It was a great evening for the people of Chathrapatti and the Gandhiniketan Ashram community when the village rejuvenation programme was organized on 28th December 2005 at Chathrapatti Village. About 120 trainees and staff of the Ashram reached the village at 4.00 pm and started cleaning the streets and public places with the help of the local youths.The one hour work left the village cleaner and brighter. It was a wonderful scene to see the local youths joining the tribal trainees who had come to Ashram from far of places like Megalaya, the North Eastern State of India.

The local self help group women worked along with the self help group (SHG) women drawn from the tsunami affected coastal villages. This was one of the basic programmes of the Ashram since 1940. Since 1940, Ashram is the hub of the many such innovative programmes for creating vibrant village communities.

Chathrapatti village people received the young men and women from the ashram with affection. An elderly women greeted them in a traditional way by offering sandal paste and betal leaves. After one hour work the youths were surprised to receive cups of steaming herbal tea and plantain fruits from the local youths.

The temple ground was cleaned and kept ready for the prayer and village assembly meeting. The inter-religious prayer was used by Gandhiji as one of the powerful medicine for communicating love, peace and good will and to attract ordinary simple people for public work. This Gandhian tradition is still followed by the Gandhiniketan Ashram. The villagers of Chathrapatti were very much enthusiastic to participate in the prayer which was held in the temple ground. Inspiring prayer songs created a sacred atmosphere in the village. Youths, children and a large number of old women silently immersed in the prayer.

Prayer was followed by a meeting of village assembly. The village was known for the community spirit and enthusiasm for development activities. The leader of the community Mr. Velsamy initiated the discussion by narrating the past experiences with Gandhinikethan Ashram. He expressed his interest in strengthening the partnership for village development. Mrs. Lakshmi, the member of the local women self help group for self employment requested us to give training for women of the village in Income Generating Activities.

Dr. V. Ragupathy, Secretary of the Ashram responded to the requests and agreed to take up follow up actions. The activities could concentrate on developing youth, women and children. Activities like skill training for self employment, supplementary education for school children, periodical prayers and cultural events and forming SHGs for women can be taken up.

Mr. Rajendran, Principal of Kumarappa Institute for Rural Industries and Joint Secretary promised to take steps to give them all the help possible. The meeting was followed by a colourful cultural programme with a focus on women development by the trainees of Kumarappa Institute.

VISITORS ( DECEMBER 31, 2005 )

Students and staff of P.K.N. Ats & Science College visited various units of our Ashram on 31st December’05

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION ( DECEMBER 23, 2005 )

Christmas was celebrated in the Ashram on 23rd December 2005. Sri.R.Rajendran, Jt. Secretary presided over the celebrations and the Paster of the children’s Home Kallupatti conducted Christmas prayer. The children of the Home gave cultural programme. Sweets were distributed to all the children.

MARHAZHI BAJAN ( DECEMBER 16, 2005 to JANUARY 13, 2006 )

‘Marhazhi’ Bajan was conducted regularly from 16th December’05 to 13th January 2006. Bajan started daily 5.30 A.M. from Gandhi Mandap and went round the main streets of the Ashram. In the evening Prayer a Teacher elucidated the meaning of Thiruppavai and Thiruvembavai.

BUSINESS MEETING ( DECEMBER 10, 2005)

Ashram General Body Meeting was held at Gandhi Mandap on 10th December. Smt.V.Meenakshiammal, Prof.R.Venkataswami, Justice K.Venkataswami, Dr.D.Paulraj, Dr.Kowsalya Devi, Dr.V.Sivarani, Dr.M.Seenivasan, Dr.V.Ragupathi and Sri.R.Rajendran attended the meeting.

As the Chairman Smt.V.Meenakshiammal and the Secretary Dr.D.Paulraj relinquished their posts, new office bearers were elected unanimously – Prof.R.Venkatawami as president, Dr.V.Ragupathi as Secretary and Sri.R.Rajendran as Jt.Secretary-cum-Treasurer for next three years. Justice K. Venkataswami, Mrs. V. Meenakshiammal, Dr. Paulia, Mr. T. R. Dinakaran, Dr. Kousalya, Dr. Sivagami, Dr. M. Srinivasan were elected as the members of the membership committee.

Gandhiniketan educational Academy was amalgamated with Gandhiniketan Ashram which was registered as new society with Reg.No.127/2005 and the new Bylaws were approved.

TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Fourth phase of training programmes were commenced in Dr.J.C.Kumarappa Institute of Rural Technology and Development on 7 th December. 30 Candidates joined training in various courses. One week training in Spices and Masala Powder Making was given to 35 Women from Tsunami affected area i.e.Thiruchendur from 22-29 December.

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF SRI. R. GURUSWAMY ( 9-Dec-2005 )

Sri R. Guruswami, one of the well known Gandhian Constructive worker who spent most his life in the development of Gandhi Niketan Ashram, joined the Ashram at the invitation of the founder Sri.G. Venkatachalapathy.

The function started with welcome address by Dr. D. Paulraj.Dr. M. Markandan Former Vice Chancellor of Gandhigram rural university presided. Dr. M.P. Guruswamy, Director, Kumarappa Research Institute, Dindugal spoke on “Thoughts of R. Guruswamy on Village Economy”. Sri.K.M.Natarajan, President, Tamil Nadu Gandhi Memorial Fund at Madurai spoke on “New opportunities for the growth of village economy”.

Dr. V. Ragupathy, Secretary, Gandhi Niketan Ashram spoke on “Village economy in the context of Globalisation”. The meeting was concluded by a vote of thanks by Mrs. Rajeswari, Headmistress, Gandhi Niketan Higher Secondary School.

In the evening a public meeting was held. Dr. D. Paulraj welcomed the gathering and he spoke on the good qualities of Sri. R Guruswamy. Justice K. Venkataswami presided. In his presidential address he lauded the great qualities of Sri. R. Guruswami and his contributions to the development of the Ashram. Later on Dr. Kousalya Devi, Managing Turstee of Gandhigram unveiled the portrait of Sri.R.Guruswami.

Dr. Karunakaran Vice Chancellor of the Gandhigram Rural University released a biographical sketch of Sri. R. Guruswami titled ‘ A Gandhian Karmayogi” authored by Prof. M. P. Guruswami, Director Kumarappa Research Institute, Dindugal. Prof. R. Venkataswami gave a special address on the occasion.

The author of the book Prof. M.P. Guruswami was honoured. The portraits of the following centenarians who had close association with the Ashram were unveiled by Justice K. Venkatswami.