INTEGRATED HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-KERALA
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- INTEGRATED HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-KERALA
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HEALTH FOR ONE MILLION PROJECT, TRIVANDRUM
A DREAM CAME TRUE
A THOUSAND WORKERS GREW
By Fr.Lawrence. J. Thottam and Sr.Eymard.
Health for one million programme of the Trivandrum Archdiocese has
achieved the target in six years. It was a 'dream* of reaching
one million people and training 1000 village level workers.
"HEALTH FOR TEE MILLIONS" was the theme of the National Hospital Convention
of the Catholic Hospital' Association of India in the year 1973.
The thought
wave generated from here inspired several participants to enter into the
field of Community Health. This idea was later nurtured very much by the
Voluntary Health Association of India.
A group of people in Trivandrum enthused by this concept discussed and
shared this idea with their co-workers and friends.
By the end of the year
1974 they arrived at some concrete plans and proposals. They decided to
plan for the better health and development <bf one million people.
Thus started
the "Health for a Million" Programme of Trivandrum.
During the year 1975 several experiments were made, objectives clarified
and the programme was defined as follows:-
"Health For A Million" is a philosophy/of Health Based Community Develop-
ment/lived by people of community/consisting of about 1000 people in the
Micro-level/under a Macro-plan covering one million people.
As a continuation and clarification of this philosophy the following
Guiding Principles were establisheds-
1. Health care is more important than mere disease cure.
2. Health can be maintained only in the context of Total Human Development.
3. As development is self-growth or growth from within, self-Help and
self-sustained Programmes are the most important. Outside assistance could be of use only to the extent of bringing people together, co-ordinating local ei ?forts and .encouraging local leadership.
4. Community Decision is more meaningful than me^e community parti
cipation. This would mean working with people rather than work
ing for them.
5. In conducting programmes, local resources in the form of personnel.
finance, Government facilities, and social structures irrespective
of any religious affiliation, caste distinction or political bias,
are to be utilised to the maximum.
S. In implementing the programme, principles of appropriate technology
would be followed.
7. In educating people on Health and Development Formal as well as
Non-Formal Methods of education are to adopted.
o
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As a strategy of approach it was planned that in the micro level groups
of 200 families consisting of approximately 1000 people irrespective of
caste or creed distinction should be surveyed and registered as one Health
and Development unit (H.D.unit). These people are to be helped to grow
into one community and function as one unit.
Any cultural centre, school
reading room, tenple, etc. could serve as a centre for this H.D. unit.
Similar one thousand units of 1000 people each would make this programme
of one million people.
The programme was to have two phases - The training
period and the activities period.
First phase (training period):- The period upto the end of 1980 was to be
the training period.
During this period the plan was to:
a.
train 100 village level volunteer workers. From among them
100 are to be trained to be promoters of the programme; 10 from
these promoters are to be trained into organisers of the
programme.
b.
Each village, level worker is to be responsible for 200 families
of about 1000 people; and find 20 mother leaders representing
10 families each.
c.
Conduct such activities as would help for the training of the
workers as well as the people.
Second phase (activities period)
a. People would organise their own developmental activities
Possible tenfold activities are.—
1) Education on health and development.
ii)
Nutrition programme.
iii)
Juvenile guidance.
iv)
Special care for children under five years.
v)
Maternity care.
vi)
Family planning through responsible parenthood.
vii)
Socio-economic development.
viiij Environmental sanitation.
ix) Disease control and healing the sick.
x) Rehabilitation of the disabled and under privileged.
Plans accomplised;- During the course of the past six years the dream of
reaching one million people and training 1000 village level workers has been
realised.
Today you can see over 1000 village-level workers instructing groups
of about 20 mother leader each at least once every fortnight in 1000 centres
in the districts of Trivandrum, Quilon, Alleppey and Kayakumari.
These mother leaders after attending their classes communicate what
they learned to .learned to at least 10 other mothers around in a most
non-formal way - near the well, <?n the way to market, etc.
■3
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The village-level workers besides taking this fortnightly class, re
gularly visit the 200 families and wind the people into a community.
They help the villagers to organise associations for women and youth
and encourage small savings.
They maintain the health records of children and women of the village.
The best of every ten village level workers is considered as promoter
of the programme.
There are s uch 100 promoters among the 1000 workers.
The health promoters collect reports from the health workers once in
every month and guide them on the topics to be taught during the following
month.
The best of every ten promoters is considered as an organiser of
the programme.
There are ten such organisers.
The health organisers meet the health promoters once in every month
and get their reports and communicate to them the topics for the following
month.
These organisers are united under one co-ordinator.
The co-ordinator meets ’the organisers once in every month, collects
the report and plans together with them the programme for the ensuing
month.
Thus the 100 workers function under a self-made 3 tier system under a
co-ordinator.
Within a month all communications reach from the co-ordinator
.to the worker and the feed back from the worker to the co-ordinator reaches
also within the same period.
The year 1980 marks the end of the first phase and the beginning of
the 2nd phase.
It is proposed to hold a convention of all the trained per
sonnel in Trivandrum on December 2, 1980.
iHjpphs
and
repercussions
ripples
and
repercussions
a reflection about the
work and activities in a Ashing
programme in the village has
been known as the Marianad
Community Development Project
and was initiated in 1961 by the
Trivandrum Social Service Society
•T
Kerala State, India. The
« Cell
village called Marianad in
Today we speak about mass movements and mass organisation.
A couple of years ago we spoke about community development
and various kinds of projects. Approaches change and science
develops with experience and experimentation so long as there
is an openness to learn and a commitment to the cause of
liberation.
The experience at Marianad, a little fishing village 25 km
north of Trivandrum City in Kerala is the history of a commu
nity caught in the pangs of this painful process of struggle
and the expression of a commitment to the cause of liberation
by a group of men and women. It is the history of goodwill
transformed into action. Action which commenced with the
precept of helping people to help themselves, which bore fruits
in the form of many community building efforts and organisat
ions based on people’s participation. Yet it is action which con
tinues to be overwhelmed by the deeper questions of the basic
unjust organisation of society. It is this last factor, the basic
unjust order in our society that threatens or challenges even the
most sincere effort in the cause of liberation at the micro level.
a macro-picture to begin with
Kerala has a stretch of coastline about 590 km in length.
In Trivandrum District, the southernmost part of the State,
there are 46 fishing villages with a population of about 150,000
comprised mainly of the Christian fishing community with a
few isolated Muslim and Hindu fishing communities.
In general, fishing villages, unlike the rest of the village
structures in Kerala, are very clustered and densely populated.
In the southern end of Trivandrum District where we find the
most ancient of fishing villages such as Vizhinjam, Pulluvilla and
Poovar, population densities are as high as 5500 to 6000 persons
per sq.km. These villages with their clustered thatched huts and
highly insanitary conditions give rise to bid health conditions,
risk of mass destruction by fire and quick quarrels. At the same
time it gives a source of security and a feeling of togetherness
although the latter can at times result in a very undesirable form
of village chauvinism. Caste groupings exist among fishermen
although all fishermen of one community belong to the same
caste with no hierarchial set-up. The more educated may be
more respected especially since the educated move out of the
actual fishing operations.
There are basically three types of fishing crafts—the plank
canoes, dugouts and the catamaran. The catamaran is most
certainly one of the oldest types of fishing crafts which is made
by tying together logs of a special variety of soft wood with coir
ropes. In Kerala the use of this craft is predominantly in Tri
vandrum District. Fishing gear consist of cotton and nylon
nets which are used as shore nets or at a depth within 20 fathoms
in the sea and the hook-line sets which are used for fishing
beyond 25-30 fathoms.
Fishing is normally a collective venture. In general the total
catch or the value received for it is equally divided by all those
who take part in the operation after one share has been kept
aside for the equipment.
Normally when fishermen bring their catch to the shore it
is auctioned by a middleman to the small merchants (men who
carry fish on cycles and women who carry fish on their heads)
who then take it to the different markets. Since the bulk of the
transactions are on a part-credit basis, as regards the final settle
ment the fisherman is always on the losing end. He does not
consider this to be unjust for he has been tutored by the institu
tions and the individuals who express 'concern’ for him that he
must be generous with what he has received ‘free’ from the sea
purely by the grace of God. Apart from playing on these senti
ments he is also trapped in an ever lightening viscious circle of
exploitation propagated by those who own (or claim to do so)
the land on the sea-shore on which his dilapidated hut stands;
by those who entice him with credit during the lean fishing
seasons at prohibitive interest rates (60-120%); by some scrupu
lous middlemen and sometimes the merchants; and also by the
educated in his community who now have left fishing in favour
of other 'more respectable jobs.’
At sea the fishermen ride the crecent wave—they hold their
destiny in their own hands. But once they are on land they
become the easy victims and slaves of the people who in reality
depend on them for their living. This is the paradox of their
position.
The women play an important role in the community.
Traditionally their function was to carry the fish of their
husbands to the market where they disposed it directly to the
consumers. Although the number of women of the community
still involved in distributing fish is large, the new constraints
and forces that have entered their area of operation drive them
to be more competitive and aggressive. Carrying fish as a head
load to a market which can often be 10-15 kms away from their
village is a task of no case. Added to this there are the tasks of
looking after the children and the responsibility of house work.
It is a hard life and so it can be said that the prosperity of a
fisherman’s home depends to a great extent on the managerial
ability of the women. Despite this the women receive a rather
poor bargain in the other aspects of life. The man still is the
head of the family and is the main decision maker.
Female children are certainly considered a 'liability’. The
customs of the community necessitate that a girl who reaches a
marriageable age be 'settled down’ soon. The choice of husband
depends on the dowry that the girl’s family can offer in money
or as fishing equipment. Often this can lead to the penury of the
family. Very early in married life the responsibility of child
bearing in rather quick succession and the daily chores of house
work commence and she begins to function in the routine.
Because of this routine the role of the women in the social
ising process of the children is very ambiguous. In the already
congested surroundings the young mother continues to stay with
her parents (a matriarchial society) with no place to call her own
and no privacy. A child just grows. He uses the surroundings as
a latrine; cries when he wants food; goes into tantrums if he does
not get what he wants, and sucks his mothers breast till a
younger one takes his place. If he docs go to school at a later
date it is mainly because he gets a noon meal there. The rest of
the time he prefers to play around in the village and enjoys the
sea and the possibility of making a few paisas by grabbing a fish
from a heap set out to be auctioned. His language can be shock
ingly abusive — but this he picks up at a very young age from
the frequent fights and brawls around the vicinity of his home.
Surprisingly what his mother may give him is his fear of God —
this is the ambivalance in the whole community of Christian
fishermen.
■■■of christ and Christian fisherman
Francis Xavier walked the beaches of Tamilnadu and Kerala
four centuries ago and converted en masse fishermen who have
now embraced the Christian faith. Religion plays a great role in
their lives. Having to fight the mighty forces of nature to earn
their living it seems inevitable that they are swayed towards
belief in what can be termed 'supernatural’ and based on much
'ritualism’.
The entire life of the Christian fishermen revolves around
the Church as an institution. One is struck by the number of
churches that tower above the poor huts as one drives along the
coastal roads of Trivandrum District. Practically everyone of
these has been built by the daily contributions of the fishermen
collected in the form of a church tax.
5
Their stability as a community depends on their church —
the place were the three most important ceremonies take place:
baptism, marriage and burial. Church committees that are
dominated by the educated and the well-to-do in the village
play the role of the gram sabha (village council) and are the
reference point in the village. The priest is an important figure—
appreciated if he is able to keep everybody peaceful — the poor
and the rich. If he can’t he runs the risk of being driven away
by the people! Churches are crowded on Sundays, devotions
are plentiful, pious associations are many. The rule of Sabbath
is strictly maintained — no man goes to sea and no woman to
the market. Briefly, the fishermen have a tremendous faith which,
because of their dependence on nature, tends to be superstitious.
After all this it may sound paradoxical to say that the Christian
fishing community lives in dire poverty — a community
with a faith animated by Jesus Christ who came to challenge
the old law and to establish that there is no value in ritual and
holocaust if there is no justice.
new initiatives and intangible strings of hope....
Marianad was initiated by the Bishop of Trivandrum in
1961. The Trivandrum Social Service Society (TSSS) was orga
nised by Bishop Pereira to help the underprevileged of his
Diocese of whom 150,000 are members of the fishing community.
The TSSS began helping the fishermen by making boats and
nets available through cooperatives on an understanding that
they would repay it in instalments. But since the TSSS worked
through the Church, which has always been considered as a
charity organisation the question of repayment was not taken
seriously. Moreover the structure of the TSSS was not adapted
to the situation it seeked to-handle and the sum total of it all
was that the schemes failed.
Schemes failed but not hope. Realising that it is difficult to
work in the existing villages where the accumulated problems
were too massive to tackle, the TSSS decided to work with a few
families in a selected place. If this new experiment was success
ful, they planned to extend the work to the other fishing villages.
They selected the uninhabited coastal village Alillathura
(literally meaning - ‘the shore without people’) and purchased
some 30 acres of land to create the village now called Marianad.
The programme was started by constructing low-cost houses
through a house-building cooperative society. To create the
community, fishermen from 7 different villages who were willing
to come and slay in Marianad were selected. There were initially
50 families. For the new settlers it was a difficult choice to make—
to leave their native villages and their relatives and set foot on a
tract of coastal area known for its ghost stories, poor fishing and
desolation. They had nothing but the intangible strings of hope to
cling on to. Inevitably the majority of them were fishermen who
had nothing to lose by undertaking this risk—invariably the
poorest. Along with the new inhabitants also came a team of
community workers who were to live with the people and learn
from the people. They had nothing to give but the best of them
selves as persons.
The initial approach was that of community building and
community development based on self-help. Living with the
people, the team was always at their disposal and a feeling of
togetherness began to grow inspite of differences among the
people because of their different places of origin. The only guid
ing factor for the team was to commence with the needs that the
people felt and expressed, to involve the people as much as
possible and to keep the methods of operation as simple and as
open as possible. No elaborate schemes, no big buildings, no
expensive and sophisticated equipment.
In this way many programmes were initiated in the village.
A public health programme, clubs for boys and girls, saving
schemes, a nursery and creche and many other campaigns. The
basic idea behind each programme was to initiate an informal
educational process to initiate change, to build awareness and
allow people to inspire confidence in themselves. Hence much
time was spent in trying to make the people understand what
was going on, encourage their involvement and help them to
take responsibility.
7
• ■■■‘namukku vijayikanam’ (‘we must succeed’)
After about 7 years of such work, the team began to realise
that no amount of community building would be effective and
truly liberating if the economic matrix which formed the infra
structure of the community was not radically reorganised. The
fishermen are poor not because fishing is not lucrative. They are
poor because they are being exploited and this exploitation has
become institutionalised that they do not see and realise it for
themselves.
After much study and inquiry, it was realised that unless
the ownership of land, credit, production, marketing and savings
were linked and controlled by the fishermen themselves they
would not be able to get free from the clutches of the exploita
tive forces. But the big question before the community workers
was how they could make the community conscious of the
exploitation that has become so much part of the system and
accepted as the ‘right order of things’?
Round about this time one great need always being expressed
by the people was the need for a church in Marianad so that
they can really consider this as their own village. Some members
of the team of community workers was against this because they
were convinced that though this was a ‘need’ expressed by the
people it was not a priority. The male community worker in the
team who had the immense advantage of being from the fishing
community thought differently. He was convinced that if till
now everything was taken up according to the genuine needs of
the people, then this initiative of the people to build a church,
must also be taken up equally seriously. How this occasion can
be used to achieve the real goal of bringing the people before
the reality should be the task of the team and not prima facie
rejection of the people’s expression.
The people gathered and decided that they would build
their church by collecting money for it as was the practice in
their native villages—a share of the daily fish catch (5%) which
would be noted down and collected the next d ty by the man
appointed to do the task.
The community worker used to spend a lot of time on the
8
seashore seeing the catch the people brought back, the value for
which it was sold to the merchants through the moneylender
and from this was able to get a mental idea of the share that the
church would get for that day. In the evenings the fishermen
brought their share for the church funds. Invariably the actual
amounts brought always varied from what was rightfully due
when calculated on the basis of the value for which the fish was
initially auctioned.
‘Why this difference?’ they were asked. ‘Is it that you are
dishonest?’ No, that could never be especially' when it had to do
with the affairs of their church. There were other reasons.
Gradually at these evening meetings with the men all the reasons
came out one by one:
‘I’m indebted to the moneylender. He reduced the daily
interest from the value of today’s catch.’
‘The merchant who owed me Rs 27/- for yesterday’s fish gave
me only’ Rs. 15/- saying that he incurred a heavy loss.’
‘I had to pay the auctioneer for auctioning my fish. He wanted
Rs. 10/- immediately, failing which he said he’d never auction
my’ fish again.’
The community’ worker talked to them about the possibility of
cooperation in selling their fish; appointing a man of their own
who could auction all their fish and also collect the money’ from
the merchants; the possibility of saving where each may save
small amounts but keep it all together and thus help each other
in time of need.
Three months of discussions that were centred around the
collecting of money for the church passed away very' soon. The
people had collected about Rs. 1000/-. And then the day of
reckoning came.
After one such meeting the fishermen continued to argue and
discuss among themselves and finally came to the conclusion
that even if it was to build a church they had to first have
control over the produce of their hard labour. Enough was
enough and now they would take their destiny in their own
hands — come what may. They had reached the cresent of their
9
emotion and enthusiasm. They decided to use the Rs. 1000/- as
the initial working capital and wanted the community workers
to sit with them to plan the details of the strategy for action and
within a few days the campaign to free themselves from the
moneylenders and sell their fish by themselves was started. The
campaign had only one aim and it was expressed by the
fishermen in two succint words — 'Namukku vijayikanam’ (We
must succeed).
