP has brought out various awarenesscreation materials (Posters and Pamphlets), reports and manuals on “Diabetic Retinopathy” for the past17 years. It has been well recognized by the funding agency and our eye care partners. Looking forward tomany more such fruitful collaborations and on this special occasion, I pray God for your well-being, goodhealth and happiness- V. VijayakumarYou are one in a million—a great inspiration. We pray that the God will bless you with many more yearsof good health, fulfilled dreams, and accomplishments! Happy birthday.- Santha

A very very happy birthday ‘chitarathai’,As a kid, I remember u as a real strict person.. I knowthis is not how I should start , but as time went on youhave become more better, wiser n of course melloweddown.. thanks to the kiddos..Athai, U have always been my source of positive energy,good vibes,confidence, courage.... u were my inspirationfor a lot of things in life..I hv always been amazed at ur intelligent eyes for beauty,colours and creativity..You are the only reason behind my interest in photography and have constantly encouraged me to do better.u hv always brought everyone together , and without doubt the best host .. and also makes the bestpizzas...From my childhood days to now the word ‘Home’ reminds me only of your house, I still remember duringmy kindergarten we had a field trip to 319 Anna Nagar, the theme was how an ideal House should be ,and it still amazes me every time.you are the person in whom I have always been able to confide with, be it anything..u hv always been there for me Athai.. I know u will always be there..U r no doubt the worlds bestest Athai.. happy 60th birthday to my “favouritest” chitarathai.With love A very happy 60th birthday to the- ‘IVAEK’ Commander-in-Chief of Thulsi Family - Ramasamy

Lessons from an amma - and from being an amma. Dear amma, the world and I seem a little different now. I now see a lot of you in me, and a lot of me in Akshu. I guess mothers truly are role-models for their kids. - I conveniently tell myself that I inherit my short temper from you :), but nope that’s far from true. You have taught me that it’s not the temper, that you can be a strict person and yet the favorite awwa. Here’s what else I have learnt from you: - To look at the bright side of life…and that things happen for a reason and will always turn out right - That it is possible to forget where you put your glasses and the car keys, and even forget the names of your daughters and grandchildren but always remember the long list of errands and favors for the kids….from buying a chart for school, getting the kids to tuition, to picking up stuff from the tailor…and the list goes on. (Harsha just woke up while I am writing this and wants his Chitrawwa to buy him the pink Cavins milkshake from Nilgris :) - That you can strike a conversation with anyone…in a train, in a plane, or even with an author of a book that you are reading….and create friendships that can run generations - that school and college friends go a long way and that they can be the most noisy and happening in any crowd even when they are 60+ - that it is possible to wake up to a crying baby almost 6-8 times in the night and yet be cheerful and fresh in the morning - that mothers should order their own icecream; that kids don’t like it when you take bites from theirs) - that there is an answer for everything and it is possible for one person to know it all…from why the baby next door is crying to how Trump go to be president :) - that good night kisses and bedtime stories matter a lot. (they were not actually bed time stories but combing time stories) - that it is joy to have people over…and the more the merrier…that there is always a way to make enough food for any number of people even on a short notice. - that it is possible to have a house without TV and have the most fun…but we did make sure we got our TV time whenever visiting anyone. Thank you for teaching us to love reading and for playing monopoly, Boggle and Dominoes and for the hammock and the guava tree. - that the strength is within us…and for making us strong. I have never felt uncomfortable staying alone at home or walking alone at night. I find it tough to pass it on to the kids though. I can’t believe you guys let me to travel all alone to Kodaikanal when I was just 13 (cannot imagine allowing Samyu to do something like that)

- that you can be more productive when you take on more…that there is always a way…that when you believe in something you can make it happen…it just takes a little perseverance and a lot of optimism - that all family is close family even when it’s a family forest…to always be there and to lend a shoulder….and that your heart is huge!Wishing you health, joy and more grand-children time, Tons of love,- Sathyaá¤uh thœ¤JfŸy£RÄòu¤J á¤âunkkJiu th§»a tZâunkgšfiyfË‹ ikankJsá uhÂnaFHªijfË‹ xsitnakndh XÉa¤â‹ moiknakÇahij mŸË bfhL¥gtnsãu¢ridfË‹ Úâk‹wnkCÊa®fË‹ njhÊnaÉUªnjh«gš r¤âunkÚ® thœf, ts®f gšyh©L!- mnrh¡ t®j‹

