Educational, Welfare & Research Foundation Malaysia

APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 29 / 2-2022

IMPACT MOVING THE COMMUNITY FORWARD

Chess for underprivileged children

NOM CHELVAN

During the year end school break of November to

December 2021, many parents in Bukit Beruntung
had approached EWRF Hulu Selangor to conduct
a beginner’s level chess class for their children. The
hope was that the children could spend their school
break in a productive way by taking up the highly
beneficial game of chess. The free chess training
took place for a total of 5 days with each session
lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Around 20
students registered for the class, with 15 students
successfully completing the training.

When approached by EWRF Hulu Selangor to

conduct the classes, I happily obliged to volunteer as
I was in my semester break and had some free time
to spare. Besides, teaching was a passion of mine
and the idea of teaching the art of chess to absolute
beginners was exciting and evoked a sense of
challenge in me. On the first day of the chess class,
students were taught a brief history on the origins of
chess. Having originated from India, getting to know
the history of chess is important so that students can
better appreciate its richness and the connection
chess has with one’s cultural heritage. The inspiring
stories about the child prodigies, Abhimanyu Mishra
Chess instructor

Continued on page 2...

IN THIS ISSUE
1- Chess for underprivileged children 4- Seminar for SPM students

2- Laptops and tablets for Kajang students 5- Kajang concludes a successful year

3- Tribute to Gunalan Samuel

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 APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 29 / 2-2022 IMPACT
CONTACT US

4B, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail,

60000 Kuala Lumpur.

03-7710 0140/42
03-7710 0096
admin@ewrf.org.my
facebook.com/EWRFMALAYSIA
instagram.com/ewrfofficial
The chess class participants twitter.com/ewrfmalaysia
ewrf.org.my
and Rameshbabu Praggnanandha, who both
attained the title of Grandmaster at the young EWRF CENTRAL COMMITEE
ages of 12 and 16 respectively were also told to
arouse the participants’ spirit to take up chess
seriously. The practical aspect of the training GOVINDASAMY ANNAMALAI
began with an introduction to the piece ‘pawn’. President

KUMARESU KATHAPERUMAL
On the second day, two more pieces, namely Deputy President

Rook and Bishop, were introduced. The knight MUTHAMIL CHELVAN ARUMUGAM
was the subject matter of day three while the DR. CHITRA K. M. KRISHNAN ADIYODI
pieces Queen and King were introduced on the SIVARAJ RAJA GOPAL
Vice President
fourth day. On the final day, students put what
they had learned to test with a simple quiz. The RAVENTHARAN P. S.
top three winners of the quiz were gifted with a General Secretary

medal and a t-shirt. By the end of the program, JEYA KUMAR VAITHILINGAM
all students were able to move the chess pieces Deputy General Secretary

and had grasped the basic concept of chess. LOSHINI THANGARAJU

The students thoroughly enjoyed the lessons Treasurer

and looked forward to participating in local KETHESWARAAN NADARAJAH

tournaments. The parents on the other hand DR. THAATCHAAYINI KANANATU
hoped that EWRF Hulu Selangor would conduct RENGANATHAN KANNAN
more such free chess classes in the future. SYLVERSTER DHAS
DR. ANBANANTHAN RATHNAM
KALAIVANI RAMADAS
The main takeaway for me was that the demand PALANI ANNAMALAI
for chess classes was indeed high though the DR. LOGANATHAN KRISHNAN
opportunities to learn the game was restricted Committee

to people who had the money to access such

classes outside of school. Thus, schools should
fill in this gap and encourage chess among students from a young age. Although currently
Malaysia has zero Grand Masters, maybe someday through our collective effort to promote
the culture of chess, Malaysia too will have its own Abhimanyu Mishras and Rameshbabu
Praggnanandhas.
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APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 29 / 2-2022 IMPACT
Branch Activity

Laptops and tablets for Kajang students

DHARSHINI PRABU

Members of EWRF Kajang with the students who received the laptops and tablets

KAJANG: As the importance of online learning becomes increasingly significant, especially

since the COVID-19 pandemic, EWRF’s Kajang Branch recently organised an educational
welfare programme to help Kajang-based secondary and primary school students. These
students were in need of suitable equipment to pursue a quality digital education.

