95's CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS

BATCH OF 1995 CMC VELLORE

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The announcements section is now moved here. check out the announcements, Prayer section, other requests,....

OUR WEBSITE NEEDS YOUR HELP - A REQUEST

This is an important piece of communication that needs your kind and urgent attention. In the last KIT (4) series, you would have received a printed copy of information about our website. Many of us who use the website know the importance of having one. Even those of you who do not use the website right now will sooner or later realize the need for having a website for our batch. The Internet is fast becoming one of a primary mode of communication all over the world, including India. In such times, when we are all far far away from each other, a website for us will keep us close together and help us keep in touch with others and also with the latest happenings relevant to us. And so a website for us is essential and we should all be glad that we have one right now.

OUR WEBSITE: The success of our website lies in the fact that within 7 months of its online existence it has been visited more than 2000 times, updated almost every 10 days and has been one of the most interactive alumni websites. There is a huge list of ever changing contents like Newsletter, Special Feature, Photographs, Toad, MCQ of the week, Thought for the month, Events, Announcements, Prayer request, Guestbook, Discussion forum, Humor corner, Address book, Live chat, etc. And the website gets updated almost every 7-15 days, with changes in almost all of the above said items. I have started this website and have been updating it regularly till date, using my own savings. I have been personally spending my time and money (nearly Rs. 7000/- till date) to keep Batch of 95 alive on the web.

UPDATING: Every updating session needs a minimum of 3-5 hours of Internet usage, provided the Internet facility is quite fast. Such Internet facilities are available at the rate of Rs. 25-35/- per hour, or more, at Vellore. Cheaper internet facilities are so slow that finally you end up paying almost the same amount of money for one update session, if not more, and also spend more time. Sometimes such slow speeds are not compatible with the updating software. Sometimes, the content for updating involves a much longer and continuous session exceeding the minimum time of 4 hours of internet; for example, putting up photographs, adding a new page, updating the milestones page or address page, creating special effects (like moving pictures), password protection, etc. On an average, it costs nearly 4000/-Rs., to keep our site updated for a period of one year, just for the Internet usage alone. I had tried to cut down this by trying to reduce the number of updating sessions, but then there were two problems. One was that the information on the web was too old and it defies the proper use of Internet facility. Secondly the amount of information keeps accumulating to such an extent that finally that much time and money need to be spent for the updating anyway.

DOMAIN SPACE AND WEBMASTER: Right now we are using a domain of 50MB space, provided free by Tripod. It is one of the best free domain providers worldwide, which gives largest domain space free, and provides us with an easy and fast site-builder program that can be used even by those people who have not mastered the html language fully (like me). In return they put up a small inconspicuous rectangular piece of advertisement on top of every page of our website. Generally if one has to buy a domain, it costs nearly 20 US$ per month (1000/-Rs. per month, or 12000/-Rs. per year). That is just for the space. If you have to employ a Webmaster, it would cost anywhere from 12 - 25 US$ per month (yet another 12000/- Rs. per year). We do not have the above said expenses due to Tripods free domain and the fact that I am updating the website myself. It is important to keep in mind that it is possible in future for Tripod to ask us to pay for the space they are providing to us free, just like how usa.nets free email facility became pay-mail.

THE PROBLEMS: The problem now is that due to economic constraints, I would not be able to further update the website unless some sort of funding arrives. And the real problem is the fact that Tripod has brought to my notice one of their rules. It states that those websites that are not being updated for a period of 60 days will be temporarily suspended, and a grace period of another 30 days will be given in order to save the existing information and reactivate the website by updating it. If no changes are made within this period of time in the website, the website will be completely closed and the information will be lost forever. It would take nearly 200 hours of internet-computer usage to build a new website with similar content and facilities that exist as of now. That would then add a huge amount to the actual cost of the website. It would be more wise and economical to keep the existing site going on rather than letting this die and start another new one. So now you can understand that we are in a crisis situation that needs your attention and help, to save this website.

SOLUTION - AN IDEA: Keeping all the above-mentioned problems in mind, it is the need of the hour to provide some sort of funding for the updating of the website. It is decided that we should set up a Website Fund (something like an endowment fund) with an assured annual interest, that would not only suffice to provide for updating the website, but also have some more money left over to be put back into the principal amount in order to let the fund grow. The fund should grow, in order to be able to provide adequate amount in the future, since the cost of internet may not remain the same in future, or Tripod may ask us to pay, or in any unfortunate circumstance we need to get a webmaster for updating the website. Taking into account the costs, as mentioned above, it would be wise to amass atleast Rs. 60000/- for the fund (annual interest rates nearly 8.50%). This means that EVERYONE of us belonging to BATCH OF 1995 CMCH VELLORE, need to pitch in atleast Rs. 1000/- as ONE-TIME PAYMENT FOR A LIFE TIME OF WEBSITE FOR US.

THINK ABOUT IT: I have already given you all the details of the costs and the problems involved which clearly justify the amount needed. But before you say, 1000 is too much, just think about it. How much is 1000 bucks? Your coffee money of Rs.3 per day will cost you more than that for a year. This is just 1000 for a lifetime of online existence. And all that is not going to be spent. It is all going to be safely growing in the bank, and only the interest will be partially spent. I know that a few of us are facing difficult situation - I too am one of you and that is exactly why I am forced to ask you all. I have not asked any of you for monetary help to set up this website or to keep it updated till date. Those of you who have seen the website will realize how much of time, money and effort have gone into this. Just see the other batch WebPages from 95s weblinks page of our website, or from the INDIA LINKS page of CMCH official website. You will realize how effective and efficient our website is. This is a difficult situation and there is a danger of losing our website, if we dont keep it alive and updated. Go through the website, the website information I had sent you before and this letter again, and then decide and reply. Make sure you reply reaches ME well before December 15, 2001. The procedural decision will be taken soon after the replies are received and will be informed to all of you. Each one of your responses will decide the amount. In case there is no scope for funding or if an amount less than 45000/- is what is collected then it might be decided to shut down the website once and for all. Any suggestions regarding the fund, the bank interest details (please write if you are considerably sure), and choice of a co-ordinator(s) to manage maintain this account are all welcome.

