Namaste and a very warm welcome to all of you. I Priya Venugopal will be filling in for Keeley till she returns from her maternity leave. What a perfect day to take over from Keeley as she gets ready for the next new adventure in her life. It's Chennai's Birthday tomorrow. Read below to find out more about a city I have hopelessly fallen in love with. Please subscribe to the wellness blog if you are interested in what is happening in and around the city. If you have not yet subscribed to the wellness blog please do so at Wellness Matters Google+ Page.
Highlights this week:
Happy Birthday Madras
Highlights this week:
Happy Birthday Madras
A city deserves to celebrate its birthday. And Madras, that is Chennai certainly deserves it.
So a small group of people who love this city launched a unique celebration in 2004. The founding day of Madras is considered to be August 22, 1639. It was on that day, in that year, that a sliver of land, where Fort. St. George stands today, was transacted by the East India Company. The deal was struck by Francis Day, his ‘dubash’ Beri Thimmappa, and their superior, Andrew Cogan, with the local Nayak rulers. It is believed that this deal was made on August 22, 1639.
Out of the fort, grew settlements. Then the villages around it were brought together. And then, the old and new townes linked up. And then we had the city. Today, Chennai stands tall for a variety of reasons. Education, healthcare, IT, history, tourism, auto industries, movies, etc. And yes, it also has its warts. Madras Day celebrates the city.
Madras Day was an idea that three people put together – the city’s famed historian, S. Muthiah, journalist Sashi Nair, and publisher Vincent D’ Souza. Later, they have been joined by three others – senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, journalist and website entrepreneur Revathi R and entrepreneur and writer-historian V. Sriram.
Madras Day focuses on the city, its history, it's past and its present and the core team motivate communities, groups, companies, and campuses in the city to host events that celebrate the city.
Heritage walks, school exchange programs, talks and contests, poetry and music and quiz, food fests and rallies, photo exhibitions and bike tours . . . . these and more are the ways in which the city is celebrated. In order to enlarge participation, Madras Day has been expanded to create the Madras Week.
In 2019, MADRAS WEEK will be celebrated from August 18 to 25. MADRAS DAY, as always, is August 22.
Article to read:
You can improve your mood and your outlook -- and train your brain to think this way -- by refusing to do one thing most people can't resist. Read this article to find out more.
Events happening in and around the city.
A city deserves to celebrate its birthday. And Madras, that is Chennai certainly deserves it.
So a small group of people who love this city launched a unique celebration in 2004. The founding day of Madras is considered to be August 22, 1639. It was on that day, in that year, that a sliver of land, where Fort. St. George stands today, was transacted by the East India Company. The deal was struck by Francis Day, his ‘dubash’ Beri Thimmappa, and their superior, Andrew Cogan, with the local Nayak rulers. It is believed that this deal was made on August 22, 1639.
Out of the fort, grew settlements. Then the villages around it were brought together. And then, the old and new townes linked up. And then we had the city. Today, Chennai stands tall for a variety of reasons. Education, healthcare, IT, history, tourism, auto industries, movies, etc. And yes, it also has its warts. Madras Day celebrates the city.
Madras Day was an idea that three people put together – the city’s famed historian, S. Muthiah, journalist Sashi Nair, and publisher Vincent D’ Souza. Later, they have been joined by three others – senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, journalist and website entrepreneur Revathi R and entrepreneur and writer-historian V. Sriram.
Madras Day focuses on the city, its history, it's past and its present and the core team motivate communities, groups, companies, and campuses in the city to host events that celebrate the city.
Heritage walks, school exchange programs, talks and contests, poetry and music and quiz, food fests and rallies, photo exhibitions and bike tours . . . . these and more are the ways in which the city is celebrated. In order to enlarge participation, Madras Day has been expanded to create the Madras Week.
In 2019, MADRAS WEEK will be celebrated from August 18 to 25. MADRAS DAY, as always, is August 22.
Article to read:
You can improve your mood and your outlook -- and train your brain to think this way -- by refusing to do one thing most people can't resist. Read this article to find out more.
