VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL

The magnificent VIVEKANANDA ROCK MEMORIAL (VRM) at is a symbol of the Indian National’s aspirations. Located at the Land’s end amidst the confluence of three seas sanctified by Devi KanyaKumari’s Tapas, it is where realized the mission of his life. It was to commemorate that epoch-making meditation VRM was erected and stands as a symbol of nation’s gratitude to its rousing spirit.

VIVEKANANDA KENDRA

This spiritually oriented service mission - the logical sequel to the national monument was established to embody Swami Vivekananda‘s message as a living memorial to the patriot saint. Today it has more than 200 branch centers all over the country and numerous service projects to disseminate the ideas of ‘Tyaga’ and ‘Seva’. Amongst them are character-building EDUCATION , culture-based service oriented RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, YOGA to re-establish it as a socially relevant way of life and the invigorating PUBLICATIONS to further the cause of ‘Man making and Nation building’ ideals in print

NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

More commonly known as VK-NARDEP, it is yet another integral project of Vivekananda Kendra. In a world beset with dwindling resources and rising consumption levels, it seeks to address the real issues and suggests refreshing alternatives. Endeavoring to promote indigenous traditional sciences and technologies, supplementing them with modern ones, it organises awareness camps, seminars, workshops and publications.

Working in harmony with other like-minded organisations and in technical collaboration with several scientific research institutes, it promotes technologies – simple, eco-friendly technologies –, which help the common people to practice conservation. The aim is to transform opportunities offered by time-tested methods into tangible benefits of the people.

VK-NARDEP is working for Sustainable Development in the fields of:

 Cost-effective Construction Technologies  Water Management  Sustainable farming  Holistic health and  New and renewable energy sources  Inner sustainability

COST-EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

Alarmed by the high cost of house construction, VK-NARDEP went in quest of locally available alternatives. The traditional knowledge base spawned grand temples, which stand even today, sans mortar and steel rods, after centuries of ravages of time. Today that knowledge is being rediscovered in the Cost-effective Housing Technology movement that has sprouted throughout India started by organizations like that of Laurie Baker and Auroville etc.

The salient features of such houses are avoidance of excessive use of cement and steel and usage of locally available material. The innovative shapes of doors, windows and domes lend aesthetic appeal and beauty to these “Love-able, Live-able and Afford-able” homes. These are economical in terms of embodied energy and leave lesser eco-footprints.

VK-NARDEP trains individuals, masons & village officers in various technologies such as:

(i) Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB) (ii) Hollow & Pavement blocks (iii) Ferro-cement Doors, Tanks etc. (iv) Walling - Rat trap bond (v) Different types of Arches, Vaults & Domes and (vi) Roofing - different types of Filler Slab

WATER MANAGEMENT

As the scarcity of water looms large on the horizon and assumes starker proportions for the disadvantaged sections of the society, VK-NARDEP undertook the task of water conservation and management in a small way in the districts of Kanyakumari and Ramanathapuram.

Measures adopted:

i. Renovation of tanks ii. Deepening Ooranis (traditional water storage tanks i.e. dugout ponds in natural depressions), providing a sand filter trench and a draw well iii. Artificial Recharging of tube wells and iv. Roof water harvesting

VK-NARDEP was awarded Bhoomijal Samvardhan Puraskar – 2007 for its contribution to the conservation of ground water through community efforts by Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Use of chemical fertilizers and application of pesticides in farming, damage the natural cycles, and kill the beneficial micro-flora and fauna leaving the crops vulnerable to pest attacks. These measures increases the cost of production and also cause environmental pollution. They also poison the very food we eat. In contrast, sustainable farming stands for:-

(i) Effective harvesting of sunlight (ii) Efficient water utilization (iii) Bio-diversity (iv) Integrated Nutrient- management and (v) Integrated Pest management

Besides reducing the costs and increasing the yield, the residue is non-toxic, preserves the soil nutrients, and enlivens the MOTHER EARTH . The produce is also of a better quality.

VK-NARDEP has also popularized Azolla as a cost-effective and nutritious feed supplement for cattle, poultry, fish etc. Azolla has benefited thousands of dairymen and poultry farmers in many parts of India. Azolla technology received the NRDC (National Research Development Corporation) award, New Delhi in 2008 .

HOLISTIC HEALTH

With the harmful side effects and contra-indications of synthetic medicines taking their toll, the search is on for a more humane alternative. For us Indians, long reared on mother’s medicine chest, it comes as no surprise that the grandma’s household herbs are proving their worth today.

Long forgotten, and once freely available, these herbs today scream for attention. Widespread deforestation has also confined their spread to a few places. The aggressive patenting and copyright of these remedies by the commercially oriented world interests make it imperative that we safeguard our age - old wisdom.

