Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement recently initiated 5R Fund for the people of the Northern Province in Sri Lanka who have been affected by the recent displacement due to the war. This initiative will strengthen the Sarvodaya 5R process which comprises of Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Reawakening of the affected people. The recent fighting has displaced almost 280,000 people in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and currently a rapid resettlement process is underway.
The 5R Fund for the Northern Province was initiated with generous contribution from Mr. M. Mariappan from Tamil Nadu Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. Mr. Mariappan along with Professor Narayana Samy from Gandhigram Rural University contributed 3,400 US Dollar to the Fund, which has been a collective contribution of friends from India who support the Sarvodaya Movement, especially from Tamil Nadu to show their solidarity to the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the occasion Mr. Mariappan mentioned India is impressed of how Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka adapt and develop the concept of Sarvodaya and Gandhian philosophy as institute, which most the Indian institutes failed to do over decades. Â He further stated, this is a very small contribution from a large country, but he committed himself to spread the message to the Sarvodaya supporters in India, especially to the Gandhian followers.
Dr. AT Ariyaratne, Mr. Mariappan and Professor Narayana Samy
Handing over the money
Addressing the occasion Dr. A. T. Â Ariyaratne, the founder, president of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement conveyed the gift is small but greatly appreciated. Â India has been involved in the conflict of Sri Lanka from the beginning and this is a very valuable initiative to heal the wounds of the war. Â Furthermore, Sarvodaya Sri Lanka will be in close relations with all Gandhian institutes in India in the future too. Â He appreciated the valuable presence of Mr. Mariappan and Professor Narayana Samy who have been friends of Sarvodaya for decades.
Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, the General Secretary of Sarvodaya, also appreciated the contribution of the Friends of Sarvodaya in Madurai and other Gandhian Institute. Â He valued the strong sprit in which this donation has come and also the commitment demonstrated voluntarily.
Initiating the Fund
Dr. AT Ariyaratne and Mr. Mariyappan
Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne will be visiting India in April 2010 to participate in gatherings including Gandhi International Meeting. Â He will be visiting a number of Indian leaders in this trip to get their support to this important initiative. Mr. Walter Link, a social entrepreneurship expert from the United States, Mr. Saman Algoda, the Executive Director of Sarvodaya, Mr. Subasena De Silva, the Deputy Executive Director was also present at the occasion.
Sarvodaya friends in India can contact Mr. Mariappan and Professor Narayana Samy to contribute to this valuable effort. They can be contacted by the following mailing address:
Tamilnadu Gandi Smarak Nidhi,
Gandhi Memorial Premises
Tallakulam
Madurai-625020
They also can be contacted by telephone,
0091-452-2530900