■■■■struggle the prerequisite for true success
When the Cooperative was started it needed a small shed
on the seashore. The parish priest from the neighbouring village
who was also coming to say Mass on Sundays in Marianad came
to inaugurate the construction of the shed. Two or three weeks
after the start of the Cooperative the priest did not turn up for
the Mass. All the community was waiting in the community
centre where Mass was being said since there was no church in
Marianad. Later, on inquiry, the priest said he did not come
since he did not have the new books for the new liturgy prescri
bed for that Sunday. The next week also he did not turn up and
gave another excuse. On the third week it was discovered that
the moneylenders who were on the church committee of the
neighbouring parish from where the priest came had threatened
the priest and told him not to go to say Mass in Marianad.
However this the people did not understand since the priest
himself was all support for the Cooperative in the planning
stages.
The issue did not stop there. The moneylenders succeeded
in getting the support of the other parishioners of the six neigh
bouring villages to raise certain complaints against the Marianad
fishermen regarding the method of fishing used by them. The
fishermen of Marianad had introduced fishing with hook and
line which was new to this coastal tract where the majority of
the fishermen used only a beach net with which fish can
be caught without going to sea. The people around were
instigated saying that since the fishermen of Marianad went out
into the sea to catch fish with the hook and line the original
settlers of that coastal area suffered a fish famine! It was there
10
fore demanded that for three months of the year—December to
February — the fishermen of Marianad should not go hook
fishing. This hard proposition was supported by the Panchayat,
some officials of the Department of Fisheries, local politicians
and parish priests.
After long hours of deliberation with the community workers
the fishermen of Marianad accepted the proposition just to show
the others that they would stand united. During the first two
weeks of this period of restriction on fishing the people of
Marianad suffered a lot. However what they failed to see when
fully involved they saw while temporarily detached from the
routine of hard work to earn a day’s living. During this difficult
time the moneylender approached the people of Marianad and
said the restriction would be lifted if they agreed to sell the fish
through him. On hearing this the people knew who the real
person behind the whole plot was and they refused to accept his
suggestion or money.
By the end of the third week of the restriction the members of
the Cooperative managed to convene another meeting in the
Panchayat Office where the above mentioned leaders were
present. Again all these leaders including the priests, wanted
to continue the restriction as was agreed in the previous meeting.
At this juncture one member of the Cooperative stood up and
said that they could not live without working and that they had
decided to break the restriction and go fishing from the next
day onwards because they realised that this whole issue was a
big hoax. The pandemonium caused by this bold statement
of a 'solitary fisherman’ was momentous. They came back
from the meeting reported their decision and informed everyone
to prepare to go fishing the next morning. They lined up their
catamarans on the beach, prepared their hook and lines and
also gathered all kinds of weapons to be Used against anybody
who might dare to stop them from implementing their decision.
'It is more honourable for a fisherman to die fighting for his rights
in the sea which is the source of his living rather than starve
to death on the land’, was the rationale of that moment. Hearing
about all the happenings and the determination the opponents
withdrew from the fight.
started to function again.
From then on the
Cooperative
With the growth of the Cooperative many things began to change
in the community. The fishermen realised that their catch
meant money and so they began to bargain for a good price.
They began to sec the folly of the past and on the whole they
began to know more, have more and participate more.
Today their Cooperative is beyond doubt the only fishermen’s
cooperative that is completely controlled by real fishermen and
certainly the only village cooperative that undertakes to sell all
the fish of its members.
■ ■■and the women follow suit
With the coming together of the men, it was imperative that
women come together as well. With the existing contact in the
village, this was not difficult. The emphasis was put on gather
ing together and for this there were no hindrances. Once they
came together it was up to them to decide what they wanted to
do, what kind of organisation they wanted to form and so on.
With their great attachment to the Church and based on their
past experiences, the only thing that some of them could think
about was some kind of pious association. When some women
suggested this, some others reacted very strongly saying that
pious associations did not really achieve anything. They wanted
to do something constructive. But they decided all the same
that they would meet every month and that they needed a com
mittee to take the initiative in organising the meetings. Ever
since then (October 1972) they have had their meetings regularly
and have become quite a force to reckon with in the village.
Their meetings include both the spiritual aspect and also dis
cussions on social problems. So too with their activities. Officially
they are a registered Mahila Samajam (women’s organisation)
which puts them in contact with government machinery—a
contact which is of much educational value in realising how
government decisions reach the grass roots.
Under the auspices of the Mahila Samajam a women’s training
programme was organised. It spreads over three months, meeting
thrice a week in the late evenings so that the women have time
to get back from selling their fish or doing their housework. It
covers topics concerning issues related to the society, the family,
the home, food and their Christian life.
The women also have taken up issues such as the starting of an
essential foodgrains depot, mobilised and successfully imple
mented a campaign against illicit liquor distilling and hope to
take up more issues as and when they arise.
There certainly has been a marked change in the role and the
place of the women in the community’s life. Yet there still is a
long way to go.
ripples and repercussions
As mentioned before, Marianad was a created village but the
idea in starting such a pilot project was to see whether there
was hope for change and organisation in a community despised
as hopeless, and if there was such a possibility then efforts for
change could be initiated in the other established villages as
well.
With the initial success of the Co-operative and the general
atmosphere in the community, the team was convinced that
change could be initiated in other villages as well. There are over
1000 fishermen co-ops in the State initiated by the government
and private individuals. None of them tackles the problems of
fish marketing which is the crux of the problem, and only a couple
of them still function as co-ops. In Marianad where the co-op
was actually started by people and where only actual fishermen
have a right to membership, a truly co-operative effort seemed
to be possible and to be the only means of change in the com
munity. On the other hand, the untiring living-in-and-learningby-actually-doing approach seemed to bring a breath of human
dignity and interest in life to a people who before, without a
second thought would stretch out their hands and beg.
13
The best way in which this effort could be multiplied was con
sidered to be the training of young people from the village.
Different kinds of training programs were initiated like long
term intensive programs to help young girls start self-help pro
grams in the village, short-term leadership programs to help
young people play an active part in the village community. Such
programs commenced in 1969 and gradually beginnings were
made in over 18 villages.
In the meanwhile the Co-op began to grow and the community
in Marianad began to have its own identity on becoming a
parish. This united the people and the community began to
realise the value of a common united effort. In other fishing
villages were the co-ops had been a real failure, where all efforts
of development had proved a disaster, the people began to realise
that there was some meaning in united effort. Fishermen from
distant villages with or without the assistance of the trained
young people began coming to Marianad to see how the Co-op
worked and to say they were willing to make all the efforts to
start similar ones in their villages if they would have the know
how. In this way the co-ops began to grow in other villages.
But as always, the team had many questions. They realised that
increase in earnings and greater participation of the people in
their own village affairs no matter how encouraging it was from
the point of view of progress, had also its own limitations. For
instance:
. people who have been exploited for so long, on realising
that there arc possibilities of becoming self-sufficient begin
to want to accumulate and given the first opportunity to
exploit others
.there are limitations in the present situation of people being
able to manage their own affairs especially when it comes
to planning for the future
. the good-intentioned educational and awareness building
process, which is the main objective in the initial stages,
begins to get out of hand and scope as numbers and areas
increase
14
.the awareness growing process in itself does not change
anything when undertaken in small pockets. The reaction
ary measures or anti-liberation programs generated by in
stitutions that maintain the status quo reach the groups
in the small pockets through the various media and have a
much more 'socialising effect’ in general. In other words,
it is extremely difficult to create new individual conscious
ness when social consciousness in general maintains the
present status quo:
. as fishermen begin to earn more, their aspirations begin to
grow. They send their children to school and they loose
the taste for fishing. The education system plays its own
socialising role and the young people, half-baked, can
neither go back to fishing, nor can they compete for jobs in
the cities and hence become a liability.
the present is the past of the future
This brings us to where we are at present. With ten of us in what
we call the animation team, our main area of work comprises
the coastal tract of Trivandrum District. With co-operatives
gradually taking roots in villages other than Marianad, we have
chosen the co-operative structure as the means by which the
first steps to change both the economic organisation in the
fishing community and the means for continuous education in
the community can be brought about. Nevertheless, however
much we would like to have a more macro-approach, effectivity
boils down to the participation of all at the micro level, which,
in its turn is linked up immediately with material needs of food,
shelter and clothing. This calls for a larger number of workers
from the village itself. In numbers such workers exist—many of
those who have undergone some kind of training in Marianad,
who meet regularly to discuss the problems they face in the
field.
We have come to the conclusion that we need a much more
direct approach in contrast to a vague one, the latter being one
in which the events and issues are dealt with as they come about
instead of spotting out events and stimulating the issues that
will help in the awareness building process. And again, aware
ness can be understood in many ways. For instance, people
should understand how diseases are spread, or how they can
earn more or better manage their incomes. This, we think is
important but we are fully aware of the fact that this awareness
can bring about no radical change in society and that these
defects are only the result of more basic causes in the organisa
tion of society that we desire to be more direct about. Although
this had always been our intention, we tried to bring awareness
through the programmes the people organised, like the co-oper
ative and the mahila samaj. Now on the contrary we are trying
to make the study of society, the basis of our training pro
grammes, and will try to build this study into all the existing
programmes as well.
Even at this juncture, we are fully aware that unless the pattern
of the entire organisation of society is changed through the
political power structure, no amount of socio-political education
of the micro level can hope to achieve anything substantial. It is
only an extensive and well organised class struggle that can
bring radical changes.
It is here that we are puzzled. When we discuss with our friends
who attempt this change through the political power structure,
they either tend to be vague about their strategy or have much
to explain from the theoretical point of view but no practical
experience from which we can benefit. On the other hand,
policy measures for equitable distribution have been and will
continue to be a failure in a country like ours.
We cannot sit back and wait for the revolution. It is only if
individuals, groups of individuals and communities, begin to act
as creative irritants in their ideas and act with conviction and
determination that a basic change in the organisation of society
is a possibility and a purpose worth living for. When such pro
cesses meet and coincide with prophetic leadership for change
"at the national level we will be prepared to pursue total change.
16
and. random thoughts to round up
....No amount of analysis, nor the most radical ideology will
go a long way in practice, if a worker (community worker)
does not personally develop skills of relating to people and
become accepted by them.
.. .. As a community worker one has to constantly question one’s
approach and motivations if one is sincerely committed to
the cause of liberation and justice.
.. . .The change process has to be continuous. What may seem
liberating in its initial stages may be an obstacle later.
Stability may be a danger signal.
.. . .The co-operative structure, in spite of being the chief way
to ensure equitable distribution, when experimented in small
pockets, can become a capitalistic institution in itself.
.... The area in which one chooses to begin the awareness
building process cannot be a random choice. This choice
must be guided by a proper analysis of the area and society.
Good intentioned efforts to do something end up in frustra
tion when this point is not considered.
....A commitment to the transformation of society cannot
be lived single - handed. The values envisaged for the ‘new
society’ should already be lived experimented within small
groups. Only this can provide the supportive structure to
pursue the transformation and at the same time prove the
operational feasibility of new forms.
APPENDIX
Notes on the growth of People’s Organisations
and programmes
The Allilathura House Building Cooperative Society Ltd
T (187) (1960)
This Cooperative was initiated by the Trivandrum Social Service
Society and was formed in order to build the houses in the newly
created village of Marianad. All the new inhabitants of the
village had to become members of the Cooperative and the
agreement was that all the families would pay back to the Co
operative Rs. 7/- per month for 20 years after which the house
would belong to them.
It is apparent that this Cooperative had inevitably to be formed
from above and handed down to the inhabitants to manage. Since
it was formed at the beginning it was not possible to solicit
active participation of the people in its management. The
members did not feel that this organisation was theirs. This was
expressed in their slow repayments or outright refusal to pay for
the houses until about 1973. The community workers have often
attributed this non-cooperation to the fact that the Government
was giving free houses to fishermen in and around Marianad
under other schemes. But maybe the crux of the issue was that
the Cooperative failed initially for two reasons: firstly, at the
time of starting it did not cater to a real felt need of the people
and secondly that it was ‘imposed’ from above.
In 1974 according to a ruling of the Cooperative Law of the
State no member who had large outstanding dues (debts) to the
Cooperative could become, a member of its Managing Com
mittee. This resulted in a dramatic change. None of the fisher
men membeis who lived in houses of the Cooperative could
contest in the elections. The result was that the Managing Com
mittee consisted of persons who did not have pucca houses
(brick houses). They in turn were able to mobilise sufficient
opinion among the houseless members to exert pressure on the
privileged to make their repayments.
18
Consequently, after a scries of meetings of the general body it
was decided that the Housing Cooperative would informally
link itself to the Fishermen’s Cooperative for the purpose of
collection of repayments. Between 1974 and 1976 six new
houses have been built with the repayments from the members.
Now the members are clearly aware of the lost oppportunities of
being uncooperative earlier.
The Cooperative has also initiated a process of acquiring more
land for providing more low-cost housing Tor its members.
(We see how this Cooperative begins to function as a real
people’s organisation only 13 years after its initial formation.
Only then did housing come into the priority of the com
munity who have always been used to living in temporary
huts and shacks on the sea shore. It is also interesting to
note that the pressure exerted from within, rather than
by the community workers, was more effective. Probably it
can also be interpreted as the beginning of the 'acquisitive’
tendency to own one’s own house and land. The Co
operative and its rules ensures that these tendencies are
contained within the sort of‘commune’ framework adopted
by it where a member ‘owns’ the house and land as long as
he or his heir stays on it. The basic ownership of all the
houses and the land is vested with the Cooperative. An
owner-member may sell his house only to the Cooperative.)
The Dispensary and Health Programmes (1961)
The dispensary was the first concrete activity undertaken by the
community workers since health was a problem which came to
the forefront right from the very beginning of the work. The
emphasis was always on preventive medicine and also on mothers
and children. Post and ante-natal clinics, clinics for young
mothers and children, classes on hygiene and sanitation are
conducted. In 1964 a baby creche was started as an extension
of the dispensary.
Although the problem of sanitation has been tackled to a con
siderable extent it still remains a problem. More than just pro
viding the facilities (which is easy to do) it is only the education
to use it properly that will solve this problem.
19
The Nursery School (1962)
The need to care for the young children while the father goes
fishing and the mother goes to sell the fish resulted in the starting
of a nursery school in the village. Right from the start the effort
has been to involve the parents in the affairs of the nursery
school so that it becomes a place of learning for the whole family!
The teachers of the school arc mainly girls from the village who
have been trained for the purpose. The emphasis as regards the
education of the children is on invoking in them a perception of
their immediate surroundings and the cultural aspects of their
community. The teachers undertake regular house visiting to
maintain good contacts with the parents and to understand the
family background from which the child comes. Children who
go through the nursery school arc generally not early drop outs
from school later on.
Girls Guild and Vanilha Kendra (1964, 1974)
Work with the young girls of the village was one of the first
activities undertaken by the women community workers as far
back as 1964. The emphasis was also always on education and
awareness creation— all other concrete activities (such as em
broidery work, net-making) were only to serve as means to this
end.
Well over a hundred young girls between the ages 5 to 20 are
involved in the various activities which bring them out of their
homes into a collective setting, provide small sources of subsidiary
income and great opportunities for expression of their latent
talents and creativity.
They run the Kendra by themselves. For example in the embroi
dery section they select the designs, cut the cloth, choose the
colours and handle the final packing—only the despatch pro
cedures of the parcels are handled by the community workers.
All this is made possible because of a collective leadership and
a sharing of responsibilities right down to the most ‘insigni
ficant’ of tasks.
A considerable amount of cultural activities, formal and nonformal education activities are undertaken. From the income
20
they get from their handiwork they pay for the services of those
who assist them in their work—adult education teachers, music
masters and so forth. They have to produce about Rs 2000/worth of marketable articles every month in order to meet the
overhead expenses of the centre.
The Boy’s Club (1969)
Organising the boys has been restricted to games and recrea
tional activities. To mobilise them to render positive service to
the community (as opposed to the token well-cleaning sprees)
has not been too successful an endeavour. Formal education
draws them out to the fishing occupation, .they stop going fish
ing, don’t know how to mend nets and gradually gear their
sights to the world outside which enables them to forget the
problems of their coummunity.
This is a field where much questioning is taking place. It has
been a realm of great failure to tap the potential resources in
the youth.
The Marianad Malsya Ulpadaka Cooperative Society Ltd
F (T)287 (1969)
The fishermen’s cooperative is the central people’s organisation
of the village since it deals with the aspects concerned with their
source of livelihood. By category this Cooperative is in the lowest
tier of the cooperative hierarchy that is initiated by the Govern
ment. It is a primary village ‘fish production’ (malsya ulpadaka)
cooperative.
However since the fishermen realised that their problem was not
in the realm of production (contrary to the assumptions of the
State) but more in the realm of marketing and credit, the Coop
erative performed a multi-purpose function. The credit-producton-marketing-savings link established within it has been lound.
to produce the desired results of increasing fish production (by
providing more equipment to each member) ensuring good
prices (by the auctioning system), laster and higher repayment
of loans (by linking credit to marketing through production),
and the creation of a savings fund (by introducing an element
of savings as a deferment of immediate consumption).
21
The Cooperative has a Managing Committee of 4 active fisher
men and three nominees of the Government. For conducting the
day to day affairs they have a paid secretary and a number of
employees who man the various activities undertaken by it. All
the employees are appointed and paid by the fishermen and
are answerable directly to the Committee.
