False charges on Philip Benis
Dear Mr. Johri 05-10-12
Peace. When I saw your posting I only said‘amaithi’. This Tamil word means peace. As a Yoga Teacher I can only send you peace. I felt sad that you gave wrong information. I give the following explanations.
1.Mr Benis of Best foundation operates another co. called Good shepherd which apparently gives consultancy in goat shed construction.
Good Shepherd Farm which was part of Best Foundation is mainly giving goat farm training.
2. He subcontracts the job to a welder and does not have much knowledge of shed construction hinslef. In fact, my father had to design the shed for him which was partly executed by the welder.
Before you and your father came to my farm on 14-06-12 you sent an email stating:
Dear Mr Benis,
We want to meet you on 14th afternoon to discuss the shed design. We will be coming from Sivagangai to Chennai. Enroute we will stop at Pondicherry.Please make sure the welder is present as well.
In my farm you and your father had a discussion with me and the welder. We made a design after putting together your and my ideas. The welder and I signed the agreement in Chennai. I said I am only the service provider. The works would be done by the welder. I did not get the order and give to an unknown person. He also signed the agreement. If you are not satisfied why did you give order to me and the welder.
3.It has been 5 months and he has not finished the job. It was suppposed to be done in 25 days..
It is true that the work has taken more than the agreed days. But not 5 months. I give you exact dates below.
20-06-12: The agreement signed in Chennai around 07.00 pm.
21-06-12: 1st installment amt in my account.
22-06-12: The amt taken and the materials bought.
26-06-12: Van with materials reached your farm.
27-06-12: The work started.
27-07-12: I visited the farm. The work was in the last stage. The welders were making divisions/partitions. It was one day work only. You and your father were there and gave some suggestions and that were carried out. You also wanted some extra works which was not part of the agreement. The extra works took almost 3 days. The cost of materials were given but not the wages for 3 days. I quote from your email:
Dear Mr Benis,
Pending works are as follows -
Painting of the shed
Tacking of mesh in certain places.
The painting of the trusses and the I beams were over. Painting of the divisions/partitions is the only pending work. If any one wants I can send you the photos taken on that day.
4.After getting all the money, he and his welder are keeping quiet.
It is not true we got all the money. You say in your email that the balance amount you have to give is Rs.4,400/- I quote you from your email:
Dear Mr Benis, 06-09-12
…………….
Balance to be paid approx Rs 4,400/-
There is the balance amount left with you. But you say that we got all the money!
Your farm is in nearly 150 acres of land in a remote area- nearly 14 kms from Sivagangai. One of the main reasons for the delay is that the workers are not happy to come to a remote place where no comfort and enjoyment like TV, cinema, Hotel etc.
I was not keeping quiet. I sent SMS, email. I sent one email asking you to give extra money Rs.10,000/- nearly 2 % from the agreed amount as the prices of the iron, wood and labour have gone up. Till now you did not reply. I was hoping that you would send me a positive reply. Once I got your reply the pending works would have been completed then.
Mean time on 26-09-12 I went abroad. When I am not in India you wrote against me.
5.I would warn all the newbies from getting duped by him and his welder.
Duped ! Can any one agree to this after going through my explanation? We were ready to complete the work. We only asked for some extra money that too nearly 2 % only. You should say yes or no. But you kept quiet so long and now you are accusing me.
6.Also, please do not buy CO4 from him. I have seen the quality of his plants and they are not all that good. Moreover, he is selling at Rs 2-3 per slip. Please goto any KVK and you shall get it for 20 - 30- paisa..
This is another lie. Till August 2012 I have been selling the Co4 for 0.40 per slip. From Sep it costs Rs.0.50. I sold to people in Karnataka, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. You can ask them what rate I sold. I can give their contact details. I got a bulk order near your farm – Sivaganga. I charge Rs. 0.30 thirty paisa only.
Mr. Johri do you think people are fools to buy one slip for Rs. 2-3. The people are very alert. Most of them search in the internet and then go for the purchase. Many people who buy Co4 slips came to my farm, see and then give order. Do you think they are fools to buy substandard Co4 slips.Have you tested my Co4 slips in any lab.
