Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Muzhucode Y.M.C.A. Thesis
Muzhucode Y.M.C.A. Thesis
Muzhucode Y.M.C.A. Thesis
I acknowledge the abundant blessing and Grace of God almighty which enabled me to
complete this work.
I express my sincere thanks to Dr. N. Gnana Dhas (Principal) and Dr. A Devanesan,
HOD and other teachers of the History Department for this timely help.
CONTENTS
Page.No
INTRODUCTION 1 - 10
SOURCES FOR INFORMATION 11- 12
CHAPTER I EDUCATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
I.1. Adult Education Programme 13-14
I.2. Community Development Education 15
I.3. Educational Awareness 15-16
I.4. Summer School. 16-18
I.5. Free Note Books to School Students 18-19
I.6. Award Distribution Programme. 19-20
I.7. Sponsorship Programme 20
I.8. Student Camps. 20-21
I.9. Typewriting Institute. 21
I.10. Nutrition Training Programme 21-22
I.11. Library and Reading Clubs. 22
I.12. YMCA Institute of Development Studies. 22-23
I.13. Sericulture Course. 24
I.14. Bee Keeping Course. 24-25
I.15. Training Course. 25-28
I.16. Institute of Rural Development. 28-30
CONCLUSION 71-76
BIBILIOGRAPHY 77-81
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 82
INTRODUCTION
Population
Muzhucode panchayat covers an area of 3.5 square km with a population 9571.
Muzhucode panchayat consist of a spectrum of castes and communities. Among the
total population 510 are scheduled castes, 8760 are backward castes and other
castes come about 3004. With a total population more than 70 percent are poor.
Several attempt towards helping the depressed class were taken up by the
missions. Preachers and teachers were recruited and there by started thousands of
Christian primary schools and village schools. The youths in the village
especially from among the outcastes were given opportunity for
5. Y.M.C.A of India and Cylone – Rural work – 1920, (Booklet),p.3.
6. Ibid.
7. Alice.B.VanDoren., “The Women in India”, 1931,p.54.
8. C.B.Firth., An Introduction to Indian church History, p.p.154-159.
leaving the village and to have better exposure. But all these things of the
missionary enterprise could not solve the problems of the village and to have a
real impact on the social and economic conditions9.
three Baptists, three Congregationalists and three methodists12. Later the name
was changed as “Young Men’s Christian Association” with Red Equilateral Triangle
standing on one angle and its emblem symbolising equal development of body, mind
and spirit.
With in 10 years of its origin the association spread all over Europe, the United
States of America and Canada. It convened a conference in Paris on 22nd August
1855 in which 99 representatives participated13. In the conference the fundamental
principle on which the movement would function; known as the ‘Paris Basis’ was
unanimously adapted14.
The executive committee of the National council of Y.M.C.A is accepted the Rural
scheme of K.T. Paul on 15th December 1913, which marked the birth of rural
Department of the Y.M.C.A of India19. Thus
15. C.S. Peterson., ‘Early History of the Calcutta Y.M.C.A’ Calcutta, 1929,
p.55.
16. “A Hundred and Twenty years ago” Y.M.I., Vol. LIV, May 1942, p.110.
17. M.D.David., The Y.M.C.A. and the making of modern India. NewDelhi, 1992,
p.4.
18. Ibid., P.28.
19. Gram Sevak., Monthly magazine.,1961, p. 132.
K.T.Paul came to be called as the father of the Y.M.C.A Rural Work20. The
appointment of K.T.Paul as the Y.M.C.A in 1916, marked the process of
indigenization21. He gave the movement a new vision and stressed the urgent need
for extending genuine service to the rural areas. Paul gave a new direction to the
movement in India and Asia22.
By launching the rural work programme Paul had infact opened a new campaign
against Indian poverty. He introduced the co-operative Banks23. His aim was to
eradicate the poverty of the masses as well as ignorance and illiteracy. The
slogan 5Ds [Viz Debt, Dark, Disease, Darkness and Devil] supposed to be the
enemies of the villages was adopted24.
In such a life situation, to escape from the attack of famine, poverty and
unemployment, some people went to Ceylon and other distant places in search of a
livelihood in the plantations. Others sold their land, houses, cattle, Jewellery
and in some cases, famine was so severe that the parents sold their children in
slavery to Muslims for quarter rupee. Some people even migrated to the plantations
of Permudu, in North Travancore28. Due to
26. D. Spencer Hatch., Towards freedom from want, Bombay 1938, p.46.
27. Ibid., p.48.
28. Dick Kooiman., “Mass movement Famine and Epidemic”, Indian Church review,
Vol.XXII, December 1988, pp.120 -125.
all these reasons, the people of south Travancore were in a condition of utter
hopelessness having lost the backbone of self existence and collapse of total
economic condition. Knowing the work of the Rural Department of Y.M.C.A in
Malabar, Salem, Coimbatore and Ceded Districts, the mission and the church in
south Travancore requested the national council of Y.M.C.A. s to extend their
service to this area29.