The Cooperative enjoys the position of being considered by the
Department of Fisheries as a model cooperative for the artisan
fishermen of Kerala. It is one of the few fisheries cooperatives
in Kerala that takes an integrated approach to the needs of its
members. Apart from providing credit and marketing the fish,
the Cooperative supplies its members (and non-members) with
fishing requisites such as nylon twine, hooks and lines at fair
prices. It runs a net fabrication centre that aims at providing
employment and fair wages to the women of the village. It also
runs an essential commodities store which caters for the whole
village.
The question has always been asked why inspite of such a suc
cessful Cooperative there arc still fishermen who arc non-members
and who are still indebted to moneylenders. As a matter of fact
the struggle between the members of the Cooperative and the
moneylenders has continued ceaselessly with ocassional headon
clashes. Inspile of this there are no membership campaigns
undertaken. The ‘core membership’ of the Cooperative is con
vinced that those who join the Cooperative should do so only
after their own personal decision and conviction about the
matter. The reality is before their eyes but the consciousness of
the reality is for each individual to attain.
From 1970 onwards the Cooperative has been able to accumulate
some retains (profits). It has declared dividends and participat
ion bonuses. It has financed, with an initial working capital of
about Rs. 40,000/-, the purchase of fishing equipment worth
over Rs. 2 lakhs (by the quick circulation of loan repayments).
Most fishermen who have been members for 3-4 years have been
able to make all the types of fishing equipment needed to fish
throughout the year. The per capita income of such members
has doubled and without doubt the quality of their general living
standards and awareness of the world at large has increased
markedly.
The Marianad Mahila Samajam (1974)
The women have always been the yeast in the progress of acti
vities in Marianad. In Marianad there has always been a bias
towards women since the members of the animation team were
all women for the first seven years (1961-68).
Although they created their own registered organisation only in
1974 their community activities, collective concern and
action over issues in and around the village started much before
this. They have also in numerous ways staked their claims for
equality in the affairs of the village.
They have an elected committee of seven members who arc
responsible for the smooth functioning of the organisation. The
members of the committee take up the responsibility of being a
liaison between the various programmes in the village (health
scheme, nursery and creche, essential commodities store etc) and
the members who are the user-beneficiers of the programmes.
This is a means of assuring that all activities are' constantly
under the scrutiny of the people.
Their collective opinion has been effective in tackling problems
such as illicit distilling of liquor, pawning of ration cards and
other social evils in the village.
The samajam has a membership of 90 women. On the average
about 40 women attend monthly meetings.
Extension -
Educational Programmes (1969)
It was never the objective of the Trivandrum Social Service
Society to make Marianad an end in itself. In fact Marianad
and the experience gained from it both for the people and the
community workers was to be only a starting point — a small
start in understanding the pulse of a community.
J
23
Extention of the work was to be initiated by making a crosssection of the fishing community conscious of the situation in
which they live. The educated sections of the community, espe
cially the youth could be tackled with greater ease to begin with.
Secondly we had also realised that work with women and
children was a good entry point into the community. Putting
these two factors together the initial extention programmes were
tailored to achieve this end.
Consequently the need to work with the fishermen in order to
hasten the process of the creation of cooperatives was also felt.
Contrary to the approach for the educated section of the commu
nity, awareness creation efforts with active fishermen had to
take a much more non-formal approach that was more on-thefield and directly aimed to handle possible action that could
come out as a result of new awareness.
Social Training for Girls (1969)
This is a five-month intensive residential training course covering
a wide range of subjects needed to equip a village level worker
to become a useful agent of change in the village. Only girls who
were sponsored by the village were accepted for the course and
wherever possible at least two from each village attended the
course. The training is conducted in Marianad where it is possi
ble to have the theory and the relevant field work at the same
time. To date about 90 girls have been trained and of these over
60 girls are working in their respective villages in some sort of
progrmtne that caters to certain needs of the community. Many
have organised nursery schools, saving schemes, credit unions,
literacy programmes and the like.
Leadership Training.Camps (1973)
These camps are short courses for mixed groups of young,
educated youth of the fishing villages with the ob jective of giving
them a brief, overall view of the situation in their village in
relation to the socio-politico-economic realities of the Indian
situation.
These camps are held in the different fishing villages so that the
24
participants can see in a critical new light many of the factors
and forces in the villages that they had taken for granted. These
camps also result in the creation of a certain feeling ofunity and
solidarity among the youth of the villages when they discover
that they are not alone in their new discoveries and enthusiasm.
Since the participants come in groups from their villages they
are in a position to get back to create more awareness and on
some occasions to initiate some form of action.
Follow-up of the Trainees
The most important aspect of the educational and training
programmes is not the training itself but more the follow-up of
the trainees after their training.
The community workers who animate the educational program
mes are responsible Tor the follow-up. The district of Trivandrum
is divided into two geographic zones and all the ex-trainees in
each zone meet once a month to review their progress and dis
cuss their problems and difficulties. The follow-up meetings
take the form of discussions, seminars, study-circles and the like.
Cooperative Education Scheme (1975)
With the idea of the merits of genuine cooperation spreading
among the fishermen of other villages (seeing the success of the
fishermen of Marianad) the need for a continuous process of
awareness not only of the social realities but also about the
mechanics and procedures of cooperative endeavour has been
acutely felt by the community workers and often expressed in
various ways by the fishermen.
Under this scheme a community worker goes to a village and
lives with the fishermen for a period ranging from 3 months to
one year. The objective is to understand the situation in the
village, especially that of the active fishermen; to study the modes
of fishing and fish marketing and to isolate the areas where
cooperative endeavour will prove effective.
This method allows for mutual dialogue that is undertaken with
out any rigid time constraint. Where warranted, action arising
out of this process is initiated. Such‘action’ takes the from of
25
organising regular discussions; setting up of pre-cooperatives;
collective selling of fish (especially the exportable varieties) and
so forth.
Pulluvilla (1973)
Pulluvilla, one of the oldest and most densely populated fishing
villages in south Trivandrum District, was one of the first places
where a need for deeper involvement with the community was
felt. It is a fishing village divided and stratified with the most
intricate of socio-economic problems which often take political
overtones. A breeding ground of exploitation, where a handful
of persons are in a position of manipulating the unorganised
mass of fishermen to cater to the former’s vested interests.
On the request of one section of the fishermen a team of four
community workers have been working in Pulluvilla for over
three years. The work is slow and difficult. In a village with a
population of 8000 people living on -J square kilometer of sea
shore no new 'intervention’ will sail on calm waters.
The approach and organisational effort has had to be very diff
erent from that in Marianad. The people — attracted by the
economic gains of the cooperative at Marianad — asked for help
to organise one of their own. This was considered the best way
for organising the people to meet both the economic and educa
tional needs. The going has been and continues to be difficult.
As a strategy, the service approach takes priority until such time
when the people feel that organisational efforts will help fight
issues. Time has to be given for a wider awareness building
process to take place.
The fishermen come together through the Cooperative. Women
show increasing interest in their Mahila Samaj which grew out of
a women’s credit union. Children’s education and child care
education to mothers is the main thrust of the 5 nursery schools.
Health care, still curative, but aiming at a community health
progamme is on its way.
Many young people are also involved and they begin to play
their part in the awareness building process.
26
Programme for Community Organisation (1977)
The work at Marianad, initiated in 1961, was done so under
the auspicies of the Trivandrum Social Service Society. The
Society provided sufficient freedom for the work to evolve at its
own pace and for the community workers to respond to the needs
arising as a result of this evolution. As the work began to assume
larger dimensions and with the development of many people’s
organisations and groups the possibility of an autonomous orga
nisation was considered in 1975. This was realised in 1977. It is
now called the Programme for Community Organisation. The
general body of this organisation consists of the full time com
munity organisers and representatives of all people’s organisat
ions which may desire to be affiliated.
programmes undertaken in villages
of trivandruin district kerala
VILLAGES IN TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT
THAT HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH
THE PROGRAMMES OF THE MARIANAD
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT
NOW CALLED THE PROGRAMME FOR
COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
Key to Villages
1 Anjengo
2 Poothura
3 Thazhampally
4 Perumathura
5 Puthencurichy
6 Alillathura
7 Vettiyathura
8 Puthenthope
9 St. Xaviers
10 Thumba
11 Valiya Veli
12 Veli
13 Kannanthura
14 Thope
15 Valiyathura
16 Cheriyathura
17 Poonthura
18 Vizhinjam
19 Adimalathura
key
resident animators
participant for social training coiksc
participant for leadership camp
conducted leadership camp
mother and child care programme
public health dispensary
fishermen's cooperative society
latrine scheme
housing cooperative scheme
37. AGO
women's organisation
credit union for women
nursery school and creche
26
20 Pallom
21 Puthiyathura
22 Kurumkulam
23 Poovar
24 Kollenkode
25 Thoothoor
26 Poothura
27 Venniyode
28 Manyamala
29 Palode
311 Perayam
31 Vithura
32 Vamanapuram
33 Thrikkanapuram
34 Mariyapuram
35 Kattakada
36 Amaravilla
37 Mulluvilla
38 Kuttichal
printed and published by : programme for community organisation,
tsss buildings, vellayambalam, trivandrum 695 003, india
restricted circulation only (1977)
s b press, trivandrum
H
Ka>ra!a
Sastra Sahithya
l*arishad
SCIENCE
FOR SQCIAL REVOLUTION
the kerala sastra sahithya parishad
strives to inculcate a genuine
scientific outlook among
our
people, to take science down to
the lives of the common men, the
villager, the worker the peasent to
win back the strength and vitality
of science, to transform it into
a strong tool in the process of
bringing
about a
meaningful
social revolution.
Science for social revolution
The Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad is an
organisation of active, committed, voluntary
workers, who firmly believe that science has a
vital role in augumenting the process of social
transformation. The parishad strives to liberate
science from the clutches of a handful of highly
trained specialists and to take it back to the
everyday life of the common man who is its
creator and rightful benificiary. It believes that
a proper social revolution would be possible
only in the context of a genuine scientific
outlook among our people. Hence the Parishad’s
slogan “Science for Social Revolution.”
on chosen topics in various centeres all over
Kerala. The response to these classes was
tremendous, more than 11 lakh people participa
ted in 1500 classes. Thereafter mass education
campaigns have become a regular activity of the
Parishad.
In January 1976, more than ten
thousand classes on “Nature, Society and
Science” were conducted in towns and villages,
schools and colleges, rural libraries and even
market places. These were not classes in the
formal sense. Parishad workers talked to
the people and discussed their doubts and
problems learning a lot themselves in the
process. The attempt was not to “teach” the
people but to make them involve and also to
learn from them. In 1977, the topic chosen was
“The Resources of Kerala.”
In Dec.-Jan. 1977-78, Parishad organised a
“Jeep Jatha” which travelled right from the
northern most part of Kerala, down to the
southernmost part, participating in thousands of
receptions and spoke to more than 5 lakhs of
people. The jeep jatha reached almost every
nook and corner of Kerala. The jatha was a
unique experiment and it succeeded in introdu
cing Parishad to a greater cross-section of keralites, especially villagers.
How the Parishad works
About 15 years after its inception, the
Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad has assumed
s<the proportions of a mass movement both in
character and in working style. Today it has
more than 6000 members in about 150 units
spread over the eleven districts of Kerala.
Parishad has given shape to numerous activities
with the goal of ‘taking science to people.’
Mass education Campaigns
It was when the parishad decided to go down
to the people, to talk to them about various
topics and to learn from them, that it realised
its historic role as a mass movement. Actually
it was the compulsion of the objective condi
tions of our socio-economic situation that trans
formed the Parishad into a mass movement.
In 1973, Parishad observed a Science
Campaign Week, and conducted
classes
important organs of the
parishad
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
science forums
publication wing
start
nonformal education wing
formal education wing
mass contact and campaign wing
research and reference library
science centre and museum
rural science academy
college science forums
eureka forum for primary students
sastrakeralam forum for
high school students
parishad scholarship wing
parishad environment force
rural science forums
This year parishad has planned two major
mass education campaigns: one on health and
the other on agriculture. These classes would
be launched during mid’ 78. Preliminary prepa
ration for these classes are underway.
parishad periodicals
Rural Science Forums
Soon after its transformation into a mass
movement, Parishad realised the importance of
reaching out the villages. No kind of develop
ment is possible in our country without the active
participation and involvement of the majority
of our countrymen, the villagers. This was the
motive force behind the Parishad’s decision to
form Grama Sastra Samithis (village science
forums.). Activities of the forums vary depen
ding upon the objective situations in which each
of them work. The idea is to create a forum
where the villagers could sit together and discuss
their problems. Some of the samithis have
started small scale production units under their
auspices while most of them concentrate on
basic educational activities. Parishad has already
formed more than 500 Samithis in different
villages. The idea is to form a samithi each in
all the villages of Kerala.
Informal Education Classes
One of the most immediate tasks parishad
has taken up is the organisation of a number of
informal education classes. These classes are
to be conducted through the Grama Sastra
Samithis. Parishad has already given special
training to a number of active workers in the
field of informal education and adult literacy.
Publication Activities
The Parishad brings out a wide range of
publications periodicals, bulletins and conciseencyclopaedias. All these invariably aim at
nurturing a genuine Scientific Culture, the
essential prerequisite for a social change.
Parishad is publishing for monthly maga
zines Sastragathy, Sastrakeralam, Eureka and
Gramasastram. Eureka is the largest selling
popular science monthly in all the Indian lan
guages.
From the current year onwards
Parishad has decided to publish a monthly wall
paper for the benefit of villagers and students.
Gramasastram highlights the activities of
•
eureka
•
sastrakeralam
°
sastragathy
•
gramasastram
•
wall news paper
popular science magazine for children
published from trichur
popular science magazine
published from trivandrum
university level science magazine
published from calicut
science magazine for villagers
published from cannanore
monthly science newspaper for
villagers and primary students to be
published from kottayam
•
lokam-the world
annual survey of development trends
to be published from trivandrum
Granta Sastra Samithies. Other publications
include books for children, popular science
books for everyman and so on. Parishad has
already published more than 100 titles.
Start
In order to impart scientific knowledge to
thousands of technicians and artisans, who have
never had a chance of having any formal
education, Parishad has organised a School for
Technicians and Artisans. START has already
organised a number of c'asses for wiremen. This
year they are trying to plan courses specially
meant for the rural artisans.
Educational Activities
Besides organising numerous informal
educational activities, Parishad has also devised
several schemes to vitalise the formal educa
tional activities in our Schools and Colleges.
Parishad has given shape to several projects to
activise the school science clubs and to associate
them with the general public outside the school
Science Centres
major campaigns
conducted by parishad
1973- one week science campaign
topic: universe science and
society more than a lakh people participated
in about 1200 classes
1976- one month science campaign
topic: nature science and society
more than 15 lakh people participated
in more than 10000 classes
1976- one month science campaign
topic: resources of kerala
more than 8 lakh people participated
in more than 5000 classes.
1977- one month ’jeep jatha.' travelled from the
northern most part of kerala to the'
southern most part, took part in more than
859 reception, more than
5 lakh people participated.
campuses. Besides this, parishad has given shape
to a number of competitive examinations and tests
like Sastragathy Vigyan Pareeksha, Sastrakeralam
Quiz and Eureka Science talent test to encourage
students to take a keen interest in the developements taking place in various fields of knowldge.
Parishad has also instituted a number of Scholar
ships to give additional encouragement to high
school and primary school students.
Parishad has also planned to establish a
number or Science Centres inorder to introduce
the trends and developments in various fields of
knowldge to the common man. Preliminary
works to construct a Science Centre in the
form of the Visweswarayya Science Museum at
Bangalore is already under way. The Centre
would cost more than Rs. 20 lakhs.
Rural Science Academy
Inorder to encourage rural technology
and to stimulate the inventive spirit of our
villagers, Parishad has decided to establish a
Rural Science Academy at Cannanore. This
academy would provide facilities for the village
technicians and farmers to develop their trades
and techniques to transform their problems into
modern scientific language to be passed on to
R&D institutions and to feed back the results
of these R&D efforts.
These are the principal activities of the
parishad, a completely voluntary organisation,
the Parishad has as its strength, and capital
a few hundreds'of very active, committed workers.
With this and the co-operation of people at
large, it hopes to reach its ultimate goal—a
social transformation.
Research works
Parishad also takes a keen interest in deeper,
basic problems of our society. Each year,
as a part of’its" annual conference, Parishad
convenes a serious, acgdepiic seminar on one
such chosen topic. Last year the topic chosen
was the . relevence of Appropriate Technology.
The topic \vas .subjected to thorough discussion.
A number, of scientist’s and academicians of all
India statute, took partin it. Last year experts
deputed by Parishad studied various problems,
hampering, the development of Kuttanad; one of
the majpr ripe cultivatry areas in Kerala.
for more information about
parishad please write to:
kerala sastra sahithya paris
had, parishad bhavan, chira kulam road, trivandrum-695001
-A
RURAL HEALTH PARE PROGRAMMES
AN EXPERIMENT IN SELF HELP THROUGH COOPERATIVE RURAL DISPENSARIES
■by
Dr. M.V. George, Chief [Evalution]
State Plarming Board, Rajalakshmi Building,Pattern,Trivandrum-4.
The last two decades witnessed a rapid
increase in health care facilities in Kerala
and today it is among the few states in India
to have achieved most of the standards of
physical targets set for the country as a
whole.
As per scheme the .Co-operative Rural
Dispensaries will function as a self contained
unit rendering day to day medical care Both on
curative and preventive sides. The area of
operation of the Co-operative Dispensary will
be one Panchayat. The capital expenditure is
to be met by sale of shares to employees as
well as the local public, Government's contri
bution being limited to Rs. 15,000 plus a
managerial subsidy of Rs. 6,000 per year for
three years.
Districtive Features:
As a device to extend medical facilities
in rural areas the scheme has proved to be very
>60 0 0 i
The Scheme:
successful. These dispensaries were manned
by young Doctors, most of them endowed with
a sense of idealism and service.
