The Torch Bearers of the Rural Knowledge Revolution Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) Fellows A Few Case Studies, Series - I

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation 3rd Cross Street, Institutional Area Taramani, Chennai - 600 113, Tel: +91-44-2254 1229, 2254 1698 Fax: +91-44-2254 1319 [email protected] [email protected] www.mssrf.org The Torch Bearers of the Rural Knowledge Revolution

Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) Fellows A few case studies, Tamil Nadu

Series - I

Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth “The knowledge deficit that exists at present in villages explains much of the difference between yields realised in experiments and what farmers actually get”. The Village Knowledge Centre can help to bridge this gap.

-Approach to the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2006)

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation MSSRF/MG/07/22

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation 3rd Cross Street, Institutional Area Taramani, Chennai - 600 113, INDIA Tel: +91-44-2254 1229, 2254 1698 Fax: +91-44-2254 1319 [email protected] [email protected] www.mssrf.org

Design and Printing by: AMM Screens, Chennai. 2 NVA Fellows The Torch Bearers of the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Rural Knowledge Revolution

Case Studies: L Vedavalli

Editing: Asha Ramani Executive Support:

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ A Ananth V Arivudai Nambi M Muthukumar R Nirmala R Rengalakshmi R Rukmani S Senthilkumaran P Sivakumar Sylvia Snehalatha A Uma S Velvizhi

A Case Study 3 Preface

The Village Knowledge Centre Project National Virtual Academy (NVA) would was initiated in 1998 in the Union be established, bearing the name of Territory of Pondicherry Jamsetji Tata, India’s greatest pioneer (now Puducherry) by the entrepreneur, visionary and humanist. MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) with a view to disseminate The Jamsetji Tata National Virtual appropriate modes of Information and Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) was Communication Technology (ICT) to launched in August 2003 with the improve the livelihoods of rural women generous support from the Sir Dorabji and men. This project was the outcome Tata Trust and Tata Education Trust. of the Interdisciplinary Dialogue: The main aim of the programme is to Reaching the Unreached, held at MSSRF empower vulnerable people among the in 1992. The field experiences during rural poor with a view to enhance 1998-2003 showed that rural women livelihood opportunities. The state level and men are not only hard working, but hub located at MSSRF, Chennai is linked are innovative, with a capacity to absorb with block level or equivalent hubs or and adopt new technologies. Village Resource Centres (VRC) in the Many of them showed an aptitude for state. These Centres are in turn mastering ICT for their skill connected with the Village Knowledge empowerment. A consultation was Centres (VKC) in the state. The VRCs organised by MSSRF on 8 May 2003 to and VKCs are already geared toward discuss methods of recognising such making every home and hut the target rural ICT entrepreneurs. During the for positive changes that will take rural consultation, it was decided that a India towards technology, innovation

4 NVA Fellows and development. Such a rural academicians. The selection was based on transformation requires a large number a process of peer review and discerning of grassroots workers. Rural women and choices. men have been able to adapt themselves to fast paced changes and technological Based on this concept, 369 Fellows (176 advances and shall contribute immensely women and 193 men) have been as grassroots workers for the inducted (till august 2006) from twenty development of their community. states - Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Whatever the level of literacy or Chattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, education, the strength of the rural Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, family/community rests in the resilience Jharkand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and capacity of the women and men who Maharashtra, Orissa, Puducheri, Punjab, are the mainstay of the household and Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, the community. Uttaranchal and West Bengal.

To locate and recognise their powerful NVA has so far organised three influences in the rural areas, steps have convocations, with H E the President of been taken to identify such remarkable India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam as the Chief women and men who are the torch Guest in the first two convocations. It is bearing pioneers of the rural knowledge proposed to make this an ongoing revolution, serving as trainers for process, with continued commitment capacity building among villagers, and and renewed efforts by all those involved. function as channels to carry the It will foster a constant flow of benefits of science and technology into communication with the NVA Fellows in the remote areas of rural India. order to monitor the changes that have come about in their areas, and to The process of identifying these valuable strengthen their capacities, and in turn resource persons was through enhance their service skills, ambit and nominations by a large number of performance in the community. institutions and organisations, working in close association with farmers and It is planned to implement competent villagers, partners of NVA, Alliance of follow up action, since it is important to Mission 2007, academic and scientific identify specific capabilities, skills and institutions, government agencies, experiences of NVA Fellows, and to private sector companies, as well as group them, based on common fields of NGOs working in the field of sustainable expertise. One such endeavor in this development, who participated in a regard is to collect and document nation wide search for such grassroots individual in-depth case studies of NVA

A Case Study 5 Fellows. As a preliminary effort, twelve conservation and promotion of such case studies are now brought out, medicinal plants, native breeds of cattle which throw light on various aspects of a and sheep (like Umbalacherry cattle and Fellow - what motivated him/her to serve Vembur sheep), disseminating the community; whether it is the information on education, employment inherent nature, social circumstances, or opportunities, working with mentally being inspired by a mentor; whether retarded children, physically through gaining clarity on the concept of handicapped and a range of other service to the society or whether the activities. spirit and commitment were reinforced only after becoming NVA Fellow and by Some of the Fellows are involved in more interacting with other Fellows from than one activity. For instance, Ms different States of India. For some, like Kasturi Chandrasekar aged 45 years, is Ms Parasakthi, it was the innate desire to involved in multifarious activities such as serve the community. To some, like Mr formation of self-help groups, providing Arun, the imprint was gained when he training in micro enterprises, organic was very young. The case studies, method of cultivation, conservation and documented during 2006 form myriad promotion of medicinal plants. Similarly, patterns that are woven together into the Mr. J. Senthil Kumaran, 25 years, is common framework of community helping school and college students rural service and dedicated action. They also by disseminating information on higher reveal the widening vision and wealth of studies, education institutions (in and experience gained through the around ) and employment interaction, commitment and opportunities. He has developed community service. education modules for mentally retarded children and is active in raising The Fellows projected in this document awareness on health and environment. comprise six women and six men in the Presently, he is engaged in developing a age group 25-50 years and with documentary on river Vaigai covering the educational levels ranging from middle period from late 19th century till date. school to post graduation. All the Similarly, Mr. E. Altrin, hailing from a Fellows, with one exception are from fishing community, besides managing families with an agricultural background, fish/prawn trade, is committed to assist and involved in community based physically handicapped through an activities such as organizing self help organisation, called Nesakarangal in groups, providing training and Thangachimadam of Ramanathapuram conducting camps on health/ district. He is sympathetic to poor and environmental issues, focusing on needy people and reaches out to them by

6 NVA Fellows sourcing funds and other material of the view that it has increased their support to meet their medical or sense of responsibility and are happy educational expenses. He creates about it. They also expressed their awareness among his friends and gratitude to Jamsetji Tata National relatives engaged in fishing activity on Virtual Academy for their service to the the importance of conserving sea turtles community. and other marine living forms. It is heartening to mention that 47 years old Twelve case studies of NVA Fellows from Ms. Parasakthi, an agricultural labourer different parts of Tamil Nadu, India, are from a village near , presented in this preliminary report. This Virudunagar district has been sensitive to will be followed by the next series of case women’s issues since her early twenties. studies of NVA Fellows. MSSRF has also Her bitter experiences of a short lived been organising and conducting region married life has motivated her to take wise interactive meetings/workshops to keen interest particularly, in helping girls document their core competencies and and women abandoned by their spouses provide opportunities to demonstrate or sexually exploited by other men. For a their skills as trainers - especially where long time she worked among the hands-on training or field level community almost single-handed. She experience are required. This will have far has also been instrumental in stopping reaching effects on reinforcing their illicit arrack brewing in her village. capacities to become veritable agents of change and usher rural India into the Because of the community-based work mainstream of progress and and high motivation, the Fellows are in development. contact with several NGOs and voluntary organizations. They use these MSSRF gratefully acknowledges the contacts to help their community contributions that are being made by the irrespective of caste/class and gender in NVA fellows to the community. different ways. All Fellows including married women have support of their L Vedavalli family members. They mentioned that it NVA was because of their support that they are able to work for the community without much difficulty. The Fellows are proud that they have been inducted as NVA Fellow, but mentioned that it is a reminder that they should continue their work with lot more vigour. They are also

A Case Study 7 Fellows

1. Mr. E Altrin, Ramanathapuram District ...... 9 2. MR. N Arun, Pudukottai District ...... 15 3. Mr. V Dheenadayalan, Nagapattinam District ...... 18 4. Ms. R Gnanasundari, Thuthukudi District ...... 22 5. Ms. Kalaivani Rajendran, District...... 28 6. Ms. Kasthuri Chandrasekar, ...... 31 7. Mr. R Maniyan, Thanjavur District...... 37 8. Ms. Parasakthi, Virudunagar District...... 41 9. Ms. S Ramuthai, Madurai District ...... 46 10. Mr. Ravi Kumar, Thiruvallur District ...... 50 11. Mr. J Senthil Kumar, Madurai District ...... 54 12. Ms. V Tamil Selvi, Virudunagar District...... 59

8 NVA Fellows Mr. E Altrin Victoria Nagar Thangachi Madam Ramanathapuram District Tamil Nadu

Quiet and unassuming, 26-year old association for the handicapped persons in Altrin is physically handicapped. Born in a Rameswaram Island, Ramanathapuram family of four children, he has a sister and district. It is noteworthy that Altrin played a brother older to him, and a younger a significant role in setting up this brother. Altrin belongs to a fishing association. community of Victoria Nagar in Ramanathapuram District. His father, who It was interesting to learn from Altrin is 56 years old, has studied up to the pre- that the idea to form the association came university level. He owns a lathe workshop from a stranger he met at Madurai railway where fishing boats are repaired. His station. It so happens that Mandapam mother, aged 52, had middle school Block, Ramanathapuram district has a education. His sister, a graduate, is married; number of handicapped persons (as a and his elder brother, who is a post result of a polio epidemic) but the idea of graduate, is working in a finance company forming an association never occurred to in Ramnad, while his younger brother, who anyone until the time Altrin met the has M. C. A degree is now looking for a stranger (who was himself was physically suitable job. Altrin mentioned that whereas handicapped). According to Altrin, when both his brothers have decided to take up he was studying in the polytechnic course, employment in other fields, he has opted he met this man, who was with five blind to follow the family’s traditional persons, while waiting to board a train. occupation in the fishing trade. After Altrin was surprised when the stranger completing his polytechnic course, he has beckoned him to his side, and talked to him chosen to engage himself in fish and prawn about setting up an organisation for the business. While supporting the family handicapped in Rameswaram Island, financially, he is also helping the society which would make it easy to obtain benefits both in a personal capacity, and also as the and assistance for the disabled. Altrin soon secretary of Nesakarangal, a welfare learnt that his new acquaintance was in

A Case Study 9 fact the President of the All India him their difficulty in managing the Handicapped Association. As there was transport expenses. The BBC nobody to look after the activities in correspondent came forward to help in this Ramanathapuram District, he guided regard. Altrin mentioned that as the Altrin to meet the collector of association was working from the church, Ramanathapuram for this purpose, and get many thought that it was meant only for in touch with a few others who worked the Christians. On the advice of the BBC among the disabled people. Altrin remarks, correspondent it was then decided to shift “I never had any idea of starting an the centre from the church premises to Association for the handicapped. But it another place, so as to reach out to more happened through that thoughtful people. When they could not pay the rent person”. for the building, the BBC correspondent came forward with money from a fund Together with two of his friends, Altrin called PAAPA Fund (which was created by took some initiative in this regard. They the same person to help the needy called for a Panchayat level meeting to persons). After the demise of the BBC discuss the formation of an association for correspondent, another organisation called the handicapped. The response was PULSE Trust, based at Rameswaram Island, positive, and Altrin and his friends took willingly took over that responsibility. the necessary efforts. Soon the association Fortunately, Nesakarangal soon had its own came into existence in 1997. The new building, with the kind assistance of association was registered in 1999, and was Mr K Vijaya Kumar, then the Collector of named Nesakarangal (meaning Ramnad. Mr Vijay Kumar took a keen compassionate hands). Altrin says his interest in the construction of a new friend David (also an NVA Fellow) who building under District Mental Health also played a major role in building the Project, 2004. Altrin is full of praise for association chose the name for it. the Collector, and recalled with immense Altrin has been Secretary of the gratitude his compassion for the mentally Ramanathapuram District Handicapped retarded and physically handicapped Association for the last 10 years. Initially, persons, and his humane approach in Altrin and his friends had to struggle for dealing with sensitive issues. He also fondly space and funds. They sought help from remembers the BBC correspondent who the church, individuals and a few had recently passed way. “It was because organisations working for the welfare of of the correspondent that Nesakarangal the people. Initially the centre functioned exists today. Without his help it would not in a local church; later it was shifted to a have been possible,” says Altrin. rented building. In order to meet transport Today the Association has 400 members, expenses of the handicapped children, and 35 persons are presently working in approached a British Broadcasting the age group of 17-29 years, and it Corporation (BBC) correspondent (then includes six women and three men based in Rameswaram) and explained to (including Altrin) who have been working

10 NVA Fellows with Nesakarangal since its inception. (MSSRF), Thangachimadam training was Nesakarangal makes great efforts to help organised for the preparation of prawn the handicapped persons improve their pickles. Sales of pickles were quite economic welfare. They are involved in satisfactory, but soon they realised that the various activities of the centre, like shelf life of the pickles was not as good as tailoring, book binding, and prawn and they expected, and they were also not lemon pickle preparation, etc. At the satisfied with the packing material. They centre, in the initial stages, there were only felt that they must take heed of these two six women, who had not even completed aspects if they had to boost the sales of primary school education. All six women prawn pickles. Altrin approached the VRC are still working at the centre. The for help in this regard, and the staff Association arranged for the handicapped arranged for a video conference with a food persons to have physiotherapy treatment. technology expert from Chennai. All the This helped to improve their physical 35 persons from Nesakarangal participated condition. Altrin himself benefited a lot by in this session, and this helped to improve undergoing the physiotherapy. Earlier, he the quality of the pickles. Following the could not balance himself; now he is much suggestion of the food technologist, they better, he says. Since David and Altrin felt began to use preservatives and also follow that these persons should get some regular other hygienic practices like wearing of income, they arranged for income gloves and using scrupulously clean generating activities. To begin with, containers. Altrin is proud that they have training was organised to teach shell craft now acquired regular customers from - to make decorative/ornamental items Chennai also. They regularly supply to with seashells. As this did not fetch much shops in Madurai, Trichy, Chennai and profit, they tried other micro enterprises Bangalore. There is a demand for 100 bottles like book binding, pillow stitching, making every week from Chennai, which they are paper cups and tailoring. However, none sometimes unable to supply. Altrin has a of these provided a regular income to the plan to build a separate room within the handicapped persons. But there is a compound of the Nesakarangal building, demand for book binding during the but presently there are no funds available. beginning of the academic year, and also for stitching of uniforms for the schools. Through the Association, Altrin Nesakarangal also gets orders for stitching arranges for train travel concessions, school uniforms through Pulse Trust, medical certificates for physically which distributes free uniforms to some handicapped persons, hearing aids and school children every year. This way the tricycle from the government departments. centre is able to help the physically disabled Using government schemes and Lions to get some income. Club, he has so far helped 15 persons get tricycles for their use. Recently, with the help of the Village Resource Centre (VRC) of M.S. Altrin’s association with the VRC at Swaminathan Research Foundation Thangachimadam has made him aware of environmental issues - particularly those

