Programmes & Services

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Aravind Foundation has so far done several social service projects like many health camps, donation of school uniforms and note books to the needy and poor pupils as matter of routine, promptly extending emergency relief as well.

Awareness / Orientation Programmes

Aravind Foundation believes in the concept of Service beyond pleasure time philanthropies and mere Charity. The Foundation drew up synergies to play a constructive role. Skill Development Initiative and the Rural lively hood hubs, empowerment of women farmers, village self-help groups and environmental projects are considered core areas for sustainable rural economy.

 

Awareness / Orientation Programmes - Skills Development

The Foundation conducted awareness / orientation programmes on the Skill Development Initiatives to get more trainees enrolled in the short term courses to improve the skills of rural youth.

Programme dates	Courses & Sectors / Programme	Beneficiaries
1) 12/01/2014 2) 27/12/2013	General Nutrition Dingu Awareness	750
1) 26/05/2013 ((For women) 2) 19/05/2013 ((For Men)	Employable Skills	650
1) 02/05/2012 (2) 16/11/2012	10 Modules In 6 Sectors	411
1) 20/04/2012 (2) 10/11/2012	14 Modules in 3 Sectors	478
1)16/04/2012 (2) 02/11/2012	4 Modules in 2 Sectors	396
1) 21/04/2012 (2) 16/11/2012	2 Modules in 1 Sector	392
1) 23/08/2011/ Men & Women	10 Modules in 4 Sectors / Opportunities	208

Awarness / Orientation Programmes through Women SHGs

Aravind Foundation conducted awareness / orientation programmes to SHGs and the women farmers in the taluk / block for betterment of their lively hood. Formation of Consortium, Cooperatives, Scientific farming by use of organic substances and rural lively hood were the theme. 16 Village Panchayats were selected targeting 102 SHGs with 2040 members, connected with the Foundation. SHGs were divided in to parts, location wise and the SHGs in each part were invited for the programme on one occasion. After the programmes the trend emerged to chalk out plans for getting Micro Credit for SHGs and to start and nurture Rural Women Farmers Livelihood by creating Hubs, promoting agro based home industries in each village and the marketing network all to be run by SHGs.

 

Visit to Villages after the programmes

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The Foundation team toured Vriddhachalam block / Taluk on the 2nd and 3rd July, 2011. The visit to 12 villages promoted a better understanding with the SHGs and the farming community. Opinions on the planned NLC canal irrigation project, better ideas, assessments and the chance of spot study besides promoting an understanding with the community were possible.

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Awarness / Orientation Programme -SHGs and Women Farmers.

(07/05/2011, Participation - 178 members). Prof. V. Palanisamy addressed both the secessions, in an informal way which was received by the SHGs and women farming community with appreciation. The talk covered Rural Livelihood mission on agricultural, horticultural, herb culture, cattle, dairy, poultry and fish ponds in the villages on small scale which would be more profitable. He advised the women farmers to have such small farms in the hose, especially in the places where the farming is dry crops dependent on monsoons, by way of income supplement. Use of organic fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides, optimal use of water for irrigation, cropping patterns, federation of SHGs for marketing of produce and starting of agro based cottage industries at home level and preparation of food products at home were discussed.

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Programme on Rural Hubs for Livelihood and Lifestyle Management.

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(19/03/2011, Participation - 234 members). The Theme: Formation of Rural Hubs with women farmers to stand on their own for income would be fostering better lively hood and the improvement of their lifestyle. The family efforts can make small kitchen gardens, rearing of fouls and milch cattle which would improve the income of each family. Marketing can be done by small cooperatives or in joint venture with SHGs in the area which products can again be supplied to the larger village cooperatives for a better price. Shedding the habits of alcohol and narcotic substances would improve the health. SHGs should concentrate more on the life style management of the village to improve the lively hood and hygiene of women farmers. Their wards would get training for skill development. SHGs should also represent to the concerned departments for improvements of rural infrastructure for back up. Total change is envisaged.

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SHGs and Women Farmers Training Programme.

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(12/02/2011, Particpation - 213 members). The Theme: Training in agriculture on a modern scientific base. Usage of natural manure, organic fertilizers, nutrients and fungicides were advocated. The role of women farmers in the development of farming and agriculture, the back bone of the economy was stressed. Selection of crops and cropping pattern depending on the water potential and soil condition. Raising vegetable gardens, orchards and trees for green cover in soils not fit for regular cultivation were emphasized for maximum utilization of the area and potentials.

