• Formation of Basic Community Organisations

• Income generation and self employment opportunity building through community business development initiatives

• Water, sanitation and hygiene education in schools and villages

• Promotion of village libraries

• Training on Community Business skills and management

• Integrated Child Development through Supplementary, Education, PTAs, Children’s Clubs and Life Skill Education.

• Training for NGOs and Education institutions on Documentation and Report writing, PRA, Development Education, Skills in Facilitation, Team building, Organisational Change, fund raising, life skill education, development, communication, social auditing and mind mapping.

• Training for members and leaders on Panchayat and local good governance.

• Providing professional support for student’s placement.

• Collaborating and networking with like minded local, regional, national international organizations and institutions on community development and international development

• Assessing, evaluating community development activities any where in the World.

ECO-TOURISM FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

A joint venture by READ Centre, Bangalore. India.
Renton Community Development (RCDT) Renton, Scotland Community Campus 87, Middlebrough, England.

For those seeking a summer holiday in India the high altitude verdant Kodaikanal is a rewarding travel destination. It is one of the most beautiful hill-station in the world. Nestled in the upper regions of the Palani Hills of the Western Ghat at an elevation of 2100 meter above sea level, it is a quaint little town weathered in white mist and chill weather round the year. Kodai Hills, as it is often called, is known for its scenic beauty amidst lush green forests. While the Indian summer (March, April and May) is scorching with heat waves elsewhere, the temperature at Kodai drops to 20 degree -11 degree C, remaining months (June to February) it reaches as low as 16 degree -8 degree C.

The discovery and development of Kodaikanal as a hill-station has a long and impressive history. It all started in the early 1820s. The ruling British elite and the Madurai based American missionaries were in search of a hill-station at an altitude where they would escape the dangers of tropical diseases in summer.

Lt. B.S. Ward, a British army officer and surveyor spotted a coolest part on the top of Palani Hills in 1921. On Ward’s suggestion, the Americans conceived the idea of converting it into a sanatorium for their sick missionaries. A set of two bungalows Sunny Side and Shelton- built by the Madurai American Mission in 1845 was the beginning. The first Anglican Church was built by Bishop Caldwell in 1860. Major Law was assigned to the task of planning and laying a motor road from Batlagundu to Kodai.

The retired British officers and others found it more rewarding to settle down at Kodai than returning to their native land. By 1850s, the practice of social calls was replaced by the founding of clubs and the Boat Club, started in the 1890s, were run on English tradition. They established an international school in 1901 for the European children, an observatory in 1898 and a museum in 1895. The southern extension of Indian Railways in 1916 gave improved accessibility to Kodai. Kodai was thus spotted and developed by the English bureaucrats and American missionaries for the benefit of the holidaying westerners.

How to reach Kodaikanal

Foreign tourists’ first lap of journey is a direct flight to the international airport at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Indian tourists reach Chennai by air or train. From Bangalore by train (Kodaikanal Road) or Karnataka State Transport (bus) which takes overnight journey.

The Ghat Road to Kodaikanal
The last lap of the journey from Madurai to Kodaikanal is by road. The uphill climb is a mere 60 km stretch, but it will take two to three hours depending on the vehicle’s condition and the driver’s skill. The road is narrow and bumpy, but memorable. It snakes through ups and downs of hairpin bends touching coffee estates and cardamom plantations. One of the world’s highest waterfalls named Rat Tail or Thalaiar falls is seen at a distance. On the way there is a waterfall- called Silver Cascade, where the tourists can stop and hear the music of the forest winds. There is a sense of permanent scenerity about the Ghat Road going round and round. It is a sign of man’s quest for rugged independence built into the geography of hills and forests. The steep climb through the dense forest is rewarded with views of great scerenic beauty on either side.