Dear Pedhii,You are the real meaning of motherhood. Your generation and our generation are working peacefully inthe system just because you take care of our basic needs to the most important task of taking care of ourchildren. It necessarily need not be our family grand children alone, anyone who knows you well withoutany hesitation will come and drop their children at your home knowing that they will be taken care of thesame way as you take care of your own children. You are a very strict person for which I personally thankyou. Because if not for your guidance, I and Vivek would not be who we are now, as a person and not asa doctor,. You might be sixty in number, but still you take up the responsibility of correcting me and myson.- SankarDearest athai,To the strongest woman, to my inspirationWishing you a wonderful birthday to you athai. I adore your way of treating and engaging people around you,welike your positive attitude and that is encouraging us. Sending you loads of love and best wishesWith lots of love,- Sankar, Janani and RishiDear Chitra ma’am,Staying away from home would not have been easy but for you. I remember the time when Anuprita andI, were invited to your home after our marriage. We felt so special. With your love and simplicity you havesupported so many journey’s till now. As you turn 60 years young, we wish you Happy Birthday and manymore years of happiness, creativity and good health.- Anuprita and DevendraChitra - My acquaintance with her started way back during our college days. She was from a a differentschool. We all turned to her when she did things differently. She was more of a family than a friend. Shewill go to all limits to help others. She has been a God’s gift to many a poor be it her housemaid, ironmanor me - she makes it a point to give a solution to any problem. Her simplicity, liking for cotton sarees andher flair for painting are truly extraordinary. She

never gets angry. Her highest admonishment can be ã¢RòLnt‹ ã¢R to her grandchildren (who areanyone from her family colleagues). All call her Chitra Awwa alike…She is very much against TV andnever allowed it to enter her house, so that she can spend all the time with visitors and grandchildren.Wishing you a Happy Birthday, Dear Chitra…!!-Karunaithœf thœf gšyh©L gyu¿a ghuh£L vd¥ts®f ts®f Ë bjh©L gH» tU« ghr¥ gwitnr®f nr®f ts«, Ñ®¤â thH nt©L« üW mfitbghÈf bghÈf òfnHhL XÉa¡ fiyÆš nj®¢ám‹ò jtG« Kf« clnd brŒí« fiy ne®¤âmikâ Ãiwªj kd«muɪ⋠xË K¤J òâa òâa bjhÊšE£g«mtU¡F ïª eš thœ¤J gÆ‹W m¿tJ ït® ÉU¥g« - v‹W« á¤âu¥ ò‹dif áªJ« - v§fŸá¤âu¥ ò‹dif áªJ« á¤uh nkl« xU j§f«á¤uh nkl« v§fŸ j§f« ko¥ò¡ fiyahj fh£l‹ nriyjhŒik¡F ïy¡fz« k© Ãw¤â‹ t©z k»ikjiyt®¡F cjhuz« Ml«guÄšyh mtuJ vËikbg©Âd¤â‹ bgh‹ kFl« midtnuhL« ngR« jifik - vd¥bgUikÄF FL«g És¡F gH» tU« ghr¥ gwit thH nt©L« üW mfitïlJ fu« m¿ah cjÉtyJ fu« gy®¡F« tH§F« mKJ« njDkhŒ ïU bg©fŸbtŸs«, KJik, tw£á v‹whY« muɪ⚠cUthF« mL¤j ö©fŸÉiuªJ Xo cjî« ntf« - vd¥ m‹id #hd»Æ‹ eš tÊÆšgH» tU« ghr¥ gwit mt® ts®¥ãš gy¥gy áwh®fŸ -thH nt©L« üW mfit muɪj® nt§flt‹ Máí©L mt® thH nt©L« üwh©Lnfhg« tªj nghJ«bfhâ¥gâšiy v‹W« - br. ïuhn#ZtÇ.bkšÈa FuÈš f©o¥ò

Life in Madurai would not have been smooth but for your care and support. The fact that you are thereis such a reassurance to many people like me, the reason why Sarah does not ever feel like missing hergrandparents is one example. Your motherly care has impacted our lives so much so that we feel insecureto sleep especially when we are alone and you are away, in spite of having several close neighbours. How Iwish I had at least half of your perseverance in facing challenges and maintaining a positive attitude..Dear Madam, I wish you many more years of happiness and good health!- Anujav§fsJ khu¤jh‹ gƉáahsU¡F...Vnjh XusɉF Xlyh« vD« v©z¤Jl‹ ï§F tªj v§fS¡F muɪ¤ f«ôÅnfa‹Þv‹gJ khu¤jh‹ fs« v‹gijí« ïâš Xl bjhl® gƉá njit v‹gijí« âdªnjhW«tÈíW¤â tU»Ö®fŸ.rhjhuz X£l¥gªja¤âš Xlnt kd cWâí« gyK« njit¥gL«bghGJ v§fiskhu¤jhÅš Xl it¡f ¨Ú§fŸ jU« bjhl® C¡f§fS« EQ¡f§fS« jh‹ v§fisï‹dK« ïªj fs¤âš ïa§f it¡»‹wd.v§fsJ âwÅš brŒne®¤âia¡ bfh©L tUtj‰F ¨Ú§fŸ jU« RjªâuK« neuK«v§fis c‰rhfkhf Xlit¡»‹wd.jhÆ‹ m¡fiwí« gƉáahsU¡fhd bk‹f©o¥ò« bfh©l c§fŸ ïašig v§fŸFL«g¤âš eh§fS« btË¥gL¤j Ka‰á¡»nwh«.v§fŸ ghijfËš eh§fŸ rªâ¡F« kiyasî ïl®fis c§fŸ ftd¤â‰F eh§fŸbfh©LtU«nghJ, mij ïyFthf¡ fisªJ, bjhl®ªJ Xl¢ brŒ»Ö®fŸ.j¥ã¤jt¿ c§fËlÄUªJ xU RL¢brhš tªJÉ£lhY«, clnd üW Kiw FË®ªjÚiu C‰¿, khu¤jhÅš cilªJ c£fhu neuÄšiy v‹gij czuit¤J, Û©L«c¤ntf¤Jl‹ Xl it¡»Ö®fŸ.Äôá¡fš f©l¡lU¡fhd fiy ne®¤âíl‹ x›bthU ïiHahf ¨Ú§fŸ ïiH¥gij¥gh®¡F«nghbjšyh« fiy ne®¤âia eh§fS« ts®¤JbfhŸS« tifÆš K‹khâÇahf¤âfœ»Ö®fŸ.Aravind Communications

