Thalir- Blooms of Smart Anganwadis for Aspirational District of Wayanad
Aspirational district programme, launched by the Prime Minister of India in the year 2018 is a unique collaborative programme bringing in all stakeholders including State and Central governments, development partners and citizens aiming to quickly and effectively transform the identified districts lagging in development indices.
The Wayanad District in Kerala is one such aspirational district where Cochin Shipyard Limited is committed to associate with in its developmental journey.
Cochin Shipyard has over a period of the past couple of years have committed projects worth more than 3.00 Crores in the district Wayanad.
Few of the most important projects in the series including the Anganwadi Projects and the physiotherapy centre at Noolpuzha were dedicated to the nation on 08 Jul 2021 at a function held at Wayanad. The function was attended by Shri V J Jose, Director (Finance), Cochin Shipyard Limited, Ms. Adeela Abdulla IAS District Collector, Shri P N Sambath Kumar, AGM/Head CSR, Shri Shaju N I Addl District Magistrate, Sreelakshmi R, IAS, Sub Collector, Smt Subhadra Nair, District Planning Officer, Shri O K Sajith, Executive Secretary, District Nirmithi Kendra, Wayanad and CSL CSR Deputy Managers Shri Sasindradas P S and Shri Yoosaf AK.
Shri Rahul Gandhi, Honurable M P, Wayanad, Shri Siddique, Honourable MLA, Shri O R Kelu, Honourable MLA, and other people’s representatives attended the function through virtual mode.
Thalir project is the series of model anganwadis CSL initiated for construction of four model anganwadis across the district, predominantly in the tribal regions, at Ambathekkar, (Noolpuzha Panchayath), Kappamkolli (Meppadi Panchayath), Varadoor (Kaniyambetta Panchayath) and Karayonthinkal (Thavinjal Panchayath) at a total project cost of Rs 120 Lakhs. These anganwadis named ‘Thalir’ meaning ‘sprouts’ are constructed as model Anganwadi centres with modern buildings, amenities and child friendly environment. The centre have facilities for all the functions of the regular Anganwadis - colourful class rooms for cognitive development of children, dining area, kitchen, indoor games facilities, outdoor play area and provision for a small kitchen garden wherever possible.
These projects were undertaken by the District Nirmithi Kendra in a time bound manner without compromising on quality, which is praiseworthy.
Lighting 75 Tribal Houses with Solar Power at Kunjippara tribal village at Kuttampuzha Panchayath in Ernakulam District And then there was LIGHT!!!
Over the years power cuts in Kerala state has reduced in number as well as in duration. In the previous few years, the Govt. noticing the plight of the students also ensured ‘zero’ power cuts during the state and central examination periods. Where in one hand, most of the homes of the state have inverters/ generators and are leading a much relaxed life, there are a few on the other side who are burning the mid-nights oil both literally and other wise! So, who are these people…? To meet them one would have to travel deep into the forest areas of Ernakulam District nearing Idukki. After reaching Blavanakadath one needs to take a ride on a simple wooden barge which is pushed through the water by a man using a tall Bamboo pole, the only way to reach the forest area. The next mode of transportation includes a bumpy ride 10 km (approx.) through the trench. For distraction of thoughts which would be constantly focusing on the discomfort of this particular ride up the hill, the driver of the vehicle will hospitably narrate the stories of how elephants have attacked and killed humans in the area with much detail of the recent incidents of the past. In a while, one starts to notice the cemented houses of the Kunjippara tribal village of Kuttampuzha Panchayath.
Kunjippara tribal village of Kuttampuzha Panchayath has not been provided any lighting facility from the Govt. or other agencies due to its topography and issues related to proximity. The local tribal (Muthuwan) families of this tribal village have been living in darkness for as long as they can remember. The only light which brought some relief to their sights apart from the day light was the light from the Kerosene oil lamps and bonfire which they lit during the night time. Continuous purchasing of wax candles was something which was beyond what they could afford and buying oil to light the lamps was also becoming exclusive as the vendors were now charging whatever price to seize the opportunity. Life was already difficult for this group of people and gradually hardships were just increasing. Their children, who came to visit them from hostels, preferred going back soon, as without proper lighting provision they were finding it difficult to complete their vacation home work. Women were suffering from poor vision and partial blindness due to constantly doing kitchen work in the dark. A ‘good night’s sleep’ was considered to be a privilege as on most of the day the men in the families were busy guarding the village from the attacks of the wild elephants, yet many a times the wild beats took no pity.
