Mercury rising!
Yet another sweltering summer morning stretches lazily across the city, peppering the pavements with impressively balanced tender-coconut and watermelon pyramids. Perspiration seems to be Chennai’s most-popular pastime and resigned sighs are heard almost everywhere even as the day boots up – almost being the operational word here, for we do have some significant exceptions…
In a children’s home tucked away in the city, volunteers are accosted by a bevy of energetic kids all clamouring for their attention, eagerness brimming over in their smiles. Voila, the typical welcome that …

Siragugal 2009 was a one day Art, cultural Fest held on 15 Nov, 2009. 796 children from classes 1-12 of 26 orphanages in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur Districts participated. The event consisted of 16 different competitions for three age categories, a science exhibition competition, fun events including a magic show and a theatre workshop for the children.

Hurray, great news!!!
One of MAD Chennai’s volunteers Dr. Prahalathan has been shortlisted for the prestigious YouthActionNet’s Global Fellowship Program! Launched in 2001 by the International Youth Foundation, this fellowship strengthens, supports, and celebrates the role of young people in leading positive change in their communities by their innovative approaches, and by their ability to mobilize their peers and community members in support of their social change efforts. YouthActionNet supports aspiring and accomplished young leaders by providing skill-building, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
Dr. Prahalathan is a founder member of Bhumi, a non-profit …

As we approach the new academic year, MAD Chennai team is very excited about the challenges ahead! And our first one was the recruitment drive!
Our volunteers came up with innovative ideas and proved yet again that they are the die hard fans of technology. They covered almost every popular site in the networking world. Ideas were exchanged rapidly: While two blurted out “youth communities like colleges, theatre groups, hangouts etc, on orkut” and “Area Pal” [a website that connects youngsters from different pockets of the city], another questioned “When …

It’s a MAD workshop! Events and people associated need to be MAD! And yes, Chennai went MAD on the 14th of June. Just when the first phase [registration] looked perfect, we noticed someone very old walking in. It’s unfortunate that our expressions were not captured Apparently, she was there to see what kind of an organisation her daughter [a 2nd year old under-graduate] was getting into! Oh Oh!!! But, it was obvious that that’s not going to stop us from going MAD! In fact, Vaishnavi and I took …