Unlike the other centers–Paraniyam and oolanoor which had separate managing
committees, Muzhucode centre functioned under the same managing committee of
Marthandam and as a direct project of the national council. An amount donated by
spencer Hatch to the Marthandam centre was also utilized for the purchase of the
land at Muzhucode32.
31. 18th Triennial convention Report, 1955-57, p. 20.
32. Ibid., p.16.
In the preparation of this project I have consulted the primary sources such
as Annual reports and project reports of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A. These are the main
source of information, and these annual reports supply information about the
various activities of the Y.M.C.A.
CHAPTER – I
EDUCATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Adult Education Programme
The year 1980 was noted for certain definite advancements in the growth of
Y.M.C.A. It was so glaring in the case of Muzhucode Y.M.C.A. In the year 1981
this YMCA took a different phase to widen its activities1. The non-formal
education scheme of Central Government offered the field. Accordingly the YMCA has
applied for thirty centres of non-formal education to the Government of India and
got the sanction for the same2.
on the need of the hour the Y.M.C.A have started adult education centres4. Of
which education were sponsored by the national Adult education progress of the
Government of India5. This programme could function to the benefit of Sixty
learners during the year 1984- 856.
Through the adult education scheme Y.M.C.A was able to achieve something for the
rural masses. In recognition of service that the centre rendered in the field of
education they were honored with awards and certificates. As the year 1990 was the
national Literacy year7, they have jointly taken efforts with other organizations
for the complete eradication of illiteracy from Kanyakumari district. Evening
literacy centers to the benefit of ten villages in Melpuram Block could be
conducted under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A8. Books and periodicals were
distributed to the learners through the centre. This programme was helpful to make
the people read and write in mother tongue as well as to create an awareness among
them.
4. Minute of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 1982, p.16.
5. Ibid.,p.18.
6. Annual report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 1984-85, p.3.
7. Ibid., 1990-91, p.3.
8. Ibid.,p.5
2. Community Development Education
The primary object of education is character formation. However it is meant for
the promotion of socio-political awareness among the villagers. But in the strict
sense the nature of education needed for the said purpose is community development
education9. It has been devised to make the villagers understand their place in
the society, Politics and economy. The learning process will be by demonstration.
Field visits, Role plays, Educational tours, Cultural activities and by
communication in various medias10. Organization of youth clubs, Programme for
school dropouts and women Sangams formed part of development education. All worked
together for the total development11.
3. Educational Awareness
In mids of the 20th century India stands first in illiteracy among the under
developed countries. It is noted that illiteracy throughout India is 48.7%
4. Summer School
Muzhucode YMCA arranged a summer school programme for the school going
students in its Training centre for a week. It was started in the
year 198514. General knowledge, Spoken English, kitchen garden, Bee-Keeping and
sericulture training were some of the useful subjects thought to the students.
Morethan twenty two students participated and gained a lot from this programme15.
In the latter years subjects like Home Science, Scientific Inventions and Politics
are also thought. An average of seventy to seventy five students participated and
benefited by this training programme in every year16.
This YMCA had the tradition of conducting summer training camps17. Morethan
thirty students participated every year. Summer camps were conducted with the
following aims.
1. To create, maintain and extend high standard of character in accordance with
the basic principles of YMCA.
2. To provide opportunity for exposition of their hidden talents.
14. Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 1985-86, p.2.
15. Ibid., 1990-1991,p.3.
16. Ibid., 2006-2007,p.5.
17. Personal Interview with V. Sam Chandrabose, Secretary Muzhucode Y.M.C.A,
aged -55, Residing at Muzhucode, dated,18-01-2008.
Education imparted to the poor children and the vocational training offered to the
youth, to seek self employment made the YMCA a house hold term in the region. In
addition to this, It undertook many endeavors to get more and more access with the
poorest of the poor. To work along that line the organization started classes for
the benefit of the poor school going children.
18. M.D.David., The Y.M.C.A and the making of modern India, New Delhi, 1992,
p.314.
free note books to sixty two economically poor students19. Books and cloths
provided to the students enabled them to continue their studies. But these
students in general lacked the spirit of competition to come first in studies. To
achieve the same the Association set up awards to be distributed among industrious
students.
7. Sponsorship Programme
Partial assistance offered by association for the education of the poor
students did not encourage all the students to pursue their studies. Some of them
could not continue their education without an agency to meet their entire
expenses. To over come this difficulty the YMCA attempted to find out some
sponsoring agencies and succeeded in it. This scheme came to be implemented in
198422. The sponsored students are provided with uniform, note books, fees and
other necessary things at free of cost23.
8. Student Camps
Poor Village children do not have facilities for relaxation in summer.
21. Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 2006 - 2007, p.4.
22. Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 1984-85, p.7.
23. Ibid.,p,9.
To their benefit the Muzhucode YMCA arranged the practice of conducting summer
camps. During the year 2005 three residential camps were arranged for children24.
Along with the summer camps, special short training programmes were also conducted
for the welfare of students25.
9. Typewriting Institute
The unit at Muzhucode started a small Institute with three machines in its
campus. It could attract an average of ten students to attend the class.
Typewriting class continued to grow slowly and in 2006 it could accommodate twenty
five students26.
A ten days nutrition course also found place in the list of annual summer
course27. The library and reading clubs of the YMCA proved an improvement over the
other activities towards the cultural progress.
A free library and reading room put up in the premises of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A
helps the villages to acquire basic education and general knowledge28. It also
helps them to utilize their leisure time usefully.
27. Personal Interview with V. Sam Chandra Bose, Secretary of Muzhucode Y.M.C.A,
aged -55, Residing at Muzhucode, dated , 18-01-2008.
28. Ibid.
programmes were arranged29. Unemployed and undergraduates were enrolled for this
progrmme30. After the obtainment of their academic qualifications they do not know
how to proceed further in life. To enlighten them with vocational guidance and
training in various aspects such as self employment schemes and job oriented
courses were introduced to the trainees. The duration of the training is three
months and is likely to be extended in the coming years. This is a unique
programme and highly appreciated by the people around this area31.
A music class was started in the year 198532. Students are called three days on
every week. It could attract an average of fifteen students to attend the class.
33. A.R. Patel., D.P. Khankoje., Rural Economics, New Delhi 1985.,p.201.
34. Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 1990-91, p.4.
35. Ibid., 2001-02. p.3.
36. Institute of Rural Development,Pamplets, Muzhucode, 1976, p.3.
37. Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 2006-2007, p.5.
programme, and on the strength of that few of them appeared for the Government
Technical Examination. It is interesting to see that the success of Bee-keeping
undertaken by the Y.M.C.A instigated it go conduct short term training course on
Bee-keeping and other subjects.
On successful completion of the course a certificate was issued. This course was
conducted twice in a year during May to June and September to November40. As part
of long term training programme the institute conducted a ten months Diploma
course in Rural Development Technology. The minimum qualification for the diploma
course was S.S.L.C. In this, few more subjects: Youth Welfare, Rural Economic,
Civic and Community Activities and Gandhiyan thought were added to the syllabus of
three months course41.
The trained L.K.K Workers educated the villages how to keep the houses and
surroundings clean; the uses of composite pits and smokless
39. Indian Y.M.C.A. in Rural Development, Report of Dr.V.S. Lal Yuvak, March-
April 1981, p.8.
40. Report of Institute of Rural Development, Muzhucode by K.C. Mathew
(Director). 1980-1981.p.10.
41. The Y.M.C.A Institute of Rural Development, Muzhucode Handbook, 1977, p.7.
chulas the importance of five year plan, Co-operation, first aid, home nursing,
child care, home science, small savings, the benefits and profit of bee-keeping,
poultry keeping, fodder grass, banana fiber etc42. They also conducted cultural
programmes like dramas, dialogues, songs and dances once every month in each
village and educated people of various kinds like litigation, drinking, dowry and
untouchability43.
While patronizing the course of boys of the area the centre never discharged
women. To their benefit the unit has undertaken different types of training
programmes. Major schemes such as mat making, Palmyra leaf work, Soap making,
juice making, straw craft etc44. A special training programme in soap making was
held in August 200445. There are fifty students participated in this training.
Another training in Juice and Jam making was arranged in September 200446.
Training craft subjects like Palmyra leaf works and plastic works are also
arranged for their needs47
b. Activities
The activities were carried on by three departments of the institute namely:
(i) Department of Training
(ii) Department of Extension
(iii) Department of Evaluation and Rural studies.
The charge of the Institute was given to the director who was appointed by the
National council. R.S. Daniel was appointed as the first director. The Marthandam
centre and the Institute had their own programmes of training and extension,
collaborating and supporting each other in programme activities52.
1. Poultry Keeping
The credit of taming the wild fowls was due to the Indians. But they did
nothing to improve its quality and so it grew in their houses just like a bird.
Their hens had a very poor egg laying capacity ranging from fifteen to twenty five
in a year1. At the same time the western traders took the Indian hens to European
countries and improved it scientifically so as to give eggs ranging from 200 – 250
per year2. Thus the poultry keeping became a profitable cottage vocation in the
European countries; while in India it remained as quite unproductive and
uneconomic. In such situation knowing the potentiality of poultry keeping and egg
production towards the economic development of the poor villagers3.
2. Bee – Keeping
Muzhucode centre too conducts the Bee- keeping course every year8. In 1980
there are thirty boys and girls complete this course from this centre. In the year
1990, two batches of students completed this Bee-keeping.
