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Monthly Project Highlight!
Digital Classroom
A decade ago, classrooms across the world transformed from blackboards to digital boards. Learn how it all began for TNF digitizing classrooms.
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It’s time to share with you all our latest happenings. During the last couple months, our chapter leaders have been conducting various local shows to create awareness about TNF in their local communities and raise funds. We have some more events planned during the coming months. Our aim is to reach a wider circle of community members and build support for our cause.
We had recently circulated an email to raise funds to help TNF contribute aid in rebuilding Maui. We urge you to generously contribute a tax deductible donation toward this disaster relief and make a difference. Mark your donations with the memo of Maui disaster relief so that your donations can be allocated for this cause.
My recent visit to India went well. I was able to participate in a couple of local events, talked with students and parents as well as teachers and headmasters. It was heart warming to learn how TNF was touching lives with our program as it paved the way for the deserving students to get into excellent colleges. I must make special mention of two students I met who were profusely thankful for the timely help from TNF and its donors. One of them has joined in Annamalai University majoring in Chemical Engineering and the second one joined in PSG College to major in AI and Data Science. This is a great example to share with you all to see how far the donor funds go in changing lives one at a time. On behalf of our board, I convey my appreciation to each one of you for your continued support to TNF.
Please watch out for emails from TNF and from your local Tamil Sangams for programs organized by your local TNF chapters. Do make it a priority to attend and participate in these events. In Chicago, we have scheduled our TNF50 kick-off meeting on October 7th at Yellow box Theater Naperville. We invite all of you to actively participate and make this event a resounding success. If you have a friend in Chicago, share the details with them and encourage them to attend. Look forward to seeing several of you. Visit TNF https://chicago.tnfusa.org for details.
Thank you all.
Veera Venugopal
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2022 marked a milestone for TNF as Muruganandan (Dan) Palanisamy joined hands with many Tamil organizations and Tamil schools in Dallas, TX and helped TNF reach new heights across many areas, especially, boosting our Mann Vaasanai corpus funds that has enabled us to support projects across all districts in Tamil Nadu. Dan currently serves as VP Chapters on the TNF USA board with a mission to expand our reach to many more cities in USA. If you know a friend in a non-TNF city, let Dan know.
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Why TNF? - A question many of us get asked and Dan always gives a compelling answer that would encourage anyone to become a TNF life member during the Golden Jubilee year. So, we asked him again this month and here is what he said:
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As immigrants we often feel lucky ones, provided with an opportunity to emigrate, which is not available to a sizeable Indian population. Should we be complacent and ignore the less fortunate back home? We are painfully aware that it would be impossible to support every deserving soul in India. From my standpoint, I chose a focused approach to help the poorest of the poor back home through the 50 year old TNF organization. Why I chose TNF?
1) Longevity and proven track record - 50 years of platform as a service for anyone to use and on top of implementing 1152+ projects so far
2) No political affiliation with zero tolerance for controversy
3) Transparency - Annual convention's primary purpose is to conduct a board meeting to update members of finance, activities and plans
4) Efficiently - TNF India, being a CSR certified org is eligible for government grants and contributions from local companies, thus stretching our dollar & adding more value
5) Unique Traits - TNF is the only org with MOU to walk into TN government schools and conduct education enrichment exercises during school hours.
Honestly, I cannot think of a better organization to be associated with. Let's all meet at TNF50!
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TNF goes beyond education enlightenment & helps improve eyesight
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For the second consecutive year TNF organized eye screening program to identify students with eye defects in two schools in Sivagangai district with the help of Aravind Eye Care Hospital, Madurai under Eye Education for You project. A total of 99 students from SC Gurukulam Hr Sec School, Amaravathipudur and Murugappa Primary School, Amaravathipudur were screen out of which 30 students were prescribed eye glassesand 8 were referred for further treatment. The eye glasses were procured at a cost of ₹ 15,300/- A review of last year beneficiaries show an improvement in their education.
Educational Assistive Devices to Visually Impaired
TNF joined hands with College Students and Graduates Association of the Blind and helped 50 visually impaired students pursuing college education receive the educational assistive device in a program held at Thakkar Baba Institute, Chennai. Chief Executive Officer, TNF and Executive Director, TNF distributed the devices to the deserving visually impaired students. The project costing ₹ 1 lakh to procure 100 devices is supported by Veera Venugopal, President, TNF. We hope these devices will help students record education related audio material and learn by hearing the recorded lessons.