7. He is out there to make a quick buck.
How much money did you pay me for the consultation. Twice I came to your farm. Once I went to your house in Chennai. I gave you a letter where I stated my charges. I quote from my letter:
The following are the charges I make when I go for outstation consultation.
1. Bus fare from Pondicherry to the working spot and back to Pondicherry.
2. Food and accommodation
3. Consultation fee of Rs.2000/-
If I want quick bucks I would have not accepted only Rs.500/- which your father offered me on the first visit on 07-06-12. For your sake I spent almost 8 hours including travel time. I told you that I do not want bus fare as I am coming to Madurai for a personal visit. If I wanted to make quick bucks I would have pretended as if I came only for you and got Rs.3,500/- for bus fare, stay, food and consultation fee.
On the second visit to your farm on 27-07-12 I did not get any money from you. I spent Rs.1440/- for my travel from Podicherry to your place and back, and stay in Madurai. For your sake I almost spent 29 hours including travel time. I did not get any money from you.
Most of my life I spent working for the leprosy patients. Monetary wise it was less. But I have job satisfaction that I have served thousands of leprosy patients-helped their children for studies etc. I run a Yoga Center where I do not get much money. The only time I earn is when I go to foreign countries.
After my M. A.(SW) studies in Loyola college, Chennai, I should have gone to ‘money fetching ‘ fields if I wanted to make quick bucks. I chose leprosy field to serve the people and I continue to do it even now happily.
By taking up this shed construction I have no monetary benefits. Rs.500/- I got as the consultation fees is practically nothing when it is compared to the money, time and energy I spent.
8.I wonder how has a yoga teacher turned goat "guru" be giving such training when he does not evenve own a goat - he rents it from local villagers..
Mr. Johri again you are saying a lie. The goats that you saw in my farm are my goats. Who told you that I rent the goats from the local villagers. You have very good imagination.
Thanks Mr. Johri for calling me Goat Guru. You are really great to give me this title. At present I do not deserve. In the future with all my commitment and hard work I will become eligible to be called a Goat Guru.
I know some Yoga Teachers run goat farms. One Yoga Teacher took 3 day training in my farm. I am for organic farming. Cow dung and goat dung are needed for organic farming. This is the one reason I promote goat farming. Another reason is to stop the agricultural lands becoming housing plots. Normally the farmers say no income/less income. If they have goat farming then their income increases. In this way many lands which were unused/underused are being used for goat farming and other agri works.
Mr. Johri I have given explanation. I forgive you. I expect you to apologize and make a statement in all the places you posted on line. So many people have seen your posting. I do not know among them how many will read my explanation and your apology. For many people I will remain as a fraud life long. You spoiled my name and goat farm services. So what are you going to do for this.
You came from UP state and bought nearly 150 acres of land in Tamil Nadu to make a living. Tamil Nadu is helping you. Be grateful to the people here. Any dispute can be peacefully settled. By writing like this what have you gained? In fact you are getting a bad name as a liar. My name is also spoiled. Finally both are losers.
Mr. Johri after I return to India I visit you, your father and your farm as early as possible. I send peace and love vibrations to you and your father.
Caution to the readers:
I am happy people are alert and want to avoid the fraud people. But when some one writes please verify the facts and then comment including my writings. I can send you proofs like emails, photos etc. Then you make a judgment. If you do not have time and patience then best thing is to keep quiet. You will be careful when you deal with such persons. I like to request Mr. Mathew to directly contact me to verify the facts.
My brother Swami Sharanananda ( Fr. Korko Moses SJ ) runs an Ashram near Dindigul. I have Good Shepherd Farm and Abundant Life Yoga Center in Pondicherry. This what Mr. Nambiar is talking about.
Ok then let us continue to be friends and work and help each other in the field of agriculture.
Philip Benis, Director,Good Shepherd Farm,
philipbenis@gmail.com, 9443438532