Where to stay at Kodaikanal
Avoid reaching Kodai on Sundays, unless you have your hotel reservations confirmed. Hotel tariff jumps depending on the season and the incoming crowds. High-end hotels provide facilities comparable to any in the West. Touts often take unsuspecting tourists at low-end hotels. Travelers who own private transport can hire cottages in the outskirts and enjoy a quiet holiday. Since most tourists reach Kodai in the morning; hotels and lodging houses adopt a 9 am check out time.

Tour Operators
One-day sight seeing tours are arranged by the following tour operators. Sixteen places of tourist tours to selected spots by taxi operators are available.

Shenbanganoor Museum
A six km- drive down the Ghat Road leads to Shenbaganoor. Here Shanbagam trees (Michelia Nilagira) are found in plenty, hence the name of the village Shenbaganoor. Here a natural history Museum is housed in The Sacred Heart College, a training centre and home to Jesuit priests. The museum named after Angalda, a European professor and priest, contains flora and fauna of the region. The collection of birds and butterflies is a great attraction to the tourists and lovers of natural history. Original burial urns of prehistoric times are on display. A visit to this museum is a vertable trek back in time to glimpse at things aged, but preserved for the posterity. It remains open from 10 am to 12 noon and 3pm to 5 pm in the evening.

Parks
Kodai boasts of a number of beautiful parks and lawns landscaped by the British developers in the early days. Bryant Park is named after H.D. Bryant, the District Forest officer, Madurai who designed it in 1908. There is a variety of plants and ferns that would not normally grow in the plains. A 150 years old Eucalyptus tree adds special significance to this park. Here a flower show is held during the month of May every year. The Chettair Park, 3 km from the town is a quiet place away from the din of city environment. It is home to some two acres of beautiful flowering plants and sculpted hedges laid out on wide forestlands.

The lake
The lake and the circling road around it are central to all activities in Kodaikanal. The first-time tourist’s love of Kodai begins with a quick walk to the lake. It is one of the most beautiful man-made lakes up in mountain slopes. A swamp of rainwater bound by the valley was landscaped into the present form in 1863. It is spread over an area of 60 acres and surrounded by a circular road of 5 km length. Here boats can be hired from the Boat Club for a charge ranging from Rs.50 to Rs.100 for an hour. Walking round the lake on foot is best, but riding a hired bicycle will offer the additional pleasure of enjoying the breeze. Sitting on the bunds one can enjoy watching both people and boats moving against a delightful natural background.

Dolmen Circle
Some sites of anthropological interest called Dolmen Circle can be seen near Parvatha Vihar and the Pannaikadu village. Due to willful vandalism or neglect, many of them are lost. Only two remain intact, one at Perumal peak and another in the Shenbaganoor museum. These rectangular stone structures were once the dwelling or burial places of the people of prehistoric times. Now, as relies of the Stone Age, they are the sad reminders of the life in the distant past.

The Observatory
Of the several observations in the world, the one in Kodai is the oldest and it stands on the highest point in the hill. The Governor of Madras Province (now Chennai) had laid the foundation in 1895 and it was completed in 1898. A high altitude place being the more suitable location for an observatory. The radical motion in sunspots, first discovered by its Director Evershed in 1909 is still referred by the famous sponym Evershed Effect. Right from the beginning, the Observatory is making significant contribution to astronomy and astrophysics. It is open to tourists on Fridays, from 10 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5 pm. Now it is functioning as Meteorological Astrophysical Observatory.

Coaker’s Walk
An early morning walk along this scenic mountain boulevard is a rewarding experience. Standing by the edge of this fences road one feels spell bound at then vast panoramic sight of the green mountains below. From here you can see the whole of the plains and the road you traveled through when the slopes are cloud free. A peep through the public telescope mounted on a pedestal offers a wide-angel view of the entire eastern part of Kodai. As its beginning and end, there are two churches, the St. Peters and the Christ King Church. In the evening if the sun is bright, a tourist can see his own long shadow on the clouds in front of him. This phenomenon is called Brachen Specter.