You can improve your mood and your outlook -- and train your brain to think this way -- by refusing to do one thing most people can't resist. Read this article to find out more.
Events happening in and around the city.
Celebrating the Supreme
Padma Shri Shobana and her cultural endeavor “Krishna Konscious” has commenced preparations to celebrate the Janmashtami day. The ever-evolving icon of Hindu mythology – “Krishna” is re-contextualized in a form rich in Movement and visual imagery. Complimented by stalwarts of Indian Music - Smt Bombay Jayshree and Shri Abhishek Raghuram to relive and celebrate the Supreme on the “Janmashtami Day”.
Artistes:
Vocal - Bombay Jayshree
Vocal - Abhishek Raghuram
Percussion - Anantha R Krishnan
Asst Choreographer - Srividya Sailesh
Flute – JA Jayanth
Keyboard & Harmonium –Praveen D Rao
Lighting Director - Murugan Krishnan
Madras Week Special Food Walk
We take great pride in being a part of this amazing city of Madras. Yes. The name Madras resonates better with us than the new name Chennai. But no matter what the name is, the capital city of Tamilnadu, which was formed 380 years ago is deep-rooted in history, culture, and tradition. The city has been home to not just natives but to people from various regions from across India who migrated and made this wonderful city their home!
Due to this amalgamation of different cultures, the city of Madras also has to offer a wide variety of food from a range of cuisines.
As our tribute to this wonderful city, we're organizing a free guided food walk through one of the most prominent food corners of the city, Sowcarpet. One of the largest wholesale markets in India, the entire region of Sowcarpet and Broadway has a wide variety of food joints, many of which have been in existence for decades, and are a treat to the taste buds.
Please fill this form to register yourself for the trip.
We will email you with a confirmation and the point of the meeting.
Brief Plan:
Meet and Greet
Badam Pisin and Rose Sharbath at Tamilnadu Sharbath
Samosa and Rasamalai at Agarwal Bhavan
Bonda with Sambar and Filter Coffee at Prakash Bhavan
Vada Pav and buttermilk at Novelty Tea House
Anmol Kesar Lassi
Aloo Tikki and Badam Milk at Kakda Ramprasad
Pyaaz Kachori at Maya Chat
Lemon Mint cooler at Lemon Tree
Uthappam at Seena Bhai Tiffin
Sweet Pan at Ashok Pan
The entire walk will take around 3 to 3.5 hours. There will be a considerable amount of walking (2.5 to 3 KMs).
Things to Carry:
Walking Shoes/Sandals
Water Bottle with water
Towel/Napkin and Hand Sanitizer
Cap/Raincoat depending on the weather
A huge appetite!
Cash to Carry
The guided walk is entirely free of cost. However, you need to pay for whatever you eat. Each dish can be shared by 4 to 5 people so that you have space to taste everything. You will end up spending between 500 to 600 Rs if you taste every recommended dish at every stop. Carry as cash.
Event Date and Time: August 23rd, 5 PM.
Railway Museum Walk
This Madras week, let's trace the history of South Indian Railways... The Walk exclusively for kids aged 5-12 by Marco photographer PoochiVenkat will expose them to steam engines, vintage coaches, and models manufactured by North British Locomotive Company.
Date: August 25th (Sunday)
Timings: 10:30-12:00 pm
Venue: Chennai Rail Museum, Villivakkam (Near Perambur)
Age Group: 5-12 years
For more details, call 9840111425.
Covelong Point: Surf. Yoga. Music. Festival: August 23 - 25th, 2019
The Covelong Point Surf.Yoga.Music. Festival is arguably one of the coolest festivals so close to Chennai every year! Check out their website to see the schedule of yoga classes, music concerts, and surfing competitions. You can sign up to join the surf competition - or you can sign up for beginning lessons! There are also vendors on site, selling everything from clothing to momos
New! Wellness Academy Activity Offerings
Track Fitness PLUS
Anyone on any stage of their fitness journey can benefit from interval running and weight lifting in a community. Join us to get faster, fitter, stronger, and have fun.