But, as the proverb goes, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough gets going!’ Samridhy, an NGO which was already working for the upliftment of the tribal groups in the area, taking notice of the problems faced by them, approached Cochin Shipyard Limited requesting support for providing Solar Lighting Systems in the region. Being convinced of this poignant situation, Cochin Shipyard Limited was delighted to extend all the required assistance for this project as part of one of the many CSR initiatives which were being undertaken by the organization. 75 tribal families selected by the ‘Oorukoottam’, tribal family fraternity were provided with independent mini Solar Power Plant consisting of state of the art materials and equipments at a cost of Rs 1,00,000/- per family unit.
Lighted homes not only shoved away darkness from their homes, but also brought hopes for a brighter future for them and their children. The miracle of light took no time in bring about tremendous impactful changes in the life style and standard of living of the tribal’s in multifarious ways. They saved money, now there was not much need to buy Kerosene oil for lighting the lamps. There has been a marginal yet steady increase in the household income as now there women folks were able to continue with their work of making mats and other items from sedge grass. News – national and international was now available to them on a click of few buttons with TV and DTH connection. Children seemed to be closer to them now, as they could talk to them over mobile phones. For students who came to visit their parents, life at home was no different than the conditions at their hostels, except the fact that here, their mothers were right besides them to love and care for them. There was a sense of peace and the jungle has now become a safe place to live in as the wild animals were scared off by the light ‘a new and unfamiliar phenomenon’ from a distance. The only thing which now woke them from a deep sleep was the smile on their faces after a pleasant dream. The families which have not been provided this Solar Lighting provision are being helped by the others in terms of money to purchase Kerosene. The families which have this provision have also generously accepted visitors like, new mothers and their babies, old or sick people, etc to stay in their homes for the night time.
Ennoble Projects at Wayanad
"CREATING SPACE FOR GROWTH" - Development of Two Schools in Bathery, Wayanad
Schools in India often lack essential facilities that allow children to study properly. This forces many students especially girls to dropout. With regard to this problem, CSL in collaboration with Ennoble India Foundation undertook a school infrastructure revamp project in the aspirational district of Wayanad at GLPS Kariampadi and GLPS CC Bhoothanam.
CSL came up with a change in the usual infrastructural development. Along with adding basic amenities to the school building, the project enhanced creative spaces within the school premises that ignite the spark of curiosity in our young learners.
Prior to this project the schools had leaking roofs, lack of drinking water, electricity and toilet facilities. The school walls now are adorned with captivating visuals, educational diagrams and thought-provoking puzzles that encourages the students to seek knowledge beyond the confines of textbooks. Currently with this intervention of CSL, both the schools have an elevated infrastructural development.
Sakshama, Wayanad
"GIVING A CLEAR VISION" - Eye Medical camp for Tribal Population, Wayanad
The aspirational district of Wayanad has a sizable tribal population, living in remote inaccessible tribal hamlets. Issues relating to eye sight have not been getting attended as a priority healthcare particularly among the tribal community. A clear vision functions better communications and enhances quality of life and early identification and detection can prevent blindness to a huge extent.
Tribal communities are at a high risk for adverse health outcomes due to preventable health conditions. To prevent vision loss, “Sakshama”, an institution working among the physically challenged communities, in partnership with Cochin Shipyard limited incorporated a series of Eye Medical Camps for the tribal population of in different villages at Sulthan Battery, Wayanad.
The project involving voluntary services from the reputed ophthalmologists includes comprehensive eye screening for eye diseases, training and development of local youth, awareness programs and screening tests.