OISCA InternationalSouth India Chapter

Annual activity Report – 2013-14

Respected President and Fellow OISCAns,

With immense pleasure and pride let me present the activity report of OISCA International, South India Chapter for the year 2013-14 before you in this 29 th Annual General Body meeting. As in the previous years many chapters came forward with various activities and are being continued in full swing. Presently we are having 92 chapters with 4750 members.

At the outset let me state that many chapters have come forward with innovative programs and let me place on record our sincere appreciation to all of them. At the same time I will be failing in my duty if I do not go into the details of the main activities conducted at South India level and Chapter level.

Children's Forest Program (CFP):

Children’s Forest Program popularly known as CFP, the flagship project of OISCA was started along with the formation of OISCA 28 years ago and this is in full-swing in about 1725 schools in South India. Love Green Clubs established in Schools are the basic unit of CFP.

The total number of saplings planted, comes around 1, 00,000 every year with the participation of 75,000 students. Different types of educational programs, competitions and distribution of study materials are some of the ways to magnetize children to this noble project. It is estimated that during the last 28 years we have planted more than 28 lakhs saplings throughout South India.

Herbal Garden Development Project (HDP), Schoolil Oru Oushadha Thottam Project (SOOT) Herbal Tree for Health Project (HTH), Nellicka Pariposhana Paripadi of National Amla Mission & Home Herbal Garden Project.

These are some of the prestigious projects implemented by OISCA along with CFP in schools and Colleges. We successfully completed The Herbal Garden Development Project supported by National Medicinal Plants Board of Department of AYUSH, Govt. of India in 262 schools in Kerala. When we started this project in 2006 after a close observation Govt. of Kerala entrusted OISCA to implement a similar project SOOT in another 300 schools for State Medicinal Plants Board. Now this project also is successfully implemented in 317 schools. Last year NMPB entrusted an outside agency to evaluate the success rate of our project. I am proud to mention that, the evaluation team visited all over Kerala and after a thorough verification they have adjudged our project as one among the best project in India. As a result before completing the ongoing projects, NMPB sanctioned another project to be implemented in 300 more schools. This project is named as Herbal Tree for Health and is showing tremendous growth in 374 schools.

About 4-5 lakhs children are involved in this project and they are growing about 60,000 herbal trees/plants under this project. Various types of awareness programs

are carried out in schools, besides nursery raising and mass tree planting. Many of the schools have prepared natural medicines with most of the raw drugs collected from their own plantation. They have studied the recipes from ancient Ayurveda texts to prepare the medicines with the help and guidance of experts.

The success of all these projects is clearly visible in the invitation from National Amla Mission to OISCA, to implement a special project to propagate Amala (Nelli) by planting hybrid variety plants in association with schools and other local NGOs. We have implemented this project in Kasargod, Kozhikode, Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts.

OISCA- Nagercoil Tree Planting Project:

As a follow up to the Nagercoil Tree Planting project at Chungan kadai, Nagarcoil chapter enter into a tie up with ISHA Foundation, an environmental group from Tamilnadu, to re green a vast area of waste land adjacent to Ayyapa College hills, which was re greened with the support of Green fund, Japan. So far OISCA and ISHA foundation people were able to extend the plantation to 5 more hectors. Local People and Govt. Authorities of Local administration is whole heartedly cooperating with OISCA in this noble venture. On the other hand under the able leader ship of Mr. D. Ravindran founder chapter Secretary, they are maintaining the old project systematically at their own expense. About 1000 students from different CFP schools are participating in the tree planting programes every year. This land which was barren 12 years ago is now converted into a thick forest and the raising water table in the pond dug at the final stage of the project is a visible example for the success of the project.

Mangrove Forestation project

OISCA Chapters are also implementing mangrove forestation activities. Hundreds of college students under the able guidance of Chapter officials are participating in this novel project. They are not only engaged in planting but also in erecting fencing with used fish nets to check the accumulation of floating wastes especially plastic bags and bottles within their plantations.

Silver Jubilee Memorial Herbal Plantation at Govt. Social Welfare Complex Complex, About 700 inmates are living in different institutions at the Social Welfare Complex, Vellimadukunnu, Calicut. Out of this 80 inmates are in the old age home. Most of them are ailing from different diseases also. As a part of the Silver Jubilee Year celebrations, Calicut chapter came forward and developed a herbal plantation in about 2 acres, adjacent to this old age home. About 300 big plants of different medicinal species were already planted in the 1st phase. It is proposed to develop this as a Herbal Park with one thousand trees as a memorial of Silver Jubilee year. Healthy inmates of the institutions are taking keen interest in nursing the trees.

Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students:

As a part of CFP, some chapters distributed scholarships to help economically backward school girls, who excel in studies. This year OISCA Trust had come forward

with sufficient fund to make the program a success. This increased the momentum of CFP in schools to a great extend. Under this scheme about 100 girls are getting benefits from different chapters every year

International Educational Exchange Program (IEEP) Sponsored by OISCA Japan:

This program has been initiated to disseminate the Children’s Forest Program and to nurture those who will work for OISCA. We are carrying out this program with the intent to create friendly relations among the nations concerned. The International Foundation for Cultural Harmony and OISCA Academy is sponsoring this program. 29 students have been selected and sent to OISCA Academy to do their plus two courses till this date. All expenses including airfare, tuition fees, accommodation etc are borne by OISCA. This year also two students, Mr. Sooraj Chavan (Amritha Vidhyalaya, Badakara, Mr. Albin Vincent, Sacred Heart School, Thiruvambadi got selection for this scholarship.

OISCA Social Awareness & Leadership Training (SALT) for students:

As the name suggests this is a versatile training course imparting life skill training to school students. This is an extracurricular educational program conducted yearly for selected 9th class students from various CFP schools. It has been devised to raise in the young minds the lofty ideals of National Integration, Communal Harmony, Civic Sense, Environmental Awareness, Road Safety Measures, Commitment to the Society.

VIDYA Education & Training

Vidya is a philanthropic project for children 10th class very successfully carried out by the Palakkad Women`s Chapter of OISCA. The purpose of the project is to give educational assistance to the most deserving students and to inculcate in them a true OISCAN Spirit and total transformation of children by bringing out their latent talents and abilities and nurturing them with extreme care.

OISCA Eco Resource Center, Wayanad:

Various training programs are going on at Eco Resource Centre, Meenangadi, Wayanad with Prof. Thomas Thevara as its Director. Student groups from different parts of Kerala are arriving here to attend the residential camps designed to attract them to become the volunteers of Environment Protection.  

This centre can cater the training programs for 200 persons at a time with residential accommodation for 100 persons. The building is constructed with the financial support under the Grass Root Grant assistance Project of Government of Japan. We are planning to conduct various training programs for youth in India and abroad in this centre. This year we have conducted 50 residential camps and 135 one day programs at the centre. We have constituted a governing body consisting for the smooth governance of the Eco Resource Centre.

Agriculture based Training Program in Japan for Youth

We select active youth forum members to undergo training program in different training centers in Japan. After a yearlong training in General agriculture, Japanese language and culture they were successful to pass on the knowledge they acquired from Japan. This year we nominated Mr. K. Sreejith, who was working in South India

office for the last 2 years for the same. He has already left for Japan Shikkoku Training. Till this date we could 16 youngsters extend this program.

OISCA Women’s Chapters/Forums:

OISCA Women’s Forums are working since 1992 with the main objective to ensure participation of women in its activities. The Forum actively participates and supports the activities of OISCA and conducts seminars and workshops on various topics related to women. Classes are also conducted in Handicrafts, Toys making, Fabric Painting, Glass Painting, Ornament Designing etc. on holidays and during Vacations. They are also conducting various empowerment progrmes for tribals in tribal belts.

Many chapters have their own OISCA Kalakshetram, an OISCA School for the Fine Arts holding classes on Classical music, Instrumental music, Classical dance, Mural Painting, etc. The school also holds special vacation classes and stage programs to encourage children in various fields of Fine Arts.

OISCA youth Forum

Focus on youth has been a major policy of OISCA since its inception. This led to the formation of our youth forums and all chapters are giving due importance to this forum. All the projects are supported by the youth forum members and on their own also they have been conducting various programs for Career guidance, youth empowerment, Soft skill developments etc.

OISCA - Ambulance & Crane services, Sponsored by Govt. Of India:

As recognition to various road safety programs of OISCA, Government of India provided OISCA with an Ambulance and a crane to help the people who meet with accidents in roads. These vehicles are worth 40 Lakhs rupees, and OISCA is one among the 4 NGOs who got these facilities. Ambulance is stationed at Calicut and Crane at Wayanad.

