Sevalaya revisited

We had occasion to revisit Sevalaya off Tirunindravur, paakkam village. The more I saw more my wonder grew at this great institution. They have an orphanage, an old age home, a goshala, craft centre and a full fledged school from primary to 12th standard.All these activities are free for the recipients; yes, it is true. I talked to the inmates in the old age home and spent time chatting with them.The paatis were in good cheer and shared jokes with me. One of the thathas who does very good art work showed me some of his table top decoration pieces. I was stunned that at his age he had the dexterity of his hands to try these things. Usually kaivelai is a women's pastime, but then this thatha has rewritten my existing belief system.I was happy he did.I was ardently invited to join them for lunch.The cook in charge of the old age home is a friendly and good natured woman and sat down and talked with me about how her two children are studying here and she has been deserted by her husband and but for this institution she does not know where she would have been. Definitely she would not have put her children through such a good school she said.One of the thathas help her on special occasions when she needs to prepare extra dishes. All other days the paatis whoever feel up to the task help her in cutting vegetables she told me.

The inmates are taken for a weekly medical check up in the van.The pattis were recalling about their trip the previous day.

The students were busy studying for their exams and hence I did not want to disturb them.

I had lunch with the boys and the food was very very tasty. The students were serving and gave me generous helping of the rasam.This meal was more tasty than the special lunch I had the last time i visited them. It was sponsored by a VIP on his birthday. Nothing to beat a simple wholesome meal, well prepared and affectionately served.

I met two students who have come all the way from Finland on exchange programme for a duration of 2 months. They have come a few days back and are staying and observing and learning on the campus. I quizzed them on choosing India and Chennai to which they said they are students of social work and wanted to choose a place which is as far removed from their place and had zeroed in on Africa or India. And they searched the net and found Sevalaya.Their emails brought instant and satisfactory response and hence they are here now. They were still finding their feet but felt comfortable. Thankfully the inmates were not fawning on them and treated them just like some guests on their premises.

I heard that the institution is run on sound modern management principles. I was amazed that there is performance evaluation which has been introduced after thorough discussion with the stakeholders .The same is under constant review and refinement.They were scheduled to meet next week to plan for the year ahead. I was told that the entire year is planned in advance and the calender is prepared accordingly.

The authorities are planning to hold computer familiarisation classes for the village people which is an annual feature during summer holidays. They also have a craft centre where the village women are taught tailoring which leads to a diploma. Career guidance is given in a structured manner as also spoken English classes are conducted for students and self improvement classes for teachers.

The students are taken on regular trips to places of interest and the elders to temples nearby once every month.

More than all these activities and programmes, what impressed me most was the spirit of camaraderie and friendliness and cheerfulness that pervaded the entire campus. It is not achieved easily and it is a true tribute to the management of this place.

I wish to be engaged with this institution more in the days to come.