Earthworms- Friends of Farmers.

Earthworms- friends of farmers and they eat waste products and turn it into a useful product - compost. K.Devendran, a promoter of vermicompost farming for paddy, banana,vegitable gardening in FPV promoted farmers project in Trichy District as implemented by SEVAI said “ Earthworm castings (basically their excretions) are some of the best and environmentally friendly fertilizers we get. A casting consists of 30% humus the end product of compost and is considered to be five times richer than good topsoil. It is a known fact that earthworms neutralize up to 99% of germs in less than 2 hours. Another byproduct of earthworm farm is “worm tea” an odorless liquid that seeps through the material that the worms eat. These handy little helpers assist farmers to reduce household waste and converts organic waste into food for your plants. In a vermin compost farm, the earth worms won’t escape as they don’t like light, if they are escaping, their food may be too acidic, don’t feed them any tea bags, coffee grounds, citrus fruit or onions for a while. They may also try to escape if the farm is too wet or too dry. Earthworms will never overpopulate, as they self-regulate reproduction. The more food there is the more they will reproduce and visa versa. Compost is known as one of the best natural fertilizers. This nutrient-rich soil can help farmers to grow not only in abundance but much bigger and more fruitful than before. Home composting with earthworm farms will supply you with compost on a regular basis that we can spread throughout our garden. Earthworm farming has many, many benefits. From fishing bait, to fertilizer we will have a lot of products from our earthworm farms. Earthworm farms are a growing commodity in the common home. With a multitude of reasons to begin earthworm farming, more and more people are picking up and starting composting. It's cheap, it's easy, it's natural. Earthworm farming is very easy, provided that the worm farmer understands the worm requirements properly. The thumb rule of earthworm composting is to keep the medium moist and protect it from drying, water accumulation and cold temperature. As people grow more conscious of global warming and the need for earth-friendly practices, the market for earthworms has expanded tremendously. Generating profits from earthworm farm is largely dependent on selecting the right customers in the composting industries -- and promoting business to them. Selling worm products in addition to the worms and inducing people to go "green" with worms is the key to a successful earthworm farming business. Vermicomposting is an effective process of recycling farm residues like rice straw, wheat straw, sugarcane trash, groundnut husk, banana sheath, cotton stalks, turmeric leaves, coir waste, brewery sludge, vegetable wastes, tree litters and problematic weeds like parthenium, water hyacinth, ipomea, cynodon and amaranthus to enriched manure by earthworms and to increase humus content in the soil.  It helps in enhancing the productivity through sustainability in agriculture.  Earthworm can convert about 1,000 tonnes of moist organic waste into 300 tonnes of rich dry vermicompost.  This vermicompost contains 5, 7, 11, 2 and 2 times more nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium respectively than crop waste or animal manure and is also easily available to the crops”Govin.

‘Groundwater recharge –Tamilnadu ordinance of July 2003 to be recharged’

Water shortages are a perennial problem in India. Water Conservation needs to become a people’s movement in India. In Tamilnadu for a long time, builders had been required to put in roof-top rain water harvesting systems [RWH] in new constructions. But recoiling under two years of drought, the government in July 2003 got pro-active: it proclaimed an Ordinance that gave three months for all city buildings to retro-fit RWH systems. Most commendably, all government building had to fall in line as well. Widest publicity was given across the state. Civil servants were asked to make RWH their number one priority. School children marched through most streets urging citizens to act. There was also a stick: if a building missed the October deadline, it's services were liable to be cut and have RWH systems installed by the state, with costs to owners. Groundwater recharge began to happen in quick time. Water Conservation needs to be addressed through local solutions, micro successes, raising awareness, involving people and altering collective behaviour. ‘Little drops of water make a mighty ocean’ likewise ‘small efforts will aggregate to a grand solution’, instead of waiting and waiting for linking Indian rivers, let the dream comes true, but small is beautiful. The life line RWH project of Tamilnadu has been conveniently forgotten for around half a decade which created a major concern for water shortage in several parts of Tamilnadu. Thus for ‘Groundwater recharge –Tamilnadu ordinance of July 2003 is to be recharged’. Ancient peoples collected and stored rainwater in wet seasons to sustain themselves in dryer days. Today, the practice is being revived through community systems that provide not only water, but local control over the sometimes-contentious distribution of this precious resource. Rainwater Harvesting programs seek to capture this monsoon rain and make it last the whole year. The idea was to raise awareness about the effectiveness of RWH as a solution to community water needs.