The prices charged for medicines were
found to bo comparatively lower as they could
procure them in bulk at whole sale rates dire
ctly from the wholesale agents.
Further the Doctors can go in for
standard and latest medicines of reputed
manufacturers to improve quality and reduce
the cost.
The patients also do possess a feeling
that they got due care and personal attention
unlike in other Government Dispensaries.
Further, it is noted that more than
50 percent of the patients treated were
children and for disease connected with nutri
tion deficiencies and general hygeine, and
their contribution to general health care has
been much appreciated*
Ollc. -
sens institute unit of pccupatiimal health
■ST. .JOHN’S MEDICAL COLLEGE, SANAA LOR E-560 0 34
REPORT ON ~HE VISIT TO COCHIN
A visit was made to Cochin in connection with the evaluation
of thn Kerala Voluntary Health Services sponsorbed by the OXFAM
(Ref: letter dated 27-1030 from (firs) Sujatha, Asst. Field
Director for South India, DX'AM to Dean and Dean’s reply
No. R.l/11094/00 dated December 8, 1980)
On 9th April discussions wars held with dr. George Ninan,
Southern Regional Co-ardlnatoc, Voluntary Health Association
of Kerala.
Discussions were based on the Preliminory report
■o
(tj
prepared on the objectives and activitiaa of the Andhra Pradesh, j o
Tamil i'iadu and Karnataka VHAI.
On 10th a visit was mads to MGOM Hospital, Kangarha,
Kcttayam Disi. to see their community health programmes arid meet
Dr. 3. Onseph, ,jirsetor FIGDN Hospital and President VHAI and
Or. Fi.V.Jniauh of the Dept, or Paediatrics.
The visit was very
interesting because it was really heartening to see the Communit
Health Irientation of n Mission Hospital and ths excellent programmes
that ware undertaken by them.
The important features of thia
reorientation was as fc»ll>iws»
1)
gainj a Community oriented and Communl; / based rural hospital,
ths hospital iiad been e^parimsinting with a new open door
policy which meant no security, no watchmen, no fixed visiting
hours, involvement of relatives in patient cars an,! other
aspects of a human!sad hospital system.
With regard to the Community Health and Davelo'snant
involvement, the hospital’s 5 important programmes were:
a)
Primary Health Cara for the SOD poorest Families in Six
different areas war • provided through tha medium of a
trained Nurse practioner and Communis/ Jealth workers.
2
b)
Preservation of eye sight project through the
medium oP a trained eye worker.
c)
An innovative school health programme which included
teachera training and a child to child irogramme.
d)
An extension psychiatric services
was being organised
using Nurse Practitioner.
a) Deualopmgnt programmes Por socio oconomic-upli Pt of
tho selected 500 families which included triala with all
existing Government programmes, Nationalised Sink
programmes, Khadhi Board programmes and Innovative
Development Programmes suggested by the hospital team
it sal f.
■After the discussion we saw a slide show of the programme
and visited two of th£»'extension contra#. The Hospital also
has built a low coat Dental unit Pop Ps. 20(10/— and low coat
Casaeta Record Audio Water.
Both of them are excellent examples
of appropriate technology in India.
Enclosed herewith aro
papers Prom these Projects and I feel it would be a very good
idea Por us to invite Dr. (1.V.Joseph and Dr. S.Joseph Prom this
/Kc,
Hospital when they visit Bangalore for^nsxt CHAI meotings to
talk to our staff.
In addition the Departments of Paediatrics
Ophthalmology, Psychlatry and Dentistry of g.J.ffl.C.H should be
pi* in touch with them, ao that experience regarding Innovative
extension field programmes may be shared and discussed.
RAVI NARAYAN
CC» Dean. 3JWC.
CCi Prof. 3. V.Rama Rao
Dept, of Community Hedicins.
Ic. - Cj
PRggERVAT ION OF EYESIGHT PROJECT
^jngWMBWT IN_gRgVENTION OF BLIJiJMESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL.
* DR. M.V. JOSEPH
INTRODUCTION
Preservation of Eye—sight Project is an experiment in prevention
of blindness through grass root measures using trained Village Level
Workers.
It is estimated that there are about 15 million blind people in
the world of whom 5.8 million are in India. About 30 percent of the
blind in India are said to lose their eye-sight from preventable
childhood illnesses like Vitamin-A deficiency, Trachoma, Measles and
other inflamatory diseases. In the context of the socio-economic and
cultural background of a developing country like India, blindness is
much more disastrous a handicap to people than it is in the more
developed countries where facilities for educating and rehabilitating
the blind are easily available. Hence, surveillance against blindness
and its prevention assume great importance in the Third World.
The Project, Preservation of Eye Sight, has three basic aspects
via. 1) prevention of blindness, 2) preservation of eye sight and
3) rehabilitation of the incurably blind. Around a focal point o*
preserving vision, the project emerges as an almost comprehensive
village health programme. The aspect of prevention of blindness
includes services such as immunisations against common diseases,
health and nutrition education,, nutrition supplementation, personal & «
enviornmental hygiene and early treatment of eye ailments. The
<preservation of vision covers visual screening and correction of
S®
refractive errors, screening and corrective measures for catai^t
'
and glaucoma, house-to-house detection of diabetes mellitus, and
n «
vigilance against hypertension. The rehabilitation component of the
2
programme aims at making incurable blind persons less dependent on
: ;; a
their families by training them in trade and craft.
o'--0
Q -
* Associate Director, Community Health and Development Projects,... -o
M.G.D.M. Hospital Kangazha & Honorary Consultant in Child Health to
Christian Medical Association of India.
-2PEOPLE AND THE PROGRAMME.
The programme is being operated by the M.G.D.M. Hospital of the
Orthodox Malankara Church of India. The target areas are situated in
the rural hinterlands of Central Kerala. Typically, the population is
made up of small-scale farmers, and farm hands. The latter earn their
living by working in nearby rice-fields and rubber plantations. They
form a hetrogenous community with different religious groups living
side by side, each following its own religious customs; Nevertheless,
there is homogenety in their attitudes and practices in matters of
health.
The literacy rate is high and the people are generally receptive
to new thoughts and ideas. Over 90% of those above five years of age
are literate in this area. About 50% have primary and 40% have
secondary education. The sex differentials in the literacy status
are not so striking as would be expected in other parts of the Country.
The literacy rate for males is 93% and for females it is 87%• Age
and sex composition of the population is typical of a community in
which the fertility has started declining in the past decade,
mortality is moderate and migration prevalent to a small extent.
Children under.'5 years constitute 35% of the "total population while
those beyond 65 years number less than five percent. Adults and
middle-aged persons belonging to the working-age group (15-44 years)
constitute 60 percent. Dependency ratio, an estimate of economic
dependence of the population obtained from the age distribution is 65Two villages, Anikad and Kunnamthanam in Central Kerala, South India
with a population of 30,000 were covered in the first phase of one
year's duration. Kooropada, a third village with a population of
over 20,000 was taken in the second year, and the programme has just
commenced in a fourth village.
The concept of a Village Health Worker seemed strange to the
people. The role of the Health Workers and their task had to be
carefully explained. Once having understood the concept, the
community's reaction was positive and the response enthusiastic.
The project proposal was to recruit workers from the community. The
people helped in identifying suitable candidates from among
themselves, following guidelines given to them. Thus each community
was able to propose its own Health Worker. The scheme was that the
recruits work on a part-time basis; they do home-visiting, on a
door-to-door programme. They are not attached to any work centre
or health post. Eventually, a tiered system of operational strategy
viz. a door-to-door service by Eillage Health Workers, with the
necessary back-up services at the base hospital was evolved.
As the programme got under way, cormunity contacts wore
enlarged. Local persons with leadership were involved in the work.
They were draim to a cormunity forum for dialogue. These contact
persons meet periodically to review project activities and make
necessary suggestions. Through such meetings, community participatlor
in planning, implementing and monitoring the programme was ensured.
The contact groups helped to harness local resource for the running
of the programme.
THE_Village_level_health_.workers_and_their. training .
For the training of the Village Level health Workers
at
models were experimented. The training session lasted eight weeks
for the first batch of workers; but in the second batch, it was
possible to out down the duration of the training by a few weeks by
adopting a more skill-oriented model, in which half of tho training
period was spent in the field under the guida-ice of the senior worker.
For the third batch a fully 'Worker-to-worker1 model, where the new
trainees 'Learn-by-doing' under tho supervision of the senior worker,
was evolved. Under this scheme, the new trainee resides & works with
the senior worker in the field area until the necessary skills are
learned. This way, it was attempted to simplify the training process,
eliminating the need for formal trainers and training centres. It
was observed that the 3rd batch of trainees gained optimal knowledge
and adequate skills for their task.
During the first few months of work, the Village Level Health
Workers do data collection, health education, immunisations, and
Vit-A prophylaxis, and screening and treatment of common eye ailments.
In tho next stage, services like, diabetes and hypertension screening
and nutrition supplementation are undertaken. Glaucoma screening
and screening of school children for eye ailments followed in the
subsequent period. Thus the workers are progressively irdu^fr’ to
the full range of tahks. As shown in Fig.I more thar'80% of tho
problems were effectively dealt with by the workers, the base facility
being required.mainly for surgical management. The Village Level
Health Workers meet at fortnightly intervals at the base hospital
for review, follow-up and continuing education. A field supervisor
organises and oversees the woi.’k of the Village Level Health Workers.
PROGRAMME_DETAILS.
Blindness due to deficiency of Vit-A is a serious public health
problem in India, and Kerala State is included in th6 belt of
endemicity for this deficiency. The Government programme of Vit-A
supplementation which was existing, was strengthened through this
work. The incidence of Vit-A. deficiency was brought down greatly as
shown in Big.II. An intensive education on nutritive value of green
-4leafy vegetables was made and an attitudinal change was observed
among the villagers. The Village Level Health Workers encouraged
housewives to grow vegetables in their garden and helped them to
exchange seeds with their neighbour for greater variety.
2.
'Prevention_of_protein_calorie_malnutrition.
The workers identified children suffering from protein calorie
malnutrition by simple and inexpensive, methods such as measurement
of mid-arm circumference and bangle test. Suspected cases were
weighed and nutrition supplements were given, periodic assessment
of weight-gain being made. Peanuts, which-were roasted fepacked by
the workers were distributed as nutrition supplements. The food
supplements were given for short periods only' mainly for demonstrating
to the mothers that such simple measures can improve the health of
their young children. Mothers of infants were also educated tn the
utilization of easily available weaning foods.
3. 2iS£2M2_222iE21•
Immunisations are offered as an ancillary service to make - the
programme as comprehensive as possible, Near hundred percent
immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, pertusis, and polio-myelitis
has been achieved. Measles immunisation could not be undertaken
because of the nor -availability of the vaccines, although it was
considered important to prevent measles and the complication of kerato
conjunctivitis commonly encountered in poorly nourished children.
An epidemiological survey has shown that whooping cough has been
eradicated from children in the age group of 3 months to 5 years
with only sporadic cases occuring in; schbpl-going children and in
infants less than 3 months old. Tetanus and diphtheria have not
been reported in the last one year and only one case of polio
myelitis has been reported from the target areas.
4.
Early_detectiqn,,and_treatment_of eye diseases.
It is estimated that 15 million people in India have eye
ailments and many of them go blind. Studies have shown that the
average length of time between the ohset of eye ailment and the'
commencement of appropriate treatment is atleapi; eight to ten days.
This is largely because of the non-availability of medical services'
at hand and partially due to ignorance. Many of ijhe cases are simple
inflamatory processes and post-traumatic infections which can be
treated by trained workers. In the project area, the services of
the Village Level Health Workers were well utilized by the.community
and the statistics indicate reduction in morbidity from eye ailments.
A study of trachoma, a common eye disease has shown 50% reduction.
-5-i
The reduction is attributed to mass treatment through the net-work
of Village Level Health Workers and the improved occular hygiene
that resulted from the educative efforts made by them.
5.
322§®bi2z;h2222_^®i®2?.i22_of cataract and_glaucoma.
Men and women over 35 years are screened periodically for
cataract and glaucoma. Most cases of mature cataracts have been
•identified by the Village Level Health Workers and referred for
suggical treatment. Figs. Ill & IV show the incidence of cataract
(mature and inmature) and glaucoma in a 10.000 population.
6.
2i§:b®£®s_^dji;£gertension_screening.
A door-to-door survey for diabetes mel-iitus and hypertension
was undertaken by the workers. Cases which were positive to urine
test for diabetes were called for a blood sugar test followed by
treatment wherever necessary. The workers, continue to follow up
the cases and offer treatment and guidance on liet. They also
monitor the vision of these patients periodically. Anti-hypertension
programme, however, has been restricted to identification of cases,
guidance on dietary management and encouragement to seek medical adv:’
7 '■ Vision screening for school-going children and treatment of
refractive errors.
411 school-going children in the target community underwent
visual screening. Refraction and follow up services were offered.
Vision has been preserved in many children and adults by correction
of refractive errors. Fig.Ill shows the incidence of refractive
errors. Vision has been corrected in most cases of pressbiopics
which required correction. This has helped many men and women to
pursue their ovn trade such as tailoring, weaving, fibre work and
sb on.
8- -Hl •;nd Rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation of all the. incurably blind in the community
attempted. Those that could be trained,, were taught c^aik-makina
as a cottage industry. In the target area, houses are far apart
a.id for the handicapped, the uneven terrain of hillocks and streamletr.
-j h difficult to travers. Training was therefore imparted to the
blind individually, and in their own homes. The hazards and the
.-..-convenience of going to a training centre being eliminated,
greater co-operation and willingness to accept rehabilitative
education.was forthcoming and every one of the dozen trainable blind
we:-, i.-.ught chalk making. This craft, they are happily pursuing in
the familiar surroundings and the safety and warmth of their own
homos"
project continues to help procure raw materials and
market the finished product^
Those who could not be trained for a trade, wore encouraged to
resort to other productive occupations. A few were encouraged to
keep milch cows; sale of milk and milk products earn then snail suns
which make then less economically dependant on their families. It
was observed that the blind person derived a sense of joy and satis
faction in tending live creatures like cows which respond to his care.
Ho felt wanted. The feeling of purposelessness and dependance gave
way to new confidence. This was a positive rehabilitative effort
which changed his attitude and outlook. Another group of blind person
was sought to be rehabilitated by helping them to purchase items like
bicycles and wheel-barrows for hiring out. This method was possible
whore the blind man has his homo at a vantage location where customers
could roach him. Here too, it was noticed that the contact with the
community in the hiring transactions gave the blind man 'a sense of
belonging1,
EVALUATION.
The programme, being of an experimental nature, an evaluation
of it was necessary. It was considered important to assess critically
the role played by the Village Level Health Workers, thoir success
and failure in fullfilling their tasks, and their acceptance by this
community formed by literate people. A participatory evaluation
was conducted with community representatives, Village Level Health
Workers and programme organisers taking part. An expert group of
external evaluators reviewed the process of evaluation. The feed-back
from the community was obtained through group discussion, questionnaries and interviews. Evaluation provided an opportunity for the
Village Level Health Workers to analyse their own work.
The programme with its accent on preservation of vision was
well recieved by people and the role of Village Level Health Workers
as animators, educators and therapists was well accepted by the
literate community. Evaluators considered that the programme was
successful on a majority of counts and that it was .a simple and
low-cost intervension to tackle tho problem of blindness at the most
grass root level using the community's own personnel and material
resources to the maximum possible level and extent. The total
programme-cost was loss than three Indian rupees per individual
per year. Progressively, tho programme is biing made increasingly
self-sufficient in that the workers are being supported by the
community and part of the material cost being net by it.
-7-
CONCLUSION.
It is difficult, if not possible, to quantify something that one
tried to prevent and we do not attempt going for exploratory
calculations; nor do we dare draw serious conclusions. We are content
to believe that we have been able to prevent blindness in a few people,
restore vision in some and sensitise many more on this problem. We
have learned that eye disease, poor vision and blindness can be
minimised by a village health programme employing village workers
trained in the task. We feel that this model with a focus on
preservation of eye sight would be relevant to those parts of the world
where blindness is a serious problem. The problem of blindness, apait
from the human agony involved, imposes an immense economic burden upcr
the nation due to social dependance. It is much better to prevent
impairment of vision and blindness through promotive and curative
measures than to rehabilitate those who are blind. Since 1973, The
World Health Assembly of World Health Organisation has been concerned.
with the prevention of blindness. To-day, special emphasis is placed;
on the situation in the developing world, in obtaining data dn visual.
impairment and blindness, and in promoting further study on the most efficient method to prevent blindness. In the Christian Mission of ■
healing, we start to think in terms of the common man who has so far
been neglected and who needs our attention. - "Preserve the right.to
see, the prime human right".
.
REFERENCES
I
Agarwal L.P., Journal of the M.S.O.A. Vol. XIII No.2, February 197-.
Central Health Education Bureau (1968)-Swasth Hind 12, 245
Gupta U.C. (1969) Swasth Hind 13, 125
Mathur, G.M. et al, Journal of Common Disease 1, 115
Park J.E., Text Book of Preventive and Social Medicine,
Fifth Edn; 1976.'