4. The foundation stone of this poultry unit was laid by prof.Jerry Paton of
California, U.S.A. on 30-05.1956.
5. 18th Triennial convention report, 1955-57, p.20.
6. Report of R.D.C.Muzhucode, 1963 – 64. p.2.
7. The Association Men, Vol. IX, July 1957, p.122.
8. Institute of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 1990-92, p.5.
Training and in 1992 seventy students particiapted9 this programme, and on the
strength of that few of them appeared for the Government Technical examination. It
is interesting to see that the success of Bee-keeping undertaken by the Y.M.C.A
instigated it to conduct short term training course on Bee-keeping and other
subjects.
The purpose of training and education was “to teach scientific and up to
date bee-keeping and to popularize it”. Keeping the objective in mind 12 lessons
was prepared as follows to teach the students of bee-keeping.
(v) Transferring wild bees from pots, rocks, trees and caves to improved
hives10.
(vi) Pests, diseases, bad seasons, scarcity of flowers, how to guard against
them?
(vii) Removing honey where how, what percent?
(viii) Doubling production by extracting encouraging Indian bees to work
harder; the process and equipment.
(ix) Bee pasturage, adding to the natural supply.
(x) Sale, bottling, Labeling, Comb-honey, cortons, markets.
(xi) The Co-operative bee-keepers society for production, marketing and mutual
improvement.
(xii) The Italian bee for larger production.
These lessons were handled by experts of bee keeping with the help of bee hives
and other equipments. The classes were mostly practical demonstration rather than
theoritical presentation. It made the learner able to transfer his bees from pots
or beehives or caves into modern hives to multiply production and to market his
honey profitably11.
3. Kitchen Gardening
The Y.M.C.A has deep involvement in the field of kitchen gardening for many
years. It helps the villagers to propagate and promote home gardens in the
villages. It is a very important developmental activity and it helps to solve
problems of mal-nutrition and food storage. It also gives a feeling of achievement
and dignity of labour13.
The important object of the centre towards the school and home garden work was “to
improve the food supply of the community and increase the income, intelligence and
efficiency of the farmers and other rural people of the present and future16. The
agriculture development work was brought under the ‘freedom from Hunger’ Campaign
started under the project financed by Christian aid, London. The aim of the
project was “to demonstrate the villagers food production through better
agricultural techniques, better seeds, manure etc17”.
16. Hatch, D.Spencer., Towards Freedom from Want, Oxford university Press,
Bombay. 1949, p.30.
17. A. Kanakaraj., op.cit, p.197.
18. The Y.M.C.A, R.D.C.M, Muzhucode (leaflet), August 1970, p.9.
The Y.M.C.A involvement in agriculture did not end with the vegetables and
fruits. In addition to them it cultivated fodder grasses like Guinea, Napier
papaya and resistant grasses are popularized long stapled cotton, arrow root
growing, compost manure making etc were also demonstrated on a smaller scale in
the centre good quality seeds and seeding of vegetables, fruit plants and
cuttings of tapioca sticks, sweet potatoes and leafy vegetables are popularized in
villages. During the Green revolution period the Government also introduced the
high yielding of seeds and fertilizers19.
The Y.M.C.A conducted a short term training course on agriculture in 2007. There
were thirty students participate in the same course. The duration of the course is
one month20.
5. Sericulture
The silk industry can be maintained in a place where there is abundance of
mulberry. Hence mulberry growing is demonstrated to raise
19. V.K. Garg., Rural Economics, New Delhi. 1988, p.72.
20. Personal Interview with V.Sam Chandrabose Secretary of Muzhucode Y.M.C.A
aged -55, Residing at Muzhucode dated, 18 -01-2008.
silk worms21. The silk worm raising and silk reeling are taught as a subsidiary
industry. In Kasmir and Mysore the sericulture forms one of the main occupations
of the people22.
CHAPTER – III
HEALTH AND RURAL SANITATION SERVICES
Health and nutrition play a vital role in the community. Even though the
Government has many schemes and programmes to promote health and sanitation, most
of the rural people live in very unhygenic and unsanitary surroundings. The
deficiency of pure water to drink and insufficient facilities to attend the first
and second call of nature most of the villagers suffer from common diseases6.
People suffering from Leprosy, T.B and serious diseases will be referred to
concerned Government and mission hospitals7.
It largely depended upon the availability of medical care and the medical
awareness of the people. As these were found very poor in the villages8, the
Y.M.C.A started concentrating its attention upon this along with the other
activities.
4. Ibid., 1990 – 91, p.5.
5. K.Singh., op.cit ., p.289.
6. O.P.Dhana., O.P, Bhatnagar., op. cit., p.343.
7. Personal Interview with V. Sam Chandra Bose, Secretary of Muzhucode Y.M.C.A,
aged -55, Residing at Muzhucode dated,18-01- 2008.