Whether or not small is beautiful, where nature's dispersed resources are concerned, it is the only approach that can reach everyone and provide lasting solutions. Rural Technology centre of SEVAI in Sirugamani promotes inexpensive rooftop collection systems. The Rainwater harvesting is the simple collection or storing of water through scientific techniques from the areas where the rain falls. It involves utilization of rain water for the domestic or the agricultural purpose. It is as far the best possible way to conserve water and awaken the society towards the importance of water. The method is simple and cost effective too. The design and site (location) of the storage or the recharge system should be properly chosen. The areas which receive the rainfall frequently, there a simple storage system could be constructed, to meet the daily water requirements. Rainwater harvesting first of all increases water security. It is the perfect solution to meet water requirements especially in the areas which do not have sufficient water resources. It helps in improving the quality of the ground water and increasing the level of the ground level. It reduces the loss of top layer of the soil. If we capture the water directly we need not to depend much on the water storage dams. It is the good solution to the increasing water crises. Rain water harvesting reduces the flooding on roads and further prevents it from contamination. The rain water that stagnates on the small ponds, ooranis and other tanks would be beneficial for the cattle, especially for the kidaimaadus that, otherwise need to trek long distances in search of water. Each drop of water saved means a lot in these tough times. It is a prime duty for each one of us to be on guard, as far as the saving of this precious resource is concerned. In the drier regions of the planet, harvesting the rain water attains a place of supreme importance. -Govin

The fatal road mishap of ‘Poor friendly Minister Mariam Pichai’ is a crude shock to entire Trichy-Women SHG federations

Tiruchirapalli, May 23: In a tragic incident, newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Pollution Control N Mariam Pitchai was killed in a road accident near Padalur on the Tiruchirapalli-Chennai National Highway this morning. It is alleged that Mr. Pitchai's official car driver, Anand tried to overtake a truck. As he was attempting to overtake, the left side of the car crashed into the truck, when the truck driver also turned to his right. Minister Mariam Pichai who was seated in front was killed on the spot, while his Personal Security Officer (PSO) driver Anand and three other party workers suffered injuries. Sports Minister Sivapathi, who was travelling in another car, closely following Mr Pitchai's car, escaped unhurt, when his car rammed into the ill-fated car. The two Ministers were on their way to Chennai to attend the oath taking ceremony of newly elected Legislators of the 14th Assembly at 1230 hrs, when the mishap occurred around 7.10 hrs. The Minister Mariam Pichai belonged to the minority Muslim community and was also holding the portfolios of Minorities Welfare and in-charge of Wakf Board. Both Ministers garlanded the Mutharayar statue at Othakkadai, near here around 0630 hrs and set out for Chennai. Within minutes, they met with the accident. Mariam Pitchai, who got elected from Tiruchirapalli (West) Assembly constituency, rose from the grassroots level Ms Jayalalithaa inducted him to the Cabinet. The body of the Minister was brought to Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital at Tiruchirapalli, where a large number of party workers and leaders had assembled and mourned. Shops downed the shutters and public transport in and around the city were suspended as AIADMK volunteers mourned the sudden death of the Minister. 

 CM Ms.J.Jayalalithaa consoles Mrs.Pichai and family

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Monday paid homage to her ministerial colleague N. Mariam Pichai, who died in a road accident. She has ordered a probe into his death.

Ms.Jayalalithaa flew down to Trichy in a special flight to pay her respects to Minister Mariam Pichai. She said Pichai was a true party loyalist and his death is a loss. Jayalalithaa also expressed her condolences to the breaved family. Trichy Citizens paid their respects to Minister N Mariam Pitchai at his residence here where his body has been kept for'darshan' since Monday forenoon. Offering glowing tributes to Mr.Mariam, Dr.K.Govindaraju, and Treasurer of Trichy Welfare Committee said the whole Trichy and people will remember him for ages to come as Mr N Mariam Pitchai was a man of sterling qualities and principled ways of public life.His passing away has ''left us sad and shocked,'' he said and offered tributes. After paying his tributes, Mr.Jawahar Arumugam,President of Trichy District Writers Association and member of Muthamil Kalai Panpattumaiyam  said that Mr.Mariam Pichai was a fearless leader and he was proud that the departed Minister knows the grass root issues and he solved several issues as counselor of Trichy. Trichirappalli District Press club members paid rich tributes to Mr.Mariam Pichai,its   secretary Mr.L.Shanawaskhan said that Mr.Mariam Pichai was fair in his public life and his death as Minister is a major loss for Tamilnadu.SEVAI  Gandhimathi, Anbumani, SEVAI Women SHG movement organizer Vanitha and PLF leaders of  Villuthukal said the sudden demise  of ‘Poor friendly Minister Mariam Pichai’ is a crude shock and loss to entire population of Trichy’. Mr.N Mariam Pitchai is survived by his wife and three children.-Govin

Trichy District Welfare Committee congratulated New Ministers from Trichy District.

