Community Managed Tourism

Karaikudi and its surrounding hamlets are part of the national rural tourism Inititative under which Village community members earn livelihood through the management and provision of craft and culture based tourism services. DHAN Foundation, a not- for- profit organisation, based at Madurai is working at grassroots level for enabling the communities to view tourism as a source of livelihood, through Institution building, Skill building of the community to cater the needs of the tourists and assist them in market linkages of their products.
Institution building among these communities, ensures the permanent federation, that would result in sustainable tourism Development.
Visit http://explorechettinad.blogspot.com/ to know more about Chettinad.

Tourism and Development

Here are few examples, that indicates Tourism need not be for pleasure and entertainment alone, it can be for development too.. We are receiving many guests from different parts of the world, many of them show their interest in developing the arts, crafts, livelihood of the community.
Ms. Carla from Canada, visited Chettinad. During her official trip, she had an opportunity to interact with the host community, especially the people below poverty line. Being generous, she has supported two families. Thanks to her generosity.......

Home sweet Home......

Mrs.Chinnametchi, aged 25, is a mother of 5 kids. The living condition of the family is a typical indicator of Poverty. Mrs.Carla wanted to support them in some means, that would enable them to live in a better living conditions. The family felt that they would be happy if they would get the support in means of converting the thatched roof to tiled roof. Being generous,obviously with the focus on development, she agreed to support the family. By this time, we need to salute Ms.Carla's mother, who have mentioned Ms.Carla to support a family with six kids, as they come from the family of Six kids.

( The side view of the house before the support )

The family has been supported in roofing the house. The home now stands with pride....

( The side view of the house after the support )

For the entire family, it is definitely a sweet home.......... Home sweet Home....

You made me Walk......

Vijay, aged 23 suffered due to certain disorder, which made him crippled. He need to depend upon someone, for each and everything. The family is very poor, which stopped them with the minimum medical expenditure.

Ms.Carla, a generous woman from canada visited Chettinad officially, to have a review of the safe drinking water project, being implemented in the location. She happened to meet him and thought of contributing something that would reduce his dependency on others. Vijay was keen on getting a wheel chair, which would make him travel a few distance and have a fresh air. Ms.Carla supported the poor family financially to buy a Wheel chair. The family utilized the financial assistance in getting a wheel chair and towards the medical expenses.

Vijay walked in the name of Ms.Carla..... often quoting that she made him walk..... By, Last month he passed away.... but the memories are still high.... the last few days he was restless ..... and the family holds the wheel chair as his remembrance...

( It is his mother in the picture, who holds the wheel chair)

Success of Sakkottai - Just a Beginning

It is the day of success, it is the day of strong belief, it is the day of hope and confidence... it is the part of a gathering, who have come forward to celebrate the Tourism Kalanjiam introductory function as their own village festival. These people institutions are promoted with the support of United Nations Development Programme and Sri Ratan Tata Trust.

Kalanjia Vannakkam....

Ms.Shanthi, a kalanjiam member welcomes the whole gathering, and the special invitees.

We are always united.......sings the Benefited...

Ms.Mercy and Ms.Assen beevi , sings about the way Kalanjiam has benefited them. They have mastered in lyrics and the tune , of course.....