SEVAI SHGs in Lalgudi region produce Areca Leaf Plates as Bio plates

 Areca Leaf Plates as Bio plates Production

ELLE F/OFI-SEVAI SHGs in Lalgudi region produce Areca Leaf Plates / Bio plates made from the shredded leaves of the Areca Palm Tree without cutting pr chopping at any phase during the making process. Areca palm tree drops its leaves naturally when the old leaves are making room for the new leaves. These leaves have been used as plates for dining purposes for centuries. With new technology this natural and rigid material is compressed to a shape of a design plate which in use with dry food can last longer periods. The production process of the plates doesn’t require added chemicals or heavy infrastructure. Because the tree drops its leaves naturally the production process doesn’t require cutting or harming of the trees. The women Self Help Groups use shredded areca leaves to make this Bio plates. Apart from being disposable, eco friendly and 100% bio degradable, these eco plates have many more prominent features and these Bio Plates are well suited for cold, hot and oil foods. These products are oven-proof, heat resistant to serve foods and 100% bio degradable, environment eco friendly, weightless, Hygienic etc. These produced Bio plates are used in Hotels, Restaurants, functions and homes etc.Areca Leaf Plates do not conduct heat so they can be placed on one's lap without discomfort or concern.Bio plates are strong enough to use with a knife and fork without risk of being punctured or leaked. Areca Leaf plates are a chemical free disposable product which is fully biodegradable in a short period of time. No chemicals, resins, strengthening agents or synthetic materials are used in the manufacturing process. The material does not react with the food and will not add any extra taste to food served. All manner of wet foods can be served without the plate or bowl becoming soggy and losing its integrity and the areca leaf plates can be washed and used again for a limited time depending on how they are used.Lalgudi women SHGs are known manufacturer of areca nut leaf plates that are made from areca palm leaves making them naturally hygienic. These are ideal for retaining warmness as well as the original taste of food. The additional features of Areca Leaf Plates/ Bio plates are Handy, Leak proof, Light weight, Strong, cost effective etc.The SHGs take loan from Banks and started this enterprise which fetches Rs.250 per person per day of work.Govin

Red gram cultivation gets boosted in SEVAI-OFI-SG Thottiyapatty project.

Red gram cultivation in Thottiyapatty

         Red gram cultivation gets boosted in SEVAI-OFI-SG Thottiyapatty project SEVAI has motivated marginal farmers  in raising red gram in the fields, which ensures increased income for the growers in Thottiyapatty SEVAI-OFI-Society General Project. Red gram, also known as pigeon pea, is an important pulse crop of India and is being cultivated in Tottiyapatty Village watershed project. Red gram is a protein rich staple food. It contains about 22 percent protein, which is almost three times that of cereals. Red gram supplies a major share of protein requirement of vegetarian population. Red gram is mainly consumed in the form of split pulse as Dal, which is an essential supplement of cereal based diet. The combination of pulse-rice or pulse-wheat bread is an important ingredient in the average Indian diet. The biological value improves greatly, when rice is combined with Red gram because of the complementary relationship of the essential amino acids. It is particularly rich in lysine, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and iron. Since the cultivation of red gram as a ‘pure crop’ is practiced in Thottiyapatty Village  and the project popularizes the cultivation of the crop among the farmers and  obtain an increased income from red gram cultivation, the red gram, being an important nitrogen fixing crop, it is widely grown for enriching the soil.“Its deep penetrating roots help in bringing nutrients from deeper layers of soil. With an effective rhizobium nodulation, it can fix up to 160 – 200 kg of nitrogen per ha per year. Falling of leaves before maturity ensures sufficient incorporation of nitrogen and other nutrients in the soil, which will be beneficial to the subsequent crop. Nitrogen fixing potential of red gram makes it an ideal intercrop or rotation crop in organic management. Timely harvesting reduces the losses. Use of proper method of harvesting, Avoiding the losses in threshing and winnowing by adopting appropriate methods. Adopting grading for getting remunerative prices inter-alia to avoid financial loss, Using good packaging materials for storage as well as for transportation, Use proper technique in storage, Use pest control measures during storage, Timely and proper handling (loading and unloading) of Red gram with good transportation facilities at farm and market level, reduces the losses and Avoiding use of hooks by labour during handling enables the red gram cultivation more professional.-Govin

Protection of Children in rural areas is an important activity of SEVAI.

Thottiyapatty children

Protection of Children in rural areas is an important activity of SEVAI, a Trichy based NGO.SEVAI brings Thottiyapatty community together and are often coordinated by its volunteers wishing to provide activities and Literacy through mainstream schools and evening classes and organizing SHGs for mothers. SEVAI in collaboration with OFI provides a place for people to gather, share experiences and develop themselves by trying new things. Thottiyapatty community tends to become more of a lifestyle and a focus for children and people living in the community. Several Village Self Help group women farmers activities become a way of life for people and even part of their identity. The families have often attended these SHG groups along with their peers and in some more isolated village neighborhoods, it is the social activity people are involved in. Thottiyapatty cluster communities rarely have access to the facilities of a town where transport is frequent and activities are ongoing into the evening. People living in rural areas have a common identity as a result of their location and this combined with the long hours involved in

