Plaque With Inscription

Sevalaya, in its continued initiatives in the matter of Rural Development activities, undertook Desilting of 2000 year old pond in Somanathapuram, Uthramerur, Kancheepuram district. Hyundai Glovis supported this project for Sevalaya, as part of their CSR initiative. To make the project much effective and efficacious, Sevalaya resilt the pond and Solar lamps installed around the pond and thus make the area illuminative too.

While undertaking the work, Sevalaya, to the surprise of all, could find a plaque and understand that it assumes greater historical importance.

What we could gather from the facts written in the plaque is that, Uthiramerur had excellent civic amenities during Pallava kingdom. Particularly a famous king from Pallava dynasty had fixed a plaque, in which details of exemplary administration were narrated. From the inscriptions it can be found that the King gave an excellent administration to give all the facilities to the people.

The inscriptions read:  The plaque would have been installed during 894 AD  by Pallava King, Kamba Varman. It was a group called Sankarapadiar who were hereditarily engaged in trading activity (oil merchants).

Sevalaya wishes to acknowledge the help from Thiru Sridharan, a Retired Officer from State Archeology Department. He has helped us in interpreting the inscriptions and given text.

Joy of Giving : The Way of Life

30 years in an organisation’s life is a milestone.

Now is the time to pause, reflect on what Sevalaya has achieved, the impact it has created in 3 decades. Looking back, Sevalaya has been there for the underprivileged section in all stages of life.

Sevalaya provides a secured home for children, providing the basic needs of food, clothing, accommodation,good education and health care all in an atmosphere of love, care and affection.

Sevalaya ‘s main goal is that all opportunities available to the urban, elite children must be opened up for the rural underprivileged children also. Sevalaya has brought the Montessori method of education, hitherto considered to be the privilege of the urban rich, to the rural poor children in Kasuva and surrounding villages in Thiruvallur. There is a marked difference in the learning capabilities and the behaviour of the children in the Montessori section. Awareness sessions on personal health and hygiene, especially for girls, counselling sessions for the adolescent children are regularly conducted. Regular classes for Bharathanatyam and classical Carnatic music are conducted. The Kasuva centre has video conferencing facility and many volunteers who are experts in their respective fields, regularly take classes through V con for the children.

Individual talents of the children are identified and nurtured. The students’ talent in Sports are spotted early and are groomed well. Sevalaya has produced District level players in Athletics, and State level in Hand ball. The children also get an opportunity to explore their creative talents, be it writing stories/ poems, drawing etc. Every month the Joy of giving: the way of life children bring out a manuscript magazine “Vidiyal” (Dawn). Many paintings of the children are also published in the children’s section in the weekly supplement of popular dailies like The Hindu, Dinamani etc.,

After completing school, Sevalaya also takes care of the higher education of its children. For those who are not academically bright, vocational training is provided through the community colleges and the organisation ensures that they are employed and stand on their own feet.

Sevalaya has conducted 3 weddings. The daughters who are married off are happily settled and are in touch with the organisation. Sevalaya participates in their family functions too.

Due to vast improvement in medical technology, longevity of human life has increased giving rise to associated social issues like rise in age related illnesses, need for long term care, increasing costs of health care etc. Sevalaya has stepped in to this area as well. The poor and the destitute old people are given a decent living till the end at the free old age home which provides secured accommodation and takes care of all their personal and health care needs.

Sevalaya also gives a dignified send off to the elders who have passed away in the home. Not just the humans, Sevalaya also has a place for the destitute animals. The gaushala at Sevalaya provides shelter for the dry cows.

From cradle to grave, Sevalaya offers its services to the poor and destitute in all stages of life.

Many a children who have grown up in Sevalaya are now well placed. There has been a paradigm shift in their life style and they have provided a nice home for their children. They have broken the shackle of poverty which bound them and has risen up in life and Sevalaya is happy that it had a role to play in bringing about this positive transformation.

Thanks & Regards,
Sevalaya Murali