RADAR

The acronym RADAR stands for Rural Action Development And Research. It is an autonomous extension unit of Arul Anandar College.

ORIGIN OF RADAR

The initial realization that the study of Rural Development would remain incomplete if it did not actively demonstrate the theoretical understanding in practice by way of extension programmes, has necessitated the department of Rural Development Science along with the management of Arul Anandar College to reflect on and conceptualize the idea of RADAR.

The Centre RADAR was inaugurated on 30th November, 1986 in a simple but meaningful ceremony in the presence of Shri. Devandra Kumar, the then Vice-Chancellor of Gandhigram Deemed University.

Rev. Fr, Stephen Jesuraj Rodrigo S.J., was First Director of RADAR and Fr. Michael Doss S.J., was joint Director of RADAR.

THE AIM OF RADAR

The Centre RADAR aims at providing social conditions and facilitating the creation of an environment in which the powerless poor and marginalized recognize themselves as persons with human dignity and participate in the task of creating a humen society.

THE OBJECTIVES OF RADAR

To create critical awareness regarding the social system, the rights and responsibilities as citizens of the country etc. among the rural poor

To inculcate skills to utilize the various forms of indigenous resources.

To undertake organized political action by mobilizing the people at the village and inter-village levels.

To plan, implement and evaluate various need-based programs with the active participation of the rural people.

To initiate people’s co-operative movements.

To collaborate with the department of Rural Development Science in training the students.

To work towards imparting a social orientation to their staff and the students of the various departments of the college.

To carry on research projects relating to different aspects of community building.

To extend training facilities to all those who are committed to or involved in such community development process.

AREA OF OPERATION

Originally, RADAR has specified some selected village panchayats of Chellampatti Panchayat Union in Madurai District as its area of operation.

Chellampatti Panchayat Union is constituted by 29 village panchayats and 185 villages.

Fourteen Village Panchayats are:

1. Karumathur
2. Kovilankulam
3. Pullanery
4. Kodikulm
5. Thidian
6. Nattamangalm
7. Valandur
8. Ariyapatti
9. Mudalaikulam
10. Kannanoor
11. Nattapatti
12. Poothipuram
13. Kuravakodi
14. Vikiramangalam

VISION

Holistic development of rural women and men living in and around Chellampatti Panchayat Union.

GOAL

To empower the uneducated rural women and men by providing necessary training and job opportunities.

Activities

1. Tailoring course for the rural women.

2. Type Writing course for the rural women and men, college and school going students.

3. Summer programme for local School Students.

4. Social awareness programme in selected villages.

5. Conducting tuition centres in Moorthi Nagar and Jeyaraj Nagar.

TAILORING COURSE

Regular Tailoring classes are conducted from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m, 73 rural girls underwent training in tailoring in two batches (July and December) and Practical Examinations were conducted for these girls. Certificates were issued to these rural girls who have successfully completed this tailoring training.

TYPE WRITING COURSE

Regular Typewriting classes are conducted from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30p.m, 128 rural girls underwent training in tailoring in two batches (June and November) and government examinations were conducted for these girls. Certificates were issued to these rural girls who have successfully completed this type writing training. Out these girls, 22 of them were sent for Government Lower Typewriting Examinations. Other than the rural girls, there is a heavy demand from our own college students both boys and girls for the typewriting training. It has been made compulsory for the First year B.Sc. computer Science students to join the typewriting classes. These boys are also encouraged to go for the Government Lower and Higher Grade Typewriting Examinations. This will help to enhance the employment potentialities of the students even after the completion of the B.Sc. Degree course.

Summer Camp

Arul Anandar College, Conducts a week long educational summer program for the rural students in and around Karumathur.

Five members actively involved in formatting the flow of the program. Among them four were student volunteers. Around sixty students (both boys and girls) participated in this summer camp. As the program was planned, students were split into two separate groups according to their classes (i.e. X & XII). Students were mainly concentrated on learning spoken English and basic grammar to develop their English speaking skill. Well-equipped class rooms were offered by the College to handle classes. Audio visual class rooms were used to handle spoken English classes. Each student was given a short story to read aloud in order to improve his/her reading skills and pronunciation. Students were divided into pairs to practice daily conversations with the help of formal and informal dialogue scripts. Students were very enthusiastic to learn and cope with the common schedule. Every day time table was displayed on the notice board to inculcate the spirit of organizing oneself. Guest lecturers were organised on invited about various topics relating to the theme of the day. Especially the talks on “Media & Communication”, “Equality and freedom” and “Impact of Mobile on Students” were very much appreciated by the students. Thus this program nourished our children with Social thoughts and general knowledge. Awareness & fun games in the morning afternoon sessions kept the students more alive with the proceedings of the camp.

The classes began at 9:00am and ended at 4:00pm. The whole day was engaged with various activities. Free Lunch and Tea and snakes twice a day were provided freely. Every day evaluation was conducted to know the Children’s view regarding food and facilities. Separate evaluations were conducted staff members of the camp. To ensure the holistic growth of the children they were asked to perform cultural events at the final day of the Summer Camp. Meriterions students of the neighboring schools were honored during the valedictory function of the Summer Camp.