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January 22, 2011. SHGs Meeting

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(22/01/2011, Participation - 189 members). Ideas for forming a Consortium of women SHGs federation, implementation of the schemes / projects of the foundation and formation of women farmer’s cooperatives at village levels were the take away. Empowerment of women farmers and creation of women farmers’ hub for sustainable lively hood, manufacture of agro based products, usage of ecofriendly and bio degradable materials, strategies for environmental security were addressed. SHGs were given with the ideas and knowledge to take up projects. Digital presentation was made on screen on how SHGs can work and improve their performance.

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Aravind Foundation continuously strives to bring down pollution in any form and cares for Environmental Security. By drastic efforts the Foundation brought the black smoke emission of the Salt Glazed Stoneware Pipes Factory right out of their chimneys, very much in a residential area, under control. With the public support and representations at appropriate levels, the pollution was controlled by proper methods.

Use of Cleaner Fuel to stop felling of Trees and the usage of coal

Advocated cleaner fuel for the Industries and the kilns. Put in extraordinary efforts to get Natural Gas through Pipelines to the industrial hub at Vriddhachalam. Representations were also made.

 

Clean Energy

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Aravind Foundation believes in the Fresh Energy / Green Energy Development Mechanism. The Chief Functionary Dr. V. Aravind as also the Industry Partner and Chairman of two Government Industrial Training Institutes, Sankarapuram and Pullambadi, Tamilnadu State, India successfully implemented the Solar Power Generation in the two Government Industrial Training Institutes. The illumination including the campus lighting for the night, all lights and fans are operated by solar power.

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Hygiene and sanitation

In both the Government Industrial Training Institutes Govt. Industrial Training Institute at Sankarapuram and the Industrial Training Institute at Pullambadi (W) most hygienic rest rooms were constructed.

Government Industrial Training Institute at Pullambadi being an exclusive Institute for women is well equipped with Sanitary Napkin Incinerator.

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Aravind Foundation understands the necessity of promoting sport activities in the rural youth for promoting better health, team spirit and leisure time engagement to keep their mind and physical activities channelled towards constructive endeavour. Inter village tournaments are planned. The tournaments between Government Industrial training Institutes are periodically conducted by the Government.

Aravind Foundation to supplement the actions of the Government, donated full sets of sport goods to the student trainees and recreation materials to faculty and staff of the two Government Industrial training Institutes in the remote rural areas. Equal importance was given to the recreation facilities for the faculty and staff of the Institutes

Promoting Sports and Culture

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On Aug 8, 2001, organized a grand cultural fete with Railway Recreation Club, Vriddhachalam for a get together of all school children on a cultural programme.The parents were also invited for the function. Stage programmes were conducted by the school children and prizes were distributed. The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports was the guest of honour and many of the local and district level VIPs attended the function.

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Services to MSMEs and the Workforce

As was also the President of the Ceramic manufacturers Association Dr. V.Aravind served in the High power technical committee of the Govt. of Tamil Nadu (Department of Rural Industries) for the revamping the German designed Tunnel kiln and the Common facility service center and played a pivotal role in the revival of ceramic Industry at Vriddhachalam, Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu, India, during recession, by leading 250 Firms and 10,000 workmen in their fight for survival.

Efforts were successful in getting the necessary fund sanction from the Government for running the Tunnel Kiln and Common Facility Service Centre by the Government Department Administration. Efforts were taken to operate the kilns by Natural Gas in the industrial hub, a cleaner fuel, through pipeline from the Gas well which is 30 kms. away. It is an effort to avoid felling of trees for kiln fuel and to avoid / reduce the usage of coal.

Chief Functionary, the then President of the Ceramic Manufacturers Association lead the team to impress upon the Government to continuously run the Tunnel Kiln and the Common Facility Service Centre of the Govt. Industrial Estate for Ceramics at Vriddhachalam, the only one of its kind in the continent

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Tsunami Relief - Emergency Relief

Made extensive contribution to alleviate the sufferings of the Tsunami victims by direct distribution of food, clothes, medicines and other utility items in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu, India. Worked shoulder to shoulder with the Government in its rehabilitation and resettlement work in the Tsunami affected Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu, India.

Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)

Aravind Foundation implements the programmes and projects through the 102 SHGs enlisted by the Foundation in the block. Regular interaction with them and the villages are done. The 16 village presidents also acknowledged the services and extended support for the voluntary actions of the Foundation.

  Village Presidents - Acknowledgement and Support Letters

  Women SHGs-Acknowledgement and Support Letters