Regions: VRO in Tamilnadu

ORISSA-I & II ## RAJAHMUNDRY-III ## GUNTUR-IV ## NELLORE-V ## CUDDAPAH-VI

TAMIL NADU-VII & VIII ## HYDERABAD–IX A ## SURYAPET-IX B ## WARDHA-X

RAJASTAN-XI ## VIZAG-XII

Introduction:

"The history of India begins in the south" scholars told. In a way the history of VRO also began in the south of India: from Andhra it sprung over to Tamilnadu within 2 years of its existence. Why?

The Socio-cultural character of the Dravidian homeland cannot be overstressed. Politically a succession of long lasting dynasties made their rule remembered in impressive temples, water-reservoirs, treelined roads, as one can find with difficulty in other Indian states. More than the North, it is the south of India (Tamilnadu in particular) that attracts hundreds and thousands of tourists every year.

But there are also special social/cultural shadow-aspects: the continued existence of temple-villages (owned by the temple), the incessant flow of refuges, the seasonal migration of drought-affected people deserting their villages (often never to return), the drying up of open tanks - reservoirs not maintained, the deforestation even of the highest hills, the rapid urbanisation of industrial or railway cities, it is a long list of desolated, frustrated villages, uncentain about their future.

Environmentaly the region shows a great range and variety of scenery and land: scatered short ranges in the north, and larger out crops of the highes hills of south India (5-7000 ft or 1500 -22000 mt). Similarly rich ricefields along the canals of the few rivers, and the suden barennes of stoney lands, a few meters higher level with here and there new or old stone quarries. Educational high quality institutions abound in ancient towns, not far from more ancient leather workers, colonies, and great railway concentrations next to temple forts. Descending from the western Kerala high hills, the Tamilnadu region where VRO is working runs along the cauvery river to the coast. And upward from the east to the western flowre hills of Salem. Every where in search of the smallest villages: Tamilnadu has 40,000 villages, mostly small: a world of work to come.

The significnce of entering this regin for VRO lies specially in the awareness of the polarisation of wealth and poverty in that area. But also in the availability of better motivated personnel and of a deepstrain of social awareness, still running through the region.

The reform is the work-environment, the extension of the educational opportunity for disadvantaged villages. The linkage of social liberation to ancient religious traditions of service, and the proxility of environmentally great opportunity and urgencies attracted us. The tea-estates, the coffee plantations, the forest-challenge together with the urgency to fight pollution, continued bondage of people landlords, all requires some kind of geneous, dynamic offer of support.

The problems are many, but surmountable : the relative small concern or sympathy of struggling political parties for voluntary agencies ( in their desire to harvest all the people's political sympathy), the lack of leadership in the villages, the still widespread illiteracy and ignorance of villagers ( still fascinated more by saints and miracles) are only a few of the daily difficulties we encounter, the scarcity of volunteers is also great, both in north and south Tamil nadu.

THE HISTORY OF VRO IN TAMILNADU

1971

  • great fire in some villages near Trchy (Pullambadi, Sembarai), Director was called, invited to help, by officials.

1972

  • setting up of first orkign team of 4 volunteers, under guidance of Fr.Bergeron sj, and several youth training camps in St.Joseph's college Trichy.

1972-74

  • Construction of first 3 village units of pullambadi, with the help of a Swiss Industrialist.

1975-77

  • Intensive survey of other districts. (Thanjavur, N/S Arcot), construction of vairapuri began completed in 1982.

1978-82

  • setting up of the first specialised Youth skill Training Centres in puthur, Vairapuri, health centres and Pudukottai (Madhagam)

1983-85

  • Starting work in the Pondicherry area/Large Adult educational programme in Yercaud and in karur area; first village surveys near Velur.

1986-91

  • Completing first Yercaud village (inaugurated in 1988 Feb by Raf Windey in Azhagumalai)

1992

  • VRO Tamilnadu divide into two regions South and North Tamilnadu.
  • Survey of Utramerur, Kanchipuram and Cheiyyar areas.
  • Sevapalli site formation and service centre building construction completed.
  • Village building programmes started in Sevapalli circle ( Vetrampakkam, Irumbuli and Parukkal)
  • Windmill erected at sevapalli site

1993-94

  • Programme extended to Dindigal, Palani and Ramnad districts
  • Madhanagar, Vilakunandal, Palapatti village construction programme started.
  • VFTC hostel building constructed at Puthur.
  • Handicapped children care centre started at Pondy. (M.Chavadi)

1995-97

  • Survey of new villages in Namakkal area
  • Villages building programme started in 6 villages ( 2 in NTN 4 in STN)
  • Madhanagar and palapatti village inaugurated
  • VRO Tamilnadu made as Autonomous Trust called VRO Tamilnadu Village development Trust
  • Solar pumps, Compressed cement bricks making technology started in Puthur and Sevapalli.
  • Survey of villages in palayamkotai area
  • Survey of Elementry Schools in Trichy district.
  • Regional Assistance to SEctor Activities (RAASA) programme started in the region.
  • Village maintenance camps organised in old villages.
  • Old BPTC boys meeting and old VRO volunteers meeting held in Puthur.