AREDS recruited Panchayat level Field Organizers for Women‘s programs throughout Karur district.

A two-day Capacity Enhancement Training for Field Level Organizers was conducted on the 23rd and 24th of January 2007. AREDS Team Leader Ms. Christina Samy and other Program Coordinators were the main resource persons.

Day 1:

1. Introduction on ECOSOC Rights
2. Explanation of our Movements (SWATE, Women MAPOVI, PDM, DRALM, DLRM, FPWLR and KADALU )
3. Roles and Responsibilities / Organizing of SANGAMS
4. Record Keeping ( Maintaining Books of Accounts)

Day 2:

1. Record Keeping (Maintaining Books of Accounts)
2. Report Writing and Planning

DLRM- Dalit Land Rights Movement

STRUGGLE AGAINST THE PANCHAMI LAND ENCROACHERS IN THOGAMALAI BLOCK - KARUR DISTRICT.

DLRM collected data on the Panchami land of Karur district through the Right to Information Act and identified the said land in Thogamalai block.

The DLRM State committee decided to carry out a State level demonstration "Yer Ulum Porattam" against the encroachers of Panchami land. In Thogamalai block of Karur district on the 23rd Jan 2007, hundreds of DLRM (Dalit Land Right Movement) and DRALM (Dalit Rights Awareness Liberation Movement) members came together and expressed their demand through this struggle.

The demonstration commenced at 10.00 a.m. with Mr. Manivel the Karur district responsible of DLRM who gave the inaugural address. The protest action was lead by Ms. Christina Samy State committee member-DLRM. Mr. Senthil, Mr. Karuppaya and Mr. James the Block Leaders gave special speeches. All members stressed the need for the Government to take the initiative to recover the panchami land from the encroachers and provide the landless Dalits with land.

Events in January 2008
Date	Programme	Venue
23.01.08	HRF - Public Hearing	Chennai
19.01.08 to 15.02.08	Women Front - Awareness Campaign	8 blocks
05.01.08	State level meet - Women Front	ICUF - Chennai
10.01.08	Cultural Event - Areds Awareness and Education Programme	Kulithalai
24.01.08	Cultural Event - Areds Awareness and Education Programme	Kadavur
26.01.07	Republic Day - Flag Hoisting - L.A.Samy	AREDS Play way School
31.01.08	Cultural Event - Areds Awareness and Education Programme	Paramathi

January - 2008 - Health Plan
Date	Village	Participants
ANC Training
11.01.08	Sevaganur	5 ANCs
19.01.08	Vallam	4 ANCs
21.01.08	Sundukulipatti	6 ANCs
23.01.08	Vadavampadi	5 ANCs
PNC Training
08.01.08	sekkanam	10 PNCs
11.01.08	Sankaramalaipatti	12 PNCs
23.01.08	Kuppandiyur	15 PNCs
Adolescent Training
13.01.08	Devasingampatti	20 Girls
20.01.08	Sukkampatti	15 Girls
HIV - Orientation
22.01.08	Varagur	30 Participants
25.01.08	Dharapurathanur	25 Participants
27.01.08	Veerarakkiyam	35 Participants
28.01.08	Health Cultural Program	Vellaiyakavundanur
29.01.08	Health Cultural Program- In School	Chinnamalaipatti

Orientation on HIV-AIDS and STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases):

AREDS conducted a Two-day Orientation Program on HIV-AIDS and STD for AREDS Health Teams on 6^th and 7^th of February 2007.
Main Resource person on the 6^th of February was Mr. Nagarajan, Consultant – UNICEF

Day 1:
Mr. Nagarajan explained the:

1. Anatomy of Human body
2. History of HIV-AIDS and STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
3. Statistics of Prevalent Rate
4. Behavioral Changes

Day 2:
AREDS Program Coordinators Ms.Eswari and Mr.Ganesh took sessions on the second day. Following points were discussed:

1. Different types of STD
2. Infection
3. Prevention
4. Treatment
5. Human Sexuality

Training for Women Leaders:

The Tamil Nadu Women‘s Front conducted training for Women Leaders on the 9^th and 10^th of February 2007. Around 50 women from different NGOs participated in this program:

Day 1:

1. Introduction on Political Scenario
2. The Challenges faced by Women in Politics
3. Analyzing the current Political Scenario
4. Role of a Leader was explained
5. Organizing people for Women‘s Front

Day 2:

• The Psychological and Physical strength of women was brought out through various games.
• Women‘s Economic & Social rights were discussed.
• Leadership in various levels was explained (State, District, Block and village)
• Demands of Women’s Front were discussed.