6. W.H.O., Technical Report, Series No. 518.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ACOOTOEDGMENT.
I am grateful to my colleagues Dr.S. Joseph, Dr. Avis Eapen,
Dr. Thomas Abraham, Dr. Anna Thomas, Mr. Jacob .K. Thomas, and
Mrs. K. Joseph for their involvement in this programme and their
encouragement to write this paper. I am .also grateful to Prof. David
Merely and Dr. William Cutting for their valuable comments on this
manuscript. Dr. Tony Fernandez, Chief Ophthalmic Surgeon, L.E. Hospital
Angamali, Dr. D. Issac, General Secretary, C.M.A.I. and Mr. A.S.Ramesh,
Associate Research & Evaluation Officer, C.M.A.I. are acknowledged for
their participation in the evaluation. The project owes it existanco
to the dedication of the Village Level Health Workers-, participation
of the people and assistance and partnership by the Christoffel
Blindenmission, West Germany.
-------o--------
KERALA SASTRA SAHITYA PARISHAT
SASTRAKALA JATHA
OCTOBER 2, 1981
to
NOVEiMBER 7, 1981
from PAYYANNUR and KEDAKULAM
to TRICHUR
MEMBERS OF THE JATHA
SOUTHERN REGION
(TRIVANDRUM, QUILON, ALLEPPEY, KOTTAYAM.
ERNAKULAM DISTRICTS)
Captain
Members
Manager
IDIKKI AND
Kolazhi Narayanan
V. K. Sasidharan
P. K. Thankappan Pillai
M. C. Ravindran
K. R. Thankappan
Omanakkuttan
Kolazhi Murali
Ezhukon Murali
Abhilash
Thomas Varghese
NORTHERN REGION
(CANNANORE, WYNADU, KOZHIKKODE, MALAPPURAM, PALGHAT
AND TRICHUR DISTRICTS)
Captain
Members
Manager
M. R. Gopinathan Nair
M. S. Mohanan
K. G. Vasu
Nakulan
Vishnu Bhattathiripad
Premji
P. K. Sivadas
N. K. Sathyapalan
Artist Gopi
Mayyil Gopalakrishnan
A. A. Bose
SASTRAKALAJATHA
(science through art)
KERALA SASTRA SAHITYA PARISHAT
The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat is embarking on its
second Sastrakalajatha on October 2, 1981. The first jatha which
was held from October 2, to November 7, 1980 was a grand
success. It was a mass experiment to take ideas about science,
in its broadest sense, to common man through the medium of art.
The aim was not to convey pieces of information, rather, it was at
creating an attitude. The most important aspect is the intensely
human and social character of science as exemplified in the
relationship of man to nature and man to man-the essentials of
natural and social sciences and their integral unity.
The experiment was, by all standards, a grand success. The
jatha continued for 37 days, giving in all 245 performances, to a
total of over five lakhs of spectators. More than two lakhs rupees
worth of science books were sold during this jatha. The condition
for arranging performance at any place, is that they should sell a
minimum of Rs. 800 worth science books. There were centres
which had sold more than Rs. 2000 worth books.
Encouraged by the success of last year’s experiment and con
sidering the demand for reception from more and more centres, this
year two jathas are organized, one starting from Kedakulam in
Trivandrum district and another, starting from Payyannur at
Cannanore district. Both will begin on 2nd October and culminate
on 7th November in Trichur town.
The main themes of the jatha are education, health and envi
ronment. The repertoire consists of songs, dramas, folk arts etc.
for a total duration of six to seven hours. Items will be selected to
suit the local demands.
A short description of the items and route details are given
below. We take this opportunity to invite you to join us in the
jatha at any point convenient to you.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF ITEMS
DRAMA
1. Office: a true to life description of an office familiar to all of
us pointing out the necessity of decentralization.
2. Towards Light: struggle between black magic and science in
the treatment of rabies.
3. The Plains: stroy of an old man who moved the mountain and
of the lazy lot who could’nt do it.
4. War: waged by the multinational drug companies on the people
of the country.
5. Hell or the Hospital: A true to life description of our govern
ment hospitals.
6. Parrot: A raw description of the educative process which kills
every thing that is good in the child.
7. No Evidence: A short play based on the pollution of rivers by
paper mills and the failure of people to punish them.
OTTAMTHULLAL
1. Charity Hospital: A satarical description of the woeful condi
tions in government hospitals.
2. Elephant: A‘matter of fact’description of our public transport
system.
3. Letter to Mathai: on illiteracy
VILLADICHANPATTU
A story telling form of folk art
1. Galelio: The story of Galelio
2. Narabali: true story of attrocities towards harijans.
3. The Sinner: The tragedy of a doctor whose discovery of a life
saving drug was purchased by a big drug company, only to keep
it away from the market.
KAKKARISSI
Vanaparvam: A tribal art form, on the destruction of forests
and the woes of tribals.
SONGS
A couple of dozen action songs on literacy, science, environ
ment, poverty, language etc.
RECEPTION CENTERS
SOUTHERN REGION
TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT
OCT: 2
OCT: 5
09.00 Ketakulam(lnauguration)
09.00 Kidarakkuzhi
15.00 Edava
11.30 Kottukal
16.30 Varkala
15.30 Nellimoodu
17.30 Melvettur
17.30 Perumpazhathur
19.00 Anchuthengu
19.00 Perunkadavila
OCT: 3
OCT: 6
09.00 Kadakkavur
09.00 Maranellur
11.00 Chirayinkil
11.30 Malayinkizh
'15.30 Perunguzhi
15.30 Kattakkada
17.00 Kazhakkuttam
17.30 Kuttichal
19.00 Attipra
19.00 Vellanad
OCT: 4
OCT: 7
09.00 Aakkulam
09.00 Uzhamalakkal
11.00 Pattom G. H. S.
11.30 Chullimanur
14.30 Cotton Hill G. H. S.
15.30 Kurupuzha
16.00 Vanchiyoor
17.30 Palode
17.30 Museum
19.00 Perjnganmala
19.00 Gandhi Park
OCT: 8
09.00 Madathara
11.00 Kutathuppuzha
15.30 Channapetta
17.30 Ayoor
19.00 Parippally
OCT: 9
09.00 Nedungolam
11.00 Kottiyam
15.30 Koottikada
17.30 Velliman
19.00 Muthuvana
OCT: 10
09.00 Edavattom
11.00 Kottarakara
15.30 Pallickal
17.30 Pattazhi
19.00 Pathanapuram
QUILON DISTRICT
OCT: 11
09.00 Koodal
11.00 Malayalapuzha
15.30 Kozhenchery
17.30 Anandappally
19.00 Omallur
OCT: 12
09.00 Kodumon
11.00 Parakode
15.30 Kadampanadu
17.30 Sasthamcotta
19.00 Chavara
OCT: 13
09.00 Karunagapally
11.00 Chittumoola
15.30 Kuttipuram
17.30 Vallikadavu
19.00 Ochira
ALLEPPEY DISTRICT
OCT. 14
09.30 Krishnapuram J.T.S.
11.30 Kayamkulam
13.45 Mavelikkara
15.15 Cheppad LPDS
17.15 Harippadu
19.15 Purakkadu
OCT: 15
09.30 Ambalapuzha
11.00 Kakkadam
14.30 Punnapra
16.00 Thiravampads
18.00 Alleppey
OCT: 16
09.30 Muhamma
10.45 Puthenambalans
12.15 Kuttuveli
1430 Sherthalai
17.00 Andhakaranazhy
19.00 Mararikulam
OCT: 17
09.30 Thakazhy
11.00 Niranam
13.45 Mannar
15.30 Chennithala
(Mahatma H. S.)
18.30 Nedumpram
OCT: 18
14.30 Thiruvalla
16.30 Kizhakkanmullur
18.30 Vallamkulam
OCT: 19
09.00 Chengannur
11.00 Venmani
12.30 Pandalam
16.30 Edayaranmula
18.30 Chaleppally
KOTTAYAM DISTRICT
OCT: 20
09.00 Erumeli
11.00 Chittadi
13.30 Mundakkayam
15.30 Koruthode
18.30 Enthayar
OCT21
09.30 Thidanadu
11.30 Kanjirappally
14.00 Manimala
15.30 Pathanadu
17.00 Nedumkunnam
19.00 Kodungur
OCT: 22
09.30 Pampady
11.30 Puthuppally
14.00 Thottakkadu
16.00 Changanachery
18.00 Chingavanam,
OCT: 23
09.00 Kumarakorrr
11.00 Mannanam
14.00 Karippoothattu
16.00 Neendur
18.30 Kottayam
OCT: 24
09.30 Ettumanoor
11.30 Kaduthuruthy
14.00 Vadayar
16.00 Vaikom
18.00 Kulasekharamangalain
.OCT: 25
09.30 Neezhur
11.30 Marangattupally
14.00 Nechipuzhoor
16.30 Palai
19.00 Kadanadu
IDUKKI DISTRICT
OCT: 26
OCT: 29
09.00 Karimkunnam
10.00 Kattappana
12.30 Vazhithala town
13.00 Elappara
14.30 Arikuzha
14.30 Pampanar
16.00 Chittoor
16.00 Vandipperiyar
18.00 Thodupuzha
18.00 Kumali
OCT: 27
OCT: 30
09.00 Kumaramangalam
09.00 Nedumkandam
11.00 Padinjare Kodikulam
11.00 Santhanpara
12.30 Muthalakodam
13.00 Rajakumari (North)
15.00 Newman College,
15.30 Rajakumari (South)
Thodupuzha
17.30 Rajakkadu
17.30 Kalayanthani
OCT: 28
OCT: 31
09.00 Muttam
09.30 Kunchithanni
10.30 Kudayathur
11.00 Chithirapuram
12.00 Moolamattom
13.30 Munnar
14.30 Kulamavu
15.30 Kallar
17.00 Vazhathoppu
17.30 Adimali
ERNAKULAM DISTRICT
NOV: 1
NOV: 4
10.30 Kothamangalam
12.00 Muvattupuzha
14.30 Koothattukulam
17.00 Elanji
18.30 Piravam
NOV: 2
09.00 Mulamthuruthi
11.00 Irumpanam
13.00 Puthenkurisu
15.30 Kizhakkambalam
18.30 Ernakulam
NOV: 3
09.00 Ernakulam Maharajah’s
College
11.00 Kaloor
14.00 Eloor
16.30 Kalamassery
18.00 Alwaye
09.00 Kodungallur
11.30 Koonammavu
15.00 Maliyankara
17.30 Parur
19.00 Cherai
NOV: 5
09.00 Thattampadi
11.30 Vazhamkulam
14.00 Perumpa'vur
15.30 Okkal
18.00 Kaladi Plantation
NOV: 6
09.00 Mayapra
11.00 Mookkannur
14.00 Thuravur
16.30 Angamali
18.30 Azhakam
NORTHERN REGION
CANNANORE DISTRICT
OCT: 2
09.00 Payyannur (Inauguration)
13.00 Cherupuzha
14.45 Padiyottuchal
16.15 Velloor
17.30 Karivelloor
OCT: 6
09.00 Madai
10.30 Cherukunnu
12.00 Kallyasseri
15.00 Anchampeedika
18.00 Kadamperi
OCT: 3
09.00 Kanjangadu
10.45 Vellikothu
12.15 Ampalathara
14.45 Madikkai
17.00 Kuttikkol
OCT: 7
09.00 Thalipparamba
11.00 Karuvanchala
12.15 Alakkode
14.45 Naduvil
17.00 Kudiyanmala
OCT: 4
09.30 Chemmanadu
11.30 Cherakkala
15.00 Uppala
16.30 Kumpala
18.00 Kasargodu
OCT: 8
09.00 Chemperi
10.30 Sreekandapuram
13.00 Orappodi
16.00 Azheekkal
18.00 Cannanore
OCT: 9
09.00 Pinarayi
10.45 Dharmadam
12.00 Kolassery
14.30 Thottummal
16.00 Manamtheri
18.30 Chirakkara
OCT: 5
09.00 Periya.
11.15 Cheruvathur
12.45 Thrikaripur
15.00 Mathamangalam
17.30 Kunjimangalam
WYNADU DISTRICT
OCT: 10
09.00 Thavinjat
11.30 Kattikulam
15.30 Kallodi
17.30 Mananthavadi
19.00 Vellamunda
OCT: 11
09.00 Kavummadam
11.30 Padinjarethara
15.30 Koleri
17.30 Poothadi
OCT: 12
09.00 Batheri
11.30 Ambalavayal
15.00 Meppadi
17.30 Chundel
19.00 Kalpatta
CALICUT DISTRICT
OCT: 13
09.00 Ulliyeri
10.45 Vakayadu
15.00 Kayanna
16.45 Kuthali
18.30 Kuttiyadi
OCT: 16
09.00 Thachankuimu
10.45 Pallikkara
15.00 Thiruvandur
16.45 Cheliya
18.30 Koyilandi
OCT: 14
09.00 Chanearamkulam
10.45 Nadapuram
15.00 Vellikulangara
16.45 Kannookkara
18.30 Puthiyappu
OCT: 17
09.00 Nanminda
10.45 Koduvally
15.00 Chathamangalam
17.30 Chennamangallur
19.00 Mavur
OCT: 15
09.00 Memunda
10 45 Palolippalam
15.00 Thiruvaliur
16.45 Maniyur
18.30 Mooradu
OCT: 18
09.00 Medical College
10.45 Pantheerankavu
15.00 Railway Colony
17.30 Kallai
18.30 Feroke
MALAPPURAM DISTRICT
OCT: 19
09.00 Olipramkadavu
(University)
10.45 Thirurangadi
15.00 Ariyalloor
16.45 Thirur
18.30 Purathur
OCT: 20
09.00 Kalpakamcheri
11.00 Vattamkulam
15.00 Maranchery
17.00 Kuttippuram
18.45 Kottakkal
OCT: 21
09.00 Malappuram
10.45 Vengara
15.00 A R Nagar
16.45 Nediyiruppu
18.30 Edavannappara.
OCT: 22
09.00 Kizhissery
10.45 Edavanna
14.30 Nilambur
16.45 Karuvarakundu
18.30 Melattur
OCT: 23
09.00 Pandikadu
10.45 Vandoor
15.00 Karakkunnu
16.45 Manjeri
18.30 Mankada
OCT: 24
09.00 Makkara Paramba
10.45 Angadippuram
15.00 PerinthaJmanna
16.45 Pulamanthol
18.30 Elamkulam
PALGHAT DISTRICT
15.00 Kinavallur
17.00 Pirayiri
18.30 Moothanthara,
OCT: 28
09.00 Puthuparlyaram
10.45 Kottekkadu (Puthur)
14.30 Polpulli
16.45 Nalleppilll
18.30 Menonpara
OCT: 30
09.00 Kozhinjampara
10.45 Parakkal
14.30 Vandithavalam
16.45 Chittoor
18.30 Chatliamangalans
OCT: 31
09.00 Peruvembu
10.45 Thenkurussi
14.30 Kunissery
16.45 Thiruvazhiyodu
18.30 Kavassery
OCT: 25
09.00 Koppatrf
10.45 Paranthur
14.30 Pattambv
I6-.45 Padinjarangadi
18.30 Thrithala
OCT: 26
09:00 Perungod'u
10.45 Thirumittakkodis
14.30 Ongallur
16.45 Shoranur
18.30 Ottappalam
OCT: 27
09.00 Peroor
10.45 Kadambur
15.00 Thavalam;
17.00 Agali
OCT: 28
09.00 Kanjirapuzfta.
10.45 Kalladikodu.
TRICHUR DISTRICT
NOV: I
18.30 Engandiyoor
NOV: 4
09.00 Pazhayannoor
Chelakkara
09.00 Thriprayar
10.45 Mayannoor
11.00 Mathilakam
14.30 Elanad
14.30 Azhikkodu
16.45 Panjal
16.45 Kottappuranr
18.30 Mttllookkara
18.30 Kodungalloor
NOV: 2
NOV: 5
09.00 Aryanpadani
09.00 Konathukunnui
10.45 Pazhanji
10.45 Ashtamichira
14.30 Perumpilavir
14.30 Kuzhoor
16.45 Puthenpally
16.45 Annamanada
(Mammiyoor College)
18.30 Chaiakkudy
18.30 Chavakkadu
NOV: 6
NOV: I
09.00 Kuttlchira
10.45 Vellikkulangara
09.00 Guruvayur
14.30 Parappookkavu
10.45 Paluvay
16.45 Porathassery
14.30 Kanjani
16.45 Vadanapally
18.30 Kanimangalam
NOVEMBER 7, 1981
Both jathas converge to Trichur town, they give performances
at Railway Station, West Fort, Sitaram Mills, Sahitya Akademi,
Peechi, Mannuthi, East Fort and finally enter Swaraj Round
<A.
The gap between those who need health care and those
who receive them is very great, and what is worse is widening.
There is a wide disparity between the health facilities
available to the urban affluent and the rural poor.
The felt need of the day: A diocese like Mananthavady with
scarce resources cannot go far in health care and cure. But
certainly the diocese has an obligation to provide, cure where
possible and care for all the sick. We have to pay much greater
attention to the aspects of comprehensive health care. Communicable
and infectious diseases such as Scabies, Gastro-entrities,
Tuberculosese and other respiratory diseases (very common in the
area) continue to take heavy toil of human life in the villages.
iVal-nutrition is rampant, — worm infestation is extremely
common among the village people. All these social diseases
affect their family and community. The practice of medicine
has to go beyond the present urban centered hospital system
to the rural serving system. Instead of seeking medical health
care it should be a system of taking service to the people.
The meeting of all the' directors and their helpers
of all the hospitals of the diocese conducted on 6th July, 1978
stressed the point that the diocese should not encourage big
hospitals with modern highly sophisticated equipments but to
make available health care facilities to the rural population
especially to the poor villagers. The participants of this meeting
found the proposals of Rev. Fr. Charles, Director of St. Benedict
Hospital Makkiyad suitable, most urgent and necessary. To ensure
this according to his proposals;
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
It is to be shaped around the life styles of the village people.
The village people should be actively involved in planning and
execution so that their needs and priorities are met with.
