SEVAI observed World AIDS Day -2011 is about "Getting to Zero."

SEVAI (www.sevai.in) has observed the World AIDS DAY-2011 with the theme the "Getting to Zero" campaign until 2015. Speaking on the occasion of observance of World AIDS Day -2011 in Trichy on the first December 2011 among the field level functionaries of SEVAI, Dr.K.Govindaraju. Chairman of South Zone Board of Continuing Education mentioned about the Universal theme and the need to undertake “Light for Rights" initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations. He further quoted the UN message.”The global HIV response is at a pivotal moment, where huge strides forward are at serious risk and current approaches are reaching their limits. Only one third of the 15 million people living with HIV and in need of life-long treatment are receiving it. New infections continue to outpace the number of people starting treatment, while the upward trend in resources suffered a serious downturn this year."Zero New HIV Infections" and "Zero Discrimination" are equally as likely to spark high impact events using the universally recognized shape of zeros and the power of light to get life and death issues the attention they deserve. For December 1st 2011 right up until 2015 it’s envisioned that different regions and groups will each year chose one or all of the Zeros that best addresses their situation. The decision to go with the millennium development related goal of "Getting to Zero" comes after extensive discussions among people living with HIV, health activists, broader civil society and many others – more than a hundred organizations in all. The vision for this year’s World AIDS Day and beyond may be aspirational, but the journey towards its attainment is laid with concrete milestones. The 10 goals for 2015 are: Sexual transmission of HIV reduced by half, including among young people, men who have sex with men and transmission in the context of sex work; Vertical transmission of HIV eliminated and AIDS-related maternal deaths reduced by half;All new HIV infections prevented among people who use drugs; Universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment;TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half;All people living with HIV and households affected by HIV are addressed in all national social protection strategies and have access to essential care and support; Countries with punitive laws and practices around HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or homosexuality that block effective responses reduced by half;HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence eliminated in half of the countries that have such restrictions;HIV-specific needs of women and girls are addressed in at least half of all national HIV responses and Zero tolerance for gender-based violence.”-Govin

International Day of Persons with Disabilities-2011 observed in SEVAI

The SEVAI voluntary organisation has observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Trichy on 3^rd December 2011. Dr.K.Govindaraju, Director, SEVAI spoke to the Special educators and disabled persons and self help group members, “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” is an occasion to re-affirm and draw attention to the rights of people who live with disabilities worldwide. This day was first observed on December 3, 1992. On December 18, 2007, the assembly changed the observance's name from the "International Day of Disabled Persons" to the "International Day of Persons with Disabilities". The new name was first used in 2008.It is held annually on December 3.Since 1992, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually held on December 3. It aims to increase the understanding of the issues around disabilities and attention to the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also aims to increase the awareness of the gains for everybody if disabled persons are integrated into all aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life and raising money for resources for persons with disabilities. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities re-affirms and draws attention to the rights of people who live with disabilities”. In SEVAI sports and drawing competition events were held on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the aim to involve groups of people from all sections of society in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities and to celebrate the contributions by persons with disabilities to their communities. The other events of SEVAI were forums with experts and disabled persons; public discussions; the presentation of information campaigns; exhibitions of art created by disabled people; social gatherings etc.The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was coordinated by SEVAI team of IED-SSA, Trichy  headed by Dr.R.Deivakumar. Mrs. Percy Lal, Dr.Arun Sentil Ram, Mr.L,Shanawas Khan,P.Vanitha and Revathy  were the Resource persons for the  various events and they shared that SEVAI with the support of SSA and local Government Enables to  support and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.-Govin

Heifer international model can benefit Mariyayee, a goat recipient from Tamilnadu Government.