VK-NARDEP, in pursuit of the above aims, appreciates the need of proper documentation of the geographical spread and use of various herbs besides their non- commercial production. With its widespread contacts with scientific institutions, other agencies and general public, VK-NARDEP is endeavoring to establish a network of indigenous health workers and physicians to: i) Raise herbal nurseries & gardens ii) Train people in raising such nurseries and prepare herbal medicines.

A ‘Green Health Home’ with a qualified Siddha Physician, is treating patients successfully. Regular workshops are held for ‘Nattu Vaidyas’, Self help groups and Voluntary organisations etc.

RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY

Keeping in mind the problem of pollution and energy crisis, VK-NARDEP started its activities in 1986 by propagating Bio-gas technology. In the process, the organisation conducted various training programmes for users and masons and constructed more than 2000 plants in a few districts of Tamilnadu.

VK-NARDEP has published in association with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources, Government of India, a number of books such as Manual on Repair & Maintenance of Bio-gas plant, Bio-gas plant Construction guidelines, Bio-gas Users guide and Bio-gas Manure users guide etc.

VK-NARDEP also propagates various solar devices and has established an ‘Energy Park’ at its Technology Resource Center.

VK-NARDEP has innovated a new Bio-Mathanation plant – Shakti Surabhi® for production of Bio-gas from kitchen and vegetable waste, which is suitable for both urban and rural households 3 3 as well as institutions with community kitchens. The range is from 1 M to 100 M . The gas can also be converted to electricity and compressed bio-gas (CBG). VK-NARDEP has also created a package of value added organic agro-inputs with Biogas slurry for the dissemination of Bio-gas technology for the rural communities. In recognition of its valuable contribution to the field of renewable energy and agriculture, it was awarded the coveted International Ashden award in the year 2006. In the year 2009 VK-NARDEP received NRDC award for its project to generate biogas through aquatic water weeds.

PUBLICATIONS

Books are powerful media for disseminating ideas & ideals. VK- NARDEP has published about 50 booklets and books mainly in Tamil and English and a few in Hindi on various topics of sustainable development. The major books are:

i. Akshya Vikas ii. Samagra Vikas and iii. Gramodaya for right living

Our publications provide valuable reference and reinforcement to the beneficiaries and laymen alike.

COLLABORATION

VK-NARDEP has the collaboration of the following Government Departments and Institutions for updating and disseminating rural technologies:

1. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, New Delhi 2. Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi 3. Department of Bio-technology, New Delhi 4. NABARD, Mumbai. 5. Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 6. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli 7. Related departments of Government of Tamil Nadu and 8. Local bodies in Tamilnadu

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTER (TRC)

As a happy culmination of VK-NARDEP’s dedicated efforts, CAPART, New Delhi has recognised Vivekananda Kendra as a TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTER at Kanyakumari. It is functioning since 1996.

The Technology Resource center is envisioned as a nucleus where the stakeholders of the society will gather to ponder over their shared experience, their age-old wisdom and return enriched to propagate this concern, translating it into a glorious greener future for generations to come.

Here Voluntary Organisations, Panchayat Raj Institutions, Institutes and Individuals are exposed to the “Technologies for Sustainable Development” – in the field of (i) Shelter (ii) Agriculture (iii) Health (iv) Water (v) Energy and (vi) the most important one - Spirit for inner sustainability.

GRAMODAYA DARSHAN PARK

Here various ‘Rural Technologies’ have been depicted through Panels and Models. The working models displayed on ‘Rain Water Harvesting’ and ‘Housing’ are unique.

VK – NARDEP, in its bid to form a network of socially committed institutions and organisations, has established meaningful relationship with many organisations all over India in general and Tamilnadu in particular.

OUR APPROACH

A unique aspect of all its programmes is enlisting of the communities to contribute their labour of love as ‘Shramadan’. This helps not only the project but also the stake-holders themselves to own the project providing for long-term collaboration.

All the above activities are constantly improvised and the knowledge shared with people through regular Workshops and Training courses for Social Animators.

VK-NARDEP invites all to participate in this task of National Regeneration. Let us dedicate ourselves to re-establish ‘Mother India on her throne, rejuvenated and more glorious than ever’.

For more information call us / or write to us:

Vivekananda Kendra - nardep Vivekananda Kendra - nardep Vivekanandapuram Technology Resource Centre Kanyakumari - 629702 Anjaneyaouram, Kalluvilai Ph. 04652 - 246296 Fax: 04652 - 247177 Leepuram P.O., Kanyakumari Dist. E.mail : [email protected] Ph. 04652 - 270755 Website : www.vknardep.org