A Case Study 11 that affect the fishermen’s livelihood. He the fishing community. He is of the says that his participation in awareness opinion that his community should be programmes and his regular visits to the educated through various training and VRC and Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) awareness programmes. He mentioned in M.G. R Nagar have enriched his about an awareness programme given to knowledge about the importance of trawl net owners. The same programme conserving sea turtles and coral reefs. He could be conducted for people who use the is also aware of the depletion of marine vallam for fishing. An individual’s voice and fish resources. He is concerned about may not be heard, and it would not be this, and makes an effort to educate his effective, he feels. It may influence merely fellow fishermen on such issues. He has one or two people -like the fisherman who also put up a poster related to prohibited returned the turtles to the sea. But an sea items in his company building. He says organisational base is important if he has given up eating sea turtles ever since a message has to be effectively he attended the awareness programme communicated on a large scale. He firmly conducted by the VRC, and is also holds that only a concerted effort would requesting others to abstain from eating bring about a great change in the attitude the same. In this context, he told us about of fishermen. In this regard, he feels that a fisherman who had caught about 25 the VRC can play a major role by organising turtles in the net, a few weeks before, but awareness programmes with the help of threw them back into the sea when he government departments and non remembered Altrin’s advice. It was indeed governmental organisations (NGO) a financial loss for the fisherman, who had interested in these issues, for all sections invested that day a capital of Rs 4000, and of fishing population. He thinks that if he his fish catch was only Rs 400. Altrin said were to approach any organisation or that he was touched when the person told department in his individual capacity, there him about the turtles but had no regrets will not be any response about his loss of the day’s investment. Altrin is very compassionate, and within Altrin also learnt about the importance his means, he extends his help to people of the thai iral (gravid prawn) and that it in many ways. He offers his services and should not be caught as it is capable of assistance to those who approach him for hatching thousands of eggs at one time. In help – to obtain identity card for the order to remind people of the value of thai handicapped, hearing aids, ration cards, iral, he has put up a separate poster on the medical help and so on. There are instances same. Though he does not miss an where he himself had taken initiatives to opportunity to talk to the fishermen about help others. For example, he took a conservation issues, he feels that this is not enough. personal interest in getting medical help for an 11- year -old boy with a heart Altrin has some suggestions to conserve problem. The boy’s father is a daily wage and promote fish and other marine labourer. The boy had been diagnosed at resources by protecting the livelihood of the age of three, and was going for

12 NVA Fellows periodical check up to a hospital at which would cost Rs 20000. This time too, Madurai (a city situated 170 kilo meters the PULSE Trust came forward to help by from Rameswaram Island). At one stage, offering Rs 17000 for the same. The the doctors said that the boy had to be concerned person now had to mobilize only operated upon with no further delay. A Rs 3000. An advance of Rs 10000 has large sum of money was required for this, already been given for this. Altrin was and it was beyond the capacity of the happy to mention that the artificial limb parents. When Altrin came to know about has since been fixed. it, he wrote letters to the local M.L.A (Member of Legislative Assembly), the With the help of Hindustan Lever Prime Minister of India and the President Limited, Altrin organised a Thyroid Health of India, requesting help for the boy. Altrin Camp, which had never been held in was pleasantly surprised when he received Ramanathapuram district before. Out of a reply from President’s office within a 58 participants, 38 were diagnosed with week, with all the details of the hospital thyroid problems, and they are now (CARE hospital in Hyderabad), persons to undergoing treatment and given free be contacted, etc. Altrin said that they had medicines. He mentioned that to arrange only for travel expense. Their Nesakarangal also helps fishermen to avail stay was to be taken care of by the hospital. government schemes like Tsunami Relief PULSE Trust came forward to bear travel Fund from Collectors Office at Ramnad. and other expenses. Altrin and Joseph, the He also serves his people in his capacity as secretary of PULSE Trust, accompanied the Treasurer of Self-Help Group, and boy and his father. The boy was given the President of Fishermen Educational necessary treatment in January 2005, and Environment Development (FEED) Trust. had been asked come for review after six Members of FEED Trust contribute in months. Altrin is grateful to PULSE Trust several ways to buy school note books and for taking care of the transport expenses, conveying useful information to people of and to Joseph for accompanying the boy the area. Altrin had been a member of this and his father to Hyderabad. According to Trust for three years before he was made Altrin his own contribution was nothing President. Altrin said that the members in this – except for his physical presence. were impressed with his work, and He is motivated by his sense of service and therefore he was made the President last compassion. year. As he is concerned with environmental issues, he wants to do In another instance Altrin took personal something useful to the community at interest in getting an artificial limb for a large. man whose leg was amputated some years ago. Altrin mentioned that the man was Altrin has dedicated himself to serve the once rich, but now in difficult times. He needy. He readily extends a helping hand was not in a position to start any enterprise. to students who require financial help for As Altrin was moved by his condition, he education. He provides new dresses for took efforts to arrange for an artificial leg, school children who cannot afford them.

A Case Study 13 Recently he donated Rs 1000 to an Taking part in the Participatory orphanage school at Thuthukudi. When Knowledge Management Workshop proved there were financial difficulties in the to be very useful, mentioned Altrin. He was prawn pickles unit at Nesakarangal, Altrin able to get greater clarity about the concept willingly came forward to pay around Rs of NVA Fellow and all that is expected of a 1400. Fellow. It has really widened his vision, and helped him to know of various activities of When we asked him about his views on other NVA Fellows from different states of the criteria for the NVA Fellow Award, he India. Not only that, he has realised that said that a person should have been his own work seemed insignificant when involved in grassroots level activities, for a compared with the work of many others minimum of three years at least. “A person who had assembled there. This has may end up getting frustrated after one or motivated and strengthened his conviction two years of work amongst the people. The to continue his work for people with greater minimum age may be 18 years. Emotional effort and dedication, he added. It has and mental maturity is of great increased his work load, but he is happy importance. Levels of education are that he could do it. Now he is not confined irrelevant when it comes to social service. himself to activities of Nesakarangal. Since Commitment and clarity are important; the Village Knowledge Centre is she/he should be service oriented,” added functioning in a portion of Nesakarangal Altrin. building, he is able serve the community When the news spread that Altrin by providing information on various received the Award from the Honourable aspects, getting school/college application President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, forms, guiding people to obtain various reporters from a few television channels government welfare schemes and so on. It came to interview him. But he politely has provided opportunities to approach refused as he felt that service should not and interact with different people and to be publicized as it would loose its sanctity. develop more contacts. He often visits the “Getting the NVA Fellow Award, from an VRC at Thangachimadam, and takes its eminent man of that stature, is a very great help to assist the people in various achievement”, says Altrin. It was even more activities. When people express their desire a moment of pride to receive such an award for training programmes, he says, “I act as from a person hailing from Rameswaram their representative and request the VRC island, he remarked. He feels happy because staff if they could organise such the award is given in recognition of his programmes,” Altrin wishes to continue his services to handicapped persons through services to the community and the people Nesakarangal. in a more effective manner.

14 NVA Fellows MR. N Arun Melapatti Pudukottai District Tamil Nadu

N. Arun, who is 27 years old, is a But he did not know how or where to begin. committed social worker. He was born in He felt that with some organizational base, a poor agricultural family of Melapatti he would be in a better position to work village, Pudukottai District, in Tamil Nadu. for the community. Though there were He has a younger sister. He has a diploma many associations functioning under the in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. names of film actors in and around his He is a leader of a youth organization called village, he was not very impressed by their Subhash Illaingyar Narpani Mandram. He activities. He wanted to start something has motivated the members of the youth different. Then the idea emerged to form organization to carry on dedicated social an association with like-minded youth, and work. The District Administration selected others interested in village welfare. Thus this organization from among ten others in January 2002the youth organization, for an Award for meritorious service to the Subhash Illaingyar Narpani Mandram, was society, particularly in the field of sports, formed. and tree planting in public places. It is his regret that the youth Arun was inspired to take up social work organization could not take up work on a even as a schoolboy. He had often seen large scale. He did not have any monetary people helping handicapped school backing, as he comes from lower social children by providing prosthetics, special strata of the society But his urge to serve shoes, books and stationery, etc. This had the needy kept growing deep inside. a great impact on him. After completing his tenth standard, he strongly felt that he His aim has been “Iyandradai Seivom should be of help to the needy. He says, Illadhavarakku” meaning let me help the “When I saw others helping people, I people to the best of my capacity . It has been thought why couldn’t I take up some useful functioning for the past seven years. work for the benefit of the community.” According to Arun , the idea behind the choice of the name Subhash was to inspire

A Case Study 15 the members to serve the country and work however, never misses an opportunity to with a larger vision. caution them about excessive use of water. He says that he never tires of repeating his Arun is environmentally conscious, and advice. Sometimes he even reprimands the his awareness about the importance of fellow villagers. trees prompted him to plant saplings of neem and pungam (Pungamia glabra)trees Arun has initiated efforts to revive the in schools , hospitals and temples. The traditional methods of rainwater seedlings were collected from the harvesting in the village. He has also Horticulture Department, and a few from educated the villagers on the benefits of the backyard of his house. Arun, along with such procedures. He and his friends took his team, take up voluntary work during the assistance of the Government scheme the temple festivals to regulate crowds and to build effective rainwater harvesting maintain cleanliness in and around the structures. Arun has been the prime mover temple premises. in this endeavor. They helped the villagers dig pits and also took care of various stages From its inception, the youth of the construction. Arun goes personally organization has been trying to serve the to inspect and ensure that rainwater village in many ways, with the available harvesting structures are well maintained. resources . They encourage school children He and his team members are concerned to participate in sports activities, and that the villagers should realize the organize sports competition every year. To importance of such methods, and also motivate the children further, the winners understand the resulting benefits. are given prizes on school Annual Day . The concept of Annual Day celebration was At the village level, the youth new in the village, and was initiated by the organization, under the leadership of Arun, youth organization. Their idea is that the impressed upon the Panchayat Union school children should not be confined to leader to de-silt the village tanks. Arun says textbook education alone; they should also he was motivated to do this after reading have some extra curricular activities. The the commandments of Honorable best thing they could do was to encourage President of India Dr A.P.J.Abdul Kalam . sports among school children. Arun and his friends also advice children against Another area of concern for Arun is the labouring in local gem cutting units, and education of the village children - encourage them to attend school regularly. particularly the school dropouts . He extended his full support when the Child The village often faces the problem of Labour School was set up in his village to water shortage, and Arun is very conscious prevent children from seeking work in gem about about wasting water. He constantly cutting units. He has personally taken the educates people to use water prudently. He initiative to enroll the children in schools. feels sad that in spite of his entreaties, the He was a great support to the Child Labour people continued to waste water, without School in promoting awareness about the giving a thought about the future. Arun, importance of education to school

16 NVA Fellows dropouts and in convincing their parents items. Four other members of the youth to continue their education. He has organisation work in his service centre. The motivated the parents of child labourers service centre also undertakes electrical to send their children to schools. contracts. Arun encountered problems when some Arun supports the activities of caste-conscious villagers protested when he Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) of formed the youth organization. They were M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation. against the idea of someone belonging to He mobilizes people for training and the so-called ‘lower strata of society’ being awareness programmes. Arun has himself instrumental in establishing the undergone training at the VKC. He organization. But Arun bravely withstood mentioned that during his free time, he the criticism and unwarranted comments would like to serve as a Knowledge Worker and moved ahead with the full support of at the VKC. He encourages the students his friends, some of whom belonged to the and adults to use the facilities available at ‘higher strata’ of society. However, today, the VKC to improve their knowledge and Arun is lauded for his efforts in working quality of life. for the welfare of the village through the youth organization. Arun graciously concedes that the NVA Fellow Award (2006) was not for his Another significant contribution is the individual contribution to the society, but formation of Milk Society, four years ago, was for the collective work done by all the in Illupur, near his village. Arun members of the youth organization. He accomplished this for the benefit of the mentioned that the award was for the community, with the help of ten members youth organization, and that he received it of his youth organization. Now it has only as a representative. It was an even become a Government undertaking, and prouder moment for his fellow members he is a Secretary to the Milk Co-operative and friends when it proves a testimonial Union. to their dedication and hard work. The award has given him a new surge of energy, Arun has a service centre, which is his as well as credibility, to continue and source of income. By virtue of his diploma, expand his activities for the benefit of his he does repair work for various electrical people.

A Case Study 17 Mr. V Dheenadayalan Umbalacherry Nagapattinam District Tamil Nadu

V.Dheenadayalan, aged 43, comes from After completing his 10th standard, he a traditional agricultural village called mobilized a group of like-minded men, and Umbalacherry in Nagappattinam District formed the Tharasu Makkal Mandraum to of Tamil Nadu. A special feature about this work for the development of society. Due village is its indigenous Umbalacherry to his active participation in Tharasu breed of cattle. Dheenadayalan has been Mandram, he is known as Tharasu working tirelessly to conserve and promote Dheenadayalan. The members are particular Umbalacherry cattle. that the benefits from Government schemes reach the right people. They do Dheenadayalan, who has studied up to not hesitate to point out any lacuna in the th 10 standard, is married and has two implementation of the schemes. Through daughters. He owns few acres of this Mandram, the members appealed to agricultural land. He also has milch the Government about the lack of proper animals and oxen. Although he may appear roads, badly maintained transport services, timid, he is self-assured and confident. It so on. The group sometimes joins other was quite surprising when he told us that voluntary groups (Narpani Mandrams) to even as a young boy of 14 or 15, he was fight for a common cause. One such joint interested in matters concerning his village protest was against the badly maintained - like damaged roads, irregular transport buses (with broken window panes) and the service.etc. He used to go with elders to vehicles not conforming to proper emission give representation to the concerned standards, thus polluting the environment. department. He used to take up some This protest yielded good results. Now voluntary work such as assisting the poor Dheenadayalan says his village has a good and illiterate people to avail the bus service, with minimum pollution. government welfare schemes. Today, he continues to involve himself with such As Dheenadayalan was involved in such community responsibilities and activities. activities with the support of Tharasu