.Health care offerred, should make maximum use of the community
res--ces.
It shoulb'^!ll with common diseases and be able to cure where
possible and ca*.
,'1 cases<
It should take up more ^ventive measures rather than curative.
It should take steps for actx^ OJ?omotion of health in community,
It should educate each individual^
„unity to become
aware of health care.
To achieve the above proposals: To Establishment or
centralized mobile system of health care is an absolute
By this system it is aimed to make reach health care to every
remote village of the diocese.
Community
47». (First Floor ‘^-ALTH CEU. 2
) Jt. Marks fioad
BAAig.Uo
c 560 001
2
This proposer1 system consists of:
1.
2.
3.
One central hospital.
Sub-centres.
Rural health centres.
The central hospital should have specialised doctors
and equipments and should be able to attend all cases referred
by the sub-centres. The sub-centre (attached to the already
existing hospital) must take care of all the rural health
centres attached to it.
The working
of the Proposed Scheme:
1st Stage: Covering the whole area of North Vtynad, the most
backward and undeveloped area of Cannanore District.
St. Joseph’s Hospital at Manathavady which already
functions now will be central hospital. There will be 4 sub
centres namely St. Ann's Hospital, Nadvayal, St. Benedict's
Hospital Makkiyad, Vincent-giri Hospital at Vemome, St.Thomas
Hospital at Poroor.
Each sub-centre will have as many rural health centres
as necessary which will be visited by the mobile unit of the
sub-centre, once or twice a week as necessary.
Each rural health centre consists of a small building
with necessary furniture and equipments. This building could
be used as mult-purpose community centres also. The sub-centre
which will be attached to the already existing respective hospitals
will be given a doctor, a nurse, an auxilliary, a driver and a
mobile staff (accommodated in the sub-centre) will visit the
respective rural health centres helping the villagers by;
1. Control of communicable diseases: By preventing the spread
0,1 epidemics and notifying such diseases, undertaking vaccinations
and imrnurvs.Sa-tion, identifying, treating advising and when necessary
referring to
sub-centre all cases requiring hospitalised
treatment.
2. Provision of Maternal, Cage, gy identifying the pregnant women
in the villages, advising and testing -em and referring
abnormal cases to the sub—centre, prepare them for safe delivery,
assisting at child birth if necessary, giving jix.st care tQ the
mother and baby, giving post-natal care, giving family Piann:£ng
information and by educating them on natural family planning.
Administration of the scheme:
The scheme will be supervised by a
diocesan health co-ordination board, consisting of president,
ex-officio member, executive director appointed by the board, a
nominee of W S S S and one nominee from each sub-centre.
. . .3
3
The board will be responsible for the working and
supervision of the scheme.
About Sub-centres:
1. Makkiyad: The radius of around 20 kms. from Makkiyad there is
no other hospital worth its name. There are nearly 8000 families
consisting of at least 6 members each mostly all poor farmers or
agricultural workers; for a long time, a hospital to look after
the health care of the people was a crying need of the place.
Fortunately, MISEREGR helped the Social Welfare Society to
build a small hospital. The above Society was started in 1970
by nearly 40 poor agricultural workers to help themselves as well
as others in a co-operative style. The members pledge to
contribut 50% of their not profit from their respective work,
to the common fund of the society thus enabling the Society to do
development and charitable works. The Society is running this
St. Benedict’s Hospital Makkiyad at their cost. The Society is
also agreeable and happy to take up this mobile health scheme.
The sub-centres coming under this hospital are the following :
Distance from Makkiyad
Place
7 kms.
11 kms.
10 kms.
8 kms.
11 kms.
6 kms.
11 kms.
11 kms.
13 kms.
1. Niravilpuzha
2. Kunjome
3. Thettamala
4. Pulinjal
5. Vellamunc’a
6. Vanjode
7. Valad
3. Pudussery
9. Kallody
The above places will be visited twice a week.
Economic Tata:
Capital Investments
Sub-Centre:
1 . A mobile van
- Rs. 65,000.00
2. Equipments
6,000.00
3. Land and building for nine
rural centres (9x8000)
72,000.00
Total
Rs X,43,000.00
Maintenance for two years:
Doctor
1,500 x 12 x 2
Nurse and Auxilliary 750 x 12 x 2
Driver 300 x 12 x 2
Van maintenance 150 x 12 x 2
Diesel - 350 kms. a week at the rate of
10 kms. p-er litre
Total: :
- Rs.36,000.00
18,000.00
7,200.00
3,600.00
-
5,733.00
70,533.00
4
Total expenditure
= Rs. 1,43,000.00 +
Rs.
70,533.00
= Rs.2,13,533.00
Local contribution expected:
From nine rural centres 9 x 3,000
= Rs. 27,000.00
From M.C.H. Fro.gramme 9x50x12x2= Rs. 10,300.00
From patients 400 x 9 x 2
= Rs. 7,200.00
(50 paise will be charged for
consultation)
Total
Rs. 45,000.00
Deficit
= Rs.2,13,533.00 Rs. 45,000.00
= Rs.1,63,533.00
2. Nacavayal St. Ann's Hospital:
This hospital run by the Congregation of St. Ann's.
The original inhabitants were Goubars (from Karnataka), Namboodiris,
Nairs, and Tribals. Settlers started coming from 1940 onwards.
There was no health service available and no roads to
reach the towns. The existing hospitals are 30 kms. and 20 kms.
away.
The people of the locality collected funds and bought
5 acres of land costing Rs.35,000/- and entrusted the St.Ann's
Sisters.of Vijayawada. The Sisters from their own resources have
put up a good hospital. It was inaugurated in 1976. They have given
their co-operation executing the proposed scheme by serving four
stations. They intend to visit twice a week these centres.
Name of rural centres:
Distance from Nadavayal
1. Kalluvayal
6 kms.
2. Valavayal
10 kms3. Cherukattoor
13 kms.
4. Vekeri
8 kms.
Economic Data:
1. Jeep
2. Equipments
3. Land and building (4 x 8000)
Total :
- Rs. 65,000.00
- Rs. 6,000.00
- Rs. 32,000.00
Rs J,03,000.00
5
Maintenance for two years :
Doctor
1,500 x 12 x 2
Nurse and Auxilliary 750 x 12 x 2
Driver 300 x 12 x 2
Jeep maintenance 150 x 12 x 2
Rs. 36,000.00
Rs. 18,000.00
Rs. 7,200.00
Rs. 3,600.00
Diesel -U520_kms. x @Rs.1>65
Rs.
1,900.00
10 kms/litre
Total:
Rs. 66,700.00
Total expenditure = Es.1,03,000 +
Rs. 66,700
Rs.1,69,700
Expected income :
Local contribution from 4 centres - 24x30000
M.b.H. Programme 4 x 50 x 12 x 2
Cost of Jeep
From patients
Total
deficit
Rs.. 12,000.00
Rs. 4,800.00
Rs. 65,000.00
Rs. 3,200.00
Rs. 85,000,00
= Rs. .1,69,700 Rs.
85,000= Rs.
84,700
3. Poroor St. Thomas run by the Diocese:
Radius of 21 kms. from Poroor. There are nearly 2600
families. The Hospital is situated at Kattimoola, Poroor. The
original inhabitants of the place are Kurichiyas, Faniyas and Nairs.
Muslims and Christians migrated from 1940 onwards.
The place is 20 Kms. away from Manathavady. The nearest
hospital is at Mananthavady. Because of the distance and lack of
motorable roads, the need of a hospital was very much felt.
The parishioners of St.Sebastian’s Church Poroor under
the guidance of Fr. Kattoor ( who worked and died here at the age of
39) collected funds. They cut roads for the Fanchayats to raise
funds. Got an aid of Rs.35,000/- from Caritas. Some parishioners
and friends abroad arranged funds and in 1974 a building costing
Rs.1,50,000/- was constructed, for the hospital.. The doctors
who came to serve there could win the people by their approachability
and adaptability to the village set up. Now the tribals and Muslim
women feeling so free to approach the hospital for treatment!
6
The Sacred Heart Sisters are serving the hospital.
Name of rural centre :
1. Thavinjal
2. Alattil
3. Parathottam
4. Orappa
5. Edathana
They
Distance
6 kms.
15 kms
10 kms.
6 kms.
6 kms.
Economic Tata:
Jeep
Equipments
Land and building 8000 x 5
Rs.. 65,000.00
Rs. 6,000.00
Rs. 40,000.00
Total:
Rs .1,11,000. 00
Maintenance :
Doctor
1,500 x 12 x 2
Nurse and Auxilliary 750 x 12 x 2
Driver
300 x 12 x 2
Jeep maintenance 150 x 12 x 2
riesel-i^OO______ •x @ Rs. 1.65
LOkms./litre
Total:
Total amount
Rs. 36,000.00
Rs. 18,000.00
Rs. 7,200.00
Rs. 3,600.00
Rs.
3,052.00
Rs. 67,852.00
Rs. 1,11,000.00 +
67,852.00
1,78,852.00
Expected local contribution:
Local contributioni from 5 centres 3,000 x 5
From M.C.H. Programme 5 x 50 x 12 x 2
From patients 400 x 5 x 2
Total
Deficit
Rs. 15,000.00
Rs. 6, OOO.’OO
Rs. 4,000.00
Rs. 25,000.00
Rs. 1,78,852.00 T
25,000.00
Rs. 1,53,852.00
St. Vincent's Hospital, Vincentqiri, Vemom.
This hospital is 3 kms. from Mananthavady on the Mysore Road.
The Congregation of Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
manages this hospital.
... .7
7
The principal apostolate of the sisters is medical service.
It was started in 1977. The hospital has 12 beds, a doctor and
4 nurses. They already conduct mobile camps at Thirunelly,
Thrissilery and Kellur occasionally.
They also have agreed to co-operate with the scheme.
Hospital will serve 6 centres.
Name of rural centre
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
This
Distance from centre
Thrissilery
Thirunelly
Kellur
Kammana
Deepthigiri
6. Kommayad
8 kms.
30 kms.
13 kms.
18 kms.
10 kms
13 kms.
Economic data:
Jeep
Equipments
Land and building
Rs. 65,000.00
Rs. 6,000.00
Rs. 48,000.00
Total
Rsl.,19,000.00
Doctor
1,500 x 12 x 2
Nurse and Auxilliary 750 x 12 x 2
Driver
300 x 12 x 2
Jeep maintenance
Rs. 36,000.00
Rs. 18,000.00
Rs. 7,200.00
Rs. 3,600.00
Diesel-~-~---~---- x @ Rs. 1.65
10 kms./littre
Rs.
Maintenance :
Total:
5,824.00
Rs. 70,624.00
Total expenditure = Rs. 1,19,000 +
70,624
Rs. 1,89,624
Expected income;
Local contribution from 6 centres 3,000 x 6
Jeep
Income from M.C.H. programme 6 x 50 x 12 x 2
From patients 400 x 6 x 2
Total
Deficit
= 1,89,624 95,000
Rs. 94,624/-
Rs.13,000.00
Rs.65,000.00
Rs. 7,200.00
RS. 4,800.00
Rs.95,000.00
8
A total managerial and supervisional expenditure of Rs.1,000/per month is foreseen, including salary and T.A.
Rs.1,000 x 12 x 2
Rs. 24’, 000/-
Grand Total:
Capital investment
1,43,000.00
1,03,000.00
1,11,000.00
1,19,000.00
. Maintenance
70,533.00
66,700.00
67,852.00
12,000.00
Income
45,000.00
85,000.00
25,000.00
Deficit
1,68,533.00
84,700.00
1,53,852.00
94,624.00
4,76,000.00
2,87,709.00
2 ,50,000.00
5,13,709.00
2,87,709.00
7,63,709.00
Grant requested for the Scheme = Rs. 7, 63,709 2, 50,000
Rs.5, 13,709
Continuity of the Project:
After the laps;e of two years we expect the sub-centres will
be able to take up this scheme by themselves from their own income.
And also we expect economic development of the villagers.
The Map of the project area depicting diagraphically the
health programme is enclosed.
@ © @ @
kesflLn-%
K23ALA
NIIHI
-3£- 30
Kerala Gandhi Staarnk Nidbi, Gandhi Bhawan, P.O. Thyeaud,
Trivandrum 695014; Kerala, started functioning as the State branch
of Gandhi Smarak Nidbi since 1951 but became an autonomous insti
tution when it was registered in 1962 as a society.
Objectives and Pro'Trama es ;
Its constitution adopted all the items of the ’Constructive
Programme1 as its objectives.
Its agricultural programmes covers 65 villages and 40,000
families;
livestock development-22 villages and 1,900 families;
fisheries-6 villages and 250 families;
Village and cottage indus-
tries-73 villages and 1,364 families; education and ti’ainin^-32
villages and 2,800 families;
7,000 families;
Community health—36 villages and
Family welfare-36 villages and 6,000 families;
Appropriate tecbnology-6 villages and 350 families;
Recreation
and cultural progranmes-65 villages and 50,000 families; and
Child welfare—55 villages and 5,COO families.
are
The programmes cover the entire state and/carried on
through various centres located in 10 of
the State.
total 11 districts of
There are 23 centres with 14 sub—centres.
Vorkere :
The Nidhi hes 92 full-time, 164 part-time and 116 voluntary
workers.
Of them 34 are trained in various specialised fields,
28 belong to Nair, 18 to Nsnhova, 12 to Christian and two each to
Brahmin, Muslin and scheduled caste communities.
-39
MITRA
T
NIE3TAN
Mitraniketan (abode of friends), founded in 1956 by a group
of young men under the initiative and leadership of Sri K. Viswanathan
is a voluntary organisation for community education and rural develop
ment open to all irrespective cf caste, creed, sex or nationality,
provided their motivation is to serve the common man.
It has no
sectarian, religious, political or parochial bias and it advocates
national unity and integration and international peace and solidarity.
Registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and
Charitable Societies' Registration Act XII of 1955 as S.No. 11 of
1967 It has now completed 21 years of social service activities. Its
postal address is Mitra Mik etan, P.O. Vellanad 695543, Telephone
Kattakade 45, Cable "MITRANAD"
Trivandrum, Kerala.
Started as an experiment in education-centred community and
community-centred education,,it has developed
through these years
a complex of educational institutions beginnicg from yre-prinavy to
secondary level and a centre for educational research, innovation
and development (C3RU)) recognised by the University of Kerala for
doing research at doctorate level (Ph.D. degree) in Community
Education and rural development.
It also maintains production-
cu&-training centres such as carpentry, printing press, khadi
spinning and weaving, pottery, and poultry farms for the work
experience programme of the school children.
Its educational and
training activities in the camps a rd extension
work off the campus
are both intended to serve as a catalyst in integrated rural develop
ment.
As is its concept, Mitraniketan chose education as the core
of its activities and all others radiate Iran it.
The philosophy
behind Mitraniketan education system is the development of a pattern
of education which includes not only convention schooling but
participation at all
levels in all the affairs of life.
Further,
all its programmes are directed towards the improvement of the
poorest and down trodden sections of the people.
It is with the
- 40
ideology that not the economic growth of the country itself, hut
the total well-being of a man in his social environment,is its
ultimate condition for the justification of development and social
to rk that Mitraniketan wo rks and strives for.
Some salient features of the school run by Mitraniketan
are given below:—
i)
Classes are conducted in the open air under the shade
of trees, (shifting the children to hexagonal open
thatched ste ds d.uritg rains and hot sun);
ii)
Admission is mostly given in the order of
preference
to:-
iii)
a)
hill tribes
b)
scheduled castes; and
c)
other backward classes with the result that nearly
9t5% of the students belongs to the poor and down
trodden sections of the population;
Tuition, boarding and lodging are free to all and about
90$ of the school child ren are boarders.
In order to
give individual attention ard to lessen the financial
burden, admission to'each class is restricted to 20.
The entire administration of the institution is run on a
democratic, basis vested -with a Trust whose Governing Body consists
of 21 members elected from among eminent persons of different walks
of life such as educationists, arti-sts, engineers, social worker
etc.
The day-to-day administration io carried on by an Executive
Committee elected
from among the members of the Governing Body.
It had been under consideration of the Governing Body to
start an International Culture- , Contact and Information Centre
which would serve as a window of
Mitraniketan on the outside world
while serving students, youth ard other local visiting groups from
- 41
Kerala, India aid abroad.
Per this purpose "Thanjazoor Aama
Veede" on the Arat -load in Trivandrum with 61 cents of laud
and 2 buildings of traditional Kerala style was purchased raising
a bank loan of 3s. 3 lakhs.
Object and Programed t
Ar.bng the objectives of the organisation, given in its
constitution, the following mey be mentioned•—
i)
To develop the individual, family, and canmunity through
a well-integrated educational process;
ii)
To continu^io develop aid promote education, research,
an! training covering all phases.of learning aid living;
iii)
To promote personal, family, community, regional aid
general development, effecting human understanding and
fellowship;
iv)
To integrate education with social, eeonomip^nd other
v)
To train people for democratic action and leadership
activities;
by introducing aid effectively propagating social,
educational aid economic systems;
vi)
To facilitate th? development of the artistic atd
histrionic talents of the individual members of the
community;
vii)
To collect ard diffuse knowledge and information covering
viii)
To conduct study tours, seminars, work camps, excursions
the possibility and achievements of community life ;
etc. end to initiate the open doors system aid the youth
hostel movement etc. for the promotion of national and
international utd er staid ng.
- 42
Programmes ccver running of educational institution3 for
formal, informal and non-formal education, workshops for training
village leaders, progressive farmers and cattle breeders, imple
menting vocational training schemes, conducting seminars, group
discussions etc. and carrying out all other activities pertaining
to integrated rural development.
Methodologies of ~7ork '■
■Agriculture programme
—
called together at Mitraniketan.