m¡fh eh‹ c§fËl« gÂah‰¿a gy M©LfËš v‹Ål« m‹òlD«,fUizílD« v‹id tÊ el¤â vd¡F x›bthU brašfËY« ijÇa¤ijbfhL¤J MjǤj c§fË‹ ïªj ãwªjehËš, c§fËlÄUªJ mnj m‹ò«,fUizí«, tÊ el¤JjY« ï‹D« gyU¡F gy gy M©LfŸ »il¡f nt©L« vdflîËl« nt©L»nw‹.I miss you so much Akka.C. Ûdh£á.m‹òŸs á¤uh m¡fh mt®fS¡F,c§fS¡F vdJ m‹ghd mWgjhtJ ãwªj ehŸ thœ¤J¡fŸ. v‹ thœÉ‹ x›bthUnrhfkhd jUz§fËY« Ú§fŸ vd¡F mâf g¡fgykhfî«, MWjyhfî« ïUªJŸç®fŸ.mj‰F e‹¿ brhšY»‹nw‹.Ú§fŸ ï¥nghJ ïU¥gij¥ nghynt v¥bghGJ« rªnjhõkhfî«, rkhjhdkhfî«, ešy Rf«,bgy‹ Mnuh¡»a¤JlD« ï‹D« mnef ãwªjehis¡ fhz m‹nghL thœ¤J¡»nw‹.flîŸ c§fis bk‹nkY« MÓ®tâ¡f flîis nt©o¡ bfhŸ»nw‹.ï¥go¡FP.kh¡f¢bršÉDearMadam,What inspired me was that…..in 2007 when I joined Aravind ,it was a hospital day event, She met mewhile crossing the road outside free hospital.That was the first time I am seeing her she said” Give your best in this”.Those words inspired me a lot.Thank you- Munieswaran

cjŒ ahuhtJ ÕÞ f£l Koahk fZl¥gLwt§f ïUªjh brhšY§f, ehk brŒayh«.vªj home¡F v‹bd‹d njit¥gLJD brhšY§f brŠáLnth«.ïªj c¢r¥£o <H¤jÄH® KfhK¡F xU ehŸ nghfD«. M§f ïU¡Fwt§fS¡Fgo¥ò¡F, thœthjhu¤J¡F ehk VjhtJ brŒaD«. <H¤ jÄH®fS¡F ehk x©QnkbrŒany§»w F‰w cz®î buh«g ehsh ïU¡F.ehk brŒíwj btËÆy brhšÈ¡f ntzhnk ¥çÞ...gšntW jUz§fËš r¤jÄšyhkš gy bgÇa cjÉfis brŒJÉ£L á¤uh nkl«c⮤j th®¤ijfŸ ïit.mtuJ jÄœ M®t«, ãw®¡F cjî« Fz«, rf kÅj®fËl« fh£L« m¡fiw, âwik-fis f©l¿ªJ C¡FÉ¡F« g©ò, vL¤J¡ bfh©l brašfËš fh£L« <LghL,ïa‰if k‰W« FHªijfËl« bfh©oU¡F« ner«, cwîfis¥ ngQ« be¿ vdvšyhKnk eh« ÉaªJ ngh‰w¤j¡fJ«, ã‹g‰w¤j¡fJkhd c‹dj Fz§fŸ...mtuJ ïªj kÂÉHhÉš kJiuí« jÄG« nghy k§fh¥òfGlD« be»œ m‹òl‹ k»œ bghGJfS« Ãiwªjthœ¡if Ãiy¡f kdjhu thœ¤J»nw‹..m‹òl‹,gh. cja¡Fkh®