On November 9th 2009 at 4PM at
Pamela Martinez/Pathway Agro farm for Children, Agili, Maduranthakam Taluk, Kancheepuram district
This mega event was organized at the Pamela Martinez/Pathway Agro farm for Children on November 9th 2009. Though the entire season was full of heavy rains the event went on very well without any interruption or disturbance, it was indeed a miracle.
The colourful function was organized in a specially erected ‘Pandal’/ tent especially made water proof with bamboo and coconut leaves interwoven. The entire shelter was tastefully decorated with silk and satin colourful cloth and buntings. The entire venue and the streets of the Farm was decorated with lights and the both the new buildings were decked up with lights like a bride.
The event despite the inclement weather was very well attended by eminent people from far and wide. Such as :
Social Welfare Minister, Government of Tamil Nadu: Mrs Geetha Jeevan
Labour Welfare Minister, Government of Tamil Nadu: Mr T M Anbarasan
Mr M Subramanian, Mayor of Chennai
Mrs Sankari Narayanan, MLA
The District administration was represented by Mr Namburajan, District Revenue Officer, represented the Collector of the District.
Bishop H David Burton, Presiding Bishop, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Mrs Barbara Burton
Mr Eric Otteson, President, Sabin Children’s Foundation, California,
Mr Gary Sabin, Chairman, Sabin Children’s Foundation, California
Mr William P.Benac.Sr and Mrs Barbara Benac
Judge William Sheffield, formerly Judge of the Superior Court of California
And Mrs Leslie Sheffield
At the outset all the distinguished guests and the Ministers were received with traditional music of ‘Nadaswaram’ with rose petals sprinkled by the children of the Agro Farm on the path welcoming the distinguished guests. Ministers and Honoured Guests were taken to the new buildings. The granite stone slab affixed on the walls of the Sabin Centre for Education and Rehabilitation of Disabled Children was unveiled by the Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu: Mrs Geetha Jeevan. The Building was declared open by cutting the ribbon by Mr Gary Sabin and The brass plaque which read that the building was given in honour of President Gordon B Hinckley was unveiled by Bishop H David Burton, Presiding Bishop, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, in the presence of Mr Eric Otteseon, Judge William Sheffield, Mr William Benac and large retinue of press and television crew.
Similarly the Sabin Home for Children was inaugurated. The granite stone slab affixed on the walls of the Sabin Home for Children was unveiled by the Minister for Labour Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu: Mr T M Anbarasan. The Building was declared open by cutting the ribbon by Bishop H David Burton Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter –Days Saints and The brass plaque which read that the building was given in honour of President Gordon B Hinckley was unveiled by Mr Gary Sabin, Chairman,Sabin Children’s Foundation , California, in the presence of Mr Eric Otteseon, Judge William Sheffield, Mr William Benac and large retinue of press and television crew.
After the formal inauguration of the buildings the honoured guests were requested to light the traditional lamp to signal the inauguration of the event. Followed by this the children of Pathway, both the able and disabled gave enchanting dance performances to the audience.
A D S N Prasad, The Founder- Director of Pathway presented the welcome address. In his address Mr Prasad conveyed his gratitude to Mr Gary Sabin, Chairman, Sabin Children’s Foundation and Mr Eric Ottesen, President of the Foundation for the generous contribution which made this dream a possibility. He also conveyed his gratitude to Bishop H David Burton, Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the munificent support extended for this great project. A D S N Prasad also thanked Mr Bill Benac and all other supporters for their loyalty and great support to Pathway over the years. He was expressed his gratitude to Judge Sheffield for his unstinted support, loyalty, support and love over the years. In his address Prasad described the service rendered by Pathway from the past three decades and explained how from just serving two children the organization has served nearly 22000 children and adults with various problems. He also said how the organization has grown in to a fairly a large size institution over these years not only serving the disabled but also the orphan and semi orphan destitute children. Prasad described the present project of integrating the able and disabled which he said will be a challenging one. He also thanked the Government for its support. Prasad said that these two buildings measuring more than 20,000 square feet would help realise dream of rehabilitating about 250 children drawn from different parts of the state and India. It will offer high class comprehensive services to these children. Pathway was also considering establishing teacher training and human resources training programme.
Judge William Sheffield released the book “A Leaf in the Stream’ a story of Prasad’s Pathway or a biography on life and works of Prasad, that gives glimpses of genesis growth and development of Pathway. This book was written by Charukesi a well known writer of books and a well known journalist. First copies of the book was received by the Honourable Ministers as well as the distinguished guests on the stage.
Judge Sheffield in his address thanked the Mr Gary Sabin and Mr Eric Ottesen, Sabin Children’s Foundation for their great support and he also thanked Bishop H David Burton, Presiding Bishop, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the great support. Judge also thanked Mrs Pamela Martinez and Mr Alex Martinez for their continued support. He also listed many supporters including Dr Terrance Gooding for their great help. He at this occasion read out letters received from: Mr Richard Hinckley, son of President Gordon B. Hinckley and Mr Mark Ortel. He also conveyed his grateful thanks to all supporters. Judge Sheffield said he was very excited with this new project of helping the disabled particularly integrating the able with the disabled children.
Bishop H David Burton, Presiding Bishop, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in his address expressed his happiness in associating with Pathway. The Bishop blessed the event and dedicated both the buildings as well as the entire Agro Farm and invoked the blessings of the Saviour on the persons associated with work as well as for the entire endeavour.
Mr Gary Sabin, Chairman, The Sabin Children’s Foundation, California expressed his happiness and satisfaction with his association with Pathway and said he was delighted to be here today. He said he was delighted that his Foundation was able to do this to Pathway and to the needy children in this part of the world. He also outlined the great support extended by the Foundation to many causes all around the world. He conveyed his grateful thanks to Bishop H David Burton and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints for their marvellous support.
Mr Eric Ottesen, President, The Sabin Children’s Foundation, expressed his happiness with the partnership with Pathway and said he was glad that this would bring about help to many poor and needy children of India. He also thanked Bishop H David Burton and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the generous assistance.
Mr William Benac Sr in his address recalled his association with Pathway for nearly two decades and lauded the efforts of the organization in serving the disabled and needy children and assured his continued assistance and association with this noble work.
Dignitaries such as the District Revenue Officer Mr Namburajan and the Member Legislative Assembly Mrs Sankari Narayan congratulated the organization for its work in helping the disabled.
Mr T M Anbarasan, Minister of Labour, Government of Tamil Nadu in his presidential address lauded the efforts of the organization in serving the disabled from the past 30 years and promised all assistance to the organization from the Government.
The Social Welfare Minister Mrs Geetha Jeevan in her address thanked Pathway for its service to the disabled and she said that she ahs witnessed the work of the organization at Chennai and mentioned the awards the organization has received from the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu as the Best Institution serving the disabled in the state during this year. She complemented Pathway for establishing such a well organized facility in the area and promised all assistance from the state.
All the distinguished and honoured guests were presented with mementoes and shawls by Mrs Chandra Prasad, Mrs Sudha Subramaniam, Mrs Ruby Ponniah
and A D S N Prasad.
The Vote of thanks was delivered by Mrs Ruby Ponniah, President of Pathway, she thanked all the guests, particularly the Ogilvy and Mather Pvt Ltd for their support.