SHG Members,parents of kids of Thottiyapatty

working in agriculture and the countryside assist in the forming of strong bonds and lifetime friendships. In order for rural groups to function they tend to exist in remote locations which often involve some lone working, transport provision. The SHGs and its rural groups have little contact with larger agencies or statutory bodies and this can leave them with little access to support to protect children. SEVAI ensure that volunteers and staff have regular access to training, Create suitable boundaries between leaders and members, Maintain a culture where members and leaders feel confident and safe, Ensure parents and care givers are involved in child protection, Seeking the most appropriate facilities for your group within the community.  SEVAI volunteers do excellent work in isolation to provide extremely valuable services in such rural communities. In Thottiyapatty cluster, Self Help Groups work and live together and form extremely close bonds, these bonds provide both a security and a risk, when working in this environment, the level of closeness in a community can protect children. -Govin

SEVAI Shanthi Matric. Higher School greets in 2015

SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School wishes its students, parents,friends and supporters of the school as the  New Year turns out to be a very special one for filling each day with peak of health, abundance of happiness and sunshine, bountiful luxury and prosperity and Zen like serenity, brings sunshine to the family, the year be as glittery as diamond, may friends be as good as gold, heart stays as green as emerald, and soul remains as pure as pearl with New Peace, New Happiness and abundance of new friends, the happiness and strength and 2015 brings success and desired results with  prosperity and joy in life on this New Year and fulfill all dreams, this New Year as the light of faith as bright and steady. New Year 2015 is all about warmth, camaraderie and goodwill that are sure to touch the heart of everyone those are near and dear friends, colleagues, acquaintances in short anyone we  know to SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary

School and for  people close to this school sentimental Happy New Year 2015 Wishes would surely touch their heart. New Year brings just Happiness. New beginnings, fresh starts, reaffirmation of love and promises for a brighter future all come to mind as we ring in a New Year. There are the superficial, yet purposeful promises we make to ourselves. We resolve to get in shape, lose weight, and improve career paths and the like. Then there are the heartfelt promises we make to others, whether aloud or in our minds.

Amour Cottages are located in a beautiful village in Trichy District.

Amour Cottages are located in a beautiful village near a beautiful river, (Amoor Agraham sevai musiri block, Tiruchirappalli 621221, India: www.sevaingo.in and trysevai@gmail.com) It is quiet place and Trichy is a city of rich legacy, the holy river Cauvery the natural wonder Rock fort to traditional villages and temples there is something for everyone who visits Trichy and its surroundings. The city  is on the banks of the River Cauvery making it one of the most fertile regions in Tamilnadu. A 3,800 million year old rock structure with a shrine on top is called as Rock Fort. It is visible for miles around the city and a view from the

Coconut groves with birds in Amour cottages

top, is exciting either by sunrise or sunset. A walk on the Cauvery bridge, a dip in the river make a perfect outing for most residents of Trichy. Cauvery flows by the Panniru Garudaseva temple. The Papavinasam theertham is opposite to this temple. As all importance is attached to Lord alone, there is no shrine for Mother-Goddess or co-deities. Procession deity Srinivasa graces with His consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi wearing the Salagrama garland. Tirumanjanam is performed to the presiding deity daily. The abishek water and the sandal applied to the Lord are given as Prasad to the devotees. There are two gates in front of the main shrine on both sides, known as Utharayana and Dakshinayana. During the Purattasi (September-October) Brahmmotsava, Gunaseela darshan event is also followed. The Lord appears on his eagle vehicle Garuda on each Tiruvonam star day. Special pujas are performed on Vaikasi Visakam day. Gunseelam temple near Amoor in the norther bank of River Cauveryy is noted for treating those mentally distarded. There is a rehabilitation centre for the patients. They are made to sit in the

Birds natural shelter-Amour cottages

shrine during the afternoon and night pujas. The abishek theertha is spilled on their face.It is said that Srudadeva, disciple of Sage Bharadwaha regained his vision. King Bahuviraja was cured of his paralysis in the legs. Prince of Koorjara kingdom not only was cured of his speech disorder but also became a poet and sung in praise of the Lord. People with any physical problem pray here for cure and mental peace. Grand Anicut is one of the oldest dam built around 2000 years is said to be a symbol of Dravidian engineering. Built by Karikala Cholan, it is used a model for building modern day architecture - perhaps one of the oldest used dams in the world.Srirangam temple is the biggest functioning Hindu temple, is the sacred amongst the Vaishnavites. The temple is on the island, Srirangam and the mythological stories that surrounds the history of the temple is fascinating.Natharvalli Dargah,A 1000 year old mosque once an Easwaran Temple - it is the tomb of Baba Natharvalli. It stands as a symbol of how the locals are a group of peace loving people who accept all religions and co exist in harmony throughout the years. Lady of Lourdes church, a replica of the Lourdes Church in France is situated within St. Joseph's Ccollege compounds. Gothic architecture, intricately stained glass panels with its towering spire makes it remarkable of Indian craftsmanship. -Govin

perfect for relaxing, giving yourself some relief from visiting busy cities. If you wish to enjoy a peaceful stay in the beautiful countryside of Tamil Nadu, Amoor Cottages will provide you a great experience. This place is a small corner of paradise, both comfortable and typical. If you want to discover nice social entrepreneurship

View of Amour cottages

projects, the NGO SEVAI will let you meet Self Help Groups.