18 NVA Fellows Makkal Mandram, his attention was drawn the awareness of the importance of cattle to the declining Umbalacherry cattle among members. population in his village. This disturbed him, as he knew the importance of When the Association or Sangam took conserving the special breed of cattle. From up the legal action, things started moving then on, conserving and promoting fast, and judgment was declared in their Umbalacherry cattle became his major favour. But it was not easy to stop the focus of activity, and he continues his cultivation in the traditional grazing land. efforts, till date. So in 2002, they resorted to a one-day protest fast before the Taluk office. Since then major focus of concern was Immediately the Government issued strict to save and conserve the breed and promote orders to vacate the land, but some the same, Dheenadayalan began to cultivation still goes on. Dheenadayalan investigate the causes for the decline in says it is a delicate task to reprimand the cattle population. He discovered that the encroachers, since most of the members villagers had encroached upon the ten acres of the Sangam belong to village households, traditional grazing land, thereby depriving and more importantly, they are from the cattle of their sustenance. The grazing socially deprived class. He is confident that lands were converted into agricultural with the members’ support he would be fields. Evicting the people from the grazing able to retrieve the grazing land from the land was not an easy task. Dheenadayalan, encroachers. He faced stiff resistance and together with five of his relatives, filed a opposition from the encroachers when public interest case in the court against the steps were taken to implement the court Government. They said that the verdict. Government had failed to protect the land. For the first two years, there was no Umbalacherry cattle are spread progress at all in this matter. At this throughout the area - predominantly found juncture, Dheenadayalan came in contact in Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and with an NGO, Sustainable Agriculture and Thanjavur Districts. This particular breed Environment Voluntary Action (SEVA), has a white mark on the forehead, curved working on conservation of biodiversity horns, short tails, white hooves and a large and its related aspects. stomach. With the support and encouragement The animal requires minimal of SEVA, an organization called maintenance, and can survive on paddy Umbalacherry Cattle Herders Association, straw alone. It does not require specific or was formed. The members of the rich combination of concentrate feed/ Association were cattle owners, and their fodder grass. Moreover it is a hardy, objective was the conservation of this drought and disease resistant animal. The traditional breed by enhancing the bullocks are sturdy and have stamina. They collective capacity of the cattle herders in are used for ploughing and transport of Tamil Nadu. They also aimed to increase materials. The animals are allowed to graze

A Case Study 19 the stubbles in harvested fields. This Dheenadayalan was very happy to note indirectly helps to control the hidden that people were now more aware of the insects. During the off-season the animals value of Umbalacherry breed of cattle. The are herded in open pasture and penned at small landholders are increasingly using night to gather manure for fields. Hence, these bulls to plough the land. The in this way this breed has multiple uses, traditional practice of manuring by and has a good selling price too. Even a retaining cattle overnight in the three-month old calf can be sold for a agricultural fields - which had not been minimum of Rs 3000/. Hence it is a very practiced for quite sometime - has been good profit-earning source of livelihood. revived to a certain extent, in his village. After the Sangam came into existence, Dheenadayalan humbly says that the several measures have been taken to credit goes to SEVA for creating awareness promote the Umbalacherry cattle. One and promoting the local cattle breed among such initiative has been the formation of the villagers. Though he was concerned Self- Help Groups (SHG) with cattle about the declining cattle population, and herders/livestock owners, and cattle- wanted to work to conserve the breed, he related names are given to the women could not actualize it till he came into SHGs. Young Umbalacherry calves are contact with SEVA, he says. provided to the groups as incentives for income generating programmes. Dheenadayalan also extends support to these villagers in other ways. He settles Dheenadayalan said that they were disputes between households, or within a exploring avenues for marketing of milk family. Being an agricultural village, there and value added products. He played a are constant fights over irrigation channels major role in all such activities, and led and bunds. He always tries to solve the the groups. About 150 persons have been problem between the landholders. People given loan facilities to purchase bulls. also approach him for general problems Impressed by the activities of the Sangam, that affect the village, as a whole. For the cattle-breeding farm presented young instance, he came to know that few persons bulls/calves worth Rs 4200, to 40 had encroached upon a village graveyard members. With the help of the NGO, de- and had converted the same into silted ponds where animals came to drink agricultural fields. When he verified with water. People contributed money to meet the VAO records, he called for the the de-silting expenses. Along with the concerned persons and suggested that the members of the Sangam, Dheenadayalan problem should be settled amicably, failing took efforts to set up a Veterinary Hospital which legal actions would be taken against in his village. He was proud to say that since them. Finally, it was decided that a portion the Gpvernment was so impressed with the of land would be used as a threshing yard Sangam activities, it had immediately for the villagers. sanctioned the plan. Lland has been identified for the same, and soon work Dheenadayalan’s association with SEVA would begin, he added. has given him the opportunity to undergo

20 NVA Fellows training in traditional herbal treatment. The NVA Award has enhanced his social His companion villagers have also status among the villagers. It has motivated undergone this training. Knowledge about him to gear up his activities with renewed this herbal treatment is useful, particularly strength and confidence. He attended the when they unable to contact a veterinary the Participatory Knowledge Workshop doctor. He has also participated in seminars conducted in New Delhi, and also the and training programmes related to Regional Workshop for NVA Fellows in livestock in other states like Karnataka and Pondicaherry in 2006. The experience has Rajasthan. He says he is familiar with the increased his awareness of the importance difficulties faced by herders, and knows of ‘Thagaval Thodarbu‘(Information and about fodder and so on. It gives opportunity Communication). He wishes to set up a for people to exchange information, says Village Knowledge Centre for improving Dheenadayalan. the quality of life of the community Through SEVA he visited the Tsunami Encouraged by the Honourable affected coastal villages in Nagapattinam President’s Commandments for Rural District. He and others helped to construct Development, Dheenadayalan took a bold a road in one of the villages initiative to dig a pond in the traditional (Thiruthuraipoondi), distributed food, and grazing land for the livestock. The put up temporary shelters. Around ten occupants did not expect him to undertake Umbalacherry cows have been distributed such a task. He hopes that during the to households affected by the Tsunami. He coming monsoon, the pond will be filled says that the yield per cow is 2-3 liters, and with water. He has planted coconut trees the milk is rich and tasty. Those who own in his backyard, and has encouraged others agricultural lands have requested for bulls to plant trees around their houses, and in of this breed for ploughing. public places also.

A Case Study 21 Ms. R Gnanasundari Chennamareddipatti Thuthukudi District Tamil Nadu

Gnanasundari has been working with pregnancy. She has a six-year-old daughter. sheepherders in the villages of Thuthukudi Gnanasundari and her daughter stay with District, Tamil Nadu, for the past five years. her parents. She has two elder sisters and She is a zealous worker, committed to her one brother. Her father owns a few acres work. However, in a traditional village of agricultural land and some sheep. He society, a young woman working alone is knows and practices traditional methods often the target of remarks and criticism. of treatment, such as relieving pain caused Yet, in spite of encountering problems and by sprains. He also treats fractures of the severe criticism, Gnanasundari realises limbs by using egg and uradr dhal (Vigna that she must learn to ignore detracting sp) which he learnt from a traditional comments and carry on her work, relying medicine man who visited the local on encouragement from well wishers. Her hospital where he was hospitalized. She mother has been of great support to mentioned that FRLHT (Foundation for Gnanasundari, especially during difficult Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions) times. She particularly recalls that there also tested the efficacy of the treatment. were moments of despair when she would th wish she had been born a man. Her mother After completing her 12 Standard, she would then instill courage and confidence worked in a Convent for three months, by reiterating that they would consider her where she helped care for the aged. At the as their son, and not as a daughter. Such Convent, she was inspired by the soothing and encouraging words have had dedication and service of the Sisters. a great impact and motivated Though she liked the work, the attitude of Gnanasundari in her dedicated work. the people at the Convent was not very encouraging, so she left the job. She tutored Gnanasundari is the youngest of four school children for some time. Soon she children. She had a brief married life. Her qualified herself to be a computer operator husband deserted her during her and learnt Higher Grade typing. She was a

22 NVA Fellows good student in the school and used to help animals, and lack of veterinary facilities. her classmates in mathematics. She used to guide them in their studies. She always The Vembur breed is known for its good stood first in class, and remembers that her body weight, around 45 to 50 kg, and is teachers would praise her and commend found in 22 villages around Vembur, in her performance. She had intended to stay V.Pudur Block, in dry black cotton soil at home after her marriage and undertake tracts of Thuthukudi District. The body of some social service activities. But this did the animal has brown/red patches with a not happen. Her marriage ended abruptly white background. They are a hardy breed, and she decided to earn for herself and her and can survive on dry grass and shrubs daughter. She did not want to be a burden found in the semi arid zones of Thuthukudi on anyone. and Districts. This breed is prevalent in Melakaranthai, Her skill in computer applications gave Keelakaranthai, Patty Devanpatty, Gnanasundari an opportunity to work for Mettilpatty, Alagapuri, Kodangipatty, Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Soorappanayakanpatty, Perumal Koilpatty, Voluntary Action (SEVA) in the year 2000. Supplapuram, Sevalarpatty, Melapatty, She came into contact with SEVA when the Sengottai, Ramasamypuram areas. organisation began documentation of innovative practices in her village. Since The projects on the traditional sheep then she has been working for SEVA. For conservation and promotion covered nine one year she worked as a computer operator villages in Thuthukudi District. Her work at the Head Office at Madurai, Tamil Nadu. involved collecting information on level of After this she opted to work in the rural interest or difficulty among rural people areas as a Project Officer. When she was to rear this sheep variety, availability of based at the Head Office, she used to visit water resources and veterinary hospitals. the villages once a month to conduct This involved interacting with men and survey. As she had always had a liking for women of different age groups. She village life she realised that she would love organised sheepherder groups in all nine to work with the local people. Fortunately villages of Thuthukudi District. She did not for her, two such projects came up in confine herself to the project activities succession, relating to the traditional sheep alone but extended her services to the breed called Vembur raga semmari aadu, and sheepherders’ families in various ways, like were implemented in her District. going to the post office, getting application Gnanasundari immediately used the forms for school and college going opportunity and opted to work in the students, buying notebooks and pencils, villages. SEVA has promoted breeders informing people about various groups by involving a population of 250 in government schemes and welfare Vembur village. It plans to promote such measures. Her priority is to help ignorant groups in other villages where this breed is and illiterate parents. found. The breeders are facing drinking Since the cattle herders can be contacted water problem, lack of pucca shed for during morning hours from 5 to 9, and in

A Case Study 23 the evening from 7 to 10, she finds time to raising 300 azolla saplings. She said that assist the staff of various government working with them has given her a lot of departments in their activities and projects, exposure and experience in soil testing, and also in other villages. Her familiarity drought prone plant species, cost benefit with the local people and the area brings ratio of cultivating a crop and so on. her into contact with NGOs and other Through her association with DPAP she government functionaries whenever they feels that her awareness has also increased. initiate fresh projects or programmes. She She has learnt about medicinal plants like helps mobilise people to attend camps sarkarai kolli (Gymnema sylvestris) and organised by Block Development Office kaatamanakku (Jatropha curcas) that can (BDO) to benefit handicapped persons. be cultivated in drought prone area. These camps are usually held every three months, and veterinary camps held once A priority for Gnanasundari would in two months. During the veterinary always to help the sheepherders in the best camps she assists the veterinary doctors possible way through these projects. She record the number of animals that are had managed to get fodder grass seeds brought for treatment and details of the supplied free of cost to a few shepherds, prevalent diseases. and pots to raise azolla grass. She however feels that since all these activities are done Gnanasundari involves herself by under the supervision of the Panchayat helping with projects implemented by the leader, the benefits normally reach only government, as well as non-governmental those whom he favours. According to her, organisations (NGO) in her project a majority of the herders are illiterate, and villages. Drought Prone Area Programme only few own land. She says they are (DPAP), a five-year Programme, has been ignorant that they cannot even voice their going on for more than three years in the grievances and needs. So she thinks that villages where SEVA also concentrates its her association with project activities activities. This gave an opportunity for should benefit the sheepherders one way team work in activities such as digging or the other. canals and watershed management. Mobilising people is important in Gnanasundari has been involved in implementing these activities; documentation of indigenous herbal Gnanasundari’s contribution is significant practices, traditional healing methods and here. When veterinary camps and training grassroots technologies innovations. SEVA on growing azolla (which is emerging as has developed a database covering such an alternative cow feed in the absence of aspects, for which she has made substantial fodder) were conducted in theses villages contribution. The documentation work has through DPAP, she helped to mobilise enabled her to develop skills in generating people to attend the programmes. Besides information from rural and tribal people. this, she shared her expertise in conducting She says one really requires patience and a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) the skill to communicate and obtain exercise. She also took personal care in information from communities like Kani

24 NVA Fellows tribe in Tirunelveli District, who, according jeera and few other ingredients). She was to her, are very secretive and possessive a resource person in a one-day training about their knowledge of healing practices programme during 2003 on Herbal and medicinal plants. She enjoys Healing and First Aid practices for animals, documentation work and interacting with organised for 30 Barefoot Community different types of people living in various Animal Health Workers (couples) in places. It involves traveling to various places association with Kasthuribhai Mahila in Tamil Nadu. She normally spends several Mandal, an NGO based at Pudur (one of days with rural and tribal communities to the project villages of SEVA). She has also document their herbal knowledge and organised more than ten health camps in practices, healing methods and association with Government Veterinary technologies innovation at the grassroots Department in the project villages. level. She had gone to Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris District, in 2002, to guide a woman Through the project she has helped the in documentation work among the tribal herders obtain loans to purchase sheep and community of Todas. Documentation build sheep sheds. In a few villages, existing work involves a lot of travel. Being a canals were repaired; two common woman, there are many constraints. She drinking water troughs were provided. finds it a little difficult to stay alone. She Hand pumps have been installed in six has to be away from home for several days. villages. Part of the expenses was borne by Though there is a sense of fulfillment when the shepherds. SEVA also facilitated work is completed to her satisfaction, at renovation of supply channels in one times she feels miserable when she has to village for collecting rainwater for the face criticism. As already mentioned, her existing tank. All these activities are done parents have been a great source of support in cooperation of the local sheepherders. to her. Their consoling words heal the Gnanasundari said that she could manage wounds and encourage her to regain her to carry out the above-mentioned activities enthusiasm to work among the people. almost single-handed. According to her, if a person gets an opportunity to work in a Through SEVA, Gnanasundari has SEVA project she or he is sure gain conducted training programmes in competence to do any kind of work. veterinary herbal medicine, and participated in awareness programmes in When SEVA organised a ten-day tour by project villages and in other places from foot called ‘parambariya arivaithedum nadai different districts in Tamil Nadu, and one payanam’, (a walk in search of traditional in the Union Territory of Puducherry. knowledge) she participated in that. The During the training programmes and objective of the tour was to highlight the awareness camps, she highlights and importance of traditional knowledge and demonstrates various herbal healing practices related to food, herbal plants, practices for animals, including the agricultural crops and practices. The tour preparation of “Masala urundai” (prepared covered districts like Dindugul, Madurai, out of herbs and condiments like pepper, and Karur in Tamil Nadu. Around 90