Staff soccer
“Join us every Wednesday 5-6pm in the indoor gym for some friendly soccer matches.”
Please contact Gemma Adderley (agemma@aischennai.org) for more information
Heartfulness Meditation
Bindu has been practicing Heartfulness meditation for 14 years and she is a certified trainer.
She will be offering group or individual sessions, based on faculty desires.
She is able to lead individual sessions this year, to suit times that work for each person to
meet individual goals. If you are interested in Heartfulness Meditation, please email
Bindu at kbindu@aischennai.org to set up a time.
Biscuits and Scones
Amy will teach those who might be interested, how to make a basic scone recipe (American scones, that is) and buttermilk biscuits. The scone recipe is adaptable and can be changed depending on what you chose to add. If you are interested please email Amy at samy@aischennai.org
Covelong Point: Surf. Yoga. Music. Festival: August 23 - 25th, 2019
New! Wellness Academy Activity Offerings
‘Heartfulness is a beautifully simple practice of meditation that
connects us with all the light and love in our hearts’.
https://heartfulness.org
Saturday, 14th September, 10 am to 12:30 pm, Hall of Light
We are offering faculty and staff the chance to experience Heartfulness meditation, free of cost, at school. Heartfulness is a simple and subtle practice of meditation that connects each of us with the light and love in our hearts.
The morning would start with 45 minutes of yoga, 30 minutes meditation, followed by Q&A.
The session will be led by Heartfulness trainer Dr. Veronique Nicolai, Heartfulness trainer and yoga teacher, who has been practicing this meditation for 25 years. (See this link for more details)
Please wear loose clothing and bring a yoga mat. There will be a school yoga mats available for those who do not have one.
If you intend to participate, please email me at bfiona@aischennai.org as it will help us plan.
Reminders & Upcoming Event Suggestions
Newsflash
Have you joined our community Google+ page called Newsflash? AISC team members share helpful tidbits, buy and sell things, & offer advice via this group. Please click the link to join!
Community Whatsapp Groups
Please remember that we have WhatsApp Groups open to our community on a variety of topics
- click to see a list of QR codes to join the open groups. We will be updating these groups throughout the year. If you have a special interest and would like to invite your colleagues - please let me know
so that we can add your invite link to our list.
The Night Owl Giving Tree - from Deborah Lee
A message from Deborah Lee: The Night Owl Giving Tree was started in 2014 by AISC teachers who wanted to give back to our host city by giving donations to some of the homeless around Chennai.
Typically, it has looked like delivering bundled packages of veg food, water, toiletries, blankets, and clothing to those in need. We have done 9 deliveries since 2014. A couple of us who are still around from when the deliveries started would like to revive these efforts this year. If you are interested in joining us for an informal brainstorming session as we get things up and running, please come to the i-Hub next Friday (August 23) at 4:45pm. Aziz and I would love to see you there! If this time doesn't work for you but you would like to be kept in the loop, please let me know and I will be sure to send out updates as we move forward. Thank you! - Deborah Lee (ldeborah@aischennai.org)
Wellness Academy
Are you interested in applying for a position to teach your colleagues a special skill? Please see our Teacher Application post for more information and a link to the application.
Saturday, 14th September, 10 am to 12:30 pm, Hall of Light
We are offering faculty and staff the chance to experience Heartfulness meditation, free of cost, at school. Heartfulness is a simple and subtle practice of meditation that connects each of us with the light and love in our hearts.
The morning would start with 45 minutes of yoga, 30 minutes meditation, followed by Q&A.
The session will be led by Heartfulness trainer Dr. Veronique Nicolai, Heartfulness trainer and yoga teacher, who has been practicing this meditation for 25 years. (See this link for more details)
Please wear loose clothing and bring a yoga mat. There will be a school yoga mats available for those who do not have one.
If you intend to participate, please email me at bfiona@aischennai.org as it will help us plan.
Reminders & Upcoming Event Suggestions