8. Ibid.
2. Health care measures
The primary object of this programme is the attainment of “Health for all by
2000 AD”9. It is to be made known to the village mass. Even among the educated,
the health status is very much neglected due to ignorance and selfishness. During
the past one year attention was focused on five villages. The programme gave
special attention for the education of rural people and made them aware of owing
Latrine10.
In each village two hundred houses have been selected by the health
workers11. The health workers were trained to study the attitude of people
carefully and to render service according to the need. In each village twenty
Latrine slabs have been distributed12. People’s participation calculated as ten
percent in the first batch was raised to fifty percent in the second batch. The
beneficiaries have been identified after several group meetings.
Apart from this, medical camps assisted by local public health centers
The primitive practices of the villages like open air defection affected
their health. To overcome the situation, special attention was given in the
educational programme on health. Three remote villages in Melpuram Block namely
Muzhucode, Vellamcode, Manchalumoodu have been chosen for the extension health
programme14.
A programme for fifty rural Latrines was launched in all the centres15. An
attempt was made to popularize the installation of sanitary toilets in as many
houses as possible in the largest villages. This attempt had its culmination in
the formation of rural latrine scheme. It had to promote a better and a healthy
living condition among the people of the rural areas16.
This unit started one clinics in this area20. It also made arrangements for
a part time doctor to check the village patient coming to the clinics and give
free medicines once in a week21.
17. Institute of Rural Development (Booklet) Muzhucode, Marthandam, 1976, p.3.
18. Ibid., p.8.
19. Ibid.,p.9.
20. Chathunavu, Monthly magazine, July 1983, p.21.
21. Ibid., p.23.
Health camps and get together are often arranged for the village women and
they are educated for better living conditions with the available resourses22.
The main thrust of this programme is to give special service for the mother
and child of two years old36. It covers Anti natal care, natal care and post Natal
care. Also periodical medical check-up and vaccination have been arranged to the
mother and child with the help of a medical practioner37.
6. Mahalir Mantam
Mahalir Mantams are functioning under the auspices of different Y.M.C.A
units. Family Welfare Camps and Health Education are the main features of the
organization41. Monthly meetings and work camps are being organized by the Mahalir
Mantam. These associations help the people to know and study about health and
hygienic, family welfare, prevention of
The demand for water tanks increased. To cope with the increasing demand
they planned to construct more than hundred water tanks46. The
CHAPTER – IV
SELF EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES
1. Cottage Industries
Self–employment scheme and programmes offered by the organization bring
employment to many and solve the problems of employment in the villages in a
silent manor. But these activities cannot expect much in the line of industrial
development of the region and the nation in a wider perspective. Towards this goal
the Y.M.C.A came forward to start and encourage the cottage industries movement.
The catering areas of the Y.M.C.A activities offer chance for the formation of
many a cottage industry with a redeeming future1.
Banana fiber bags and fancy things are the products of this unit. The
trained workers could get a daily wage of Rs.15 to 18. This self employment scheme
could be a source of help to nearly thirty poor families.
The Y.M.C.A conducts a six month Banana fiber craft training every year6.
The trainees are taught fiber making and doll making. This center runs a craft
school with a qualified craft teacher7.
The Y.M.C.A introduced and popularized zinc sheet pans for boiling the juice
to save fuel, time and avoid smoke10. The palm-gur development programme of the
unit availed the financial assistance of the Khadi and village industries
commission11. It also helped in organizing the palm-gur co-operative society
Marthandam and Kuzhithurai. The pal gur expert to Government of India worked in
Co-Operation with the Y.M.C.A12.
Year by Year new technological improvements could be evolved for stabilizing and
expanding the scope of the industry in the coutry13.
1. The introduction of aerial rope ways system came to simply the palm-tree
climbing hazard.
2. The Harnessing of Solar Heat for Evaporating neera for producing Jaggery
helped to solve the problem of high consumption of fuel14.
3. The hotting and freezing of neera developed it into a whole some drink.
4. Planting the palm-trees in rows and colonization of the tappers became an
incentive to the industry.
5. Organization of village tappers through primary Jaggery societies helped
them to be linked with the district and state federations and finally with the All
India Fedaration15.
Besides its Jaggery production and processing activity, the Y.M.C.A taught the
young village girls and women the art of making palmyrah leaf articles through a
demonstration class of one month17. A large number of village girls and women
attended this class. The villagers used the palmyrah leaf as fire wood but the
Y.M.C.A taught them to utilize the palmyrah leaves for making attractive articles
such as bags, baskets and mats, instead of using them for fuel purpose18. They
would sell these finished goods to confessional rates. Still it is a small self
employment scheme and hundreds of villagers are benefited of the program.