The progressive farmers are
Experts of the Agriculture
Department are also invited to Mitraniketan to explain to the
farmers the advantages of the programe and how to implement it,
Mitranikstan
farm is used as the demonstration centre from where
the farmers can learn all the operations such as sowing, planting
or transplaiting, application of manure, pesticides etc.
Seminars
atd group discussions are held as a feed back and to assess the
impact of the training of the participants.
The same procedure
is folio-wed in respect <£ Animal Husbandry, Poultry, Health
programme etc.
Beneficiaries ;
Number of beneficiaries - Not less than one lakh of
people directly ever since the inception of Mitraniketan in
1956 and 3 lakhs indirectly.
JANA SAUKHYA
( BRIEF REPORT - 1991 )
ORIGIN X
Jana Saukhya was organised by a group of individuals who
were concerned on the health of the people of Wayanad. They
firmly belived that health is the responsibility of the com
munity and more than criticism, positive action was necessary.
They thoght of organising a health co-operative and obtained
permission of the co-operative department and collected the
inXitial capital. It was not finally registered because of
some legal bottleneck. So Jana Saukhya was fxixakkiix finally
registered under Societies Registeration Act of XXI of 1860.
Fr. C.M.Thomas was the founder President, Mr. George Joseph
Treasurer and Mr. Babukutty Thomas Secretary.
VISION AND ASPIRATIONS :
After various discussions and serious studies members of
Jana Saukhya were convinced that health problems have their
roots in different aspect of community life. It cannot just
be seen as illness and care. The problem cannot be talked by
health interventions alone. We have to put greater emphasis
on preventive and promotive. Nutrition, si environmental and
personal hygiene are points which come in the formost. Though
health is the major concern xsit is obvious also that the mala
dies are rooted deeply in the socio-economic backwardness which
again in more radical issues. Any how the solution has to be
tried at, however partial or perfect the outcome be. The mem
bers fully interrevised that "health cannot be bought in the
hospital, but has to be worked out by constant action". This
is true both in case of individual as well as that of the
community.
WHERE TO START ;
i/
JANA SAUKHYA had a community health programme in mind.
At the same time health habits and attitudes are formed in
an individual at an early age. At this age the individuals
are children and they attend school. So the school health
programme attempted. The motto of the programme is from
" Child to Child, Child to Adult and Child to Community ".
In the beginning we introduced the programme only in seven
schools. We could expand thesame to 86 schools by the
year 1990. All these schools have joined with our programmeXbyxl±tHixawn
y by theirown , witnessing the quality and necessity of the
.activities implemented in neighbouring schools. It shows that
/jJ^he mode of activities introduced by H Jana Saukhya is unique
-*-n ^ts nature and is really a necessity of the time.
-2The Expert Committee on School Health Programme of World
Health Organisation in its conference at Geneeva on 5ht August
1983 suggested that the children are waiting for proper prot
ection and guidance during their life cycle exposed to various
changes of growth in various circumstances. In 1965 the School
Health Committee of our nation reported that " it is needless
to point out that although the need for school health services
has been felt by one and all, no concrete steps have so far taken
either by State or Central Government to implement any compre
hensive programme aparticularly in the rural parts of the country
At this juncture the involvement of the community as well as the
Voluntary Agencies is considered with prime importance. It
improves not only the health of the younger generation but of the
whole community itself.
Just too give an idea about the magnitude of the problem,
we quote from March 4, 1979 Hindustan Times " The number of
children suffering from malnutrition is estimated at between .
40 million to 120 million and every month nearly 100^000
children die of malnutrition. Nearly 92 million children in
India live below the poverty line in socio-economic environments,
which are unfavourable for their survival. Further 90% of the
school going children in India weigh 10 to 40 % less than those
in the affluent countries. It is estimated that 22 % of school
going children show one or more signs of malnutrition", and
over three million children suffering from some kind of handicap
or other. The Bore Committee has recommended the Government
in 1946 for the introduction of school health programme and of
the need of training the teachers in health education. But,
the implementation of the programme is being restricted to
few token services only. That is the reason for Jana Saukhya
to give maximum importance for school health programme by
introducing the activities as to be benefited by the students
and teachers and through them the whole community.
ACTIVITIES :
Jana Saukhya doesn’t believe in a health service restricted
with in the four walls of a Hospital. Neither it believes in
the ultramodern sophisticated treatment of the specialists where
man is considered part by part. We considered man as such
respecting his personality giving importance to his personal
growth development by helping him for the mental, social,economic
and spiritual wellness.
-3-
We introduce very simple but useful programmes in accordance
to each ones efficiency and need. The acceptance and parcticability of the working style of Jana Saukhya is based in its simplicity.
We give preference to the preventive, promotive aid rehabilitative
aspects of health than to the curative. We kan teach and aware
the people various subjects like Health habits, environmental
sanitation, personal hygiene, common diseases and their preve
ntion, low cost nutritious food, low cost treatment like herbal
medicines, and nature cure, vegetable cultivation, low cost
latrins, safe drinking water etc... etc...
AWARENESS PR0GRAI4ME :
"Health cannot be given or bought but has to earned" was the
slogan we adopted for the year 1990-91. The above slogan was
incorporated in all our programme conducted for the teachers,
students, social workers and the public. Besides the usual training
programmes we had the training in first-aid administration separatly.
This year all the items supplied in the First-aid were Ayurvedic andzhsodaa.
herbal medicinal plants to the selected schools from our herbal
nursury. We plan to expand the programme to more schools and even
to the families inorder to popularise the use of herbal medicinal
plants for common ailments.
HERBAL NURSARY :
This year we have planned for a herbal medicinal plant nursary
with the aid of the Government and tine project has already been
submitted for the approval. This will include training of the
animators, raising the mother nursery, raising the untwise nur
series, distribution of seedlings and seeds, collection of the
products, marketting and formation of co-operatives. This give
will give us the opportunity s for the direct involvement with
the commun i ti es .
FILM SHOW
•
Mainly there were two aims for conducting film programme
in schools. We included a feature x film also along with the
documentary films related to health education. The first reason
ofcourse was to build awareness among the students on health
matters. The inceusion of feature film was aimed at attracting
the public as well as the students. Secondly we want to raise a
small fund for the unitwise expenses in school level for the
implementation of the programme. This programme was really a
success to spread the ideas among the children and the community.
Still we could not succeed fully since a good number of teachers
were engaged in sensus, literacy and election works this year.
CULTURAIx-^BROGRAMME
:
-4-
CULTURAL PROGRAMME
:
The cultural troups of Jana Saukhya staged 1 Horakadha 1,
Puppet Show, and ’Street Drama' which were appreciated by the
students as well as the public. Also the troupe was invited
by other organisations and institutions outside the district
for staging the programme. This was taken in Video Cassettes
by the "Community Health Care Research Centre" at Kalamassery,
Rajagiri College. Imparting the health message through the
cultural media seems to be very successful and appreciated by all.
PUBLICATIONS
:
*
We gave due importance for the publications in 1990-91.
A New Editorial Board was appointed to do the things more
carefully for the design and material collectEdion. The seasonal
subjects were chosen for the publication. Fr.Joseph Chittoor
prepared a leaflet on "Values endangered" and Fr.Thomas Joseph
on "Consumerism". Also a book named "Chilavu kuranja chikilsavidhikal" was published Fr. Joseph Chittoor dealing with herbal
medicinal plants and the treatment. Our news bulletin is designed
with more pages and materials. We distribute the bulletin and
the leaflets among the students, teachers and the public regularly
RESOURCE TEAM
:
Jana Saukhya has a resource team of selected and trained
teachers and other experts from the public. They help us in
conducting classes and seminats in schoold level and for the
common training of the school health guides.
EXHIBITION
:
Exhibition has got an important role in Health Education
and the awareness building. We arranged an exhibition at
A.U.P.School, Dwaraka on 2nd March ’91 especially for the
community health workers and the literacy instructors of the
district. This was visited also by many Government officers
and the public. The exhibition conducted from 16th to 28th
March in connection with the festival at Valliyoorkavu was
really benefited by thousands of people. We focussed mainely
on School Health, Nature Cure, Herbal Medicines and Drug Hazards.
SPECIAL CAMPS :
■This year we arranged an Eye Camp at Dwaraka for the identi
fied students and the public. The medical team of Kariambady
Eye Hospital helped us with resource. Also we arranged ’Blood
Group Detect!cxi Camps’ at pulpally, Kabanigiri and Thondemad
for about 1000 students.
-5.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
:
'All India Radios' broadcasted a feature on the acitivities
of Jana Saukhya in the head of "The role of voluntary organisa
tions in the field of Health Education" on 9th March 1991. The
same programme was broadcasted consecutively for 3 days.
The press confrence summoned on 2nd February helped us to a
great estent for the publicity of our programme through various
news papers published in Kerala.
Besides we are in ss constant relationship with ^various
National and International Organisations like Forum for DevelopMent(FDA) Collective Health Action (CHA) Madras, VoluntaryxAction
Network, India (VANI) Catholic Hospital Association of India(CHAI)
Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) Aiian Health Institute
(AHI) Japan etc.. This relationship is very useful for the solidarity
and exchange of ideas and experience in our activities.
AROGYA MELA :
We celebrate the Health Day every year with a variety of
programme to aware the students and the public. This year we
gave more importance for the school level celebrations for
giving chance to more students and the public for participation.
Literary and cultural competetions, Health rally. Exhibition,
Cultural meettings, Symbosiums and entertainments were the main
items included for the Arogya Mela.
CONCLUSION
:
The board of directors and general body of Jana Saukhya had the
direct involvement in the implementation of the programme and the
staff was given necessary guidance in all the activities. The
co-ordination committee also was active in the field to encourage
the school committees moving and enthusiastic in the performance
Besides we are thankful to the Primary Health Centre, Department
of Public Health andEduaation, Panchayath Samithys, and Field
publicity department for their co-operation and assistance in all
our endeavours.
This year onwards we expect the co-operation of the District
Council also which is formed recently. We never forget CEBEMO
which helped us with financial assistance to accumplish ass all .
our activities successfully and fruitful. We extent our sincere
triaaks to each and everyone who has helped us directly and indir
ectly for the promotion and implementation of the programme.
We express our deep sorrow to the family of Advocate T.A.Scaria
on his sudden death. He had been the Vice President of Jana Saukhya
for the first 3 years and served the organisation until his death
as a member of its Governing Body. His great insight vision of a
healthy community is very explicite from the bye-laws of Jana Saukhya
which was framed by him. May the God reward him with his choicest
blessings.
***** **************
KERALA SASTRA SAHITHYA PARISHAD
o
Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad, Parishad Bhavan,
Chirakulani Road, Trivandrum-695001.
General Secretary, Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad,
Quilon-691004.
Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad
Terms like “Scientific temperament” and “Scientific
attitude” have become so common, that one cannot finish
reading the day’s newspaper without noticing half a dozen
such terms and references. All the prescriptions for a “better
tomorrow” invariably contain these or similar terms. But,
most often the prsponents of all these highsounding terms
are no better than those legendary blindmen who went to
see the elephant. Their descriptions and definitions change
according to their fancies, not mere fancies but well
calculated, well manipulated, fancies.
It is at this point that the activities of Kerala Sastra
Sahithya Parishad become important. A voluntary organi
sation, formed at the initiative of a handful of popular
science writers, Parishad today—after about a decade and
a half since its inception—has grown into a unique mass
movement. ;
At is taking seience to the people.
In this sense, Parishad is the only mass movement of
its kind in India and perhaps in the whole of Asia too.
To regain the lost cause.
Though science took birth at the tips of ancient man’s
stone tools and though it grew into an all powerful, all
embracing entity following the footsteps of the struggling
human society, there came a period when science was
gradually dragged away from the life of the common man.
It was compelled to be the handmaid of the more fortunate
class. Science lost its most important cause. It lost its role
as a powerful force that sparks off social transformation.
Sastra Sahithya Parishad seeks to recapture this lost
cause of science and to bring it back to the everyday life of
the common man, its creator and benefactor.’ Praishad
strives to inculcate a true and genuine scientific spirit
among our people; for, it believes strongly that only such an
outlook could form a strong and meaningful foundation
for real progress and real change in our society.
Hence Parishad’s slogan;
Science for Social Revolution.
T'ltu I'nhl and tlK: I’t
lii 1957, yome of the eminent popular science writers
<il Kciiila, joined together and gave shape to an organisation
culled Stthfra Sahithya Samithi. Their objetcive was to
promote popular science literature in .Malayalam. As a
mourn to popularise their ideas they started a popular
Science Trimonthly “Adhunika Sastram” (Modern Science).
This organisation could not function for long.
Later in 1962, the Sastra Sahithya Samithi was
rcinnovated as Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad and till
1966, it functioned as a forum of the popular science
writers and intellectuals, not having much to do with the
common man.
But in 1967, Parishad was reorganised on an entirely
different line. The new constitution adopted in 1967,
envisaged the Sastra Sahithya Praishad to be a “complete”
mass movement. Membership of the Parishad was open
to each and every person who believes in the great role
science has to play in the moulding of our lives.
From 1967 onwards Parishad was growing up into
a real mass movement. It has attracted the intellectual
and the layman alike into its folds. Its message has
reached the sophisticated city college and the rustic village
library alike.
Today, Parishad has more than 5,000 members. It has
about 150 units in various places spread all over Kerala.
Parishad has units in all the eleven districts of Kerala.
I inch district committee will be having several regional
committies under them. Local units of Parishad are
functioning in towns, villages, schools, libraries etc.
Activities <>/ AwMku/
Main Kdueutlou t'.ttnipn^ns
Soon fti\ev parishad was reorganised asamiass
toovmmmt, it Matted experimenting on a new style ot work
Whit'll Would suit ttsobieetiws. In 1I.Parishadorganised
Iillllo no unmol kind of science campaign in connection
WIlli UK umiUtll oout'oteiwe at Thiruvalla. Panshad members
llli^llld in 'latino? stmtiug t\om three eeutres-Cahcut,
3
Shoranur and Trivandrum—and addressed several meetings
before they finally reached the conference centre. Parishad
workers consisting of doctors, engineers, and other
eminent scientists talked to the man on the street
on topics which were, till then, considered to be
beyond the reach of the common man. This novel venture
was enthusiastically received by the people of Kerala on
the one hand, and on the other, it shattered the myth that
the common man is not interested in science. It was this
energising experience that encouraged Parishad to launch
upon more effective science popularisation campaigns.
In 1973, Parishad took to the celebration of a science
campaign week. The idea was to conduct classes on a
chosen topic in various centres all over Kerala. The
response it received was wonderful. More than one and
a half lakh of people participated in about thousand five
hundred classes conducted during this week.
Thereafter, mass education programmes have become
one of the major regular activities of the Parishad. In
January 1976 Parishad conducted more than ten thousand
classes on “Nature, Society and Science.” These classes
took the Parishad deep into the villages of Kerala. Classes
were conducted in towns and villages, in schools and
collages, in rural libraries and hostels and even in evening
market places.
Last year the subject chosen for the mass education
programme was “The resources of Kerala.” The idea was
to explain scientifically why Keralite remains poor and
backward while Kerala is one of the most resourceful
States in India. A handbook on the topic was prepared in
consultation with experts from the State Planning Board
and the Centre for Developmental Studies. Before the
the commencement of these classes several courses on
the chosen topic were conducted in district and regional
centres for the benefit of the parishad volunteers.
This year Parishad is planning to conduct a number
of classes on agriculture and also on public health.
These mass education campaigns have proved to be
of great success. This unique method of informal
education has on the one hand taken Parishad to the
villagesand to the common man, while on the other, it has
helped Parishad to learn a lot from the people.
Rural Science FommsTj
Parishad dicl not take much time to realise that its
presence is most urgently needed in our villages. The
decision to form Rural Science Forums came as a result of
this realization. Initially about hundred Science Forums
were organised in hundred selected villages. The idea
was to, gradually, transform these forums into Village
Planning Bodies where the villagers could sit together
and discuss various problems and chalk out effective and
scientific solutions for them. The ultimate goal of
Parishad is to give a workable form to the concept of
planning at grass root levels.
Activities of the Science Forums may vary according
to the particular needs and circumstances of each forum.
Their activities vary from organising regular literacy
campaigns and classes to providing public amenities and
organising small scale or cottage industries.
A central committee headed by a convenor co-ordinates
the activities of the Forums. All the Forums are affiliated
bodies of the Parishad. The central committee chalks out
common programmes and schemes for the Forums. But
each Forum is fully independent to select those activities
which suits them best. A monthly bullettin is also being
published by the cent'al committee for Science Forums.
Parishad aimes at establishing one Science Forum each
in every Panchayath of the state by the end of this year.
^Publication activitiesj
‘
Parishad brings out a wide range of publications,
periodicals, books, bullettins and even concise encyclo
paedias. All these publications invariably aims at spreading
the message of science among our people thus armouring
them with a genuine scientific culture which forms the
corner stone of social change. Parishad’s publication
committe controls and co-ordinates the various publication
activities taken up from time to time.
5
Sasthragathy, Sasthrakeralam & Eureka
These are the three monthly magazines published by
Parishad.
Sasthragathy is a popular science magazine mainly
meant for university level readership while Sasthrakeralam
mainly meant for students and others of secondary school
standard, Sasthrakeralam commands a circulation of about
25000 copies. It is one of the largest selling popular
science monthlies in Indian languages. Eureka has. a special
privilege of being the only science periodical in an Indian
language published solely for children. It also commands
a circulation of 25000 copies. All the three magazines
are members of the “Bhartiya Vigyan Pathrika Samithi.”