Structure of Women‘s Front:

State level (25 to 30 Members)
            
District level (1 District Secretary –District Committee)
            
Union Level (1 Union Secretary)
            
Panchayat level (Panchayat committee consisting one women per Village)
            
Village Level (5 Cadres)

Forth Coming Events:

18^th February 2007: Gathering of 85 rural students for a day in ACTS (Areds Children Theatre School). They are students becoming members of Student movement. This gathering is an initiation into Student Movement.

19^th February 2007: 10,000 Petitions to be given to the Collectors in all District Headquarters, demanding Dalit Special Component Plan to be implemented during the 2007 Tamilnadu State Budget session.

3^rdMarch 2007: Annual Day at AREDS Play Way School.

8^th March 2007: Program for Women‘s Day:

1. Focus on Violence against Children.
2. Women‘s Political Participation
3. Land for Landless Women with priority for Dalit women

Training for Children – 7th April

AREDS - ACTS initiated a student’s movement in Karur district. ACTS conducted a 3 day training program for children on AREDS’ “THULI THALIR”. One hundred and sixty eighty students participated in this program from various part of Karur district. The movement’s policies were made and programs were planned. The Resource persons were Ms. Christina Samy, Mr. Muthukumar and Mr. Senthilkumar.

i) Ms. Christina Samy explained the importance of this movement:

• Emphasis on child rights
• Enhancing their caliber
• Formation of village level student groups to exhibit their caliber
• Information update

ii) The Goal of the student movement is: “Towards One Humanity”

• To encourage students who have a passion to fight for the rights of children in our society

iii) Characteristics

• There should be no gender bias
• There should be no caste discrimination
• To follow truth & honesty
• To follow the principles of the movement

iv) Principles

• To help all school going children
• All children to have minimum Higher Secondary qualification
• Should concentrate on education up to age 20
• Not to marry before 20 years of age

v) Policy

• Members should be above 13 years of age
• Members should consist of both male and female students
• Members should participate in the special training programs
• To conduct Special trainings frequently
• To meet once a month.
• One of them should lead the meeting
• Meeting to commence with awareness songs

Participants enjoyed this program and learnt things on unity, health and child rights through awareness songs and dance. Towards the end of the program on the third day, the children played in the swimming pool.

Eye Camp by AREDS Health Team: 8th April

AREDS health team conducted an eye camp in Karur Municipality Higher secondary School on 8th April 2007. Three hundred and thirty people registered themselves and had a check up. Sixty four people were found to be affected with cataract. Forty eight people were admitted for surgery.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkhar Day Celebration 14th April:

On April 14th, AREDS - DRALM and DLRM celebrated Dr. Ambedkhar’s Birthday in Karur Government Arts college ground.
Mr. Karikalan - DRALM leader gave the Inaugural address. District Collector Mr. Vengatesh opened Dr. Ambedkhar’s photo and gave a special speech. He promised to take the following actions:
1. Government should regulate availability of Dr. Ambedkhar’s photo in every Government office.
2. Government should take steps to identify and provide land to landless Dalit people. (i.e. “Panchami” land).
3. Request the Government to stop discrimination and construct a road that will provide the dalits easy access to their cremation grounds in Thammanaiyakkanpatti.
4. Central and State Government to ensure that Dalit people get Government schemes/benefits as stated.
5. Reconstruct the SC/ST student’s hostel in Karur district.

Participants included Ms. Christina Samy, State Team Member DLRM, Mr. N. Manivel, Organizer -DLRM, and members of DRALM and DLRM. A total of 450 people from various parts of the district participated in this program.

Resolutions/Demands:

• Government to put up Dr. Ambedkhar’s statute in Karur city.
• Government should regulate availability of Dr. Ambedkhar’s photo in every Government office.
• Central and State Government to ensure that Dalit people get Government schemes/benefits properly.
• Government to educate the people on SC/ST Atrocity Act through awareness programs.
• During this Tamilnadu State Budget, Government should allocate Rupees 3,000 crores under special component plan for Dalit people.
• Government to identify and provide “Panchami” land to landless Dalit people.
• The Government and Private sectors to appoint a monitoring committee to help victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.
• To implement the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in every district.
• To protect livelihood resources like water, land, plants and minerals from the Multi National Companies.
• Central and State Government should take the responsibility to protect Movements that work for human rights.
• To put a stop to the sand mining in the Cauvery and Amaravathi rivers in order to protect the Agricultural land and drinking water sources.
• Request the Government to stop discrimination and construct a road that will provide the dalits easy access to their cremation grounds in Thammanaiyakkanpatti..