Pillar Rocks
The three 100 meter high columns of solid granite boulders, called Pillar Rocks are a geological wonder. The chamber between two columns is called Devil’s kitchen. This stone formation would have sprung millions of years ago. It inspires a love for mountain climbing among the tourists. However, going beyond the fence is dangerous. A visit to this spot before 9 am offers an amazing view beyond imagination. Frequent rains and mist may hide the sight.

Golf Club
Situated on the road to the Pillar Rocks, the Kodai Golf Club boasts of a well-laid 18 hole course fit for competitions at national level. Often the golfers teeing in the early morning accost hers of wild animals. The club is exclusively for its members. Non-members and holidaying golfers, who want to pay a special subscription.

Dolphin’s Nose
Dolphin’s Nose is a long projecting rock. With a round flat stone at the top, it stands majestically over an awful chasm of thousand feet deep. Standing on this cactus-like stone the view below is panoramic and enchanting. An hour’s trek via Pambar Falls and Levinge Stream will take you to this wonderful rock formation enroute to the village Vellakevi

Kurinji Flowers
Of all the flora of Kodaikanal, the Kurinji (Stobilanthus) needs special mention. It belongs to Acanthus family of flowering plants. Deep purple blue in colour, it grows in all the sheltered valleys in and around Kodai. That it blooms only once in 12 years is its unique feature. The year 2006 was its last flowering season.

Perumal Peak:
This mountain peak stands at an altitude of 2340m. The uphill climb begins from the Perumal Malai village, 11 km below Kodai on the Ghat road. It offers an excellent opportunity for trekking. On reaching the top the view below includes places like Periyakulam and Dindigul, and the Vaigai River running towards Madurai.

Green Valley View
A fifteen-minute drive from the lake leads you to the Green Valley View, just near the Golf Club of Kodaikanal. It offers a breath taking scenery overlooking a deep ravine filled with forest greenery below. Once (even now) it was called ‘Suicide Point’

Bears Shola
It is the dense forests, sheltered in the valleys, known as Shola that bring frequent showers to Kodai. These thick and wet forest trees were once home to wild animals, bears in particular. The name Bear Shola is reminiscent of this ancient past. Bears no more roam around this place, neither the trees are damp with lichen mass. Now, two kilometer away from the Lake, the Bear Shola is beautiful picnic spot. Here the tourists can enjoy a peaceful walk under the silent shadows of tall trees.

Kurunji Andavar Temple
The Kurinji Andavar temple is at the end of Chettiar Road, four km away from the main township of Kodai. Built in 1934 by Mrs. Ramanathan Chettiar, the temple is named after the famous purple shrubs, the Kurinji flowers characteristic of Kodaikanal. Lord Murugan, one of the several gods of the Hindu Pantheon, the lord of the Seven Hills, is the presiding deity. The temple also offers beautiful view of the northern plains and the Palani Hills.

Berijam Lake
This is another small artificial lake in the upper regions of Palani Hills. The sheer beauty of the lake made is yet another tourist spot in Kodai. An early morning drive to Berijam Lake will be rewarded with a rare sight of jungle fowls crossing the road. The herbal medicine garden has 2000 varieties of herbs and plants with botanical names, medical benefits and usage. Official permission from the Forest department is necessary to visit this place.

Trekking and Hiking
Before the days of the Ghat Road, people walked all the way to Kodai on well-trodden paths. It is said that there were about 21 such single line routes from Periyakulam and other villages in plains, of which five are identified safe for trekkers. The Youth Hostel situated near the Coaker’s Walk, arranges a long trekking expeditions on a slow walk around the Lake. Those who like to venture long walks to places like Vembadi Peak or Thalair Falls can seek the help of local guide.

Where to eat in Kodaikanal
Affordable Indian food, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, is available in restaurants around the Kodai bus terminal. Roadside eateries cater to the one-day holiday groups. Posh hotels like The Carlton offer an excellent range of cuisines, Indian, Continental, Chinese and Tibetan. The menu card at Tibetian Brothers runs to a long list of 168 items, all prepared on order, and served steaming hot. Manna Bakery is known for its vegetable soup and dark brown homemade bread. Tasty origin makes them out of  secret
recipes.

