Community Play Mela 2010 at Namakkal

With the support of Terre des Hommes, Netherlands, Women’s Organisation in Rural Development (WORD) organized community play mela, a state level play program held at Government Hr. Sec. School (North) campus  in Namakkal on 30 October 2010 in co-ordination with 13 other NGOs.

To mark this program, an awareness rally was conducted with the participation of children and public. The rally started in Hotel Radhaprasad premises and concluded in Government Hr. Sec. School (North) campus. The Namakkal municipality Chairman Mr. LGB. R. Selvaraj flagged off the rally. A photo exhibition on community play mela was also organized during the event.

Mr. M. Rajmohan, Program Manager welcomed all for the inauguration program. The Director of WORD, Mrs. M. Renida Sarala read the key note address. She in her address reiterated that to show interest among games by the community and to co-ordinate the people among all sections of the society and to improve the health and to encourage the traditional games.

A Compact disc was also released during the program. The Namakkal Municipality Chairman Mr. LGB. R Selvaraj released the CD and Mr. K. Ragunathan received the CD. In his felicitation address,     Mr. LGB. R. Selvaraj reiterated that the community play mela program should be held often to unite all sections of the people. Mr. Narayanan, Trustee, SIVA Trust- Sankarankovil rendered vote of thanks

Following to this traditional sports like Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Running (100 mts, 200 mts, 400 mts), Sack race, Pachakuthirai, Leg Cricket, Top, Long Jump, Tug of War, Pot Breaking were held. Special programs were also held for the special children and women were also held. At the end, the traditional programs were held.

Like Tamilnadu Zone,similar programs will also be held at Kerala, Karnataka North and South, Andhrapradesh and Goa zones. The south India level community play mela will be held at 18th November 2010 at Mathagondappalli Model School next to Hosur with the participation of 35 NGOs.

Check here for the photogallery

Preparatory Planning Meeting for - TAMILNADU – ZONE.

29th September 2010 (Venue: WORD Office, Namakkal.

The preparatory planning meeting for the Tamilnadu partners to conduct community play mela 2010 was conducted at Namakkal by 2.30 pm. Organised by WORD Organisation, the meeting was intended to finalize the games, time line of the community play mela by village wise, cluster wise, organisation/NGO wise and the zonal wise and to plan for the traditional games to be presented for MEC level play mela.

The following were participated in the meeting for discussion:

1. Mr. M. Pappu, Project Co-ordinator, Shanthi High School for the Deaf, Sivasailam ( IN 149)
2. Mrs. M. Valarmathi, NFE Teacher, SHE Trust, Madurai. (IN 065)
3. Mrs. S. Pandiammal, NFE Teacher, SHE Trust, Madurai (IN 065).
4. Ms. C. Arunadevi, NFE Teacher, St. Josephs School, Kalugumalai (IN 092).
5. Ms. E. Rajeshwari, NFE Teacher, St. Josephs School, Kalugumalai (IN 092).
6. Mr. S. Robert Bellarmin, Physiotherapist, Shanthi Nilayam School for MR, Nagarkovil (IN 125)
7. Mr. A. Narayanan, SIVA Trust, Tirunelveli (IN 144).
8. Mr. Y. James Karunakaran, Social Worker, HUWAD, Dharapuram (IN 111)
9. Mr. B. Jayakumar, Social Worker, HUWAD, Dharapauram (IN 111).
10. Mrs. R. Malliga, Project Co-ordinator, New Life, Trichy (IN 137).
11. Mr. M. Rajmohan, Program Manager, WORD, Namakkal (IN 142).

Mr. Sunderamurthy, Secretary, BSSSG and Mr. Jose, Co-ordinator from KKSSS contacted by phone and expressed their inability to attend the planning meeting due to the evaluation and project renewal process.

Mr. M. Rajmohan, Program Manager, WORD welcomed all the partners to the preparatory planning meeting in Namakkal inspite of a very short notice and sought the fullest co-ordination and co-operation to conduct the Community Play Mela and make the whole process as a success one.

The following were the major agenda taken for the discussions:

1. Finalize the play events at village/NGO/zonal level.
2. Schedule/Timeline of events.
3. Reporting Requirements.
4. Proposed date for zonal level mela.
5. Traditional games/events for MEC from TN Zone.
6. Follow-up of Community Play Mela.

The following were finalized and taken for action

(a) Finalization of play events.

It was unanimously decided to have the following events for the children and the adults.

The games are explained and mock play was organized with the help of the staff of WORD to bring out clarity among partners.

(b) Schedule/Timeline of events.

The following were the schedule/time line of the community play of the partners.

(c) Reporting Requirements.

It is unanimously decided to submit the reports promptly to WORD so that the reports can be consolidated and report to MEC in time to update them in this regard. It is also decided to send the photos of the community play.

(d) Proposed date and venue for zonal level mela.

As all the partners would like to have the community play on Saturdays, WORD proposed three dates 23, 30 and November 13. Looking for availability of the logistics and other feasibilities, WORD will finalize and inform the date to the partners by email

(e) Traditional games/events for MEC from TN Zone.

It is decided to present the following games to MEC from Tamilnadu Zone. They will also perform during the zonal play at Namakkal.

(f) Follow-up of Community Play Mela.

To co-ordinate and follow-up effectively on the community play mela and smoother transition in TN zone the following persons were selected for the future co-ordintors.

The program has come to an end with the thanking note from Mr. Sivan from WORD.

Photo snaps of the program.