Guiding Principles

Shanti Ashram has set the following guiding principles for its Poverty Alleviation initiatives:

1.To provide opportunities for employment generation and income through skill development

2. To map the natural resources of the villages for conservation and effective utilization;

3. To initiate dialogue with Government officials for getting the benefits of development programs in the service villages of the Ashram;

4. To bring out publications on Government Welfare Schemes for greater outreach;

5. To collaborate with National and International Agencies on Human development activities

Topics Covered :Skill Development, Resource Mobilization, Micro-level Planning, Liaison with Government Officials, Peoples Centre, Confederation of Rural NGOs of India

1. Skill Development                                                                                                                                   ^top

Shanti Ashram, in collaboration with VLB Janakiammal Community Polytechnic, Kovaipudur, has organized Vocational Training Programs for rural women, on tailoring, computer application and beauty & health services. The main aim of the program is to upgrade the skill of rural women for employment and income generation. The courses were for duration
of six months. A total of over 200 rural women benefited from these programs during the year under report. In collaboration with District Industries Centre, Coimbatore, these trainees were also given entrepreneurial development program (EDP).

2. Resource Mobilization                                                                                                                          ^top

The Ashram has initiated a block-wise social audit program. The main objective of this exercise is to map resources at the village level, revisit existing Government and private sector initiatives for rural development and build a common agenda for socio-political – economic empowerment.

3. Micro-level Planning                                                                                                                              ^top

Under the Government of Tamil Nadu, Namadu Gramam Thittam, one of the staff members of the Ashram was trained at the Rural Extension Training Centre, Bhavanisagar. 20 villages were allotted to Shanti Ashram under the above program. These villagers provided extensive training on the concept of Namadu Gramam and its various components. The Panchayats were also helped in preparing action plan to achieve the goal of self sufficiency in health, sanitation, education and natural resource conservation.

4. Liaison with Government Officials                                                                                                ^top

The field staff of the Ashram during their regular visits to the villages identified the people who could benefit out of the various Government development programs. The beneficiaries were helped in getting the application forms, filling up of the same with requisite certificates and submitting the same to the Government offices for sanction. The Ashram also helped the villagers in getting old-age pension, pattas, widow-re-marriage, ration cards etc.

5. Peoples Centre

The People’s Centre set up with the help of Catalyst Trust at Arivoli Nagar continues to function well.
Dr. S.R. Subramanian has represented the Ashram in the state-wide activities of Catalyst trust based on the Right to Information frame-work.

6. Confederation of Rural NGOs of India

Shanti Ashram held the first South Zone Capacity Building Workshop for NGOs and Voluntary Organizations. Shri Saptharishi, the President of CNRI, inaugurated the program and also met the President of the Ashram, Mrs. Minoti Aram. This country-wide organization provides a platform for Voluntary Organizations to net-work and cooperates on shared areas of commitment.