A Case Study 25 persons participated. This tour gave her an the family by cultivating my two acres of opportunity to meet many people. She land which my father had given me, and I realised that language is not a barrier for can definitely earn more by buying ten communication and gained the confidence sheep and rearing them”. that one can communicate through sign language. Prior to the ‘parambariya Gnanasundari does not like anyone arivaithedum nadai payanam’, pitying her or sympathising with her. She Gnanasundari had an opportunity to visit says it is discouraging. In some of the Ahmedabad and Bangalore in connection villages where she works, she does not with correction of work typed in Tamil. reveal her marital status. To all appearances, she is an unmarried woman. In her individual capacity, She feels that this helps avoid a lot of Gnanasundari has helped the sheepherder unwanted talk. She says it is hurtful when households. For instance, when the people for whom she works make daughter of a shepherd couple did not undesirable remarks and comments about know what to do after completing 12th her. During such times, her mother is a Standard, she guided the girl to apply for a great support as always. Gnanasundari course in nursing. From her personal tries to regain her composure quickly since savings, Gnanasundari gave Rs. 3000 as a she is careful that it should not affect her loan to pay the fees. To meet the hostel daughter. She wants to bring up her expenses, she helped the parents by getting daughter to be a bold and courageous financial loan from Herders Association. person. In another instance, she helped a girl in the Teachers Training course. By taking At home, Gnanasundari’s parents are help from others, she used to assist the girl very encouraging and helpful. Outside of in preparing teaching aids and modules. her home, her classmates and friends from She has helped a boy to get employment in the school are of great help to her. She DHAN Foundation. Within her means, she considers herself fortunate to have such a tries to provide some financial assistance group of friends. Since she studied in a to school going children of her village. coeducation school, her group of friends includes males also. They extend their help As the project has come to an end during in carrying out her field activities like in June-July, 2006, Gnanasundari is very laying pipes. On few occasions she entrusts concerned about the sheepherders. She her work to her friends if it becomes too wonders whether it would be possible to late to get back home. Her friends always work for the people without the oblige her. It was with their guidance and organisational backing of a project or encouragement that she first took up the scheme. She feels sad to leave mid way. If job with SEVA. During the late working nothing works out, she has decided to work hours, the boys escort her home. They boost on a voluntary basis for the welfare of the up her morale when she is in low spirits. people. Gnanasundari says “I have the ability and confidence to lead a life without According to Gnanasundari, receiving depending on anyone. I can easily earn for the NVA Fellow Award (January 2005) has

26 NVA Fellows given her social recognition. Those who into Federations, thematic-wise, based on used to scoff at her now respect her for her their skills and expertise. She was happy to achievement. She says she did not give have had the opportunity to meet some of much importance when she was informed the Fellows during a training programme about the Award or the ceremony. Only on Web-creation and developing data base, when she entered the hall did she realise at the Village Resource Centre of MSSRF, the real significance. She now thinks of Puducherry, and at Gandhigram, Dindugul this as an encouragement, and has decided District, to take part in the Participatory to work even harder. She appreciates the Knowledge Management Workshop efforts of organising Participatory organised by MSSRF. As she is good in Knowledge Management Workshop for the documentation work, she is prepared to Fellows, which provided the opportunity share her knowledge and give training (on to know about various field situations, ways to approach people, and methods of difficulties in the society and more data collection) for those who require the importantly, to meet and interact with same. Gender concerns is her other area several Fellows who have been doing of interest, and she wants to improve yeomen service in various capacities. She herself and help others. She is of the view is glad and proud to be a Fellow, as she that this Award should be given only to thinks it is a recognition given to her for those who are really working at the her services to the community. grassroots level. She believes in mentoring the youngsters, and encouraging them Gnanasundari feels that the Fellows toward welfare work. To work among the should be kept constantly motivated and rural people, middle or secondary school inspired, by organising regular interactive levels of education are sufficient. “It only meetings to keep the spirit of service alive requires commitment to work among the in them. Otherwise there is likelihood that rural population, and not a university it might loose its momentum. She also degree,” says Gnanasundari. suggests that the Fellows could be formed

A Case Study 27 Ms. Kalaivani Rajendran Kallar Pasupathikovil Thanjavur District Tamil Nadu

Kalaivani Rajendran, is a 45-year-old various training programmes conducted by innovative farmer. She was born, brought the Department of Agriculture, Tamil up and married in Kallar Pasupathikovil Nadu Agricultural University and NGOs. village in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu. She was born in a traditional agricultural Kalaivani’s association with Chutru family, and her husband is also from a Suzhal Iayal Ayvu Maiyam (Centre for similar background. She has studied up to Ecology and Research, a Non 10th standard. She is a mother of three Governmental Organization) and her children. participation in various training programmes has given her the motivation Like any other woman of a small farmer and encouragement to follow innovative category, she has been of great help to her practices in her field. She experiments with husband in farming activities without what she learns through the training knowing much about the latest programmes. She first looks into the developments in the agricultural sector. economic viability, and evaluates the The family had been farming mostly using benefits, before adopting any new crops or traditional methods till 1992. It was during practices. this year that Kalaivani attended a training programme conducted by Tamil Nadu Kalaivani has practiced the concept of Women in Agriculture (TANWA), a project ‘lab to land’ in her field, and has funded by DANIDA for the benefit of small demonstrated its value and importance. and marginal farmwomen. Since then, a With support from her husband, she gradual but steady change took place in her introduced new varieties of rice like outlook about agriculture. She learnt about Aduthurai 43, I.R 50, Ponni, Vellai Ponni seed treatment and other low/no cost and ADTRH1 in their field. She pioneered technologies, which she later adopted in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in her farm. She has since been attending her village. She demonstrated to her

28 NVA Fellows villagers the remunerative and economical She is the leader of All Women’s Farmers aspects of the system. She says SRI system Club and TANWA Self Help Group (SHG). involves more work than the usual She is the recipient of the Best Discussion methods, but the benefits and profits are Group Award of the Government of Tamil much more. It is economical in terms of Nadu. She became a qualified Trainer to seed, water, labour inputs, applications, the Farmers Field School in Integrated Pest and there is increase in yield. She feels that Management (IPM). Kalaivani has the rare the only drawback is that it is not flood distinction of receiving the L.M Patel resistant - particularly during the early National Award (which also included a stages of growth. cash award of Rs 100000) for Best Woman Rice Farmer in the International Year of Kalaivani believes in organic farming. Rice (2004). She mentioned that she is one She was motivated to go in for organic of the five selected out of a total 74 method of cultivation gradually since 1994, nominees for the Award. when Chutru Suzhal Iayal Ayvu Maiyam gave Farmers Field School training. She is Kalaivani has become a role model for aware that there should not be a sudden some of the women and men in her village. shift from inorganic to organic farming - About five households have been it should be a gradual process. She uses encouraged to adopt SRI method. Many vermicompost, coir pith and green leaf have been inspired to take up seed manure. She also applies biofertilizers such treatment using biofertilizers. She produces as Phosphobacteria, ,Azospirillum and organic products such as pseudomonas, Pseudomonas (a biofungicide). She also Amirdha Karaisal (a local preparation uses Amirtha Karaisal (prepared with used a plant growth stimulator) and herbal cow dung, cow urine and jaggery), a plant pesticides, which she uses in her field. She growth stimulator. The household however sells Psudomonas to the villagers. There is continues to use a little urea and DAP as a demand for it in the neibhouring villages basal application, but she intends to give and shops, and she is able meet the them up gradually. demand. The other two, which she learnt in a training programme two years ago, are Kalaivani shares her knowledge with for her household consumption only. others during SHG meetings. When she goes for any training programme, she takes Kalaivani’s ambition is that more and her group members and other women from more households should adopt innovative her village. During the meetings she agricultural practices. She feels that this is reiterates that if they learn about 10 new the only way we will know the value of its methods, they must experiment and adopt total impact. Otherwise it would be like at least one of them. ‘clapping with one hand’ – to use a local idiom. Whenever she gets the opportunity Kalaivani has been the convener of the to talk to other women, during meetings, Farmers Discussion Group of the Farmers or in the temple or the fields, she creates Training Centre. She is a Contact Farmer. awareness about various issues. Through

A Case Study 29 the Farmers Club she is making gestures go a long way in motivating them arrangements to conduct a training on to adopt innovative practices. Livestock Management and the SRI method. Kalaivani says that being an ordinary village woman, she did not expect to receive Kalaivani mentioned that initially the an award (L.M Patel National Award) from skeptical villagers ridiculed her when she a scientist. She is very happy to have went for trainings and meetings. They have achieved this distinction. When NVA gradually come to realize the purpose of Fellow Award followed, it she was really attending such trainings and the value of proud to receive it from the Honourable information and knowledge. Today the President of India. It was an unforgettable village women take part in the training moment for her. programmes or camps in large numbers. Even the men seek her advice if they have Having been inspired by the 10 points any doubts regarding the crops. They bring given by the President of India for the the affected plant to show her, and ask her development of the society, she advises to suggest the right treatment. She helps youngsters and also the elders who indulge them by providing agro advisories or in gambling and consuming arrack, to suggestions whenever she is confident. desist from such harmful habits. Along Otherwise she consults with the Assistant with a friend in the same village, who is Agricultural Officer or Agricultural also a NVA Fellow, Kalaivani tries to help Development Officer, and helps the farmer the village children in the field of with proper details. When she realized that education. They feel that by setting up a people do not make the effort to purchase Village Knowledge Centre, they will be able Azospirillum and Rhizobium from the to make greater progress in child education. market, she made it a point to procure Now they are taking the initiative to estable them on their behalf. She feels that such a VKC very soon.

30 NVA Fellows Ms. Kasthuri Chandrasekar Perugudi Madurai District Tamil Nadu

Kasthuri Chadrasekar, who had seldom how Sister Mary managed to mobilize 32 stepped out of her house till 1993, is today women from her village to form this the President of Mahakalasam, a federation society, and taught them the concept of of 120 self- help groups (SHG). She is savings. She encouraged them to save at Community Leader of Covenant Centre for least Rs 5 per month.. Sister Mary had the Development (CCD) and President practice of sharing information with the Community Enterprise Forum women to improve their day-to-day life. International. In the meantime, Sister Mary happened Kasthuri, who is 45 years old, was born to meet Muthu Velayutham of CCD, who in an agricultural family. She was the has a herbal and medicinal farm in youngest of five daughters. She has studied Sevaioor in , Tamil up to eighth standard. She was married at Nadu. CCD has been involved in forming 19, and settled down with her husband in self-help groups - locally known as kalasam Perungudi - situated outside Madurai city - since 1991. Sister Mary enquired whether limits. Her husband owned a small press, it would be possible for him to help her which had to be shut down due to losses. group of 32 women. When the response He presently owns an auto rickshaw, which was positive, efforts were made to include is the source of income for the household. the 32 women as members of CCD self- help group. Kasthuri took active part in the Sometime during 1993-94, Kasthuri meetings that were conducted before became a leader of Pengal Munnera Sangam formalizing the process. She did not mind – or Women’s Welfare Society. This was spending money from her pocket to travel the first time she had taken any work to Sevaioor from Madurai to take part in outside of her home. Sister Mary, from a the meetings. nearby convent, who was concerned about the women in the village, was instrumental Kasthuri mentioned that since in forming this society. Kasthuri recalls Virudhunagar District is a drought prone

A Case Study 31 area, the CCD was concerned about people translated into reality when the bank was migrating to other places in search of registered as a trust in 1996, with an elected livelihood. So the organization mobilized board of 10 trustees. CCD and other landless agricultural women into kalasams institutions like NEERA Network, were or SHGs for micro finance and community generous in giving financial assistance in enterprise activity. The 32 women from the initial stages to the Mahakalasam bank. Perugudi were divided into two kalasams. In order to instill confidence in the women, Kasthuri became president of one such they were taken for an exposure visit to kalasam, namely Angaiyarkanni kalasam, DHAN Foundation where a similar bank in 1995. Since then she has taken active was functioning well. part in all the activities of the kalasam and the CCD. For example, she began to involve Kasthuri, who was initially a herself in a big way in revitalizing local representative, is its president for the past health traditions, and conserving seven years. Through the Mahakalasam, the medicinal plants, which is the major focus groups’ financial needs to enhance their of, the CCD. viable livelihood options, are met to a greater extent. Loan facilities are offered Kasthuri understood the concept of for livestock, agriculture, palm crafting and savings, and wanted to promote it among charcoal preparation. Looking at the the women in the villages, by making them efficient functioning of the Mahakalasam members of the kalasam. As the bank, some mainstream banks came Virudhunagar District is drought prone, forward to help the people. Kasthuri felt many women evaded Kasthuri, and few proud that a group, which had a paltry others joined her in promoting the savings savings of Rs 20 in 1991, today has Rs habit. Initially, it was a difficult job for 200000. Kasthuri and others to convince women to save at least one rupee, or a handful of Kitchen herbal garden concept was rice, every day. Her determination and hard introduced in the villages when it was work yielded good results. Soon she could found that a great amount of loan money mobilize more than 1500 rural women to was utlized for medical expenses in the become members of kalasam groups. Her household. As already mentioned, Kasthuri activities also extended to other areas where played a major role in popularising and she contributed a lot to establish three promoting the kitchen herbal gardens, not Mahakalasams. only in Virudhunagar District, but also in the other areas. The kitchen garden is There were no bank linkages for the valuable as the herbs could be used to treat kalasam micro finance groups till 2000. So common ailments, the members approached the CCD to request for help in this regard. Then they Kasthuri was instrumental in forming had an idea to start a People’s Bank - an Association for the women involved in known as Mahakalasam Makkal Vangi - herb collection, with the support and with the financial contribution of Rs 2000 guidance from CCD. It was later registered from each kalasam group. The idea was as a Cooperative Company called Grama

32 NVA Fellows Mooligai Company Ltd (GMCL), in the 30 is paid for every hundred sold. She is year 2000. She is one of the four happy to see the company financially community representatives in its Board of progressing well. The company supplies its seven Directors. The members include both products to the leading drug companies in the herbal cultivators, and also the Tamil Nadu, and lately it has extended to collectors. The members are also other States also. Kasthuri clearly shareholders of the company. The idea to understands that the company has to form an Association came when she came maintain the quality if it has to sustain across people (during her visits to the profitably. So, she often stresses this point various villages to monitor the activities of among the members. kalasams, and help them with accounts, or to form new groups) gathering herbs and She says by sharing her experiences with selling it to the traders. She learnt that the her friends, she could motivate women and people were not aware of the utility of the encourage them to have a Makkal Amaippu herbs they gathered, nor did they know (Community Organization) in places where the plants are being marketed. By where there are no such groups interacting with the gatherers, she functioning. She strongly feels that only understood that the people had difficulty through Makkal Amaippu one can actually in transporting the herbs to the market, so help develop the society. She offers her they had to depend on the trader who services to spread the message of such work comes to the villages. They were accepting for the progress of women and the society. whatever amount of money that was Kasthuri played a very significant and offered. Kasthuri took the initiative to leading role in Green Health Package of mobilize the growers. With the help of the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local OXFAM, training was given to them in Health Traditions (FRLHT) implemented procedures for plant collection. by CCD. It was felt that the programme For the first two years the company was would be successful if it goes through the marketing medicinal plants as raw people, so the CCD decided to involve material. In order to enhance the profit, a kalasam members. Under this programme, semi process unit has also been set up to it was decided that every household would market Value Added Medicinal Products, cultivate 20 medicinal plant species. The after signing an agreement between programme at first targeted the families of Mahakalasam, GMCL and CCD. Kasthuri kalasam members. When there was a good signed the agreement on behalf of response for the Green Health Package Mahakalasam. She takes keen interest in programme, they later decided to include all the activities of GMCL. The semi process other families also. From thereon, it was unit is involved in preparing 10 different extended to four other districts in southern herbal medicines for common ailments. Tamil Nadu, with great success. Kasthuri also involves the kalasam Through the CCD, around 8000 KHG members in selling the herbal medicines have been planted by involving the through groups and a commission of Rs members of community organizations or

