reflections in the middle of a transformative programme...

"I just started a small nursery and have distributed about 1500 saplings but then the to visit Pitchandikulam forest and knowing that they have planted over 200000 trees was an overwhelming experience, my only disappointment was that I couldn't meet Mr. Joss who planted these trees in the first place", said a tree planting enthusiastic Young Rural Development official.
 
"Understanding the impact of the trader-contractor-nexus on the local economy is so important for us to work in the rural livelihood sector, it was a good learning for us to have been exposed to these here", said another Rural Development official.

"The drumming circle was so relaxing and we discovered that there was something related to music in each one of us and perhaps there are other talents hidden in us that we haven't explored in life before", said another...

Aha! moments abound during the 'Stewardship for Sustainable Livelihood' programme with APOs and APMs of the Rural Development Department at SLI.

Colloquium on Ecological Economics of Dr. J.C Kumarappa and Its Relevance to India Today

Social Life Animation India (SOLAI) PRO-GRAM, Katpadi organized 2 days Colloquium on Ecological Economics of Dr. J.C. Kumarappa and its Relevance to India Today at their organization premises on 19^th Oct’15 & 20^th Oct’15 to strengthen the emerging Ecological Economic thought process among people and the social actors on the ground. Experts from different walks of life participated in this event and presented their papers on various topics and shared their views and experiences. 

Mr. Ramasubramanian, Director SLI presented a paper on J.C Kumarappa’s Vision : an action translation  Just Beginning and shared the experiences of some of the projects such as the Tula Garments, Organic Farmers Market, Poorna Rural Livelihoods Initiative and Sriram Foods. Further he chaired a session on Eco based Rural Entrepreneurship in which Mr. Mohanraj, Director KVIC (MSME) (Retd), Secretary – Palm Products Research and Promotion Foundation presented his paper on Palmyra Trees for Development (Palm Gur and Palm Products).

Report by: Mr. Raja Ganesh, Programme Coordinator, SLI

INTERNATIONAL RURAL WOMEN’S DAY 15th OCTOBER 2015

On the occasion of international rural women’s day it was a call for a change and to celebrate the acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their communities and families. Sustainable Livelihood Institute celebrated this day with sixty women from various rural pockets of Thiruvanamalai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts. The participants volunteered themselves in decorating, cleaning and making traditional kolams to beautify the SLI campus.

SLI welcomed all in a traditional way with flowers and sweets. Mr. Raja Ganesh, Programme coordinator of SLI introduced the participants and guests about SLI and the purpose of gathering. A short photo presentation on SLI and its different activities especially prepared by Mr. Satish of SLI was played for the participants to give an overview of the activities of SLI. Ms. Pavithra from SLI gave a short talk on women’s empowerment that was quite motivating.  Mr.Lakshmi Narayanan, Liaison Officer, SLI and Ms.Nachal,  Traditional Food expert gave  short speeches on the occasion.  Mr. Alain Bernard, Executive of the IRD Unit, Auroville that hosts SLI also greeted the women gathered on the special day.   

The participants were given two medicinal plant saplings each along with a certificate as a remembrance of this event. Mr. Chandru from SLI explained the medicinal uses and importance of the saplings. A special lunch was arranged for all the participants and guests at SLI.

photo update from the CSA programme 8th & 9th Oct 2015