Mariyayee is 52 years old poor rural women, (extreme right of the photo, the gray haired person). She is a widow and she has a son and daughter in-law with two grand children. This family lives in a simple hut, seen in this photo. Left to Mariyayee, her daughter-in-law 29 years old Amudha appears in this photo. The extreme rights, left to a girl child 45 years old Sarusu and her daughter in-law namely Saradha 27 years old are seen in this photo. In middle two men, the left the SEVAI Staff Devendran and the right the Panchayat President M.Prabakaran are seen in this photo. Mariyayee works and her 4 other family members are living in this hut. Her two grand children are going to local school. Her son and daughter –in-law are Agriculture labourers.Mariyayee is member of self help group promoted by SEVAI.The family gets meager wage. The meager wage of the family is not sufficient to send her grand children to school and run her family. The family members do not get regular agriculture labour works in this dry area of Musiri Block of Trichirappalli District. SEVAI staff Devendran met Mariyayee in the village women self help group meeting and discussed about an alternate livelihood. They approached the local President and Government authorities and got 4 goats to support Mariyayee’s family through Government grant. She is expected to be able to earn enough income through goat rearing. Mariyaee is able to multiply the goats by careful rearing and she can sell one goat for around Rs. 2500 after a year. Now the goats will multiply and she has a movable asset of Rs.10000. She is self pride and could spend enough time with her grand children and members of the family. The goat is a multi-purpose animal producing meat, milk, hide, fibre and manure. Mariyayee says that she can rear well her goats if she get detailed goat rearing training. In her village namely Manapalayam Cluster in Musiri 80 such Self help group member families received 4 goats each under the scheme of goats rearing.SEVAI Staff K.Devendran who got training under Heifer Project in the tsunami affected coastal area enlightened the goat recipients in Musiri Block and further said to the recipients of the goats” Goats have very few demands of housing and management. They hardly need separate housing and happily share their homes with their owners or his other livestock. Goats can be raised by landless agricultural labourers, ladies and children because they can thrive well on variety of leaves, shrubs, bushes, kitchen waste etc.       Goat farming can be a profitable occupation for a farmer and can fit well into mixed farming.       Goats are cheaper to maintain, easily available and have a friendly disposition. Goats are capable of adapting to various agro-climatic conditions ranging from arid dry to cold arid to hot humid.       Goats are more tolerant to hot climate than other farm animals. Goats suffer from fewer ailments than other large animals. Goats have got increased digestibility of crude fibre and can produce even on poor quality roughages. Goats give more production per unit of investment. Goats are smaller in size and have a younger slaughter age.   Goat meat has no religious taboo and is relished by all sections of society. Goat meat has less fat and is more in demand. Goats are called the foster mother of man, as their milk is considered better for human nutrition than other species of livestock. Goat milk is cheap, wholesome, easily digestible and nutritious. Goat milk is finer than cow milk i.e. the fats and proteins are present in a finer state and are more easily digestible, especially by children and invalids. Goat milk has lesser allergic problems than other species of livestock. Goat milk is used as a ayurvedic medicine for personas ailing with asthma, cough, diabetes etc.. Goat milk has higher buffering qualities and this enhances its value for patients suffering from peptic ulcers, liver dysfunction, jaundice, biliary disorders and other digestive problems.   Goat milk has higher phosphate content, which is beneficial for vegetarian communities. Goat milk has a higher content of B-complex vitamins. Goat milk is suitable for preparing various milk products. Goats can be milked as often as required, preventing milk storage problems and refrigeration costs.” K.Devendran further enlightened the 12 corner stones of Heifer stones for goat rearing for development of poor and needy population. –Govin

Nallasekar, a Tamilnadu congress volunteer undertakes inter- religious yatra-

Nallasekar, a Congress volunteer from Tamilnadu is a man of difference for promoting party cadres of Congress party and he has proposed to undertake an inter-religious faith yatra from Delhi. Nallasekar a forty years old man is a great loyalist of her party leader Mrs.Soniya Gandhi.Nallusekar in Trichy spoke to Namakaha press man that he has proposed to undertake the yatra for the well being of his leader Sonia Gandhi on the 9^th December 2011(Sonia Gandhi’s Birthday), he also intends to strengthen the congress party in rural Tamilnadu starting at his own village in Namakal District to bring back Kamaraj rule in Tamilnadu as guided by his leaders in Tamilnadu and Delhi. He is a successful person in his agriculture occupation and also grass root level promoter of education for the villagers. He is a post graduate in Political science and he had his marriage function in Delhi with the blessing of Sonia Gandhi in 1999. He is involved in Public activities at various levels in village level to State level in his political journey as mid level organizer of Congress as headed by Sonia Gandhi.   Nallasekar mentioned to rural congress volunteers, “If you've ever run or worked on a campaign, or just pretty much been involved in politics in almost any capacity, you've seen how important volunteers are to political success.  But all volunteers are not created equal.  Some are better than others.  Some are better at different things than others. Great qualities  that stand out as the mark of really great volunteers should reach for any political effort usually extremely grateful for any volunteer help it receives, these are some of the qualities you should keep in mind when looking for people to help your cause. The level of commitment from the people involved in any effort is usually the greatest contributing factor to success or failure”. Nalla Sekar adds that the congress volunteers should have a willingness to sacrifice as Great volunteerism is based on sacrifice.  But good volunteers don’t think of it as sacrifice, but rather as an investment in the things that they care about, a good congress volunteer is one who is able to set aside their ego in deference to the cause that they’re involved with and   Pride and volunteering don’t go well together. Attitudes for Congress volunteers should be great as they maintain a positive attitude that encourages others to press on regardless of circumstances “It is noted that Nalla Sekar has bagged Bharth Joyti award instituted by International Voluntary Organisation. Govin

Trichy Nehru Yuva Kendra celebrates Foundation Day, National Integration Day and District Level youth awards distribution