16. Personal Interview with V. Sam Chandra Bose, Secretary of Muzhucode Y.M.C.A,
aged -55, Residing at Muzhucode dated , 18 -01-2008.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
2. Tailoring
Economically poor girls after finishing their high school studies and dropouts do
not know how to proceed forward in their life. To the benefit of there poor girls
a Tailoring Institute as a training cum production centre was started on 29th
November 1982 in a rented building of Muzhucode19. As an outcome of this project
seventeen girls came out of this institute as trained tailors in 198720. Many
others were trained in handicrafts such as basket making and chair winding.
The women engaged in this programme had their own problems which were discussed in
the weekly meetings. A loan of Rs.500/- has been issued for the purpose of cloth
and other raw materials22. Altogether the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A through its two
centres at Muzhucode and Manchalumoodu, produced twenty five trained tailors in a
year23.
The embroidery unit is producing house decorate items such as Bed Cover, Table
Cover and Sofa Cover in cross stiching24. The finished embroidery goods are being
sold in different parts of our districts. During 1994-95 the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A
centre has identified three villages of most backward nature and devoid of any
embroidery work like smoke
stitching and cross stitching. In all villages embroidery units were installed
to the benefit of sixty women25.
The Y.M.C.A unit started a lace work in 1995. With twenty eight workers. There are
a lot of designs in lace work expressing neatness and perfection. Thus the works
of tailoring Embroidery and lace work improved in different manner with cross
stitch and smoke stitching stand as specialities26. Irrespective of caste or
religion women of all the communicative are absorbed in the training programme.
completed their X and XII standard studies were declared eligible for a technical
course of pump maintenance which was commenced on 15th December 1982. This six
month Job oriented practical course offers instruction and training to fifty
boys28, every year. During the period of study the students are provided with
hostel facilities.
4. Spinning
The Muzhucode unit found it necessary to start a textile unit to avert the
pitiable condition of the villagers in and around Muzhucode. Towards this end the
rural textile spinning centre was started on 26th June 1983, with the assistance
of Khadi and village industries board29. Twenty to thirty poor young girls and
women could seek employment in this unit with a daily salary of twenty rupees30.
On the strength of their employment position they could avoid bank loans also.
28. Personal Interview with V. Sam Chandra Bose, Secretary of Muzhucode Y.M.C.A,
aged -55, Residing at Muzhucode dated,18-01- 2008.
29. Chathunavu, Monthly magazine, June 1983, p.19.
30. Personal Interview with V. Sam Chandra Bose, Secretary of Muzhucode Y.M.C.A,
aged -55, Residing at Muzhucode dated,18-01-2008.
CHAPTER- V
WELFARE MEASURES
All the boys receive food, cloth, shelter, education and training in a trade
to earn their bread in future. The admission of the inmates is restricted
5. Annual Report of Y.M.C.A Muzhucode 1964, p.12.
6. Vasanth Desai., A Study of Rural Economics, Bombay,1983, p.366.
7. Yuvak, National Council of India, New Delhi, 1982, p.12.
8. Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A 1983 – 84, p.3.
to the age group of six to sixteen9. All the boys of the home go to school and at
free time they take care of the Vegetable and Flower gardens Bee-keeping, Poultry
keeping, Goats raring and Sericulture10.
The boys are given special care in their studies. They are encouraged in
games and sports. They are trained in various self-employment schemes also. They
attend the “summer school” every year. Occasionally they are taken out on short
and long tour11.
It is interesting to know that many inmates of past are doing very well in
life. On enquiry it is brought to light that, there are three Mechanics and police
among them. In addition to this there are a lot of pastors, properties of small
business concerns and Government servants. Those two boys of the home, who scored
high marks in X standard examination in 2007, are now supported to their higher
studies in a ITI institute of the district12.
3. Youth Meeting
Modern education system breeds unemployed youths in large number. For the
welfare of such youths in villages youth group was organize17. This is mainly for
creating in them awareness about the present Indian situation. Seminars on various
topics like “India today”, “Cottage Industry”, “Unemployment problem”, “Evils of
Dowry”, “Casteism and Drug Abuces,”
4. Anti-Dowry Movements
Now a days the dowry poses a grave problem to the poverty stricken women.
Many girls are left unmarried in villages due to this evil19. As a small attempt,
voice has been raised against the existing dowry problem. Anti dowry rally and
campaigns were arranged during the middle of the year 198820. People from all over
the Muzhucode region participated in the meetings. The seminars arranged under the
auspices of the movement21 were highly useful, as it made them to think and act.
The welfare measures of the loan schemes denote its all round developmental
activities for the rural uplift.
18. Personal Interview with Mr. M. Biju, President of the Youth Club of
Muzhucode Y.M.C.A aged -28, Residing at Muzhucode dated ,20-03-2008.