Kindly do not ignore this letter. Whatever may be your decision, DO REPLY TO THIS LETTER RELEVANTLY. Hopefully it is all developmentally oriented.
Thanking you in anticipation

reply to me at:
cmch95@yahoo.co.in
or
miq, cmch, vellore-632004

luv & prayers
Basu.G

PRAYER REQUEST:

Let us pray for Dr.Ashish Chrispal, Anugrah's Dad, who is currently admitted in CMC post CABG febrile illness. Also pray for all the first year PGstudents of our class who r going to write the first year exams. Special prayers for Dr.Manish Dugar, the first MD post graduate from our batch and our best outgoing student for successin his MD final exams.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gopinath Weds Krishnapriya on the 4th Feb 2004 at Vellore. The reception will be held on the evening of the 3rd Feb.

James weds Vandana at Cuttack on 9th of Feb

...kindly look up details by clicking the invitation below

PAYMENT DETAILS FOR 95 BATCH WEBSITE FUND

Dear friends, Madurai / Vellore 20/1/2002
Wish you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2002. As you all have come to know by now, we are trying to set up a class website fund for website updating purposes, hopefully before the first anniversary of our class website (http://cmch95.tripod.com), which will be on the 20th Feb., 2002. Almost everybody has accepted to provide the money and nearly 20 have already given the money as cash in hand. This letter is for all the rest of you. Kindly pay the money in any of the given formats below, well before 15th Feb., 2002. Some of you who have paid only Rs.500/- as the first installment kindly make the second installment payment before the above-mentioned date. Kindly avoid any delay as far as possible. Dr. Anton will be the official treasurer and he will be collecting the money.
PAYMENT CAN BE MADE AS (in the order of preference):

1. CASH a minimum of Rs.1000/- (or two installments of Rs.500/-each) TO BE PERSONALLY HANDED OVER TO Either Dr. Anton Job Romesh Prasad or Dr. G.Basu at their contact addresses at the end of this letter.

2. DEMAND DRAFT a crossed a/c payee demand draft of minimum of Rs.1000/- (excluding the exchange rate) drawn in favor of Anton Job Romesh Prasad Payable at STATE BANK OF INDIA, MADURAI MAIN BRANCH.

3. CHEQUE a crossed a/c payee cheque for a minimum of Rs1050/- (Rupees one thousand and fifty only) or two installment cheques of Rs 550/- (Rupees five hundred and fifty only) (the additional amounts are to include the exchange rate of the cheques) in favor of Anton Job Romesh Prasad.

4. MONEY ORDER - For a minimum of Rs.1000/- (excluding postal M.O. service charges) to be sent to Dr. Anton Job Romesh Prasad at address (given at the end of this letter).Along with the D/D or Cheque, remember to include a letter informing us your name and mode of payment with the date bank and number of the D/D or Cheque, so as to ensure that your money is accounted for in your name only.

Kindly make the payments as soon as possible. Valuable suggestions are most welcome. All queries to be directed to the treasurer Dr. Anton Job Romesh Prasad

POSTAL ADDRESS: Dr. Anton Job Romesh Prasad,
M.I.Q, CMCH Vellore, Tamil nadu 632004

Email: ajrprasad@yahoo.co.uk , ajrp@rediffmail.com

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1. The minimum amount from every person is Rs.1000/-. But you are most welcome to contribute as much as you can.

2. Do not delay the payment as the website account set up will be delayed just because of you.

3. You can make the payment as two installments. More than 2 installments not feasible. Do remember to mention it to the treasurer in a letter or email.

4. Kindly make sure that the D/D and Cheque are both CROSSED for ACCOUNT PAYEE ONLY to avoid theft and misuse.

5. Avoid sending the D/D or Cheque through Ordinary post. Do send it either through Registered Post or Speed Post or a reliable and well known Courier (who has a centre in Madurai). If possible keep a postal acknowledgement card for the sake of reassurance that the post has reached the correct destination.

6. Kindly inform the following details in a SEPARATE letter or email to cmch95@yahoo.co.in or the treasurers contact address or email given above. This is to ensure that the money is not lost in transit and incase it has not reached then to trace it:
i. Name
ii. Mode of payment d/d or cheque or m.o.
iii. Mode of sending registered post or speed post (with speed post number) or Courier service (with name of the courier service and number of the consignment) and the Date of Posting the same.
iv. Amount of payment.
v. Details of the cheque or d/d ( including date , number, bank and branch)

7. DO NOT SEND CHEQUES OR D/D TO THE WEBMASTER (DR. G.BASU) . IF U STILL WANNA GIVE THE WEBMASTER MONEY - DO NOT HAND OVER MONEY IN ANY MODE OTHER THAN IN CASH AND TO BE PERSONALLY HANDED OVER.

8. Those who will be paying from outside India will have to send Cheques of 30 US $ or equivalent worth.

9. Kindly contact the treasurer and ensure that your money has been received and has been accounted for in your name. This is your right and responsibility.

10. In case of any problem kindly contact the treasurer (contact information given above).

Send any announcements to be put up here to the email

cmch95@yahoo.co.in

SEND IN ANNOUNCEMENTS OR REPLIES TO
cmch95@yahoo.co.in