The paths to God are many but their teachings are same. The underlying truth that every religion proclaims is the presence of the divinity in each and every creation. When we realize this existence in whomsoever we see, we can get a glimpse of the divine.

Varied are the paths suggested in Hindu scriptures to reach this state. One of them is karma Yoga-selfless service. A desire to explore this path you can do many social activities. One of the ways is doing service to your fellowmen. Service done to poor and destitute is actually the prayers offered to the God. Teaching is the best way to help others. Teaching has always been a rewarding profession. Educating one poor person is a better deed than constructing 1000 Annadana Salas and 10,000 temples.

Swami Vivekananda has said that education should bring out the divinity, which is already in man. Such an education is man making and character building education. However, he also says that we cannot even teach an ant. When we teach the younger generation that we are only providing conductive atmosphere for the children to grow, so that whatever is hidden inside the seed, will come out and grow. Any seed sown in the land need conducive environment to grow. On the other hand, the tree is already hidden inside the seed. The environment is only helping the tree, which is already inside the seed to come out and grow.

Philanthropy in simple the meaning of the word is “doing good things to others”. You may have often heard the word Philanthropy being used before, most likely in association with a celebrity or well known business tycoon. But do you know that you don’t have to have great wealth or fame to be a Philanthropist? Anyone can be a Philanthropist.
1. Have you ever put some coins into a charity collection container at fast food restaurant or Supermarket or any store?
2. Have you ever volunteered for a school or any good cause fund raising event?
3. Have you ever helped any needy person without asking for or excepting any reward?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you are a Philanthropist. Some individuals choose give money in the form of grants through a fund that they establish at a community foundation. The act of donating money is usually far removed from the beneficiary and is invisible.

Cranganore or Kodarnagallur: Cranganore had flourishing trade contacts with Rome, Egypt, Arabia, Phoenicia, Babylonia, China and other countries even as early as 3000 BC.  This renowned port was used to be visited by merchant fleets of many countries.  It is said that King Solomon’s ships frequented this port for products such as ivory, sandalwood, peacock feathers, cinnamon etc. The Romans, it is believed had a colony here and they built a temple in honor of Augustus, the Roman Emperor.

The ancient Indian and foreign records described Cranganore by such names as Muziris, Muchiri, Mahodayapuram, Muyiricode, Makotai, Tiruvanchikulam etc.

Granite is an excellent building material much in demand within the country and abroad. In Bangalore, Mysore and Tumkur districts we find excellent quanity of granite.  Other type of building stone like soap-stone is also found in the State.   Gulbarga has a quality of stone known as shahbad stone.  It is extensively used as a roofing and flooring material.  These stones have a pleasing blue color and give a bright shine after polishing.

Limestone Shells:  On the west coast where the clear water mets the sea we have a peculiar zoological species which have a shell with a very high percentage of lime.  When these species die the heavy shell sinks down. This is collected, burnt, and quality lime obtainted from it.  This found near Coondapur, Honnavar, Kumta and Karwar in the coastal region.

Ivory Carvings: At one time ivory carving flourished in Karnataka.  Beautiful pieces carved out of ivory were popular and the Karnataka craftsman excelled in this work.  Buttons, boxes, animal figures etc. were all carved in exquisite shapes.  Inlay work in wood was also done on a variety of furniture and other items.  As late as EXPO 70 exhibition in Japan, the ivory wok of Karnataka evoked appreciation of all.  Ivory inlay was also done on musical instruments.

Mysore was the centre for this work and training was imparted at the Chamarajendra Technical Institute in Mysore an the Bangalore design Centre.  Today however due to conservation, sale of ivory is banned. The artisans now do inlay work with white plastic and innumerable articles are still manufactured with white inlay work.

In an initiative of keeping the sea front and its surroundings free from filth and pollution, the Chennai Corporation proposes to ban plastics at the Marina, Elliot’s and Thiruvanmiyur beaches. Mayor M. Subramanian made this announcement in his speech ahead of the civic body’s budget for 2009-10. He said that the civic body would take measures to ban use of plastics by the shopkeepers on beaches and also boards would be put to ensure that plastic will not be used.

The estimated cost for the beach beautification program was estimated cost of Rs.28 crore. A scheme to recycle waste would be set at Perungudi and Kodungaiyur garbage dump on a design, build, operate, maintain and transfer basis. As an attempt to make the city greener, the corporation would launch a new scheme to plant a sapling for every child born in the city. The sapling would be planted near the child’s residence and the child’s parents would be urged to look after the sapling.

The budget also said that the tanks of Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore, Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane and Karaneeswarar temple in Saidapet would be used to store rainwater by linking them with storm water drain network.