Environment Minister congratulated

Dr.K.Govindaraju, Treasurer of District Welfare Committee congratulated Environment Minister of Tamilnadu Mr.Mariam Pichai for getting a berth in Tamilndu Government Ministry headed by Ms.J.Jayalalithaa on the 16^th May 2011. Mr.Mariam Pichai has been elected as Member of Assembly from Trichy. Dr.K.Govindaraju honoured Ministers Mr.Mariam Pichai and Mr.Sivapathy from Trichy District with Ponnadais.The 63-year-old leader Ms.J.Jayalaithaa was sworn in as Chief Minister on Monday at the Madras University's centenary auditorium at 12.15 PM.Hours after she assumed office, gave her formal approval to seven proposals that included provision of 20 kg rice free of cost for those entitled to it under the Public Distribution System, the poorest of the poor will get 35 kg rice free of cost. Other approvals given by her included distribution of four gram gold for making thali free, along with marriage assistance of Rs. 50,000 (which was earlier Rs. 25,000) to women with graduate degrees or diplomas; increase in the monthly assistance from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and destitute women; hike in the assistance from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 for fisher folk during the 45-day ban on fishing; and a six-month-long maternity leave for government women employees. Under another marriage assistance scheme, four gram gold for making thali would be given free coupled with Rs. 25,000 to educated poor women. KRIS

                                                                                          

‘Vote No for Cash’ to save Indian democracy- Dr.K.Govindaraju

Revathy a differently abled first time voter headed SEVAI team voters awareness

 Trichy:14,March 2011: ‘The voters ‘awareness campaign against cash-for-vote” conducted by SEVAI team prior to general assembly election of Tamilndu-2011 was a successful event and that worked in the general elections as  ‘Vote No for Cash’ to save Indian democracy said its founder-Director Dr.K. Govindaraju.Chatting to a pressmen, a senior social worker and President of South Zone Board of Continuing Education, Dr.K.Govindaraju  said’ the campaign against cash-for-votes would featured, street theatre performances, and cultural programmes organized by SEVAI,a local NGO and District Administration were “Votes No for cash, to save our democracy” .SEVAI (www.sevai.in) undertaken a theme on Electoral honesty was taking up a five-day intensive campaign in Trichy district and  create an awareness among the people against cash-for-vote. The campaign was launched at the central bus stand of Trichy. The members during the campaign distributed pamphlets and conducting street theatres to the public highlighting the criminal offence of giving or accepting cash or gifts for votes.’ Our main objective was to prevent corruption, while bribing the voters is an offence, receiving money for votes is also an offence and hence the SEVAI wanted to sensitise the people to stop the unfair practice of cash for votes,’ said President of South Zone Board of Continuing Education. Kris

Health Check-ups for special children by SEVAI improves the quality of life of kids’

SEVAI (www.sevai.in) is a non-govt. organization (NGO) with scientifically planned health programme for school children, professionally managed under the guidance of eminent Health experts, sociologists, educationist, psychologists, nutritional specialists and others who have vision of promoting healthcare of children in 12 schools of Trichy District.SEVAI was started in July, 1975 with participation from a sample of schools of Trichy. The programme is currently operational in 12 schools, Shanthi School, Marudur School, Bichandarkoil and other 9 more day care schools. The programme is unique in documenting health records of 2000 children. The project contains,   School Health Center, Rural Girls School, Health Center Project,Health Check up of Slum Children and their families, Health Check-ups for special children, School Health Check-up Project and Highly systematic, organized and well co-ordinate health care programme,Qualified and experienced staff, Lady Doctors and all lady staff for girls school, Use of latest and innovative methods for health check-ups,Computerized storage, monitoring and analysis of health data with regular updates, Health education and awareness programmes like health talks, health quizzes, debates and declamations. Health education material also provided with the health check-up report to every student, Close health status monitoring of each and every student by doctors, psychologists and nutritionists, a consolidated school health annual report with detailed health analysis along with illustrations and graphics will be submitted to the school at the end of the year. Psychotherapy is a set of techniques believed to cure or to help solve behavioral and other psychological problems in humans. The common part of these techniques is direct personal contact between experts and patient, mainly in the form of talking.   The common part of these techniques is direct personal contact between Doctor and patient, mainly in the form of talking. Owing to the nature of these communications, there are significant issues of patient privacy and/or client confidentiality. SEVAI helps the school children for psychotherapy from qualified psychologist for enhancement of psychology of the child. In its effort to help children across the country through the problem of lice, SEVAI committed to safeguarding the health of school children. Thus, SEVAI is conducting hygiene and lice checks in every school so as to ensure that every girl child in these schools is declared free of lice. During hygiene check-up, the following things are inspected for: Hair Hygiene, Dental Hygiene, Nail Hygiene, Nape Hygiene and Ear Hygiene. Equal Health, Australia health team also assists three schools in certain consultations. Kris