Gramasasthra Samithi Bullettin
Besides these monthlies, Parishad is bringing out a
monthly bullettin, mainly meant for the Rural Science
Forums. This bullettin is published by the central committee
for Rural Science Forums.
^Publication of Books"]
In 1.977, Parishad entered the field of book publication
with a bang, Parishad’s children's science book series
captured the attention of the.public. It excelled in all
respects including production, content and sales. More
than eight thousand copies of these books were sold on
pre-publication basis. Second editions of these books are
already in the press.
Parishad has given shape to a Monthly Book Club
scheme which will soon start functioning. Several
interesting popular science books will be brought out
through this club. Every year, Parishad brings out one
major publication on some serious, relevant scientific topic
in connection with its annual conference. Last year’s topic
was ‘Man and his Environment,’ This year Parjshad has
chosen “Appropriate Technology” as the topic for
discussion. A detailed symposium on this topic will be
eonducted in connection with the Parishad’s annual
conference to be held in February 1978. Besides this, the
publication wing of the Parishad brings out books to suit
the needs of the Rural Science Forums and also for the
School for Technicians and ARTisans.
Following are the two major publication schemes
Parishad has undertaken, besides those mentioned above.
World 1978'\
'
This ambitious project will be taken up by the newly
established Parishad Research and Reference Library
established at Quilon. The idea is to start the publication
of an yearly chronicle of all major scientific, political,
social and other events.
Balakauthidcam
T
ThisTsTfnother major Publication venture Parishad
has undertaken. This curiosity encyclopaedia will contain
more than one thousand five hundred topics in the form
of questions and answers. There will be three volumes,
each containing about 350 pages in demy quarto size.
Parishad in education field
Ever since its inception, Sasthra Sahitya Parishad has
played a very vital role in substantiating the formal
education through the schools and colleges. In order to
establish a healthy relationship with the educational
institutions, Parishad has given shape to a School
liaison committee.
Science Clubs^J
Parishad has taken a lot of initiative in the formation
of School Science Clubs in co-operation with the education
department of the state Government. In the year
1975-’76 alone Science Clubs were started in more than
2000 schools. Parishad could supply a number of projects
for the regular functioning of these clubs.
Saslhragathy~Science Forums I
Parishad has initiated the formation of Sasthragathy
Science Forums in the Colleges. These forums are
organised in such a way as to provide creative leadership
for several projects. Some of the Science Forums have
conducted various surveys in co-operation with the State
Planning Board.
Quiz competitions and other competitive tests^)
_^Sasthragathy Vigyan Pareeksha:-^
These tests are conducted for the benefit of college
students. Questions covering all branches of knowledge
are prepared by experts appointed by the Parishad. The
model of examination is unique. The question papers are
prepared and sent to the students sufficiently in advance
and they can take one full month to answer them. It is a
kind of open test where they are forced to refer to any book
or consult any professor. These tests have already
attracted the attention of our intelligentia. The questions
are so designed that to answert hem the student will have to
refer a large number of books and consult a large number
of teachers.
Sasthrakeralam Quiz Competitions^Sasthrakeralam quiz competitions are being conducted
for the benefit of high school students. This competitions .
have already won wide acclaim all over Kerala. The quiz
conducted in co-operation with the state education
department has three tiers. The preliminary quiz
competitions take place at the school level, the second
one at the educational district level and the final one
at state level. The winners of state level competition will
be entitled for the Sasthrakeralam Rolling Trophy.
'I Eureka Science Talent TesiiJ'
This test is conducted among the Primary School
Students. Each year more than a lakh Primary School
Students are taking part in the Eureka Science Talent Test.
Just like the quiz competitions, this test is also conducted
at different levels.
Parishad Scliolarships:From the current year onwards Parishad has decided
to institute certain special scholarships for promoting
students who are keenly interested in science subjects.
Scholarships will be given to selected Primary and High
School students for three years. The selection will be
made on the basis of Sasthrakeralam quiz, Eureka Science
Talent Test and such other tests as decided by the Parishad
Scholarship Committee.
^STARTp(School for Technicians and Artisans)
In order to impart scientific knowledge to thousands
of unfortunate technicians and artisans who have never had
a chance of getting any kind of formal education,
Parishad has organised a school for technicians and artisans.
Classes on various technical subjects like electrical
wiring, automobile repairing, printing and such other
trades are conducted in various centres under the auspices
of this school. A number of classes on wiring have
already been conducted. These classes were highly
appreciated by workers as well as experts.
The ultimate goal of the Parishad in this field is to
impart scientific knowledge to the toiling labourers of
our country. Parishad is also trying to organise Science
Forums in the factories. These forums will facilitate the
discussion of various technical and non-technical problems
of the workers.
—
[Science Centre at Calicut \
Another mosCcherished objective of the Parishad
is the establishment of a Science Centre at Calicut. This
Centre which envisages an expenditure of about
Rs. 17 lakhs will be in the model of the Vishwaswaayya
Science museum at Bangalore. The Centre will, in the main,
contain a science museum, a work centre for children and
a science library. 35 cents of land has been acquired for
this purpose near the Calicut beach. Parishad expects to
complete this project within a short period, with the help
of the State and Central Governments, and also inter
national agencies like UNESCO.
Fltiiral Science~Academy at Cannanore^
'----- ParishatThas always felt the need of building up a
system of rural research and technology. In order to give
a concrete shape to this concept, Parishad has decided to
establish a Rural Spience Academy at Cannanore. The chief
o
9
aim of this academy will be to facilitate the development
of various rural, indigenous techniques in a scientific
manner. This academy will provide all facilities for the
village technicians, artisans and farmers to develop their
trades and techniques, to translate thein problems into
modern scientific language to be passed on to our R & D
institutions and to back disseminate the results of these
R & D efforts.
^Research and Reference Library at Quilori^
Parishad has made a humble start towards the establi
shment of a Research and Reference Library at Quilon.
This library will be the first of its kind in Kerala. Gradually
a documentation and feeding centre will also be started
as a part of this library.
***
***
Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad is a humble means
to a great end. A completely voluntary organisation,
what the Parishad has as its strength and its capita], is a few
hundreds of very active, committed workers. Their
selfless service and the co-operation of the public at
large would lead this organisation to its ultimate goal—
a social trnsformation.
Parishad General Council
Executive Committee
District Committee
Regional Committee
Units
----------------------- Sub Committees -----------------------
Publication
Rural Science Forum
Mass contact Campaign
School for Technicians
and Artisans
Education
Scholarships
Science Centre
Research Library
Activities
Activities
Miscellaneous
g~"
c
Science Centre at
Calicut—Children’s
Science Centre at
Trivandrum—
Research and Refe
rence Library at
Quilon—Rural
Science Academy at
Cannanore.
KER AIL A
School for Technicians
and Artisans
SASTRA
IMass Contact
Ji ass Education
S A H ITH Y A
Rural Science Forums
|
PARISHAD
Education
Activities
Activities
Publication
Various Courses for Classes on selected Aims
Activities
Periodicals
Topics:Technicians and
To cultivate Scientific outloo®hAuiding School Science Clubs Sastragathy
Nature- ScienceArtisans
A Forum for Planning at
short term Courses for
Sastrakeralam
wireman
Society 1971 and
grass root level
teachers and students
Eureka
Press Worker
1975.
Discussions and studies on
Discussing the problems of
Grama Sastra Samithi Bulletin
Automobile
Resources of
school and college syllabi
the Village
Books
Worker
Kerala 1976.
Sastragathy Science Forums
Evolving scientific solutions
Children’s Books
Concrete Worker
Public Health,
Correspondence Courses
Activities
Gift Book Sets
Building Workers
Agriculture 1977.
Competitions
Encyclopaedic
Books
Classes
on
health,
hygeine
Masonry
Campaign weeks
Books for Rural Science
Eureka Science Talent Test
Agriculture etc. for Villagers
Rubber technology Science Month
Forums
Sastrakeralam
Quiz
&
Talent
Literacy
Campaigns
—
Carpentary
Exhibitions
Books for Mass education
Test
Classes for economically
Black Smithy etc. Audio-Visual
Campaigns
Sastragathi
Talent
Test
backward
School
children
Education
Factory Science
Panchayath level Quiz clubs
Co operative ventures in the
Societies Preparation of vari
Monthly Science Book Club
Scholarships for Talented
villages
ous Courses for
Bulletins, Leaflets
Village industries, Handicrafts Students
Rural Science
Common ventures beneficial
Forums.
Create Public aware to the village and villagers
Health Camps
ness on important
issues like pollution, Rural Science Academy at
1
energy etc.
Cannanore
Sastra Sahithya Parishad strives to take Science
back to its creator, the common man.
It stands for promoting a genuine scientific
outlook among our people.
It aims at taking science deep into the villages,
into our fields and factories, into the minds of
our youngsters and our villagers.
It stands against all that is unscientific; for,
it believes that only a genuine scientific outlook
could form the foundation for a genuine
social transformation.
Science for social revolution
PEOPLE'S PARTICIPATION IN HEALTH;
THE CATALYTIC ROLE OF THE
KERALA SASTRA SAHITYA PARISHAT (K S' S P)
V. Raman Kutty
INTRODUCTION; Community participation has been accepted as a
major factor in health development strategies in the context
of health for all by 2000 A.D.’1' This marks a departure from
earlier paradigms where health was seen as a purely 'technoeconomic' problem; technology being inappropriate and/or
unavailable, and if available, resources being constrained
so as to make access impossible for most of the population.
This rethinking has come in the x?ake of the WHO's adoption
of the policy of primary health care as the appropriate one
for reaching health for all, when it was realised that health’
development in most of the third world followed inappropriate
models.
But community participation cannot be understood in
isolation from the realities of the social situation. If the
power structure of the society and the resource misallocation
that it has given rise to is ignored in promoting community
participation, then it is likely to degenerate into a passive
participation as 'beneficiaries', and 1:0 . participation in
o
decision making . This would only serve, in the name of
community participation, to legitimise exploitation in the
health field.
Non governmental'' organisations (NGO's) are seen as
nodal agencies to promote participation by people in health
activities. This is because in most developing countries,
government institutions are apathetic to the real needs of
development in the rural.sector. Moreover, NGO's also seem
to inspire more confidence in the people than government
organisations which are often viewed with suspicion due to
various reasons.
(Here NGO is used in the sense of any
organisation other than profit making commercial concerns,
not connected with the government).
Most NGO's active in the health ,fie Id share some
common assumptions. Important among these is that 'under
development ' is caused by inadequate institutions and poor
public policy, and the powerlessness of the governed. Of
-:2:these organisations, one can recognize 2 types: research and
analysis oriented, and action' oriented.
But it also true that many NGO's do not offer a viable
alternative in development.
'Lip service is often paid to
such phrases as 'community based' and 'community participation'
Many projects are seen as offering neither responsibility nor .
opportunity for decision making locally. In many instances; .
decisions are made nationally by the elite. Often foreign
managers and their salaries absorb a large percentage of the
available funds3. At best these types of NGOs offer a bland
volutarism which smacks of charity; at worst they degenerate
into agencies subtly serving the interests of foreign organi
sations or governments in the country.
It is in .this context that we propose the unique role
and experience of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat (KSSP)
as a model for development effort from the people in the area
of health.
HISTORICAL: The KSSP was formed in 1962 as an organisation of
science writeres in Malayalam, It evolved from earlier
societies, in the fifties primarily concerned with the problems
of those who were trying to popularise science topics in the
local language. Very soon it grew into an association which
welcomed anyone interested in science and prepared to accept
the scientific method as a guideline to analyse problems of
man, life and society. This growth also meant that the orga
nization changed its style from detached deliberations of
intellectuals to active action oriented programmes and invol
vement at grassroots.level. It was sustained by a very
democratic style of functioning and grew to have numerous
branches throughout the state.
The Parishat has a guiding philosophy which can be
summed up as 'science for social revolution'^. In other
words, the scientific method forces us to see (a) all processes
as constantly subject to flux or change, and (b) the potential
of science as an agent to bring about change in a desired
direction, ie., towards a more equitable distribution of
opportunities in society. Unfortunately, we see that the
potential of science is used very often to extend and
intensify exploitation in society.
-S3
Thus the KSSP has been in the forefront of all major
movements in the state towards a more pc . pie-oriented policy
in area's such as energy, health, environment, and planning.
Notable among these are its involvement in studies on the
ecosystem of Kuttanad, on the pollution caused by various
industrial units in the state, and its championing of the
cause of preserving the silent valley, a veritable gene pool,
against submersion by a proposed hydroelectric project. This
latter struggle earned the KSSP many epithets, from friends
and enemies alike, notably that of being 'anti-development'.
But in the, decade since the project was abandoned, most
people have accepted the wisdom of the KSSP in opposing the
silent valley project, .
The KSSP sees its involvement in health as part of
this overall scheme. Its major thrust area in health has
been, for a long time, the need for a rational drug policy.
Kerala is a state where the demand for health care is beingexploited to the fullest extent by national and international
lobbies alike. It offers one of the major markets in India
where considerable amounts of irrational and even dangerous
drugs are being sold. This is the result of an unholy
alliance between profiteering firms and some not very dis
cerning doctors. The Parishat launched its campaign for a
rational drug policy with seminars, discussions and meetings
all over the state, taking the drug issue right to the people.
A major initiative was the seminar 'A decade after Hathi
committee' in 1985 in Trivandrum. It can be said that the
KSSP was responsible for the revival of the Hathi committee
report from the quiet oblivion to which it seemed to be
delegated by the authorities.
forms.
Health activities initiated by the KSSP took many
Some of these, over the years, have been:
1.
organising of thousands of health classes for the
people in 1985,
2.
formation of hospital protection samitis,
3.
publication the book on 'banned, bannable and essential
drugs 1,
4.
drug information packet for the doctors,
5.
the health survey in 1987, which was an occasion for
educating Parishat activists on the public health issues
in the state,
6.
the call.for boycott of Union Carbide products; following.
the Bhopal industrial disorder, and the campaign against
the callousness of MNC's operating in underdeveloped
countries,
.
7.
most recently, the initiative to utilize the 100%. literacy
drive in Ernakulam district to make a campaign for 100%
irrmunisation in the district.
The Parishat shares with other health movements in
India a strong critique of the existing health system, which
is characterised by hospital and curative orientation, urban
bias, and elitism. But it does not subscribe to the view that
it is futile to attempt to reform it. The KSSP has stated its
desire to see a dialogue between scientific practitioners of
different systems so that points of convergence may emerge.
But- the KSSP does not support the view that modern medicine
is an alien science and should be rejected in toto.
The theoretical framework for the KSSP's health
activities can be summed up as follows:
1.'
Health of the people cannot be seen in isolation from the
socio-economic precesses .around-us.. It cannot be reduced
to an equation of doctors, drugs, and technology.
2.
The increasing technological complexity of modern medicine
has- led to an alienation of health care from the people
for whom it is intended. This is turn results in exploi
tation of the people by unscrupulous professionals,
companies, and others in the health field. Knowledge
is the best guard against such exploitation. So the KSSP
aims to arm the people with information.
.
-:5s-
3.
Ultimately, 'health for all' cannot be achieved without
• active support from the people not only as beneficiaries,
but also in the decision making' process. So the KSSP
tries to act as"a catalyst in inducing people's partici
pation in health.
The greatest advantage of the' organisation over its
fellow groups active in the health field is that it is' not
confined to health activities alone. Thus KSSP worker is
aware of the links between the campaigns for cleaner water,
better stoves, and the drive for promotion of oral rehydra
tion. He sees the organisation push the campaign for 100%
literacy to one for 100% immunisation, and how literacy helps
create the demand for immunisation. This is a unique role
which very few other organisations are fortunate, to emulate.
Moreover, health activism in KSSP is not confined to
doctors or health professionals. The' 'demystification' of
health is an important part of our strategy to take health to
the people. The grassroots level acceptance and democratic
functioning of the organization provide a better environment
for promoting health action.
SOME CONSTRAINTS: But being a. mass organisation has its own
problems. Most voluntary organisations : n India play a
complementary or substitute role. Because government organi
sations are inadequate to perform their own tasks in health,
voluntary agencies try to replace them or substitute their
work in some areas. They do most of the jobs which ought to
have been undertaken by the government agencies themselves.
The Parishat does not believe in this philosophy. We think
that in a democratic polity, polular pressure can and should
result in a more responsive role by government institutions.
This often means that some avenues of activity are resorted
to only as a last measure. The KSSP is also particular not
to be involved in major projects involving donor funding.
This is a reflection of our philosophy that resource const
raints are not the major reason for underdevelopment.
Being an organisation of people who give their time
and effort voluntarily, we have sometimes had difficulty in
maintaining a disciplined time schedule. This is something
which every effort is being made to improve.
The KSSP, eventhough an organisation committed to the
ethos of science, has had very little opportunity so far to
initiate original research. This has been compensated to a
large extent by the involvement in action research as in the
development of smokeless chulhas or the health survey. The
Integrated Rural Technology Centre is a specific step in this
direction to initiate research appropriate to\the needs of the
people.
■ ■
in conclusion, the KSSP in health strives to act as a
catalyst for people's participation. Without this, we believe
no programme'in primary health care shall ever be successful.
REFERENCES
1.
Palmer C T and Anderson M J
Assessing the Development of Community Involvement
World Health Statistics Quarterly 1986; 39.
2.
de Kadt E
Community Participation for Health - the Case of
Latin America
• in Morley et al. ''ed) :
Practising for Health for All
Oxford, Oxford University Press 1983.
-3.
K Smith
Non Government Organisations in the Health Field - Collaboration, Integration, and Contrasting Aims
Social Science and Medicine 1989; 29,3: 395-402.
4.
Thomas Isaac T M, B Ekbal
Science for Social Revolution - The Experience of
the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat
Trichur, The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishat 1988.
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