A Case Study 33 Mahakalasam. They were the fore runners support of a local community based in adopting and spreading this concept organization, 5000 gardens have been set among rural households. When FRLHT was up. Efforts were also taken to replicate the to introduce this programme in Karnataka, programme in other States in Northern Kasthuri was asked to share her experiences India through a People’s Movement - with the local people. She understands the namely Ekta parishad value of adopting organic farming, and natural resource management and Kasthuri’s commitment and interest in development. promoting the Green Health Package programme among the rural people gave Kasthuri mentioned that when first she her an opportunity to be a member of a and her teammates tried to propagate the task group to study the impact of Kitchen concept of KHG, they encountered people Herbal Garden (KHG). The study was with a hostile attitude . She cited an commissioned by FRLHT in 1998, to review incident that happened in her and evaluate the functioning of KHG neighbourhood. She wanted to take start programme carried out through 18 other programme in a colony inhabited by the institutions. Since it was felt that it would staff of a Transport Department, where be better to involve persons from makkal there were about 225 houses. The residents amaippu (Community Organization), refused to open their doors, and they were Kasthuri and other woman joined the study willing to listen to what the CCD staff was team as the representatives of Mahakalasm- trying to say. They said that they attained Federation of Self-Help Groups. The study self-sufficiency, and there was no need for was well appreciated as it brought out many external support to take care of their useful and fresh insights into both positive health. But Kasthuri was determined that and negative aspects of the programme. somehow the scheme should be Kasthuri and her friend were lauded for implemented in that place. She decided to the work that proved to be as good as any carry out the planting of plants without study conducted by research students. . the residents support. She took two staff They were given a cash award of Rs 25000 members from CCD to help dig pits and for it, which they deposited with the plant the seedlings. She planted 20 Mahakalasam, as they wanted to strengthen medicinal plants in each house. But today it. the hostile residents have become friends of CCD, and in case they need any plant The role of Mahakalasam in the KHG cuttings they collect from this colony. The programme, and the subsequent study were residents have understood the value of the recognized at the Social Summit in South plants, and the benefits of herbal Africa. Kasthuri had the opportunity to medicines. attend the conference at Johannesburg, where she received the prestigious Equator Kasthuri was proud to mention that the Prize, with four other partners, in the KHG programme has also been Summit event. Fodham, the Jesuit implemented in Maharashtra. With the University of New York, also honoured her

34 NVA Fellows in 2005, for her excellent work and engaged in another project that focuses on achievements. reviving traditional vegetables based on KHG model. She creates awareness about Kasthuri has attended many training it among the others. She is happy that she programmes, workshops and seminars. She able to share her knowledge with the is often invited by non-Governmental villagers. When people are in need of organizations and other institutions to give traditional seeds, she guides them by lectures. She has had an opportunity to go advising where to find the same. to Ahmedabad for a programme conducted by the National Innovation Foundation in In the Tsunami affected areas, Kasthuri documentation of traditional knowledge helped to form women’s SHGs. She and and innovative practices. She was one of her colleagues identified those who were the 16 members from CCD who attended really affected by the disaster, and helped the training. She found this very useful them by giving essential items to meet their because she was able to learn about day to day requirements. Through the CCD, innovative practices and the methodology they helped build temporary shelters, and to be adopted for generating information also distributed salt tolerant vegetables and even from those who are unable to express cottonseeds. themselves, and document the same. Since four years she and others have been Kasthuri has conceptual clarity in documenting indigenous knowledge and whatever work she involves herself. She grass roots level innovations in the field of believes in sharing and exchanging of traditional medicine, food practices and information. She does not miss any livelihoods, and they send the data to opportunity to take part in the meetings National Innovation Foundation. Before of kalasam, CCD or in other institutions. she attended the training, she thought it She does not mind spending her personal was related to documentation work. But money for this, as she thinks that such her participation has given her exposure participation offers a forum to share and to learn about simple innovations. Her visit exchange information and experiences. to Ahmedabad inspired her to take an Kasthuri’s husband is a great source of interest in conservation and promotion of support to her. He is very proud of his wife, traditional crops. She collects seeds of and encourages her in all her activities. Her traditional crops such as samai (Panicum children are also motivated to do social sumatrense ), thinai (Setaria italica), varagu work. Kasthuri gives credit to her family, (Paspalum scrobiculatum) kudiraivali CCD and other partner organisations - (Echinochloa colona) and traditional who have all been instrumental to her vegetable seeds like neela peerkangai (Luffa growth and success. acutangula) and neela surakkai (Lagenaria Kasthuri has become a role model for siceraria) from her areas of work, and she women through her achievements in SHG deposits them in the seed bank maintained formation, and in federating them, and for by CCD. She has been concentrating in this popularising the importance of herbal field for the past three years. She is also kitchen gardens, motivating people to get

A Case Study 35 involved in various income generating International and National Awards), activities as alternative livelihood options, which Kasthuri has received. She feels that establishing a herbal company with NVA is special because it is a recognition people’s representatives, and so on. within the country from the First Citizen, which makes it most valuable. Kasthuri Yet Kasthuri does not rest on her laurels. likes to strengthen her activities in capacity She is not satisfied with her work. She feels building of micro finance groups, there is much more to be done for promotion of local resource based improving the social and economic enterprises for generating livelihood conditions of the rural people - particularly options, and promotion of community the women. According to her, there is centred development model in medicinal certainly an improvement among women. plants and herbal products. She likes to Those who once refused to come out of the focus more on traditional crops and houses are now willing to participate in all medicinal plants. She says she is eager to the meetings. They are keen on increasing offer her services to improve the livelihood their awareness about different things. of rural people by using local resources and Kasthuri thinks that even this is not also by imparting awareness and training. enough. She is sad that the women, in their She would like to organize large scale efforts individual capacity, are still not ready to to conserve and promote traditional crops try any new enterprises. as well as medicinal plants and home The NVA Fellow Award is one of several kitchen gardens in the rural areas. awards and citations (which include

36 NVA Fellows Mr. R Maniyan Keela Punavasal Thanjavur District Tamil Nadu

Maniyan, 46 years old, hails from Keela known in his own village and in the Punavasal in Thanjavur District in Tamil neighourhood. He is an excellent Contact Nadu. He is an innovative farmer and a Farmer, who is able to disseminate committed social worker who believes in information effectively. What is hard work.. The population in and around remarkable about him is that even though the village consists mainly of agriculturists. he does not own land, he takes intense Maniyan has been playing a significant role interest in farming . and has a vast in promoting innovative agricultural repertoire of knowledge on agriculture. He practices among the farmers in this area. has taken 35 cents of agricultural land on He motivates them to go in for alternative lease, and has been working for a crops, advising them on it, depending on landowner for nearly 34 years, maintaining the soil characteristics and water 15 acres of the latter’s land. He works very availability. While constantly updating hard on this land. himself with latest agricultural developments he shares this information Maniyan’s interest in agriculture with others as well. He believes that one attracted the attention of the officers from should integrate the latest technology with the Agricultural Department, Agricultural the traditional practices of the field to Extension Workers and others from related ensure optimum results. fields. The officials from the Agricultural Department always approached him and Constrained by his family’s economic sought his help whenever new technology background, Maniyan could not continue or crops were introduced, since he had the his education beyond middle school. His capacity to popularize innovation among father was a small farmer with 3-4 acres the farmers. of land, and a few cattle. The lands were sold during his father’s lifetime. Maniyan Maniayan has attended more than is married and has two children. He is well seven Farm Schools on Air conducted by All India Radio, and was awarded

A Case Study 37 certificates for the same. He has the first one to cultivate the soya crop in participated in a number of training his area. Encouraged by Maniyan, about programmes conducted by Tamil Nadu 10 other farmers adopted it in the following Agricultural University and the Agricultural year, and many more followed in the Department. Recently, in March 2006, he subsequent years. Farmers were encouraged participated in a training programme to cultivate soya for also its increasing organized by NABARD, where topics like market value. He mentioned that the organic farming, water management, farmers realized that the Soya bean would vermicompost and herbal medicine were fetch an income equivalent to the rice crop. taught. He has also volunteered to be a Maniyan remarked that this was a great coordinator of Farmers Field School success for the Department. Similarly, he programme conducted by Department of motivated the farmers in his village and Agriculture. neighbourhood to grow sunflower and gingelly as alternative crops. Likewise, Maniayan has been a convener of during 1989-90, the District Joint Director Farmers Discussion Group of the Farmers (Thanjavur), Agriculture, selected him to Training Centre since 1984, and this has try out application of weedicide. The been a major source of support to him. He Department was confident that he would was able to gain exposure to new ideas. He comply with their request. Moreover, they fondly remembers the then Dean of entrusted him with the task of selling the Agriculture Paddy Research Station, who weedicide to the farmers. Maniyan was able joined him in the Farmers Discussion to market the weedicide, and convey the Group. He is proud to have had the money to the concerned official from the opportunity to meet and talk to four Vice Department. Maniyan has, on his own, Chancellors of Tamil Nadu Agricultural taken the initiative to introduce new crop University so far. He has now become a varieties in his village. During 1995-96, he member of the Farmers Club, organized brought in the ASD-19 rice variety from and run by NABARD. This way he has Ambasamudram, and distributed it to two increased his prospects of meeting more farmers in his village. people, and widening his scope and horizon. Maniyan reads a lot on agriculture and related subjects. He buys books related to During 1989, the Oil Seeds Department cultivation practices, organic farming, identified Maniyan, and motivated him to herbal medicine and so on. As he does not grow soya bean in his land. He says that believe in exclusively keeping the the Department was confident that he information to himself, he shares his would adopt it. When the Department knowledge wtih others in and around his officials explained that the crop required village.. He lends his books to others. Since less water, and being a pulse crop, it would he is aware of the common problems in enhance the soil fertility, Maniyan was agriculture, and the remedies, villagers convinced about the positive aspects of often approach him to clarify their doubts. cultivating such a crop in his land. He was For instance, in the case of any pest attack

38 NVA Fellows or disease, people consult him to suggest continued use of chemicals has depleted remedies for them. Maniyan derives the soil health and the environment. But immense satisfaction and fulfillment by the position today is totally different.Today helping everyone. Nowadyas he keeps all we can gradually eliminate the use of the related paperwork of the training chemical fertilizers and avoid the dangers programmes and training modules in the of rapid depletion of soil nutrition and Village Resouce Center (VRC) of M. S. gradually change over to organic farming Swaminathan Research Foundation methods. (MSSRF), Thiruvaiyaru. This way, other farmers who visit the Centre, would have Manyian’s reading habits and his access to the material, and benefit through friendly nature have helped him get more them. clarity on various aspects of agriculture and also on the social problems of people. Maniyan is also a frequent visitor at the According to him, the lack of education VRC in Thiruvaiyar. He helps the staff of and knowledge are major hurdles in the MSSRF meet the different farmers and way of development. As a result of this, organize programmes in the villages. He people tend to fall prey to cheating and has voluntarily taken up the responsibility exploitation. Maniyan feels that he was of distributing Namma Oorun Seidhi (a able to expand his knowledge base by Tamil Newsletter of the VKC) because listening to the radio ever since his information on employment childhood. He was a keen listener of opportunities, herbal medicine and programmes that focused on farming and Government schemes can reach more social issues. He had the opportunity to people through this newsletter. relate to agricultural activities all over the country. His knowledge base is a Maniyan, the innovative farmer, has set combination of theory and practice. In his a new dimension in thinking. He says it is own words, he says, “ Enn arivu valartchikku good for the farmer to change according karanam Vanoli” - ( the radio was to the situation and cultivation practices. responsible for the increase of my He feels that farmers should work knowledge). profitably, and that it is important to adopt organic methods of cultivation to the It is interesting to mention here about extent possible, and to minimize pest and Maniyan’s views on providing subsidies. He disease problems and also endeavour to strongly feels that subsidies should be protect the environment. He pertinently discouraged, and self-reliance ought to be observes that 40 or 50 years ago, there was the goal. It was his opinion that generally a need to adopt high yield varieties that subsidies tend to slacken people’s attitude demanded application of chemical towards work by encouraging laziness and fertilizers and pesticides. This was because increasing their expectations from outside the country’s food security was at stake. sources - including the Government. He There was also the great danger of however realizes that most people will not widespread starvation in the country. The share his views on subsidies, but he is

A Case Study 39 steadfast in his convictions. He has Although he is well respected and interesting ideas about storing floodwaters recognized in the community for his of river Kaveri as well, but feels that he will valuable activities, the award has enhanced rarely find someone who will appreciate his his status among friends and villagers. innovative ideas and put them into action. Maniyan says he was quite aware of the Similar ideas were put into practices in the ‘ten commandments’ of the Honourable state of Karnataka, says Maniyan. President of India even before he received the NVA Fellow Award. He has made great When asked about the NVA Fellow efforts to convince others to donate for the Award (2005) and how he felt when he cause of education of poor children. His received it, Maniyan replied that it was a own campaign has also helped his son, who great honour for him to get such an award is now pursuing higher studies in a college from our country’s first citizen. This has through the sponsorship of a well-wisher. not only improved his self-image, but has He has also been inspired to be also given him the impetus to rededicate magnanimous in withdrawing a legal case to the service of the society against his brother.

40 NVA Fellows Ms. Parasakthi Sundara Rajapuram Virudunagar District Tami Nadu

Parasakthi is a 48-year-old woman, who contrary, it gave her strength and motivated looks frail, but possesses a strong her to help women who suffer ill-treatment personality. She was born in a traditional and exploitation in the hands of their agriculture family. As the only daughter, spouses or other men. Parasakthi did not with six older brothers, she grew up with opt for a divorce since she felt that the men special care and attention. She was the first in her village might try to exploit her young woman to ride a two-wheeler, which sexually if she remained alone. She was also was uncommon in those days, particularly concerned that she should not set an in rural areas. She says that even though example for other women in the village to her parents were not rich, they had a try to seek divorce without proper reason. comfortable life. She has studied up to the According to her most of the men in the 12th standard, and was married to a police village were addicted to arrack, and also a constable as a second wife. Her marriage majority of the households were involved however did not last more than three years. in illicit arrack brewing. She was not happy with her husband’s behaviour and attitude, and was shocked After Parasakthi’s separation from her and upset when she discovered that he had husband, she has not looked back with pledged her jewellery without her regrets. She marched forward in her permission. With a seven month old girl mission to save and help needy and child, she left her husband to stay near her exploited women in her village. She was parents and brothers permanently. Her instrumental in arranging nearly ten inter- brothers were fully supportive, and brought caste marriages. Whenever she heard any her back from her husband’s house to their instance of betrayal of a girl by a man, she native place. would see to it that they were married. She was not afraid of facing the Panchayat Parasakthi remained strong and meetings, or going to the police station or unshattered by this separation. On the countering threats from her opponents .

