Aravanigal Day 2008/ SALEM

The Aravanigal Day 2008 programme was celebrated on 19.01.2008 at Salem. The inauguration programme held on 19.01.2008 at POOMALAI Vaniga Vallagam, an exclusive shopping complex run by District Rural Development for Self Help Groups. Her worshipful Mayor Mrs.RekhaPriyadharshini and Mr.Veerapandi A. Raja, MLA were the chief guests. As an effort of adding value to the Aravanigal Day concept, “We too for Healthy Society”, a free eye camp was organized. The District Blind Control Society had sponsored the eye camp. Her worshipful Mayor Mrs.RekhaPriyadharshini in her address encouraged the Transgender population to get trained in various skills and utilize it for their livelihood needs.

Mr.Veerapandi A. Raja, MLA inaugurated the eye camp and purchased the craft items, food and handloom saris etc the products made by the Transgender. His words were very much encouraging. To quote a few, he asserted that

“Aravanis are also human beings and there is no need to discriminate them, the discrimination towards them is also a social evil. We have to accept them as our sisters”.

“It is the responsibility of every one to buy the products made by Aravanis and encourage their effort”. He also added that as a member of Legislative assembly he will support PDI’s effort to get a permanent shop in Poomalai Vaniga Vallagam for Aravani [transgender] SHGs.

"He added that media should focus the positive side of Aravanis and highlights their efforts instead of highlighting the mishappening or unhappy aspects, which are very few in number. He added that if the 90 percentage of good things are highlighted by the media then automatically the remaining 10 percent evil aspects will go away. "
He concluded his speech with his heartiest wishes to the Aravanis.

Working along with Anganwadi workers is an important programme of this year Aravanigal Day. Three blocks of Salem districts were prioritized and around 341 Anganwadi workers were trained by PDI. The three blocks include Tharamangalam, Omallur and Ayothia patinam. 30 Aravanis joined hands with the Anganwadi workers in creating awareness to the general public regarding Tuberculosis, Cancer, importance of women education and health insurance. 17 villages were covered and nearly 5000 women were educated by the Aravanis. A team from “CARE - SHAKSHAM” Rajamundhiri, Andhra Pradesh came for an exposure visit to observe the Aravanigal utsav and field work of Aravanis with Anganwadi workers.

Along with this team, the trained cultural troupe had performed Street Plays in three blocks during the evenings from 21st to 23rd January. They disseminated the messages related to Tuberculosis, Cancer, importance of women education and health insurance. The messages were carried out through puppet shows, street theatre and folk arts. The messages were well taken by the general public.

On 22.01.2008 a special programme was arranged in continuation with the Aravanigal Day 2008 celebration. Mr.N. Mathivanan, District collector of Salem was the chief guest. The products made by the Aravani Self Help Groups were exhibited. A free dental camp was arranged. A team of dentists from Ryan Dental Hospital served the community. Dr.Vijayaraman, Senior Program Manager, TAI and Mr.C.Swaminathan, Associate Program Manager TAI attended the programme.
The District collector in his address appreciated the PDI for its initiatives in uplifting the Aravanis and assured the following,

Conducting special Grievance day for Aravani

Joining the special SHGs of PDI under Women Development Corporation.

Providing a shop in Poomalai Vaniga Vallagam in consultation with the DRDA Project officer.

Necessary steps for issuing the Ration cards and Voters Identity Cards for Aravanis.

Observance of World AIDS Day 2007 by the Youth Peer Educators – Thanjavur District

PDI had implemented a Young People Community Peer Educators Programme in Thanjavur District during the period from September 2005 to October 2007. It was a collaborative effort of PDI, Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK), and UNICEF, Chennai. UNICEF provided the technical and financial support to the programme till October 2007. The training co coordinators of PDI, with the assistance of NSVs (National Service Volunteers) of NYK organized Community Meetings and sensitized the young population on HIV/AIDS issues. The Project Team identified Male and Female Peer Educators and trained them periodically. The Trained Peer Educators were given chance to share their experiences with their peers, Community Leaders, and their Parents and they have a monthly experience sharing meetings. The Peer Educators were motivated and capacitated to sustain the initiatives even after withdrawal of the programme and the project has taken efforts to form a cluster level Peer Educators Associations. As a result, a few of the young Peer Educators have taken effort to observe the World AIDS Day on their own with the local mobilization of resources.

Mr. M.Gopuraj, hails from the Village Kasavalanadu Pudur, of Thanjavur District, initiated the activity and made the following possible.
Mr. M.Gopuraj, a young graduate is one among the Peer Educators associated with PDI-NYK-UNICEF team and attended the Peer Educators Training Programme during 5th to 9th January 2006. He has been very active in his activities, since he joined the team of Peer Educators.

He led the team of Peer Educators and observed the world AIDS Day Programme on 1st December 2007 in his village with the support of fellow Peer Educators belong to his cluster of villages. He organized a massive Rally with the participation of fellow Peer Educators, Women from the Self Help Groups, Community Leaders, and the Youths. The Local Body Representatives including their village president, Member -District Panchayat flagged off the rally and honored the programme. The Youth Peer Educators shared their experiences in the meeting. At the end, they have unveiled the HIV/AIDS Awareness Board in their village.

The Chief Guests distributed prizes to the students participated in the competitions organized by the Peer Educators. It is note-worthy to say here that the total cost for organizing these events were mobilized locally.

Another important outcome of this meeting is that the Peer Educators have decided to launch a new initiative namely “Orthorum Vizhipunarvu” (Awareness to all Villages}. The Peer Educators formed a team on their own to visit all the villages in the district to raise the awareness level on HIV/AIDS and to create AIDS Free Villages.

Posted by Ila.Ambalavanan, Secretary, PDI