OISCA Top Teen Contest – 2013

For the past nine years, OISCA South India has been conducting Top teens, a contest to identify and honor young talents. The contest is held at three levels consisting of a preliminary round, a district round and a state round. This year’s Top teens contest began with the preliminary written test held at various centers in South India on August 9th 2013. The test was of 90 minutes duration and had 150 objective type questions. Around 30,000 students participated in the competition. Palakkad chapter stood 1st and Badagara 2nd in participating maximum number of students. Valuation of the answer papers was done at Chapter level. The District level competitions were held at the district headquarters, among the toppers of the written test in the respective chapters all over South India. Three boys and three girls were selected from each chapter for the final competition. The Grand Finale of the Top Teens was held at OISCA Youth Centre, Calicut, after a whole day of tests and exercises in different aspects like public speaking, memory skill, creativity etc.

OISCA IDU Suraksha Project & OISCA Migrant Suraksha Project

OISCA South India is implementing IDU and Migrants Suraksha Projects with the financial and technical support of Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS). This is a major HIV intervention program among the local injection Drug Users (IDUs) and

Migrant poulation in Calicut district. Injection Drug Users are highly vulnerable to blood borne infections, particularly HIV, HCV and HBV. National HIV sentinel surveillance study among the IDU’s in Calicut showed the HIV prevalence among them getting doubled into 6.2% in just one year. On the other hand Migrants are in more danger as they will be the easy prey to this dreaded decease. I am glad to state that our both projects are very successful in implementation of the project. We have appointed 19 youth (including 6 Post graduates in Social sciences) for the successful implementation of this project.

Recognition to Chapters:

Chapter Awards presented to chapters last year as follows: Most Inspiring OISCAn Award:  Dr. R. Surendran, Calicut Most Committed OISCAn Award: Prof. K. Suresh Babu, Palakkad Best Chapter:  Palakkad Vanitha, 2nd Best Chapter: Aluva Best Chapter President: Mr. Balan Master, Vadakara 2nd Best Chapter Presidents: Mr. Sudheer Panicker, Aluvaand Mr. Sai Krishnan,  Kalpetta Best Chapter Secretary: Mr. Thomas Stephan, Kalpetta and Mrs. Reshmi Kishore, Calicut Promising Chapter: North Paravoor, Chapter.Inspiring New Chapter: Kondotty

Special Recognitions: 1. Dr. Suresh Kumar, Palakkad 2. Mr. P. Hemapalan, Calicut 3. Mr. Kt. Sebastian, Thiruvambadi 4. Mr. Dencil Poppen, Calicut .

Jalanidhi Projects: (Drinking water and Sanitation project aided by World Bank)

We have been entrusted by Government of Kerala to implement a Rural Drinking Water (Jalanidhi) Project in Different Panchayats.1.Padanna Panchayat, Kasargode dist. 2. Maniyur Panchayat, Kozhikode, Dist.3. Keezhariyur Panchayat, Kozhikode 4. Vellangallur Panchayat, Thrissur, 5. Kuzhur Panchayat, Thrissur

Earlier we have very successfully implemented Jalanidhi Projects at Thiravumbadi panchayat (Kozhikode) and Thirunelly panchayat (Wayanad). Total amount worth 10 crores were spent for these projects and these projects benefited about 5000 families.

Kerala Rural water supply and sanitation projectAided by World Bank, through state government

Jalanidhi Project

SACRED GROVE CONSERVATION PROJECT

PROJECT TITLE – PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF SELECTED SACRED GROVES

KAYYATH NAGAMTHAZHEKAVU

IRIVERI PULIDEVA KSHETHRAM

The Project is funded by State Medicinal Plants Board and organized by OISCA International in association with Sir Syed College Taliparamba. Sacred Groves are the forest left untouched by local people due to some religious beliefs. They are enriched with traditional medicine, gene pool etc.

KAYYATH NAGAM is Located at Pattuvam Panchayath of Taliparamba Taluk.The diety is snake Prathishta.It has about 16 acres of land and the Main problem is encroachment

THAZHEKAVU- Located at Mttool Panchayath, a small island of mangrove. The diety is Bhaghavathi. It has about 10 acres of land. Main problem is waste accumulation.