A Case Study 41 Parasakthi is a bold and courageous Government schemes and facilities to woman, and an ardent social worker. She reach the right people. The SHG members articulates well and is caring and conscious insisted that the Panchayat leaders should of the problems of women and the needy show accounts for the expenditures. When in her village. She says that ever since her this was refused, they did not hesitate to school days, she has had the habit of take the matter to the Union Office. The reading the newspapers and Tamil members would conduct surprise visits to magazines. As a young girl, she became the TINP Centre in order ensure that aware of various problems people face in nutritious food items and vitamin tablets day-to-day life, and also the social evils that were given to the expectant mothers and affect society as a whole. She was greatly the children. disturbed by all this. Such introspection influenced her to think about the situation When some schoolteachers faced in the village. She became aware of many problems in handling some students, problems and difficulties of people in Parasakthi, along with another woman general. She was determined that her leader of a SHG, took the initiative to set village should be free of social evils and the things right. The students had become exploitation of women. unruly, and started to tease the teachers. To avoid further disturbances, and in order Parasakthi’s concern for women and to bring a healthy atmosphere in the society in general, did not stop at the school, a Parents Association was formed, emotional and mental level; she began to which included some important persons act. Whenever opportunities arose, she of the village.. When schoolteachers were took the initiative to work for the welfare late for work, they were also reprimanded. of the society. What work she began two Parasakthi and her friend monitored the decades ago, still continues. The formation students’ behaviour, and ensured that the of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in her village teachers came on time and taught the in 2001 under TANVA programme, gave lessons properly. her a foundation to strengthen her work in the villages. Working through an Parasakthi says that the teachers should organizational base gave her the scope to set an example to the students. If the widen her activities. She played a major role teachers were at fault, complaints would in forming SHGs, and became a leader of be made to the Head Master. The two one such group. It must be mentioned here women also monitored the noon meal that since these groups were not service at school to make sure that this is functioning well, they were combined with properly provided to the children. SEVA, a non-Governmental organization, Parasakthi is happy that there is since 2004. supervision and good control over the children, and that the school is functioning The SHG members showed interest in well. the proper functioning of the schools, TINP and Panchayat in the village. This is because As already mentioned, the formation of they wanted the benefits of the SHGs in the village gave Parasakthi

42 NVA Fellows renewed strength to serve the society. She Sundara Rajapuram. In this village, a has been of great help to the destitute and majority of the households were involved widows. During the last three years, she in the brewing of illicit liquor. has helped some 40 women obtain old age pensions. She says that prior to the She had to fight almost single-handedly formation of the SHGs, she could get against all odds to put an end to this assistance for only three elderly women. harmful trade. She was determined in her efforts, and faced the strong opposition and Parasakthi lends a helping hand to resistance. She even faced death threats, women during the distribution of sarees, but Parasakthi was not deterred. She did rice and other free benefits by the not give up the struggle till the people government. She also said that she assists abandoned the practice. Finally she widows and destitute to apply for monetary achieved her goal in 2005. She says she was aid from through Government schemes. appreciated for her daring role in stopping the brewing of illicit liquor. Parasakthi takes on a great deal of civic responsibility. She ensures that street lights The courage and the boldness with and water supply are functional, and in which she fought against this evil attracted case of any failure, she personally the attention of political leaders at high approaches the concerned authority to levels. She was asked to take a responsible rectify the problem. She is held in high post in the local party office. However, esteem by the people at the Panachayat Parasakthi politely declined this offer. Union Office. She and the other SHG When asked the reason for her refusal, she members also assist the Health remarked, “Whatever one does as a Department during immunization member of a political party will be viewed programmes and in distributing medicines as corruption. I feel it is always better to to the villagers. work independently or I might lose our people’s support for my work. Another Parasakthi was instrumental in important reason for not involving myself converting a part-time library into a full- in politics is that I will not be able to time one, in 2003. The Panchayat, sadly, question the political leaders.” did not support her in this effort. She took the opportunity to meet the authorities As Parasakthi felt that she must have during a meeting held in Rajapalayam in someone to support and assist her in the connection with National Library Festival. activities, she identified a young widow On behalf of the SHG, she donated Rs. whom she herself had inspired and 1000, and submitted a representation motivated into action. The young woman, requesting for a full time library in her who is 27 years old, with three children, village. She was successful in this endeavor. now assists Parasakthi in her social work. According to Parasakthi there should be One of the significant contributions of someone to continue her work among the Parasakthi is her efforts to stop illegal people. Both of them go together to all the liquor production by many people in places - whether it is to a police station or

A Case Study 43 to meet someone at the Panchayat Union determined to resolve the case justly and Office. Parasakthi thinks that her partner amicably. She refused to relent when a sum in service should associate with different of Rs. 20000 /- was offered to the girl as kinds of people, from various walks of lives. reparation. She finally succeeded in getting Now the women help the community them married. through the Adult Education Programme, and also by obtaining donor assistance for In another incident she came to know educating orphan children. of a policeman who ill-treated his good- looking wife by locking her up, and burning Parasakthi and her assistant are very her with cigarette butts. On hearing this, keen to ensure that benefits of government Parasakthi met him and threatened to take welfare schemes and other programmes up the matter with higher officials. The should reach the people - particularly policeman stopped this evil torture, and he women, children and the handicapped. now behaves normally. Parasakthi is a woman with immense Parasakthi is not biased towards women mental strength. She is not intimidated by alone, but has as a fair sense on gender police officers or the Panchayat leaders. In issues. There is an incident, involving a her fight against injustice to women, or to couple in a love marriage that highlights men, she is not afraid to face the challenges her keen sense of understanding gender. A and threats from the panchayat leaders or few days after the marriage, the woman the police officials. She does not spare the instigated a canard against the boy that he man who deceives a woman after was demanding a huge dowry, and filed a exploiting her sexually, or the man who case in the court. When the boy and his breaks the promise to marry. If the parents did not know what to do, the panchayat fails to give a fair solution, she Panchayat leader suggested that they meet takes the matter to the Police Station. Parasakthi. When she studied the case, she realized that the woman was a cheat, as Parasakthi has till now conducted more she was already married twice, and she had than nine inter-caste marriages. In one filed the case merely to extract money from instance she even challenged a lawyer who the boy’s family. Parasakthi brought the tried to support a boy who was not willing facts before the woman, and the parents to accept the girl whom he promised to of the boy. The case was withdrawn. There marry. The girl was an orphan, and was are more cases like the one narrated above, reluctant to divulge the fact that she had all of which prove Parasakthi’s total an affair with the boy. She was unable to commitment to social issues. conceal the truth after she found herself pregnant. Parasakthi identified the boy, She is a regular visitor at the All Women and approached his parents. When they Police Station. She tries to talk to people to refused to discuss the issue, she informed get to know their problems. Whenever she the Panachayat . The Panchayat also did not can, she helps them either by providing support the orphan girl because she was guidance or by personal participation. older to the boy, but Parasakthi was

44 NVA Fellows Using her experience under the TANWA As a mother, Parasakthi has a family training programme, she trains others. As responsibility. She must find a suitable she had attended SEVA training on herbal groom for her 21-year-old daughter. She is medicine, she has also conducted similar sad that her daughter is not willing to programmes in a few areas. She pursue her studies after the 10th standard. volunteered to work in the Tsunami Yet her enthusiasm for service does not affected areas of Nagapattinam District. In wane, as she is looking forward to complete Kesavan Palayam, she helped to form four involvement in her work after her SHGs. Through SEVA, some financial daughter’s marriage. There is nothing to assistance was given to the group. She is stop her after that! keen on being more involved in the activities of SEVA. After becoming a NVA Fellow (2005), she wishes to create awareness among Parasakthi’s brothers provide moral women in other parts of Tamil Nadu, if support, and they are proud of her. She lives provided the opportunity to highlight the in her parents’ house. She was given an status of the woman, and the need to acre of land by her parents, which she has overcome social barriers. She would like leased. She works as a daily wage labourer. women to think for themselves, and act She commands respect from the villagers, for their own benefit and welfare. She is of who are in awe of her. But there is also the view that the NVA is a source of some opposition to her work. She believes recognition for her work in this sensitive that if a society has to function well and area. She has the will to continue her be valued by others, the people should mission. That is the reason why she is also conduct themselves with propriety and grooming the young widow, as already dignity. mentioned.

A Case Study 45 Ms. S Ramuthai Sanka Kaundanpatti Madurai District Tamil Nadu

Ramuthai, a 33 years old woman, is years after which Ramuthai with her credited with introducing the concept of children moved to her father’s village. savings among women at a time when the Because of the nature of his job and his village was not exposed to the concept of interest in politics her husband never used self-help group (SHG). She helped to form to stay at home. Therefore, her father informal credit groups (locally known as decided to bring them to their native place. chittu pidippadu) in her native village of Presently, she and her son stay near her Sanka Koundanpatti in Madurai district, father’s house. Her husband has become a Tamil Nadu. fulltime party worker in his native village. Ramuthai comes from a family of six Though she had the moral support of children. She has a brother and four sisters. her parents, Ramuthai had to struggle hard Her father is a retired person from defense to meet the day-to-day requirements of her service. After completing her 10th standard household. She started working as an she got married at the age of 18 and went agricultural labourer in a neibhouring to live with her husband in Theni district, village. She bought a cow on loan and she Tamil Nadu. She had two sons but recently reared few goats. She used the income she lost her 13-year-old son who suffered earned as wages to meet the household from cancer. Her husband’s family owned expenses and repaid the loan with the agricultural lands and they led a earnings from selling milk. Within two comfortable life. But the family lost years Ramuthai’s economic position got everything and fell into debts. stabilized. Her attention was drawn towards women and she wanted to Ramuthai and her husband went to live inculcate the habit of savings among them in Namakkal district with their two mainly because they suffered a lot by children. Her husband took up a job as a borrowing from local moneylenders who lorry driver. The family stayed there for five charged exorbitant interest rate. Many

46 NVA Fellows could not clear their debts and as a result and half a years she could increase it to 40 some of them as a family left the village so (in and around her village). As already as to save themselves from the mentioned, Ramuthai’s aim is to free moneylenders. This motivated her to start women from the clutches of moneylenders. informal thrift groups (these can be called So, she showed keen interest in arranging as informal small chit funds) consisting for micro credit through banks. She had to of her village women in order to save them struggle a lot to get bank linkages. Though from the clutches of the moneylenders the groups had account with one of the There were many such groups run by men. nationilised banks it refused to give loan. Ramuthai could bring women together and The group members became restless formed three groups. Using the groups’ because they could not get any loan. It was savings she gave loans to women at a low during this time that SEVA helped the rate of interest. It was of great help to the groups with some funds and it also helped village women. These groups functioned in mobilizing some funds from DHAN well under the leadership of Ramuthai for Foundation during 2004. Ramuthai played two years. It was during this time she was a major role in getting these funds. Seeing exposed to the concept of self-help groups this the bank also came forward to provide (SHG) through her friend from a loan to the women. She could get direct neibhouring village. bank linkages only last year. She has helped in extending bank credits to 20 groups. She Ramuthai took the initiative to start mobilized more than Rs.12 lakhs as micro SHGs in her village and she formed few credit to provide for resource poor farmers groups. She came into contact with to help them buy dairy animals, sheep and Sustainable Agriculture and Environment goats. Voluntary Action (SEVA), a non- governmental organisation involved in The SHGs have been formed into a forming SHGs in the neibhouring village. Federation. In order to manage the affairs And later these groups were merged with of the Federation she underwent a two-day SEVA SHGS. training. She says she found it useful as it helps to deal with individuals, conduct For three years, Ramuthai worked as an meetings and other group activities better. animator and later in May 2002 she Presently, she is looking after 37 SHGs became a staff of SEVA. As an animator activities. she was very active and SEVA was impressed with her efficiency in maintaining Ramuthai has taken initiatives to bring accounts and her daring personality. She certain basic facilities to her village. She has been working as a Cluster Coordinator and few other women from SHGs have for the past four years. been encouraged by SEVA to approach the Panchayat President to get civic amenities Ramuthai is primarily involved in to the village. In association with the promoting SHGs in and around her Panchayat, Ramuthai was instrumental in villages. When SEVA came to the village bringing a community hall, cement road, there were only five groups and with in one

A Case Study 47 street lights, toilet and drainage facilities places. But how to stop this is a question to the village. The women insist that the mark for Ramuthai. She said that during SHGs should be informed whenever Participatory Knowledge Management Panchyat meetings are held. The women are Workshop for the NVA Fellows she taking efforts to get electricity connection highlighted this issue thinking that it to their SHG building. would help to find a way out for this problem. She also realizes that it cannot Ramuthai mentioned that she confronts be solved overnight. various problems but has the will to face them. She has earned the enmity of the As Ramuthai is concerned about lack of moneylenders. She says, ”In fact they job opportunities in the village she tries to (money lenders) are quite angry with me find employment in agricultural fields or as they feel I am blocking their income”. A mills in the neighboring villages. This will majority of the women have stopped help them to earn income and they can borrowing from them because the SHGs also come back home the same day. are self-reliant now. Ramuthai gives loan to the non- members and also those who Through SEVA Ramuthai organized an have left the groups because her primary Employment Development programme aim is to get rid of the habit of borrowing (EDP) for one week for the benefit of from moneylenders. She helps poor women village women. She feels sad, as many could when they are unable to pay their interest. not utilize the training to generate income She pays from her savings and later collects due to difficulty in marketing the products. it from them when they get money. She arranges loan for women (whose spouses have gone to other places for Ramuthai is concerned about lack of job employment) to buy milch animals and opportunities for men as well as women also helps them to insure the same. With in her village. She mentioned that for the the help of SEVA she has organized a past 10 years villagers have been facing veterinary camp for the villagers. The losses because agricultural production villagers were exposed to the traditional suffered due to drought. So it has forced herbal treatment to the cattle and many many households to migrate to other places are adopting the treatment to the livestock. in search of livelihood. Women go to SEVA’s association has inspired Ramuthai Tiruppur for work where they get physically to raise a herbal garden and many exploited by men, which has led to households make use of these herbs to treat disharmony and ruining of the family minor ailments. She also sells herbal relations. She mentioned that there are products of SEVA to the villagers. many instances of women committing suicide because of this. Men going to Ramuthai had an opportunity to Coimbatore and Kerala do not take their participate in five day awareness families with them. She feels sad about it programmes on AIDS conducted by the and thinks that something should be done Tamil Nadu Women’s Welfare to prevent families from migrating to other Department. She shares the information with others and she has given printed

48 NVA Fellows material to her friends and neighbors. She the schemes. Through Panchayat Union says her villagers are in a vulnerable she took efforts to organize a programmes situation as they migrate to other places for the Social Welfare Board in her village in search of employment. to high light the welfare schemes available for women and children. She mentioned The villagers approach Ramuthai to that she has gained confidence and courage settle family disputes and she has settled to approach the concerned department if many such disputes and those arising out necessary regarding the above or any other of caste. She mentioned that she issues concerning the community. As she introspects daily before going to bed about lost her son few months ago she wants to her day’s work and tries to correct herself. help people in the area of health using the The NVA Award (2005) has boosted up Government schemes. her morale. The SHG members felt happy In this context, Ramuthai suggested that when she got the Award. It has enhanced an identity card for the Fellows would give her status among members and her friends. them recognition among the Government She wishes that needy and poor people officials and in other places. The identity should be benefited by the Government card might help the Fellows (as a welfare schemes. Her participation in the representative of the society) while working Participatory Knowledge Workshop held at for the community. New Delhi for the NVA Fellows inspired her to think in a broader perspective. She Ramauthai is upset with the functioning realized one could be of help to the of the Public Distribution System (PDS) community just by communicating the in her village. She and few other SGH group information on Government schemes and members are planning to take efforts to programmes. She says that her exposure regularize it. The person in charge of PDS to the workshop has motivated her to keep in the village has not heeded to repeated herself updated with latest schemes and requests and warnings. As people are not programmes. When she goes to the able to avail of the of the PDS Ramuthai is Panchayat Union Office she enquires about determined to set things right.

