AN annual fundraiser that brings together the biggest names in the music scene, all for a noble cause to serve the underprivileged: Shakti Foundation’s music confluence has undoubtedly evolved into a hit among Chennaiites, with big names like Zakir Hussain, Sivamani, U Shrinivas and Shankar Mahadevan performing for over ten years now.
The Foundation had its inception in 1991, when Velan Raghuvir was diognised with a terminal illness called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The foundation was registered as a trust in 1993 and has been working with aims to provide medicare for the rural underpriviledged and the weaker sections of society. Their project in the rural areas is equipping the Adiparasakthi medical and research hospital, 92 kms from Chennai.
Shakti Foundation aids over 950 differently-abled children who are housed in 15 special schools where they are provided with medicines, rehabilitation aids, education stipends, surgery costs, uniform materials, home provisions and other special needs. It focusses on the development of a barrier free environment by way of ramps and implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, whereby a law is enforced for ramps to be constructed in all buildings. It also stands by a reserved car parking space for the physically challenged.
The Foundation’s activities include providng counselling for parents and children with various disabilities and rehabilitation and counselling of physically challenged persons. Vasanth Raghuvir, founder, looks back and feels fulfilled. She believes that the inspiration behind Shakti Foundation, her late son, Velan, would be pleased with the growth which the centre for the physically challenged has seen over the last 17 years.
This year, it presents Ghananjani 2009, a music confluence featuring Zakir Hussain, Sivamani, Domini Di Piazza, Stephen Devassy and Mandolin U Shrinivas, on February 21, at the Music Academy. Donor passes are available at the Shakti Foundation, No. 9, Manikeswari Road, Kilpauk.
expresso@epmltd.com