Agasthyar Bal Samskar Kendra conferred with Uthishtta Sewa Puraskar

More steps needed for welfare of Vanvasis—Rahul Dravid?

The prestigious Uthishtta Sewa Puraskar was conferred on ‘Agasthyar Bal Samskar Kendra’ fraternity at a function organised in Bengaluru on February 25. Ace cricketer Rahul Dravid presented the Puraskar, which consists of Rs 1 lakh cash and a memento. The Puraskar was jointly received by Chellamma and Shobha, the two women activist who dedicated their lives for the noble cause and Shri Ramachandran, Sewa Pramukh of Sewa Bharati, Neyyatinkara. The major highlight of the function was the sterling Kathakali performance by Padmasree Kalamandalam Gopi and his team.

Conferring the Puraskar Rahul Dravid stressed the need on more welfare schemes for the Vanvasis. He said those who worked selflessly for Agasthyar Bal Samskar Kendra have set an example for others to emulate. The Puraskar was conferred on the team for selfless services towards the development of Kani Vanvasis of Kerala, especially for the educational activities.

A patriarch of the rich classical art form, Shri Kalamandalam Gopi enthralled the audience with Nalacharitham Nalam Divasam, depicting the Pauranic tale of Nala and Damayanti. He was accompanied by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Margi Vijayakumar. Following this was a performance by Kalamandalam Shanmukhadas, Kalamandalam Sucheendran and Kalamandalam Vijayakumar on Prahladacharitham, the life of Prahalada.

Agasthyar Bal Samskar Kendra works among the Kani Vanvasis who dwell in Kuttichal Panchayat of Trivandrum district in Kerala. Tucked away from regular settlement, the Vanvasis are cut off from all amenities offered in city life. There are 11 settlements, where members resort mainly to cultivation for livelihood. As part of education for the younger generation, four teachers, who render pure voluntary service, stay there and take care of these children as their own family. As they pass 4th Standard, Sewa Bharati made provisions for the children to continue their studies at Vellanadu Mitra Niketan.

(FOC)?