IRIVERI KAVU Located at Chakkarakkallu of Kannur district. The deity is Pulidevani. It has a total of 5 acres .Main problem is encroachment. The main activities includes-Biodiversity studies, constructing medicinal plant jaiva veli, cleaning up of ponds and wells, awareness campaigns etc. Project launching ceremony was conducted in all the three groves with a very good participation of local people. The planting ceremony was organized in all the three kavs. About 1000 medicinal plants were planted as biofence. In each programme the members of kshethra committee, local governing bodies, students and various NGO’s participated. The documentation of the biodiversity of Irivery and Kayyam done with the help of experts. More than 40 species of medicinally important plants observed from each place. The waste from Thazhekavu is completely removed and protected by net fencing. A national seminar organized at Sir Syed College to create awareness among students and youth regarding the conservation of sacred groves.

BRIEF REPORT ABOUT AHVY

Sl

no

Name of

Grama

Panchayat

Name of

District

Project

period

Beneficiaries Expenditure/

Estimate

Amount

No. of

Household

No.of

people

1 Thiruvambady Kozhikode 2002-2005 1664 9347 233 lakhs

2 Thirunelli Wayanad 2005-2008 2930 16348 605 lakhs

3 Padne Kasaragod 2012-2014 1887 9033 430 lakhs

4 Maniyur Kozhikode 2013-2015 3243 16015 1800 lakhs

5 Keezhariyoor Kozhikode 2013-2014 1284 6168 650 lakhs

6 Vellagalloor Thrisur 2013-2014 5200 23800 750 laks

7 Kuzhur Thrisur 2013-2014 2965 12915 550 lakhs

Total 19,173 93,632 5,018 lakhs

Ministry of Textiles, Govt of India selected OISCA to implement AHVY in “Mural style fabric painting craft” at Kozhikode Corporation. We executed the AHVY scheme in 35 Self Help Groups consisting of 20 artisans in each group with a total of 700 artisans from 12 villages in Kozhikode Corporation. As stipulated in the above order the Baseline Survey is over along with other components like, cluster meetings, Focus Group Discussions, Larger Group discussions, formation of SHGs, Opening of bank account and contribution to thrift, various trainings etc. Self Help group provide a social support system, The beneficiaries of all SHGs under these project will attain free training in mural style fabric painting, better wages through market of finished project, educational scholarship for their children, health and accidental insurance, and above all, other financial help through bank under subsidized schemes . There are plans to start work shop, common facilitate centre etc with the grant-in-aid funds of the govt. of India.4 larger group discussions, 12 focus group discussions, 39 group/neighborhood meetings, 3 training programs, 10 Skill tests and one sale cum exhibition were conducted during this period.

We have conducted the following OISCA Regional Conferences: at Kollom, Kannur, Aluva, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Coimbatore. Many OISCA Members of different Chapters in these areas attended these conferences.

Brief report on the visit of Dr. Yoshiko Y. Nakano, President, OISCA International to South India from 5 th   to 8 th December 2013.

We the members of OISCA South India Chapter members were thrilled and honored to have the Holy presence of Dr. Yoshiko Y. Nakano, President, OISCA International from 5th to 8th December 2013.

Furusato Convention & Reception and Haritha Ratna Award presentation

Furusato convention held on the 5th of December 2013 at Malabar Palace, Kozhikode

was a soul - enthralling experience to the OISCAns gathered, for it was more than a

get-together in the ordinary sense. It seemed to make them aware of the terrible

effects of man’s injustice to nature and man and the urgent need to start the work of

healing… before it is too late. The deliberation of Dr. Yoshiko Y. Nakano, on the vision

and mission of OISCA, were highly informative and appealing.

OISCANS of the different outside chapters felt immense joy to be part of a momentous occasion - the occasion that gave us an opportunity to express our deep debt of gratitude and love to our President Dr. Yoshiko Y. Nakano, - a woman of women, who has for long remained a gentle but powerful light at the Sanctum of Mother Earth, guiding its innumerable devotees into its inmost shrine to partake of its glory. Being compassionate, she took upon herself the duty of reviving the dying earth. It is a matter of great gratification that she has been the champion of a rich and noble heritage, from which OISCAns all over the world can draw strength and sustenance in the years to come.

During her dedicated service spanning over a long period of about three decades, she has proved herself a woman of charisma. Her instinctive and instantaneous response to the turn of events - whether natural or man- made, her unerring  sense of judgment, her disarming kindness and majestic bearing, have stood her in good stead in overcoming many and manifold odds that manifested themselves while discharging her duties as the head of an international  organization.