The programme was carried out to spread awareness among students on the importance
of online education . The Chairman of the branch, Elangovan Govindasamy said, a total of
17 students were selected to benefit under the programme, of which 11 students received
laptops and 6 others were given tablets.

The recipients were students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Rinching and
Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Ladang Rinching. The presentation ceremony was
held at the Subramaniam Temple, Jalan Reko, Kajang.

“EWRF Kajang believes that students need to have suitable and good facilities and equipment
to achieve perfect learning today.

Attending our online e-CSI activities, the students have realised that online education is the
key term nowadays, and we are putting in the effort to provide the facilities for them,” he said
in his speech at the presentation ceremony that took place on 13 April 2022. The electronic
devices which were given to students are multi-functional and a good source for educational
purposes.
Continued on page 4...
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 APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 29 / 2-2022 IMPACT
Elangovan added that it has always been an honour to be a part of their students’ lives in all
aspects especially in educational and character development.

“As the first step for students to face the real world today, we provide the chance for these
students to experience the online world.

“They were unable to afford electronic devices for online studies. We made it possible by
providing laptops and tablets for these students who will benefit from it in their education,”
said Elangovan.

Briefing by Chairman of EWRF Kajang to students and parents.

The event was attended by Uma Perumal (Headmistress of SJKT Ladang Rinching, Loshini
Thangaraju (Honorary Treasurer of EWRF HQ), Chinnadevan (Chairman of Persatuan
Kebajikan India Veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Cawangan Selangor), Nagenthiran
(Secretary of Maha Mariamman Temple Bandar Rinching), Thanavathy Maniam (a teacher
at SJK(T) Ladang Rinching), Vinotheni Appurajan (Vice-Chairperson of EWRF Kajang), and
Shubashini Kanniaht (Fund Management Committee).

During the session, Elangovan pointed out issues faced by students from Kajang i.e. they were
unable to attend online classes due to lack of resources. He further said that the issue led
to students losing interest in learning. EWRF Kajang hopes that providing suitable electronic
devices will help the students succeed in their education.

Parents and students were responsive in the Q&A session. The session was beneficial for
students and parents to realize the importance of online education. Elangovan said that the
programme was a great effort to enforce strong partnership between EWRF Kajang, parents
and students in improving academic achievement.

“Helping school students to improve educationally will help lead them to a brighter future in
terms of character and professionalism. EWRF has been helping students and has provided
a good pathway for students to perform better in online studies,” he said.
Continued on page 5...
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APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 29 / 2-2022 IMPACT

Loshini Thangaraju, Honorary Treasurer, Appreciation given to Chinnadevan,

EWRF HQ and Uma Perumal, Persatuan Kebajikan Veteran India
Headmistress, SJKT Ladang Rinching Angkatan Tentera Malaysia.
presenting a laptop to a student.

Box of school uniforms given by Chinnadevan, Persatuan Kebajikan Veteran India

Angkatan Tentera Malaysia and Kathirvellan, Pertubuhan Penganut Hindu Putra Perdana
Puchong to Uma Perumal, Headmistress of SJKT Ladang Rinching.

Students with EWRF Kajang and EWRF HQ members.

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 APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 29 / 2-2022 IMPACT
Condolences

Tribute to Gunalan Samuel

DEVAMARY PALANIANDY

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have
made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead”
- Nelson Mandela

Gunalan Samuel, a community and church leader, passed away on December 31,
2021 at his home in Penang Island. He was just 44 years old. His demise came as a
great shock to the community and to those who knew him.