A Case Study 49 Mr. Ravi Kumar Ekkadu Thiruvallur District Tamil Nadu

Ravi Kumar, a 50 year old from Ekkadu, offer better service to the villagers, and his Thiruvallur District in Tamil Nadu, is monetary benefits are also satisfactory. handicapped. He is a postgraduate in Though he is a postgraduate, Ravikumar commerce, and married, with two sons. He admits that he was illiterate as far as comes from a traditional agricultural computer applications were concerned. He family. The family sold the agricultural did not know how to operate the mouse. lands when he was in college. After But today he is very proficient in the completing his M.Com degree, he took up computer applications, and efficiently the real estate business, and later opened teaches both young and old. He says that a provision store. He has been running a during the weekends, the Centre is always kiosk in his village since August 2003. full of students. More than 30 children, including six girls, have studied in the When the District Administration was online tutorial, and 60% of the students identifying self-help group members to set have passed their 10th examinations. A up kiosks, Ravikumar, in his individual majority of them belong to socially capacity, approached N. logue for setting deprived section of society. Chiraag up a kiosk in his village. Since there were supports online educational services, and no SHGs in Ekkadu, N. logue allocated a promotes Internet kiosks to help the poor. kiosk to him. After completing his training in computer applications, he set up the Ravi Kumar observes that the kiosks are kiosk in his village. Since then the Centre not set up merely with an economic motive has been functioning very efficiently and alone, but also to provide the services to effectively under his care. His kiosk is one the needy. He recalls that the Local Service of the most active Centres in Thiruvallur Provider of N. logue/Chiraag always District. reiterated that we owe a responsibility to help the poor. Ravi Kumar says he always Ravi Kumar updates and renews the net tries to work with this goal in mind. regularly, and because of this, he is able to

50 NVA Fellows Ravi Kumar is able to earn through the sessions in different locations at the same courses he organizes for school and college time, irrespective of time and distance. The students, and employed persons. He software is only ½ MB in size, takes less charges a fee Rs 300 to teach MS Office than two minutes to download, and works (for which elsewhere they usually charge reliably on low bandwidth networks with Rs 1000). The course is conducted for speeds as low as 12 kbps. iSee has been used about 35 to 40 days. Income also comes to allow doctors to remotely consult with from charges for net browsing, typing, print patients, government officials to interact outs and astrology computing services. He with their constituents, and villagers to also provides printouts of application forms chat online with popular TV stars] related to government benefits for the handicapped, the widowed, for pensioners, Education of children is a priority for and for birth and death certificates. Ravi Ravi Kumar. He purchases educational CDs Kumar charges the rates according to the like dictionary and maths/science related individual affordability of his customers. lessons. He also conducted Adult Literacy Widows and pensioners are not charged programmes. Out of the 11 people who any money. attended this programme, seven were females. He was able to do this since Ravi Kumar was earlier handling Chriaag had an affiliation with Tata services connected with the Ramachandra Consultancy Services (TCS). He helps a few Medical hospital (iSee to Ramachandra) , persons in his village with email service and and this was of great help to the villagers. sends the messages on their behalf, as they He had a good link with the hospital, and have provided him with their mail ID and patients with the kiosk reference were given passwords. Ravi Kumar charges a nominal good care. This gave him happiness and charge for such services, and he is well fulfillment because he was able to serve the appreciated in the community. people. But sadly, this service has been stopped. Through this link he had helped Ravi Kumar says that his service to the many people. He helped a drug addict to people in the community is only very overcome his drug dependence through the minimal. He was motivated in this iSee Consultation with Ramachandra direction only after his contact with Medical Hospital. Chiraag had a tie up Chiraag, and the subsequent association Aravind Eye Hospita also, but due to its with all its efforts. He admits that being distance, people could not utilize the awarded NVA Fellow in 2005, somewhat services. strengthened his resolve to serve the community in his small way. [iSee - The software is a multiparty video conferencing application developed by the Ravi Kumar says, “I did not do anything collaborative efforts of TeNet group and great to receive the Award. But it has Oops Pvt. Ltd. The software was developed created a deep urge in me to serve the specifically keeping in mind the society”. His trip to Delhi (to receive the requirements and communication needs of Award) provided an opportunity to interact rural areas. It enables users to do real-time with other NVA Fellows. He was deeply

A Case Study 51 impressed with the work accomplished by internet kiosk whenever they need any the others. He realized that even those with assistance or clarifications. minimum education have been working hard for the welfare of the people. He With the help of other residents of considers his contribution very negligible Teachers Colony, where he lives, Ravi in comparison, and wishes to accomplish Kumar is making an effort to install street some meaningful work for the lights. Many appeals to the Village development of his village community. Administrative Officer and the President of the Panchayat have not yielded any As an extension of this, he has taken result. He is very earnest in his endeavour, initiative to organize a Health Camp for and plans to take up the issue with higher the villagers. Shankara Nethralaya, authorities - for which Ravi Kumar has the Chennai has offered to conduct free vision full support of the residents. check-up, and also to provide free treatment for those with defective vision. Ravi Kumar could also manage to find The hospital charges would also be borne solutions through email for some of his by them. Meanwhile, Ravi Kumar is trying personal problems. He hopes that this will to arrange funding and sponsorship from be possible at the village level also. He says some philanthropic organizations to meet that nowadays he uses the email to send the transport expenses. electronic appeals or complaints regarding the lapses and lacunae in Government Ravi Kumar aims to concentrate on the departments. educational aspect, and plans to revive the Adult Literacy programme. The Award has The NVA Fellow Award has motivated encouraged Ravi Kumar to initiate efforts Ravi Kumar to associate with welfare for various causes. On coming to know that organizations and Non-Governmental 56 persons had not been included in the Organizations, to widen his perspective, electoral list in spite of repeated official and to serve the people better. He is plans representations, he decided to try to to become a member of Exnora. He feels include their names through online that the Award has helped to broaden his enrollment. None of them had personal outlook. It has motivated him to think email ID; he succeeded in getting them collectively for the village and community. enrolled by using his personal email ID for His areas of concern are education,and all the 56 persons. They were extremely agriculture. happy with his efforts, and very thankful Though he comes from a village that is to him. predominantly agricultural, it never After this incident, the villagers became occurred to him that he should help the more informed about the Internet Centre. farmers and develop agriculture. His Before this, many were not aware of its interest in agriculture was kindled during existence or about the facilities available. his trip to Delhi when he went receive the Now they feel confident to approach the NVA Fellow Award, and later when he participated in Regional Workshop for NVA

52 NVA Fellows Fellows at Pondicherry, in March 2006. As already been mentioned, the other area of concern is agriculture. Ravi Kumar Ravi Kumar feels that he requires more feels motivated to help the farmers and organizational support, besides Chiraag. develop agriculture in the village. But in Insofar as education is concerned, Chiraag order to actualize this, he requires is of great support. His objective is to organizational support besides Chiraag. concentrate on eradicating illiteracy - Being impressed with the concept of the particularly among young girls and boys. Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) he feels He is happy that he is able to impart that this could serve the purpose not only computer knowledge to the villagers. He in matters related to agriculture, but also has also been able to help to many students in other aspects such as traditional from socially backward communities to medicine, education, Government complete their secondary school education schemes and so on. Ravi Kumar has already through online tutorials. However he seeks initiated the process to set up a VKC in his to strengthen this service with far-reaching village. plans.

A Case Study 53 Mr. J Senthil Kumar T Vadipatty Madurai District Tamil Nadu

Senthil Kumar is the eldest of three not afford higher education, he had to give children. His sister is married and his up his desire to qualify in Information brother is still in school. His father Technology. He completed his under inherited ancestral property of more than graduation in B.B.A through 50 acres of agricultural land, and two correspondence. houses, but today there is nothing left. His mother also inherited some property from Senthil Kumar has always been inclined her mother’s side. His grand father had to work in the development sector. As a worked to provide service to the villagers, young boy he had observed people around and his parents have also involved him who were struggling hard to lead their themselves in community service activities. day to day lives. Their situation was so bad His family has contributed generously to that they could not even afford to educate temple activities, and for charity. When their children. School children and the Senthil was in the 9th Standard, his family youngsters were not aware of educational went through difficult times, and lost most opportunities or job prospects. The elders of their wealth and savings. His mother were also ignorant of many things that runs a small idli shop, and she still tries to were happening around. help people who are in worse economical Senthil Kumar, at an early age, condition. His 67-year-old father works at understood the concept of information the ticket counter of a cinema theatre in empowerment. He decided to help the Madurai. Senthil Kumar, who is 25 years households - particularly the students and old, takes care of the major expenses of the those have completed their schooling - by household. providing information for their After completing his 12th standard, development. So he started to work in this Senthil Kumar was forced to take up a job direction. He gathered information related in a mill at the early age of 17. As he could to educational opportunities and job

54 NVA Fellows prospects in and around Madurai, and With the help of his friends, he collected disseminated the same to the boys and girls. details about courses, vocational He believes that lack of information is one institutions and addresses of colleges in of the main hurdles on the path to progress and around Madurai District, and and development. disseminated all the information through a simple booklet which he would distribute Senthil Kumar says that he got an among the students. With the permission opportunity to extend his services to people of the school Headmaster he would share outside his area in 1991, when he started the information. He explained to them to work for the Society for Environmental about various courses offered in different Research and Value Education (SERVE) a colleges and technical institutions, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) scope of such courses and its employment based in Madurai. SERVE’s focus is on prospects. He would also guide them to environment and conservation of reach a particular institution like Indian biodiversity, and the programmes are Institute of Technology (IIT) coaching basically implemented through school centre and Railway recruitment Board children and the local community. As he (RRB). He would generally go to the schools was also interested in environmental after the half yearly exams, as he felt that issues, he was impressed with SERVE’s this would be the right time to prepare the activities and so joined the organisation. students to take a judicious decision He got this contact in one of the meetings regarding their future course of action. He of World Wild life Fund (WWF) that he has helped several students to bring out attended as a member of WWF. He worked their potential. He used to guide them as a programme coordinator for about extra curricular activities, and guide Environmental Programmes. them to training centeres in Madurai. As a programme coordinator of SERVE, Through online services, he used to check he visited many villages, particularly in and out the examination results, marks, status around Sholavandan, Madurai District. In of passport details and so on. In all these order to raise awareness among the activities he had the support of SERVE. villagers, he used to share his knowledge While working with SERVE, Senthil was and other relevant information with them. very much impressed with the concept of During his visits, he realized that people a people’s participatory programme. He lacked knowledge about higher studies, was involved in documentation of their scope for employment and other medicinal plants, and a database was related aspects. Althugh he came across created. Awareness programmes were may students who had scored good marks, conducted once in three months, in and they would sadly be lacking information around Sholavandan village, to create and details regarding various courses for awareness about medicinal plants, their higher education and other job prospects. value and properties, and their use in treating a disease. Senthil Kumar found an easy way to reach out to students with information. Senthil Kumar worked with SERVE till

A Case Study 55 2001, after which he chose to work as a Senthil Kumar got an opportunity to work volunteer for M. S. Chellamuthu Trust and in health related issues when he joined the Research Foundation in Madurai. This Centre for Rural Education Development Trust works for the mentally retarded (CRED) in 2003. He worked here till children. Senthil is deeply concerned about mentally retarded children and is recently. Now he is working with Vaigai committed to their cause also. He was Trust on an honorary basis, and is also a involved in developing teaching aids for the resource person to other NGOs. He has mentally retarded children, and finding opted for this kind of work because there sponsorships for such work. Along with his is a scope for flexibility, and he can friends, he developed a teaching aid in the concentrate on the other areas that interest form of a story telling animation, with him. As a staff of CRED he has attended audio and video effects. It is an several training programmes and entertainment for the children when it is workshops. He was a programme shown in the computer monitor. Based on coordinator, and has organized the syllabus, he and his friends have Reproductive and Child Health Campaigns, developed three CDs for the mentally and Environmental Campaigns in villages, retarded children. He derives a sense of along with other village development work, satisfaction working for such children. with the help of the Panchayats. Through In 2001, Senthil Kumar and his friends his activities with CRED he understood that formed a Volunteer Forum with an s sound mind in a healthy body is very objective to serve the needy. The Forum essential to accomplish productive started with 17 members, and now has 12 activities. He always uses to stress this and it functions well. The members carry among the villagers by quoting the Tamil out voluntary work such as organizing free proverb suvar irundal thane chithiram health camps, escorting the mentally varaiyamudiyum meaning that where there retarded children to their houses and so is no wall, nobody can draw a portrait. He on. He and his friends collect notebooks, joined CRED as a volunteer, and later pencils and pens to distribute among the started working for a salary. As a Project rural poor through the school. His friends Officer he was involved in training self- are of great support to him. Three of his help group women, focusing on friends in the Forum are pharmacists. They reproductive child health. give medicines and assist in the Rural and Working with rural women he came to Mental Health Campaigns. He mentioned understand the rural-urban disparity. He that he and his friends always discuss the says that the women, in general, knew ways in which they can help the students. nothing of pre-natal or post-natal care, The idea to prepare a booklet regarding were unaware of their expected date of educational opportunities emerged during delivery and the precautionary methods one such discussion. His friends helped in which they have to follow. Since Primary collecting information for the booklet. Health Centres are not equipped to deal