It is for all that she is, and for all that she does to nature and humanity, that the title ‘Haritha Ratna’ is conferred on her. May the spirit of selfless service, the bedrock of her life, continue to blaze forth is in all her endeavors. 

OISCA Office bearers from different chapters greeted her with rose flowers. This shows the real affection of our 500 members assembled in a well arranged function. The youth forum members of OISCA sang the beautiful OISCA song written and composed by the President.

The main event in the reception was the presentation ceremony of Haritha Ratna award (Jewel of Greenery-MIDORI NO KOUROUSHOU) of OISCA South India to Dr. Nakano. This prestigious award is conferred on her for her dynamic leadership and initiative, took to energize and ignite the youth for the environment protection and youth development activities. Mr. Aravind Babu, Director & Secretary General of South India presented the Award to her in this important function. Mrs. C.A. Latha IAS, the honorable District Collector, former Presidents Mr. P.V. Gangadharan and Mr. K.T. Raghunath were amongst the important dignitaries present. Mr. K.P. Aboobacker, Mr. K.K. Chandran, Dr. R. Surendran, Dr. Parvathi Warrier, Mr. K.P. Chandrasekharan, Mr. P. Hemapalan, Mr. C.P. Premarajan & Mr. P.K. Nalinakshan delivered felicitation addresses.

After the Convention, OISCA Calicut Chapter and Calicut Women Chapter arranged a dinner in honour of her. Mr. Tadashi Watanabe, Mr. Hiroshi Hayashi of WHO, Ms. Tomoko Yajima, teacher OISCA academy were also present  in these programs.

OISCA Projects Staff Meeting

The President visited OISCA Youth Centre and attended OISCA staff meeting next day. About 70 staff members from our 8 projects participated and presented their reports. In her address to the staff, Dr. Nakano explained the importance of OISCA philosophy and its relevance in the present global scenario. She stated that, she was not aware of such wonderful and useful humanitarian activities of OISCA South India.   

women Chapter activity: Mural painting & Handicraft exhibition

The President & team witnessed the women’s chapter activities- the mural paintings and handicraft items made by our members and interacted with them.

CFP School visit

She was also accorded a warm reception at one of our oldest CFP School, Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Chevayur. Students received her in traditional Kerala style with school band set. After participating in tree planting with students, she addressed the students. She reminded the students about the importance of conservation of our Mother Earth by planting trees. After her speech, students performed various traditional art forms through glittering and thrilling dance performances. She expressed her high satisfaction and told the students that, the day was a ‘memorable day in her life’.

IEEP reunion get-together.

Another important function we arranged was - the IEEP reunion meeting held at OISCA Youth Centre on 7th December. The International Educational Exchange Program (IEEP)  started in  South India in 2001 for the first time. The OISCA South India Chapter won the Indira Priyadarsine Vriksha Mithra (IPVM) Award from Government of India in 2000. This is the top level award in the environment field for NGO’s. Because of this great achievement Sosai offered this gift (IEEP) to South India by accepting five boys only from South India in 2001. Till this date OISCA academy offered this prestigious scholarship to 29 students. 12 students, 4 ex trainees and some parents of old boys participate in this event, some of them are at abroad. Students explained their present activities and informed their desire to associate with OISCA activities. They have decided to conduct this event every year and the first batch students Mr. Nikhil and Mr. Jojo will coordinate this OISCA Alumni Association of South India . Ms. Tomoko Yajima will guide them from OISCA Academy. Mr. Atsuo Sugahara, Manager of OISCA academy visited Calicut to select two students for IEEP during September

Dr. Nakano was also accorded a warm reception by OISCA Kondoty chapter, a recently formed chapter. In her concluding address she explained about the important events connected with India in the past 52 years history of OISCA movement

After a very hectic, wonderful and memorable trip to South India, She left Calicut on 8thDecember. We will always remain grateful to her for her valuable presence in South India.

OISCA South website was upgraded this year. Now all interested persons can visit www.oiscaindia.org for the latest OISCA South India Chapter programmes.

OISCA gives thrust on team work and whatever we have achieved this year has been due the support and team work of all Oiscans.

I wish to thanks all OISCAns & Chapters leaders for the support extended to South India Chapter for the successful and smooth conduct of this year’ activities.

With this allow me to conclude the report of OISCA South India Chapter for the year 2013-14 and place it before this august body.

M. Aravind babuSecretary General