19. Singh K., Rural Sociology, Lucknow, 1987, p.185.
20. Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 1987-1988, p.3.
21. Ibid.
development of the village. Responsible persons like Panchayat President, Ward
members, Pastors, Priests and Social Activist became members of the council. They
used to meet once in a month and discuss plan and take decisions for the welfare
of the whole village22. As a part of this programme they honoured village workers
in different fields such as agriculture, Carpentary, Tea Petty Shop, Cooli and
Handy Crafts. Y.M.C.A give prizes and awards to the village workers in the Annual
Day public meeting23. The development of the village required the habit of thrift
on the part of its people.
6. Flood Relief
The Flood of November 1992 rendered more than one thousand families homeless
and damaged a large number of houses24. The people started living in relief camps
and near by houses of their friends and relatives. The Muzhucode Y.M.C.A extended
relief by distributing rice, edibles, cloths and cooking utensils Volunteers of
the Y.M.C.A helped to
remove the debris and put up temporary sheds25. A number of Medical Camps were
organized in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association of Marthandam26.
25. Ibid.
26. Minutes of the Marthandam Y.M.C.A., 1992, p.142.
CONCLUSION
Y.M.C.A, is a world wide Christian organization stands for cultural and welfare
measures. Its activities in the Kanyakumari District occupy a foremost place in
rural development. The rural centers of the Y.M.C.A are highly helpful in
successfully carrying out the rural reconstruction programmes of Mahatma Gandhi.
They have been fully dedicated in the cause of all those who suffer from lack of
status and deprived of their rights.
Of all the activities of the Y.M.C.A its educational endeavours count much.
Attempt of the Y.M.C.A to eradicate illiteracy from the villages forms a bold step
for the promotion of rural welfare. The assistance and co-operation extended to
the state measures of primary education appear useful for the fight against
poverty, superstition, over population, debt, disease and other evils of rural
life. The educational activities of the Y.M.C.A among the adult education mark a
milestone development in the process of rural upliftment.
The adult education programme of the Y.M.C.A is really a fight against illiteracy
and deterioration of culture. Many adult education centers of Y.M.C.A started with
the help of central Government proved instrumental in enabling the poor village
adults to read and write in their mother tongues.
Summer School programme arranged during the summer holidays helped the
students to bolsters their general knowledge in different subjects and matters.
Y.M.C.A conducted Hindi classes and music classes to bring an allround development
in the students life. Free note books, Merit prizes and scholarships made
available to the poor children enabled them to pursue their studies without any
break. Similarly the educational tours and student camps arranged by the Y.M.C.A
could bring changes in the personality of the students.
The training course like sericulture and bee-keeping rendered the life of
many village youth fruitful and meaningful. Y.M.C.A. s contribution for the
promotion of health and sanitation of the rural masses could see solution of to
many aggressive problems. Programmes of Health Education, Health Care centres,
Health Camps, Health Talks and Seminars arranged under the auspices of Y.M.C.A in
the rural areas taught the rural folk how to keep their health to lead a happy
life.
Pioneering work of the Y.M.C.A for the promotion of physical education and
leadership training programmes stood to the effect of making mental make up and
physical development of the people. The family welfare programmes conducted in the
holidays for rural mothers could keep them aware of the state stressed schemes
like family planning and child welfare.
In the field of agriculture the Y.M.C.A gave much for the village farmers.
Scientific method of cultivation with the use of chemical fertilizers and better
seeds as introduced and propagated by the Y.M.C.A through its model farms
contributed a lot for the development of kitchen gardening and fruit farming in
the region.
Poultry farming and goat rearing attained much impetus through the Y.M.C.A.
Among these two activities poultry farming became a major concern of many village
families. Arrangement made by the Y.M.C.A to purchase the eggs from the villagers
at a higher price to sell them in the distant market became an additional
incentive to them to progress in life. Bee-keeping and sericulture training
obtained by the villagers through the Y.M.C.A centers emboldened many to undertake
those activities for their livelihood. Introduction of sindhi cow and saanan goat
by the Y.M.C.A in the region has its due-share in the white resolution of the
area.
The schemes like Tailoring, Spinning, Embroidery and Fiber Craft popularized
by the Y.M.C.A centers happened to be the main stay of many young girls and women
in life for a long time. The arts of Soap Making, Candle Making, Mat Weaving, Coir
Making and Straw Craft offered by the centers could bring a way of hope to many
hopeless village families.
The Boys Home occupies a unique place in the welfare activities of the
Y.M.C.A. The orphan and destitute children admitted in the home came up in life
without knowing their degraded position in the society.
The multifarious rural programme was aimed at bringing relief to the poverty
stricken rural Indian masses. In short the Y.M.C.A is doing excellent service for
mankind in various fields especially for the economic and social upliftment of the
rural population of Kanyakumari District.
