The Chellamuthu trust, has a hospital at Alagar koil for Residential Rehabilitation for mental illness,have a huge campus on the foot hills .As a result of this,when there is a heavy down pour,the water gushes down from the hill and into their campus washing away the top soil causing soil erosion.The Management requested me to create a rainforest along the border of the foot hills which will help in holding the soil together.Thus,started our Miyawaki project at Bodhi Campus.

• The project involved digging a pit for 300ft with 21/2ft width and 3 feet depth.
• This was done by a JCB,clearing out the thorny shrubs along the way.
• Since it was at the foot hills,we came across a lot of small boulders and stones that had to be removed in order to make the soil more eco friendly for the roots to penetrate deeper.
• This was not the case in Mahatma School,Alagar koil as the space allotted to us was away from the foot hills.
• Collection of Debris also was a cumbersome task for the Management,as we needed to fill 300rft..
• The Management bought saplings and a few saplings were also donated making it abt 320 now to plant.

The inmates were very enthusiastic to plant the saplings which gave us a lot of satisfaction.Also a lot of our Members gave us encouragement by attending the project even though it is quite a distance from the city.

We were very lucky with the rains that year This helped in the plants growing very fast.
The Management are very happy with the result and want to continue this for another 300ft,once the Carona Pandemic has come under control.

Date : 19th July 2019 to 21st July 2019- 10 AM to 9 PM Venue: Tamukkam Grounds, Madurai

The Green Exhibition – 2019

Soroptimist International Madurai Chapter collaborated with Madurai Corporation and Mahatma Schools to
organise a “Go green” exhibition on 19th, 20th and 21st July 2019 at Tamukkam grounds. The three day organic, Green
Exhibition was organised to provide a platform for environmentally sustainable practices by women entrepreneurs,
local farmers, artisans and others dealing in organic, eco-friendly and natural products in an effort to link them and the
public to promote new business ideas. This three day exhibition had 125 stalls installed which were given free of cost to
the participants. It was an initiative in partnership with the Madurai Corporation and a leading Educational
institution, Mahatma Schools. This also raised the profile of SI as a premier organisation in the city. This was a great
opportunity for first time home entrepreneurs in Madurai and they were all very happy and satisfied and requested us
to hold such an exhibition every year. A Wide range of products which were eco friendly and organic products were
available under one roof.

The basic objective of the programme was to create awareness among the public on the usage of eco-friendly
products thereby promoting various artifacts, fabrication, hand works and other merchandise from the local sellers in
100 different stalls. Stalls with alternatives for plastics, eco-friendly building materials, waste management, energy
conservation items brought in new perceptions among the folk. Forgotten games of the Past, Organic Agricultural
products, Traditional Food items exhibited in the fair became the tokens of the past.
Certificates were given to student volunteers by SI Madurai. Almost 6000 people visited the exhibition on all
days and this was covered by the electronic media and print media. All India Radio did a live interview with some of
the members, stall keepers as well as the public. Kolam Competitions for women were organised in the mornings and
cultural events by Mahatmites in the evenings were truly delightful.

Stall keepers were very happy with their sales as well as recognition and contacts they got. The public were
equally enthusiastic getting to see so much variety of organic, eco friendly products in one place.!!! A few of the stall
keepers were in tears as they expressed their gratitude. for some of them it was their very first exposure in public. Some
were happy that they did not have to compete with big companies. This exhibition was a huge runaway success .
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Madurai Corporation Commissioner Shri. S. Visakan , Madurai District
Collector Shri. T.S. Rajasekhar, Smt. Premalatha Paneerselvam and Priyadarshini Karthik of Mahatma Group of
Schools, Madurai.
Press Meeting along with Commissioner at
Madurai Corporation on 17th July 2019

SI Madurai President Dr. Janet Vasantha Kumari’s Visit to Calcutta
Calcutta SI Sister Dr. Mrs. Soma, she spoke fondly of SI Madurai and looks forward to more interaction between the two chapters

Under our ongoing project on Environment Day June 5th 2016, “Green Umbrella” –
We adopted Miyawaki method of planting trees. Environment day 2016 was celebrated on a grand
scale by SI Madurai at Mahatma School, Alagarkoil branch on Saturday, 4th June 2016.
Mrs. Premalatha Paneerselvam, head principal, gathered together 10th and 12th std. students of K.K.
Nagar, Alagarkoil, Baba building and CBSE school branches. The children also brought out the
importance of good environment practices through miming, discussion and songs.
On environment day 2016, we planted 350 saplings of hardy trees like Pungam, Sal, Sorgam,
Kodmbu, Gulmohar, Vengai, Iyalvagai, Karumarudhu, Sivakundalam and Naatuvagai. Of this 200
saplings were donated from the SI club and 150 saplings by Mrs. Mehrun Ismail and friends. The
trees have been planted using the Japanese method called Miyawaki, in pursuit of creating a mini
rain forest.
Another project which is Thaneer Sevai was also initiated on the same day, 2 drums with taps
ware provided to the school, so that children can pour their leftover drinking water from their water
bottles, which will be used to water plants and trees in the campus.

