Empowering Individuals: Creating Opportunities And Inspiring Growth

Water scarcity has increased by the day, and most of the states in India trying to find another way out to fulfil the requirement of the water used in irrigation and agriculture. A recent report by the centre water commission unveiled that water levels in most of the reservoirs are 40 per cent or below their capacity. To fight the problem, corporate has come forward to find a solution. The Corporate Social Responsibility arm of TVS group – Srinivasan Services Trust has come forward to help farmers and people in Sirkahzi.  The trust has been involved in the desilting of water channels to reserve more water during monsoon.
 
For villagers to grow crops, Savadikulam, an important irrigation facility serving three villages in the region, had been facing challenges due to silting and reduced water holding capacity of the pond. The pond, which used to hold water for at least ten months a year, was barely able to retain water for five months, causing distress to both cattle and the local community.

In 2016-17, the Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) began assisting villagers in removing unwanted weeds and desilting the pond, covering an area of 109 hectares. Following this restoration effort, the community took charge of maintaining the pond to utilise its water for irrigating crops.

In the town of Savadikulam, located in Mahendrapalli village of Kollidham Union, the annual maintenance and dredging of the public pool have become a collaborative effort among the local community. H. Saravanan, Field Director of SST Sirkazhi, stated that the trust actively participated in desilting water channels and undertook various developmental projects. These initiatives included constructing health centres in Thennampattinam and Pudupattinam, and renovating the Anganwadi centre and primary health centre in Tharkas and Edamanal villages, all achieved through active community participation.

More To Grow

The TVS arm SST has helped farmers to grow better quality cotton via their capacity building programme that transformed their life to earn better for life.

With a long history of cultivating cotton, farmers in the village have recently embraced organic farming practices. The intervention of agronomists and Village Development Officers from the SST facilitated training programs on organic farming, leading to over 30 farmers adopting these sustainable methods. Among them is organic farmer G. Durai, tending to his cotton field in Sodhiyakudi near Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai district.

41-year-old G. Durai, a farmer from Sodhiyakudi, a hamlet near Sirkazhi, shared that his yields have increased from six quintals to 15 quintals by replacing chemical insecticides with a mixture of ginger, garlic, and green chilli.

Income Generation
Kavita, an entrepreneur who was associated with the group, excelled in managing a small startup focused on basket making. Through her efforts, she earns a monthly income ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 while also providing employment opportunities to other women in the village. Training programs like these have enabled girls to earn money for their higher education and pursue professional courses in a supportive environment.

In a collaborative effort supported by a not-for-profit trust associated with an automobile company, women and farmers in Sirkazhi and Kollidam Panchayat Union, located in Mayiladuthurai district, are actively working towards enhancing their livelihoods and fostering the development of local community assets.

Need Of The Hour
The healthcare sector requires focused attention, particularly in rural areas where it has become the need of the hour. Dr. Rajakumari, a retired mental healthcare specialist, is working in collaboration with the trust to assist women in obtaining accurate diagnoses and appropriate medication.

H. Saravanan, Field Director of SST Sirkazhi, highlighted the trust's engagement in various community development initiatives. This included the construction of health centres and providing loans to self-help groups (SHGs) in Thennampattinam and Pudupattinam. The trust also facilitated the renovation of the Anganwadi centre and primary health centre in Tharkas and Edamanal villages, with active community participation.