NYK Youth Coordinator enlightens the importance of the function

Trichy Nehru Yuva Kendra celebrated Foundation Day, National Integration Day and District Level youth awards distribution on the 21^st November 2011 in District Collector office, Trichy. District Collector Ms.Jayashree Muralidaran congratulated the efforts of men club and young women club those who bagged the NYK District award for their outstanding performance in the District. District Collector also mentioned that the youth development activities information should reach across the District and the State. Ms.Jayashree Muralidaran added,” Youth development is a process that automatically involves all of the people around a youth—family and community. A young person will not be able to build essential skills and competencies and be able to feel safe; cared for, valued, useful, and spiritually grounded unless their family and community provide them with the supports and opportunities they need along the way. She appreciated the District unit of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Trichy for the involvement in youth development focusing district youth with a Sense of Safety and Structure, High Self-Worth and Self Esteem, Feeling of Mastery and Future, Belonging and Membership, Perception of Responsibility and Autonomy with the ability of Physical Health, Mental Health, Intellectual Health and employability”. Trichy Nehru Yuva Kendra coordinator Mr.K.Subramaniam earlier welcomed the gathering and enlightened the salient features of celebrated Foundation Day, National Integration Day and District level award distribution etc.Ms.T.Nagalakshimi and Mr.Mohanraj were awarded as outstanding youth of the District with cash award of Rs.5000 each with certificate in the esteemed presence of Dr.K.Govindaraju, Chairman of South Zone Board of Continuing Education, advisory committee members Ms.Rajamani and Mr.Nallasekar. Mr.Maheswaran proposed vote of thanks.-Govin

Thatched roof are poor friendly shelter- Dr.K.Govindaraju

A thatched shelter in Amoor constructed by SEVAI

Indian thatched house has a roof made from local coconut palm leaves. In villages this might be heather, but mostly it was reeds or straw. The thatch needed a lot of work to make sure it kept the water out. A person who thatched roofs were called a thatcher.The thatch had to be replaced after a number of years. Thatched homes can still be seen all over the country. Usually they are beautifully kept. Many cottages and small houses have good ventilation and this is important to let fresh air and light into the house. The tradition of thatching has been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years and numerous descriptions of the materials and methods used. Good thatch will not require frequent maintenance..The thickness of the thatch decreases over the years as the surface is gradually eroded. A thatched roof can be thought to be nearing replacement when the horizontal fixings of each course are close to the surface. “A roof is as good as the amount of correctly laid thatch covering the fixings.” The performance of thatch depends on roof shape and design, pitch of roof; position the quality of material and the expertise of the thatcher.Thatch has some natural properties that are advantageous to its performance. It is naturally weather-resistant, and when properly maintained does not absorb a lot of water. There should not be a significant increase to roof weight due to water retention. A roof pitch of at least 50 degrees allows precipitation to travel quickly down slope so that it runs off the roof before it can penetrate the structure. Thatch is also a natural insulator, and air pockets within straw thatch insulate a building in both warm and cold weather. A thatched roof will ensure that a building will be cool in summer and warm in winter. Thatch also has very good resistance to wind damage when applied correctly. Thatching materials range from plains grasses to waterproof leaves found in equatorial regions. It is the most common roofing material in the world, because the materials are readily available. Because thatch is lighter less timber is required in the roof that supports it. -Govin

Mahabharata through the ‘eyes’ of ‘Gandhari’- a superb drama script by Muthuvelalagar.

Muthuvel Alagar

Mahabharata through the ‘eyes’ of Gandhari — the unsung and perhaps the most suffered character of the epic.Muthuvelalagar, a noted dramatist and writer passionately narrated the story of Mahabharata and in it the pain of Gandhari with deep emotions. The artist Rani Jaya as Gandhari in the rehearsal showed no signs of jet lag or tiredness and straight away went into the characters she had to portray.Gandhari is a very prominent character of Mahabharata. The daughter of the King of Gandhar, Princess Gandhari is forced to marry the blind and much older king Dhrithrashtra. “Maryada Ke Bandhan” and the boon that she will bear 100 sons became the curse of her life.Gandhari blind-folded herself and vows to remain so for the rest of her life. Just imagine the pain of not being able to see her children and learning about them through the eyes of others. Rani Jaya displays such emotions very artistically. The pain wells up tears in her eyes. Says Rani Jaya,” If I don’t get tears in my eyes I even put off the rehearsals.” ‘She had done a commendable job displaying different emotions and delivering dialogues in various moods. She has done reasonably well justifying her character, Muthuvelalagar said. Asked about the anti-war theme, Muthuvelalagar says Gandhari tried to prevent the war by all means but she had to give in to the stubbornness of her husband and son Duryodhana who turns down the offer of giving away five villages to the five Pandava brothers. Helpless and subdued, Gandhari also rejects the disrobing of Draupadi. The relevance of the play in the contemporary world is that it highlights the anti-war theme and the role of women, especially the mother in educating the society to give up violence” says Muthuvelalagar who has been very actively involved in popularizing theatre in Trichy region. -Govin