Miyawaki Method:
· Pit dug for 80 feet length and 10 feet width of 2/2 feet depth
· After 15 days, leafy debris and starter powder was filled and closed.
Starter powder (Organic enzymes) helps in decaying process of leafy debris
which is naturalmanure.
Watering for Miyawaki Method:
· Once every week for 3 months
· Once every 15 days for 1 month
· n Once every month for 1 mo th.

Five Days Residential Summer Camp for Tribal Adolescent Girls
Date : 19th May 2019
Venue: Justice VR Krishna Iyer Community Hall, KK Nagar, Madurai
Resource People: Dr. D. Janet, Dr. Manju, Mrs. Anita Rajarajan

Date : 11th June 2019 – 8 AM
Venue: Mahatma CBSE School, Baba Building, Surveyor Colony, Madurai
Chief Guests: Mr. Sunder & Mrs. Rajeshwari

Kitchen Garden Project was conducted on World Environment Day
at Mahatma School, Baba Building, Surveyor Colony in Madurai. Meenakshi Mission
Hospital sponsored Rs.1 Lac for the first major project on Kitchen Gardens. Mrs.
Premalatha Paneerselvam and Mrs. Priyadarshini Karthik have provided tremendous
support in getting the sponsorship and initiating the above project. Mr. Sunder and
Mrs. Rajeshwari were the chief guests of the program and gave their valuable
contributions and conducted the training workshop fruitfully for 50 parents from
Mahatma School. They demonstrated the various ways of gardening to the parents
and motivated them to involve themselves in cultivation. This program will be
continued with four follow-up sessions, every three weeks. In the program, organic
saplings were offered to the 50 parents and they were encouraged to start their
gardening at home.

World Environment Day Celebrations at Mahatma School, Baba Building

in association with SI Madurai on 11th June 2019

Mahatma school students program on World Environment Day in association with SI Madurai was
celebrated on 11th June 2019 at Mahatma School with the school principal, teachers, students, Mr.
Sunder and his wife along with SI Madurai members.The students of Mahatma School performed a
variety of performances and entertained the audience with their talent, skill and enthusiasm. It was
as entertaining morning for both students and adults were we learnt about the importance and
urgent need to protect, respect and create awareness about our environment and its surroundings.

Seminar on “Women Psychology”

The June meeting began on a very colourful note, SI members wearing different shades
of green, looked vibrant! And ready to carry home green memories of the workshop to be conducted
by Rev. Fr.Wilson, director ofAnugraha institute on women psychology.

The seminar on “Psychology of Women” offered a remarkable opportunity to develop
a strong personal understanding of the glories of womanhood. The seminar was simple but highly
active, and experiential, filled with dynamic instruction, activities, and learning, providing women
with thought-leading and cutting edge content, in a friendly atmosphere. It helped to understand the
psychology of women, gain new insights, and rediscover individual’s inner resources. The seminar
focussed on women’s illnesses, health, emotions, mind faculties, self-esteem, relationship and
women empowerment. There was a session on exercises for health and happiness appropriate for all
girls and women above 15 years who are concerned about physical, psychological and emotional
growth. On the whole, the seminar on “Psychology of Women” helped to learn some key success
strategies that differentiate “reactive” women performers from “proactive” women achievers and
performers.

The seminar was well attended and well received. Fr. Wilson talk aimed at healing the
inner mind, healing childhood memories, trauma of life, dealing with anger issues. He also stressed
on methods to enhance women to improve their relationship with their spouses, children and at the
workplace. His power point presentation gave exhaustive information on woman physiology, yoga
and ayurveda. Making the session interactive and interesting with songs and group activities and
simple yoga postures. He talked a lot on the importance of natural foods that tone the mind and body,
and concluded with a group dance for united collective coherent movements.

Members and guests were receptive and benefitted. Members enjoyed the two hour
session with two breaks in between to lighten and refresh. This programme was a part of the June
monthly meeting. It was held at the exotic residence of SI member Mrs. Lakshmi Murugesan, along
with Mrs. Rukmini Palanivelrajan as the co-host. The ambiance was relaxing and de-stressing, it was
a fun filled day and a nice learning experience.
Date : 8th June 2019 – 10 AM
Venue: Residence of Smt. Lakshmi Murugesan, Madurai
Hosts : Smt. Rukmani Palanivelrajan, Smt. Lakshmi Murugesan
Resource Person: Rev. Fr. Wilson, Director