Health Cultural Programme 25th April:

Health team conducted a cultural program in Velankattupatti K.R. Puram block. Around 300 people participated in the program. People were taught to be clean, and hygienic. Orientation was given on vaccines and food habits.

Events in May 2007
Date	Programme	Venue
01.05.07	May Day - Laborer's Day	Cauvery Hall, Karur
02.05.07	Child Labor Abolition Day	Naradhaganasaba - Karur
03.05.07	VIC Tsunami Field Visit	Kanyakumari
04.05.07	VIC Tsunami Meet	Kanyakumari
08.05.07	VIC - 5years Action Planning	AREDS TRUST HALL
09.05.07	VIC - 5years Action Planning	AREDS TRUST HALL
09.05.07 & 10.05.07	Women MAPOVI-TN - Meeting	Aravanampet Training Centre
09.05.07	Cultural Program	Mettupatti
09.05.07	Cultural Program	Mettupatti
11.05.07 12.05.07 13.05.07	3 Days Camp for children	Aravanampet Training Centre
14.05.07	Women’s Front - Petition given to collector required 5 Acres Land for Women.	Karur- Collector Office
17.05.07	Legal Training – Lalitha THP	Aravanampet training centre
18.05.07	Legal Training – Lalitha THP	Aravanampet training centre
22.05.07	Children’s Training	Aravanampet
1.05.07 to 31.05.07	Land Rights- Padayatra-Block Level	Karur District – Block Level

1st May, 2007- Laborer’s Day

The District Collector of Karur inaugurated the program organized by the All Laborers Union of AREDS on the 1st of May ’07 in Cauvery Hall, Karur. Hundreds of laborers participated from various parts of the district unions. The District Collector promised to allocate a petition day for labor care. Resolutions were passed by the All Laborer’s Association.

2nd May, 2007 - Child Laborers System Abolition Day

The AREDS Student’s Movement known as “Thulir Thalir” conducted “Child Laborers System Abolition Day” in Naradhaganasaba Karur. The program commenced at 11.00 a.m. with a rally. The Labor officer inaugurated the rally. Around 500 Children participated in this rally.

Around 12.00 pm, Mr. L.A. Samy delivered the welcome address. Students celebrated this day with a variety of cultural events. Special speeches by Mr. L.A. Samy, Ms.Gaythri and Mr. Rajaseker marked the occasion.

Mr. L.A. Samy stressed the need to protect children from child trafficking by conducting campaigns and awareness programs. Others stressed on the rights of children and their liberty.

11th to 13th May 2007 - Summer Camp for Children

The AREDS student movement “Thuli Thalir” conducted a three day summer camp for differently abled children from rural areas. They had different programs for students from 6th to 10th standards. They covered English, Mathematics and Computers for various levels of students and taught them on personal hygiene.

Mr.Dasan and Ms.Divya Praba taught English, Mr.Muthukumar – Mathematics, Mr.Ganesh and Mr.Senthil Kumar Computers, Ms.Amutha on Health Awareness, and Ms.Sundari spoke on learning disabilities.

14th May 2007

On Monday, May 14th.’07, AREDS Women’s Movement held a demonstration in front of the Karur District Collectorate and handed over a petition to the Karur District Collector demanding 5 acres of land for landless women.

17th & 18th May 2007 - Legal Training

AREDS organized a two day Staff Enhancement Program in Aravanampet Training Center in order to equip the staff on Legal Training programs, since the Women’s Movement has been involved in various issue based problems since 1990.

The resource person - Ms. Laleetha gave a questionnaire to find out the participant’s understanding of laws and legislations. Then she trained the Staff on how to approach the police, check documents and reports which is clear or not and shared with examples on how to go about filing a First Information Report and RTI application. She threw light on the SC/ST Atrocity Act, Domestic violence Act and Right to Information Act.

7th & 8th June 2007 – Training on Report Writing

AREDS Program coordinators and field executives participated in this program and prepared a 5 Year Action Plan including budget and drafted the AREDS Annual report – for each Department.

12th June 2007 – Documentary Film

Earlier, AREDS Team had planned to collect video clippings for the General Body Meeting, but later decided to take a Documentary film with the help of a Core Team. The film would cover the history of AREDS, its present activities, mission and vision. This was done by the core team which consists of 8 members (i.e.) Ms. Chiristina Samy, Ms. Gayathri, Mr. Karikalan, Mr. Senthil Kumar, Mr. Ganesan, Mr. Anandhan and Ms. Eswari on 12th June 2007 in Chennai.