Gunalan was a willful and dynamic man and a servant leader by nature. He had full
passion and vision to bring about changes that would benefit the community especially
the community in Penang. He was a member of EWRF Gelugor and later joined
EWRF Bayan Baru Center in 2008. After the former Vice Chairman Rao’s tenure, he
was appointed as Vice Chairman of EWRF Bayan Baru by I.R. Rajasegaran (EWRF
past President) and from then on his journey with EWRF Bayan Baru started. From
2015 - 2018, he was appointed as Chairman and in 2019 - 2021 he held the Vice
Chairman position. He was known for his ability to make things happen, and made
positive changes under his leadership.

Our lives have been blessed from knowing him as who he is and our prayers and love
are with his wife and children. Rest now dear comrade, you have fought the righteous
battle.

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 APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 29 / 2-2022 IMPACT
Branch Activity

Seminar for SPM students

DHARSHINI PRABU

“Moving the Community Forward” is the main motive of

EWRF to raise and educate youths of our country to be
future leaders who will be the driving force in achieving
more success and fortunes. EWRF has been leading
youths for many years academically and mentally in
training them to be respected members in the society. To
achieve this goal, EWRF has put in tremendous effort in
moulding the youths from primary to secondary school
students. For example, activities such as seminars and
talks were given to E-CSI students to create awareness
about the importance of education as the proverb goes
“Education is the key to Success”.

As for this year’s activity according to the theme of

educating youths, a Seminar SPM 2022 was organized
under the initiative of EWRF Kajang branch with the help
of the branch chairman, facilitators and professional
teachers. The event commenced on 20th February
2022 having two sessions starting with subjects such
as English, Bahasa Malaysia, Pendidikan Moral and Poster of Seminar
Sejarah.

The objective of this seminar is to provide students with spot exam questions, answering and
memorizing techniques that will be a guideline to fulfill the exam’s requirements. Besides that,
having this seminar has also given SPM 2021 students the courage and confidence to sit for
the exam. By this, our SPM youths will have a strong belief in themselves to perform well and
succeed in the long run.

“Action is the fundamental key to all success” as said by Pablo Picasso is indeed true because
all EWRF’s actions certainly play a significant role especially in developing good characteristics
in our teenagers in terms of academic and curriculum. It is an undeniable fact that EWRF is
a great supporter for our youths as we are guiding them with the right education pathway in
their lives. In a nutshell, we at EWRF also believe that giving our youths more in terms of
educational aspects, will eventually provide them a secure future and also shape their ethics
as a wholesome person.

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 APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 29 / 2-2022 IMPACT
Branch Activity

Kajang concludes a successful year

DHARSHINI PRABU

KAJANG: Fulfilling dreams and inspiring our youth starts from providing good activities. It has
been our responsibility to encourage productive lives for the youth in terms of their academic,
career and curriculum development. EWRF Kajang is indeed contributing to this aim by conducting
more educational and motivational events for youths.

This matter was discussed at the 2022 Kajang Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting was
held on 19 February 2022 and attended by 25 members. There was also a live online telecasting
of the meeting via Google Meet for members who were unable to join the face-to-face session.

The AGM began with the Chairman’s speech. Elangovan Govindasamy thanked all volunteers
and donors for their reliable and persistent work. The meeting included the approval of 2021
meeting minutes and presentation of accounts as well as an award ceremony to the branch
facilitators who carried out the activities successfully,

The elected office bearers for the the Kajang branch year 2022-2024 are:
I) Chairman - Mr. Elangovan Govindasamy
II) Deputy Chairman – Mrs Vinotheni Appurajan
III) Secretary – Ms Thilagamani Sivakumar
IV) Assistant Secretary – Ms Nethia Sures
V) Treasurer – Mr. Vadiveloo

In addition, the proposed CC members for the ADC of this year were Saritha Motuk and
Shubhashini Kanniah. Elangovan said that all elected members that are given specific portfolios
will carry out their duties to fulfil the purposes and objectives of EWRF Kajang.

The chairman expressed his gratitude for the teamwork and synergy that EWRF KAJANG
members have given for the past years.

EWRF Kajang Chairman, EWRF Kajang Annual General Meeting held on

Elangovan Govindasamy 19 February 2022.
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