In the light of the above said facts along with a host of others it is not
surprising to say that no stone in the field of rural development was left
unturned by the Y.M.C.A in the district. It may be true to say that the Y.M.C.A
activities along the line of rural development are a few drops in the ocean. But
for those drops the ocean would have been lesser. By and large the Y.M.C.A
activities of the region bear witness to true Christian Service among the uncared
and the needy poor of the district.
BIBILIOGRAPHY
PRIMARY SOURCES
INTERVIEWS
1. Personal Interview with V. Sam Chandra Bose, Secretary of Muzhucode Y.M.C.A;
aged -55, Residing at Muzhucode dated - 18th , January 2008.
2. Personal Interview with C.P. Saroja Francis, Teacher of Tailoring Institute
Muzhucode Y.M.C.A; aged -45, Residing at Muzhucode dated 21st January 2008.
3. Personal Interview with R.B. James Raj, Warden of Boys Home Muzhucode
Y.M.C.A; aged -35, Residing at Muzhucode dated 3rd March 2008.
4. Personal Interview with M. Biju, President of Youth Club of the Muzhucode
Y.M.C.A; aged -28, Residing at Muzhucode dated 20rd March 2008.
5. Personal Interview with T. Lisy, Teacher of Mahalir Mantam Muzhucode
Y.M.C.A; aged -45, Residing at Muzhucode dated 14rd February 2008.
6. Personal Interview with Selvi M. Susanna Sundara Baby, Tuition teacher of
the Boys Home Muzhucode Y.M.C.A; aged -32, Residing at Muzhucode dated 5th March
2008.
LEAFLETS
Rural centers and Institute of rural Development. Marthandam, Y.M.C.A Institute of
Rural Development Muzhucode.
MINUTES
Minutes of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A; 1982-92.
REPORTS
(i) Annual Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A, 1964 to 91.
(ii) Community development project report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A; 1988-89.
(iii) Project report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A; 1992.
(iv) Report on the Administration of travancore, 1924 – 25.
(v) Report of R.D.C.M for 1963, dt 21.11.1963.
(vi) Report of the Muzhucode Y.M.C.A; 1961 -2007.
(vii) Report of Y.M.C.A centers and Institute of Rural Development Marthandm by
K.J. Abraham. Dt. 12.01.1981.
(viii) Report of the general board 20th convention Hyderabad 1962 tp 65.
(ix) Report of the Institute of Rural Development Muzhucode by year 1980 – 81.
(x) 18th Trennial Convention Report, 1955 – 57.
SECONDARY SOURCES
PUBLISHED WORKS
1. Abraham V.S., Kanya Kumari Special Record, Viramangalam, 1998.
2. Alice. B. Van Doren., “The Women in India” Calcutta, 1931.
3. David.M.D., The Y.M.C.A and the Making of Modern India, New Delhi, 1992.
4. Dahama, O.p., Bhatnagar, O.p, Educational and Communication for development,
New Delhi, 1985.
5. Firth, C.B., An Introduction to church History, Madras, 1976.
6. Gaius Jackson, Slosser., Christian unity, New York, 1929.
7. Garg.V.K., Rural Econamics, New Delhi, 1988.
8. Hatch.D. Spencer., Toward Freedom from Want, Bombay, 1949.
9. Hatch D. Spencer. Up from Poverty, Bombay, 1932.
10. Kanakaraj. A., “The Light of Rural Reconstruction”, The History of the
Y.M.C.A. Integrated Rural development in south India, Delhi-2000.
11. Kenyan.L. Butterfield., The Christian mission in Rural India, Report and
Recommendations, International Missionary Council, London, 1930.
12. Patel.A.R., Khankhoje.D.P., Rural Econamics, New Delhi, 1985.
13. Rajayan.K., Modern Tamil Nadu, Madurai, 1992.
14. Subramanian, N., History of Tamil Words (1336 – 1984) Udumalpet, 1991.
15. Singh, K., Rural Sociology, Lucknow, 1987.
16. Vasant Desai., A study of Rural Econamics, Bombay, 1983.
JOURNALS
1. Dundardale, J.H., “ That they All May Be One” The Association Men, Vol.3.
No.12. October 1952.
2. C.S. Peterson., “Early History of the Calcutta Y.M.C.A” The Association Men,
Vol.2, No.8,9, June – July, 1951.
3. Kooimen, Dick, “Mass Movement, Famine and Epidemic”, Indian Church History
Review, Vol . XXII, No.2, December 1988.
MONTHLY MAGAZINES
1. The Association of Men., Vol.3, August 1952.
2. Chathunavu Tamil Y.M.C.A RDC Marthandam 76 to 84.
3. Grama Sevak Y.M.C.A Publication Calcutta – 1961-99.
4. Yuvak – April 1981.
5. Young Men of India (Y.M.I)., Vol.IIV, May 1942.
LIST OF ABREVIATIONS