56 NVA Fellows with complicated cases, these are referred reasons he chose to work for the Vaigai to hospitals in Madurai. But by the time Trust. Currently he is in the process of one reaches the city, anything can happen. developing a documentary, with the So he used to organize meetings to create support of his friend, on the river Vaigai . awareness on these issues. He tells the rural The documentary will span the period from women that it is important to bring up the late 19th century, till date. He says that he new generation in a good atmosphere, and has been inspired to take up this work when for this it is essential to ensure good health he came to know that the is for both the mother and the child. under UNESCO’s list of threatened rivers. He proposes to involve school Headmasters Senthil Kumar’s work involved and school children from areas near the collecting information related to Vaigai riverbed in order to help raise sponsorships, proposal writing and awareness on this issue. communicating with other NGOs having contacts with CRED. He has published a Senthil Kumar realizes that knowledge book in Tamil namely Perusar Kuzhandai is important because it endows great power. Nalam-A Payirchi Nool (A Resource He feels that information is wealth. He has Material on Reproductive Child Health). gained a lot of experience by working in CRED also runs a functional literacy different sectors. This has contributed a lot programme for child labourers. He has toward his development. He says, “My developed a teaching aid (identifying development has been on a progressive numbers and counting) in Tamil for them. path. Collection of data and recognizing CRED provided a great opportunity for him information have broadened my outlook. to develop contacts with many voluntary It has widened or increased my interest, organisations. It has been useful to and I was able to show a great output in disseminate whatever he knows. According my work. There is a sense of satisfaction in to him it served as a platform to whatever work I do- in any kind of field.” disseminate valuable and relevant He is happy to mention that whatever he information and knowledge. was doing in his individual capacity to help the students and others, now he has several Senthil Kumar’s work was not merely opportunities to serve the society through confined to the areas of the organizations’ the NGOs. He wants to continue his work. Sometimes, in his individual services. capacity, he goes to other districts in Tamil Nadu to conduct awareness programmes Senthil Kumar believes that his work for school children on environment issues experiences with three organizations have . He takes this opportunity to share the greatly benefited him. He could improve details about higher education. CRED and himself both personally and professionally. other organizations support his activities. He has gained experience in project formulating, implementing, and executing As it has already been mentioned, and documentation analysis. He is good Senthil Kumar is committed to in computer applications, and prepares his environmental concerns. This is one of the

A Case Study 57 daily reports in the office computer. Most has motivated him to develop an attitude importantly, it has given him great to serve the society as a committed exposure to the realities of life. This has volunteer. helped him a lot while working among the people, with commitment and clarity. He As he believes that knowledge is power, could understand their day to day he wishes to continue gathering problems. His contacts with NGOs and information on various aspects, and reach voluntary organisation help him to work the same to the relevant sections of with the community in a better way, population and other NGOs. He says that irrespective of caste/class and gender. information and data are time bound; so they have to be communicated effectively According to Senthil Kumar, receiving and in time, without much delay. He NVA Award from as great a persona as the volunteered to collect information on Honorouble President of India, Sri Abdul traditional and herbal pest management Kalam, is something, which he will cherish from Sholavandan area, and give it to the forever. He mentioned that it has geared Village Resource Centre of M. S. up his voluntary work and he considers this Swaminathan Research Foundation at as a recognition for his work, which he did Sembatti, Madurai District. with out expecting anything in return. It

58 NVA Fellows Ms. V Tamil Selvi N Nedungulam Virudunagar District Tamil Nadu

Tamil Selvi, a 38 year old graduate in The villagers often used to approach him history, belongs to N.Nedungulam village to solve disputes or to find solutions to any of Kariapatti Block, Virudhunagar District of their other problems, personal or of Tamil Nadu and has been working in otherwise. Tamil Selvi married her the area of women and health for the past maternal uncle, who works with a non- 18 years in the villages of Kariapatti Block. governmental organization in During these years, she has had the Virudhunagar District. He continues his opportunity to work with organizations father’s work, and the family is held in high such as The Association of Sarva Seva Farms esteem among the villagers. . (ASSEFA) during 1989-2000, Aravind Hospital for the next three years, and since Tamil Selvi never imagined she would 2003, with Family Health and take up a job after her graduation. Fresh Development Research Service Foundation from college, quite unexpectedly, she (FH&DRSF). Interestingly, she has been became a primary school teacher in a associated primarily with women and school run by ASSEFA, in 1987, where she health related projects. For such a multi- worked for a year. She then got married faceted personality with many and later in 1989, she joined the same achievements to her credit, Tamil Selvi is a organization as a coordinator for a very unassuming person, committed to her womens’ development project. Her field of work. activity shifted from one of closed room to grassroots level. Since then her core Tamil Selvi belongs to a large farmer activities have been field based, with focus family, which commands great respect on mother and child related aspects such among the villagers. The family plays a as their health, sanitation, education and major role in all village activities. Her grand economic development of the household. father, a philanthropist in his own way, donated lands for the Bhoodan movement. According to Tamil Selvi, though she liked working with children, working at

A Case Study 59 grassroots’ level has given her a lot of Had she been confined to her house, she exposure, and she has become sensitive to would have been preoccupied with home the villagers’ problems and difficulties. This affairs, and would not have got the kind of encouraged her to work with commitment. exposure she is getting now. Her Although the work involves a lot of travel, involvement with various projects has she enjoys working and interacting with enabled her to understand the various people. She mentioned that it gives a sense things that affect the society“. I am glad of fulfillment when people benefit from the and satisfied that I am able to offer my project activities. She has come to services, though I am paid for it”, says Tamil understand that a personal touch is Selvi. important in people-oriented projects. As she comes from the same Block, it was easy What is commendable about Tamil Selvi for her to create a rapport with the villagers, is that she uses the expertise gained both women and men alike. through the three organizations, while working among the people. She has Having come from a family that enjoys attended various workshops, training a high social status, the villagers could not programs and seminars within and outside get accustomed to her role as a field worker. the State, relating to the self help groups, There was resistance, mostly out of women’s empowerment, health, affection and concern, from the people sanitation, education, livelihood training, during her initial period of work in her raising herbal gardens and gender issues. Block. But later looking at Tamil Selvi, other She found the gender workshop helpful in women felt encouraged to come out of improving her perceptions about gender their houses, and cooperate in relations. This helped her relate better with implementing the project activities. both the sexes in the village, office and at Initially it was difficult for Tamil Selvi and home. In a casual manner, she discusses another woman, who was her relative, to and explains to people the gender concerns. mobilize the women who were shy and She offers family counseling for men and hesitant. One could observe that there was women. While participating in a training also a positive change among men folk, program in Sivaganga on Field Office who understood that there was nothing Evaluation System, she learnt about the wrong if women take part in project ‘need to know’ guidelines for the activities. They have realized that they were requirements of people, and that one working for their own development. In fact, should not impose anything on them. the fact that both Tamil Selvi and her While working with ASSEFA in the project relative were well known in the village, funded by PLAN International, she learnt actually helped break the initial resistance. how to use funds efficiently and judiciously, to meet the needs of the local According to Tamil Selvi, “It gives a sense people. of satisfaction if we are of some help when they (people) approach us with some Since Tamil Selvi and her husband are problems. People recognize our work so I working with an NGO, it proved useful to feel good, and inspired to work harder.”

60 NVA Fellows establish contacts with villages. Though her After working as the coordinator of husband is not able to serve the people in women development project for seven the ways her grandfather did, he is happy years, Tamil Selvi was asked to take that he is able to help the community additional charge as a Health Organizer. through the NGO. ASSEFA’s primary objective is to promote health and sanitation. Tamil Selvi was in With PLAN International funds, charge of the health committee. It helped ASSEFA undertook the task of forming self- her focus on women and child health. She help groups (SHG) in Kariapatti Block underwent training to identify problems, where Tamil Selvi played a significant role. and organized health camps. Through such This funding agency gave loans for housing, camps, it became evident that women economic development, for purchase of suffer from reproductive health problems. cattle and for education. Tamil Selvi, as a Around 1200 women from 12 villages coordinator of women’s development participated in a camp where women with project of ASSEFA, was actively involved in problems were identified, and mobilizing women to form SHGs, and arrangements were made for hospital care raising awareness among them about the and surgery. About 80 were diagnosed with concept of saving, their role in the society, serious problems, and nearly 800 with education and health. She was active in minor problems. It was during this time implementing schemes that involved that she came into contact with Dr. health, sanitation, livelihood and Lakshmi Rahmuthullah (with whom Tamil education with the participation of local Selvi is presently working) who was Health people. When women began to join SHGs, Consultant to the project, and who they gradually realized the importance of imparted training to the Health education. Earlier, they used to think that Committee. it was sufficient if one knows to read and write. This attitude has changed to a great ASSEFA conducted a nutrition extent, says Tamil Selvi. programme for children during 1998-99 in which Tamil Selvi also participated. While she was involved in forming Because of this intervention, there was a women groups, Tamil Selvi learnt how to decrease in the number of malnourished interact with people, and to identify their children. It was 62 % during 1998, which problems and assess their needs. She was has now come down to 32 %. The impressed with the way the funds (under Government also cooperated by setting up the PLAN project) were divided and used TINP Centres in the villages. Though this in consultation with the local people, by project ended during 2000, a similar forming committees like health committee, project came to this area through Aravind animal husbandry, education, housing and Eye Hospital. economic activities. She feels sad that the funds in a few villages could not be utilized Through ASSEFA, Tamil Selvi got a lot properly because of lack of cooperation of exposure to health and sanitation among the people. programmes, environmental programmes

A Case Study 61 (like smokeless choolas, low cost toilets and children would only be a liability to the choke pit). parents. They would not be of any support and security to the parents. When the PLAN funding ended, she was asked to look after the accounts of ASSEFA. As a part of the project, iron tablets were But Tamil Selvi’s interest was in Health. distributed to adolescent girls. Hemoglobin Fortunately for Tamil Selvi, the Aravind Eye levels was monitored, and it was explained Hospital started a Health Education project to the young girls and women how iron (2000-2003) in Kariapatti Block, with deficiencies affect the growth of the similar objectives of improving healthcare children. Births and deaths were recorded, for women and children. The objectives of and weekly reports submitted to the office, the project were to increase the weight of giving details of women who went to the the baby at birth; to bring down the hospital, and the reasons for it. Morbidity number of malnourished children and assessment was done based on these infant mortality. She joined the project as records, and this gives an idea as to how a coordinator. Through this project, the clusters were functioning. If there was clusters of pregnant women were formed, a change, or if more cases were found, a and awareness about the importance of study was made to avoid further losses. health of the expectant mother and child was created among them in the project The Health Education Project of Aravind villages. Ante natal care and postnatal care Eye Hospital ended in 2003. It was during - notably the first three years of child this time Dr. Lakshmi Rahmuthullah growth- was emphasized. Camps were started the Foundation (FH&DRSF) as she conducted by involving doctors from felt that work in the area of Health in Primary Health Centre and General Kariapatti Block should be continued. The Hospital. focus of the Foundation is on Family Health. Since they already had contacts This project was implemented by with the villagers, a Health Intervention involving important people in the village, programme was initiated. The concept of parents and elders. It was explained to Family Health is promoted by adopting a them that 90 % of brain development takes holistic approach. It is believed that in place during the first three years in a child. order to improve the family health it is It was pointed out that the husband’s care important to address other problems like is important for a pregnant woman; so also education of children, cattle health and the parents’ love and affection are vital to welfare issues. the growth of a child. It was stressed repeatedly that a healthy society is possible Presently, the project is functioning in only if the women and children are healthy. two villages through the link worker If women and children are neglected, it concept. The link workers are local girls th th might lead to depression, particularly for educated up to 8 or 10 standard. They children. This becomes a problem to the are formed into SHGs. For every 25 family and the society as well. Such households, one link worker is identified,

62 NVA Fellows who has to maintain a file of the general contribute to the development of the details of the household, such as land community. The project trained both holding, crop, cattle, agricultural inputs women and men in preparing a balanced, used, and so on,. The link workers also nutritious supplement. maintain a separate file for health related issues: birth and death details are marked, Tamil Selvi has great admiration and and most importantly, the details regarding respect for Dr. Lakshmi Rahmuthullah, the age group of 0-3 - like the weight, and whom she has known for the past 15 years. common health problems, and details of She says that Dr. Lakshmi Rahmuthullah treatment. In case of any health problem, has always inspired others to keep updating the link workers guide the mothers or the their knowledge by reading, and by learning elders at home to consult a medical from others. There is so much to learn from practitioner working in a Government the villagers. Dr Lakshmi also insists that hospital or in private clinics. When a the staff should plan and implement the reference letter from the link worker or activities in a proper, meticulous manner. staff of (FH&DRSF) is given, the doctors She does not believe in imposing on other charge a lower fee. The doctors suggest people. Tamil Selvi mentioned that her follow up measures. Mentally retarded Director emphasises that one should children are sent to M.S. Chellamuthu always work with a purpose. There is no Trust in Madurai. Two link workers, with meaning in going around the village 10th standard education, have been given aimlessly. One has to excel in ones work, training in First Aid. A First Aid kit is given and constantly aim at excellence. Tamil to the villages. Selvi fondly recalls Dr Lakshmi’s favourite line, “Even if you are sweeper, you have to The link workers help the households be the best sweeper,” and says that this was in health related matters. But they also help what has made her aspire to do her best at them indirectly through Government all times. schemes. The link workers are in close touch with their allotted households. Tamil When Tamil Selvi heard that she had Selvi monitors the activities of the link got the NVA Fellow Award, she felt happy workers. She visits the households to check because it was in recognition of her on their welfare. Her visits help her to contribution to society. Being in Delhi in assess the proper functioning of the link 2006 to receive the award, she says it struck workers in the village. her that her own contribution seemed insignificant when compared to the Tamil Selvi said that there is a plan to enormous voluntary work done by the extend the project activities to cover five others who had no proper organizational more villages in the same Block. Here they support and yet had achieved such great want to appoint SHG members to things in their individual capacities . implement the project. It is important for the group members to realize that savings According to Tamil Selvi, her exposure alone is not sufficient; they should also to the Knowledge Management Workshop

A Case Study 63 helped her get deep insights into her own Tamil Selvi is very competent in the work. She realized that there were many Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) individuals who play significant roles by method, and conducting focus group working for the welfare of the society discussions. She expressed her willingness without any organizational base or support. to share her PRA expertise and focus group Her own work, which has a lot of discussion methods with others. She says organizational support, seemed it would be happy to train those who work insignificant compared to those who fight at community level, and considers this a against the current, overcoming all odds. most fulfilling contribution. She is also Such introspection has made her more interested in conducting Awareness determined to do better with the support Programmes on Health Care for Mother of the organization. Her ambition is to and Child. She can educate people through create more NVA Fellows in her area. She training programmes related to nutrition, was impressed with the commandments of ante natal and postnatal care, adapted to the Honourable President of India, and she different age groups of men and women, has a plan to provide financial assistance at the community level. Tamil Selvi also to three poor students in her village. She proposes to seek the advice and guidance has also undertaken the work of de-silting of a qualified gynecologist in this regard. the village ponds, and planting trees with Her active contribution, based on the the help of the students from the National concepts of service and sharing, is one Service Scheme, and her organization. worth emulating.

64 NVA Fellows The Torch Bearers of the Rural Knowledge Revolution Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity (NVA) Fellows A Few Case Studies, Tamil Nadu Series - I

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation 3rd Cross Street, Institutional Area Taramani, Chennai - 600 113, INDIA Tel: +91-44-2254 1229, 2254 1698 Fax: +91-44-2254 1319 [email protected] [email protected] www.mssrf.org