14th June 2007 – Rubella Vaccination Camp

A Rubella Vaccination Camp was held on the 25th of June ’07, at Aravanampet village Karur. 12 children and 13 adolescent girls were beneficiaries of this camp.

23rd June 2007 – AREDS General Body Meeting

The General Body Meeting of AREDS was held on Saturday, 23rd June ‘07 in SWATE Hall, Veerarakiam. The annual report of the previous year (2006-2007) was submitted to the Board Members and it was discussed. Their valuable suggestions and recommendations were taken into account and will be implemented during the coming year.

21st to 26th June 2007 – Visit from Spanish Magazine

A team lead by Ms. Paka Díaz from Yodona, Madrid came to collect resources for an article to be published in their international news magazine. They visited the Play Way School and AREDS Children Theatre and had discussions with AREDS People’s Organization representatives.

They arrived in Karur on Thursday, 21st June’07. On 22nd June, they visited AREDS Play way School in Pothuravuthanpatti, situated in a village which is about 35 km. from AREDS office.

On 25th June the Team met with Leaders of the following movements SWATE, DRALM and Women’s Front. This was followed by a Cultural Program.

25th to 27th June – PRI training for Panchayat Level Elected Women Representatives from Kadavur Block.

The Women’s Leadership workshop was held from 25th to 27th June ‘07. Two presidents, a vice-president and 15 ward members, a total of 18 members participated in this workshop.

The three day workshop was well organized and included experience sharing by the President Ms. Prabha of Vellaiyanai Panchayat in Krishnarayapuram Union and the President Mr. Nandakumar of Manavasi Panchayat.

An exposure visit to Nirmal Puraskar was organized. The experience shared by the Dalit Panchayat President Mr. Mahamuni motivated the members who were present to strive harder in their respective panchayats. The three days workshop came to an end with the distribution of certificates to participants.

NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
Social Auditing - 11th July, 24th - 25th July, 26th July to 4th August

In 2004, the Indian Government passed the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act due to pressure from the Central Government, but only now the present DMK Government is implementing this Act in selected panchayats.

Earlier the district administration announced that they will implement this in 16 panchayats of Karur district but State Minister for Home Affairs recently made an announcement to implement this in all panchayats of Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu Government had a consultation on the 17th of July. Mr. Velu represented AREDS and participated in this discussion in Villupuram Collectorate. Following are the decisions made as an outcome of this meeting:

• 26th, 27th and 28th – July – 3 Day TOT for 50 movement based organisations.
• 29th, 30th and 31st – July – 3 Day field work on Social Auditing in 5 blocks of the district.
• To conduct special “Grama Shabha” on 1st August ’07.
• To conduct public inquiry on 2nd August ’07.

26th 27th and 28th – July – 3 Day TOT for 50 movement based organizations:

Villupuram Collectorate conducted a 3 day training on Social Auditing. 250 people from various movements participated from all over the state. The resource persons were a five member team from Andhra Pradesh.

They explained the methodology for adoption for social auditing in 5 blocks of the district. Earlier they gave out documents of 5 blocks, and participants had to summarize the documents. On the 3rd day they divided the participants into 5 teams and each team had 10 members for social auditing. Seven members from AREDS participated viz. Mr.Rajesh, Mr.Bharathi, Mr.Velu, Mr.Dasarathan, Ms.Ezhilarasi, Ms.Barathikannamma and Ms.Thilagavathi.

29th 30th and 31st – July – 3 Day Field work on Social Auditing in 5 blocks of the District:

5 blocks (i.e.) Thirunavalur, Vaanur, Mailam, Thiruvennainallur and Thirukovilur were selected. The teams had discussions with the beneficiaries who consisted of labourers, farmers, SHG’s and panchayat representatives about the implementation of NREGA in their panchayats.

Land Rights - Taluk Level Meet 6th July 2007:

On July 6th this Meet was held at SWATE HALL in Veerarakiyam, Karur District. This planning meet focused on the program to be held on 26.07.07 i.e. a demonstration in front of the District Head Quarters in each and every District for amendment in Land Ceiling Act.

Demonstration for Amendment in Land Ceiling Act- July 26th, ’07:

In Tamilnadu, after the colonial period, nobles bought hectares of land for developing their own economical status, the Government implemented the Land Ceiling Act in 1960. This Act denotes that a person who has certain amount of land only can purchase more land, hence the Act favors only nobles and most of the lands are illegally encroached by religious Institutions, nobles and factory owners. In addition, the present Government is selling hectares of wastelands to MNCs (Multi National Companies) and leading factories in India.