Educational Institutions:
Apart from few famous international schools, the Kodaikanal Christian College and Mother Teresa University have brought higher education to Kodai. The Library of the Teresa University has on its shelves the largest collection of books on women studies.

Medical Facilities  
Van Allan Christian Hospital (phone: 241254).
The Tamil Nadu Government Hospital is situated in the P.T. Road (Phone: 241194),
Shrifdeen Clinic,
Main Road (Phone: 240379).

Shops and Shopping
Window-shopping as you saunter along the main road. There are handicraft emporium run by both the government and private agencies. The Danish Display is one such high end emporium with a large range of gift and decorative items. Kodai is famous for eucalyptus oil, fresh fruits and homemade chocolates sold in all the roadside stalls. A bunch of dried flowers is the best souvenir you can take home. Here prices vary depending on one’s ability to bargain. The Kodai Book Shop on the main road caters to the book-loving tourists.

Tips For Tourists
Most hotels and lodging houses provide good beds with rugs. If you happen to stay in dormitories warm bedrolls can be hired. Remember to take warm clothes and a raincoat or jerkins. A pair of binoculars and a camera will make your holiday memorable. The Municipal administration of Kodai is keen on saving the natural environment and the eco-system of the forests. Remember the ban on plastic containers and carry bags.

The Rotary club of Kodai meets on every Thursday at Carlton Hotel at 5 pm. Three nationalized banks and the State Bank of India, there is Western Money Changer in the old bus stand building. The Southern Railways has an extension counter with computerized reservation facilities where you can confirm your train tickets to anywhere in India.

For further information contact READ Centre (Ph: 0091-080-26659577) or email: readcentre@gmail.com
#59, Ground Floor, 2nd Main, Sri Maruthi Nagar, J.P. Nagar, 7th Phase, Bangalore-560078. India. www.readcentre.org.in

Renton Community Development Trust, 171. Main Street, Renton, Dunbartonshine, Scotland. G824PF
Tel: 00441389603752.

We can provide you the best holiday package at reasonable rate that may suit your budget. As we are a NGO we want to assist people genuinely without any hidden costs. READ can arrange bus, train and air tickets with prior notice.

Skill Enhancement  Workshop  for Schools in Bangalore City

READ Centre, with the support of volunteers and professional academicians is planning to conduct a skill enhancement  workshop  for the students, parents and teachers in the schools of Bangalore city;  in the month of February-March 2011. Through this programme READ aims at implementing our knowledge and skills in mentoring and training the young minds, as well as their teachers and parents to make them more equipped to deal with the ever demanding and changing student-study scenario by using various technical and non technical methods to achieve the desired results.

For a more detailed presentation of the workshop, please click on the below link to access the program mailer.

- Download

- Download

Soft Skills Enhancement Training Workshops for the IT & Non IT Sector:

READ centre is happy to venture into soft skill enhancement training workshops for IT and Non IT sectors, thus using its experience and expertise of twenty five years of service in human resource skills development domain, specifically in the areas of performance assessment, staff appraisal, staff monitoring and evaluation, training at all levels, by conducting numerous motivational trainings and initiating various aspects of problem solving and conflict resolution methods.
We have expertise skills and resource materials for conducting these trainings, workshops, staff appraisal, monitoring and evaluation, enhancement of interpersonal skills in Human Resource scenario and employee-employer working relationships, in IT and Non IT sector.

For a detailed  information on these programmes, please visit the following link.

READ Centre and FAVORD-K are jointly conducting a Proposal Writing Workshop on 16th and 17th (Saturday & Sunday) of April 2011 at Indian Social Institute, Bangalore.

Please find the details of the workshop in the following links:

- Download