Community Managed Tourism

2010-11-17T23:52:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-17T23:40:00.000-08:00

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......

2010-11-17T23:09:00.000-08:00

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......

2010-11-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

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

2009-03-26T01:04:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-03-26T01:02:00.000-07:00

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

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

2009-03-26T00:57:00.000-07:00

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

Values and Qualities of Kalanjiam Members....

2009-03-26T00:53:00.000-07:00

Ms.Thayamma, Kalanjiam Movement shared about the values and qualities of the SHGs. According to her, it is the responsibility of the gathering to bring the left out poor in to the kalanjiam movement.

Banker shares his Experience

2009-03-26T00:47:00.000-07:00

Mr.Kamatchiraj, Field officer, Canara bank appreciated the repayment performance of Kalanjiam SHGs at Sakkottai. He says that he is specially attracted towards the book keeping system, Auditing done at Kalanjiam level. He believes the relationship between Canara and Kalanjiam should be for generations too...

It is health and not Wealth that matters....

2009-03-26T00:41:00.000-07:00

Ms.Kanagavalli, DHAN Foundation emphasised on the need of safe drinking water. It is only the health that matters, and not wealth. She appreciated Sakkottai tourism kalanjiam location for the efficient implementation of the bio-sand filter Project. Hope, the speech gave many insights to the Kalanjiam SHGs.

Leadership Matters... for Sustainability

2009-03-26T00:35:00.000-07:00

Ms.Gayathri, DHAN Foundation addressed the gathering about the leadership qualities of the members. According to her, Indian women are second to none in the leadership qualities. She also wished this event, would be a very good beginning for the promotion of this federation.

Release of Chettinad Souvenior

2009-03-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

The chettinad Souvenior is being released in the function. Mr.Tharmaraj, Tourism Officer receives the souvenior, released by the artisan Mr.Veerappan and Mr.Dhanabalan, DHAN foundation. Prior to this event, Mr.Dhanabalan explained the immense market potential available in chettinad.

Chinna Pillai - an inspiration

2009-03-26T00:25:00.000-07:00

Ms.Chinna pillai, a role model women among the SHG members, shared about the sustainability of the people institutions. She added the institutions promoted is for generations and it is the responsibility of the members to include the left out poor in the kalanjiam movement

Need of a Steering Committee for Tourism and Development

2009-03-26T00:19:00.000-07:00

Tourism could be viewed as a source of livelihood development, says Mr.Bharathi, DHAN Foundation. According to him, a steering committee is much more required to focus on tourism development. He also introduced the members of Chettinad Tourism Development Committee, which has been constituted by DHAN Foundation with the support of District Administration.

Cluster Leader shares the Financial and Development status

2009-03-26T00:13:00.000-07:00

Ms.Rakkammal, Secretary of Athangudi Cluster Development association shares the Financial status and development status of her cluster. According to her, arresting the leakages through money lending is the major progress of the year. And she believes that livelihood promotion will be the major focus of the year 2009-2010.

It is Kalanjiam that taught me a lot.... shares an inspired leader

2009-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

A Kalanjiam member shares her rich experience in being a part of Tourism Kalanjiam SHG. According to her, Kalanjiam has shown many ways in the livelihood promotion, no wonder she adds it is because of Kalanjiam, she could groom her leadership qualities including this public speech.