So the Tamilnadu Land Rights Movement planned to conduct a state level demonstration in front of every District Head Quarters to demand land for land less Dalits and Dalit women by changing the amendment of Land Ceiling Act of 1960.

In Karur District - AREDS DRALM and Tamil Nadu Land Rights Movement conducted a demonstration for the amendment of Land Ceiling Act. About 300 Dalits participated and handed over a petition to the District Collector.

13th 17th 24th 26th and 27th July ’ 07– Cultural Events

In July, AREDS cultural team conducted 5 cultural events in various parts of Karur District. These programs highlighted the Dalit Land Rights and Political Rights for Women.

Date	Block	Place	No of Participants
13.07.07	Kadavur	Vadavampadi	250
17.07.07	Kulithalai	Naganur	300
24.07.07	Kadavur	Varavanai	225
26.07.07	Paramathi	Chinnamathiya Gudalur	150
27.07.07	Thanthoni	Chinnakavundanur	350

1stAugust ‘07 - Special “Grama Shabha”

A Special “Grama Shaba” was organized in every five panchayats. People participated and came to know how money was misappropriated and how reimbursements occurred in the implementation of NREGA. The team sent their report on the implementation of NREGA to the State Administration and Central and State Teams.

2nd August ’07- Conducted Public Enquiry

Mr.Jayam led the Public Enquiry. Five panchayat presidents and representatives, five social auditing teams and district administration officials participated. This enquiry brought out the problems faced by the panchayats. (i.e.)

• Petitioning for NREGA
• Job card distribution
• Master role
• Facilities in the place of project
• Financial constraints

Earlier five teams submitted the auditing report to Mr.Jayam. Then the project officer answered the questions among the teams. He stated that there should be awareness among the people about NREGA, the panchayat representatives should be well informed and evaluations should be held every 3 months. He accepted that money was being misappropriated and he promised to take immediate action in this regard.

Events in August 2007
Date	Programme	Venue
16.08.07	NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) - 2005 Continuous Campaign starts from 16th August	Kulithalai and Thogamalai
17.08.07	NREGA - Campaign	Krishnarayapuram and Kadavur
18.08.07	NREGA - Campaign	Thanthoni and Karur
17.08.07 & 18.08.07	Network - Actions, 17th Termination of Pregnancy Act - Discussion.	Chennai
20.08.07	NREGA - Campaign	Aravakurichi and Paramathi

Cultural Events in August 2007
Date	Block	Village
09.08.07	K.R.Puram	Meladi
13.08.07	K.R.Puram	Veeriyampalayam
16.08.07	Kulithalai	Thelungampatti
20.08.07	Kadavur	Keeranur
23.08.07	V.Pallapatti	Thanthoni
27.08.07	Mooknankurichi	Thanthoni
30.08.07	Palanimuthu Nagar	Karur

Events in November 2007
Date	Programme	Venue
04.11.07	Women's Front State level Meet	Trichy - TMSSS
17.11.07	District Level Women's Front Conference	Karur
19.11.07	Unorganized Labourers - Demonstration	Karur
29.11.07	Union level Games conducted by Mahalir Thittam	Karur & Kulithalai
30.11.07	Union level Games conducted by Mahalir Thittam	K.R.Puram & Thanthoni

Events in December 2007
Date	Programme	Venue
10.12.07	Human Rights Day - DRALM	Karur
21.12.07	Round Table by AREDS and other solidarity partners on Bonded Labour Status -	Chennai

Health Team Plan for December 2007
Date	Village	No. of Participants
Ante-Natal Care Training
12.12.07	C.M.Patti	4 ANCs
14.12.07	Pappanampatti	4 ANCs
19.12.07	Vadagampadi	5 ANCs
Pre Natal Care Training
08.12.07	Laxmanampatti	10 PNCs
15.12.07	Pazhayajayankondam	10 PNCs
18.12.07	Jallipatti	12 PNCs
Adolescent Training
02.12.07	Kundangalpatti	8 Girls
08.12.07	Devasingampatti	10 Girls
09.12.07	Sundukulipatti	14 Girls
20.12.07	Sukkampatti	15 Girls
22.12.07	Nandhankottai	15 Girls
11.12.07	Health - Cultural Awareness Education	Vellaiyakavundanpatti