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Digital classroom gets upgrades
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Digital classroom established by TNF Chennai at Government Model Higher Secondary School, MMDA, Chennai became due for an upgrade as technology evolved and continuous use during Covid days. Ramco Cements Ltd came forward and donated 16 new computers at a cost of ₹ 4.86 lakhs. TNF Chennai chairman Thiru Rajarathinam handed over the computers in the presence of Thiru Ravichandran, Sr Vice President, ESG, RAMCO. It is to be noted that digital classroom has continued to make a great impact on students and teachers alike and they were excited to see the facilities upgraded with the latest.
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Educational Scholarships - September 2023 update
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During the month, 83 students received scholarships totaling an amount of ₹ 6,89,300/-.
| Description |
# of Beneficiaries |
Scholarship Amount
(in Rupees)
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| Educational Assistance to the Destitute and socially abandoned school children |
1 |
₹ 12,800.00 |
| Scholarship to Government aided school students (SC Gurukulam) |
25 |
₹ 2,35,500.00 |
| Dr Ramadoss Abboy Memorial Educational Scholarship |
26 |
₹ 3,15,000.00 |
| Gopalakrishnan Memorial Educational Scholarship |
13 |
₹ 32,500.00 |
| Rajasekaran Memorial Educational Scholarship - GCT Coimbatore |
3 |
₹ 18,000.00 |
| Sivasubramaniam Memorial Scholarship |
1 |
₹ 16,500.00 |
| Senthil Mahadevan and Uma Senthil Educational Scholarship |
3 |
₹ 6,000.00 |
| SethuVenu Educational Scholarship |
8 |
₹ 40,000.00 |
| VTK Memorial Educational Scholarship |
3 |
₹ 13,000.00 |
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83 |
₹ 6,89.300.00 |
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SethuVenu Educational Scholarship was awarded to 5 toppers in 10th standard examination in Government High School and three toppers in 12th standard examination in Government Higher Secondary Schools in Cuddalore District. Each student received a cash award of Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees Five thousand only) on 5th September 2023 distributed by Thiru. Veera Venugopal, President, TNF USA in the presence of Thiru. S.Rajarethinam, Chairman, TNF India, Dr. V.Sanjeevi , Former Chairman, TNF India and Thiru. V.Manivasakam, Former Head Master, Government Higher Secondary School, C. Muttlur.
A sum of Rs. 32,500/- was given to 13 Government school students in Krishnagiri and Namakkal District under Gopalakrishnan Memorial Educational Scholarship Project. All the 13 beneficiaries are children of single parent children and this support will help them continue their education.
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TNF Bay Area Youth fills Chennai air with his music magic
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TNF Youth LOVES member Krishna Nathan mesmerized an audience of over 100 people in-person and online, with a musical feast of live piano performance. He treated the audience to a variety ranging from popular Tamil, Hindi to American songs. He raised a total of $ 2,046 to support Bay Area chapter sponsored school in Chennai. Ms Vasumathi Benny, Executive Director, TNF India presided over the event. Thanks to all our event sponsors Dr Sivakumar Kuppuswamy, Ortho Surgeon, Chennai and Mr Balaji Damodaran, CEO, Emperor Lifts, Chennai. TNF Youth & Young professional committee is proud to recognize Krishna Nathan under Serve with Skills for his efforts to make a difference.
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Chess 4 Charity - TNF Austin youth continues his passion
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What is your passion? If you ask Annamalai Arunachalam, a TNF Youth from Austin, his response will be "Not one, but two - Chess & Charity". Not sure if he just likes the sound of Ch, but he sure has figured out how to make them both work together.
Much like many other Youth LOVES members across the nation who continue to use their skills to benefit TNF projects, Annamalai has raised $400 so far hosting online camps to support Austin Chapter sponsored projects. He plans to host a game corner activity at Austin's upcoming Walkathon (If you are in Austin, do stop by the game corner & say hello!).
The Youth and Young Professionals committee is proud to recognize Annamalai Arunachalam under Serve with Skills for bringing his passions together and complement each other.
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Sunny blue skies & delicious lunch treats Philly walkers
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Sunny blue skies & delicious lunch with a cake to celebrate TNF50 helped TNF Philadelphia celebrate their annual walkathon. Close to 80 participants came together to raise over $14k to support their schools. Presidential Volunteer Service Awards were awarded to Youth LOVES volunteers who spent lot of hours giving back.
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MI walkers & runners come together for a noble cause
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Some ran, some walked, some strolled through at TNF Michigan's annual 5k Run/Walk on September 10, 2023. New runners were joined by returning marathoners who prepared themselves for a great experience with a warm-up session. The session was offered by physical therapist Mr Saravanan Chockalingam, who provided his insights about maintenance of proper posture and knee care before running. The first place in the run event was bagged by a youth volunteer while the second and third place went to renowned runners. Adults were accompanied by little ones who had their own 1k version of the event.
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Chapters continue fund raisers in Fall - Support your nearest one!
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Click on the image to register for the event.
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