Mullanchery M Velaian
Encyclopedia
Mullanchery M. Velaian is a social worker from Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...

, India. He was born Mullanchery in Kanyakumari district
Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari District ) is a district of Tamil Nadu state, India and is the southernmost land area of mainland India.The district is the second most urbanised district in Tamilnadu, next only to Chennai and ahead of Coimbatore. It also has the highest literacy and education levels in the...

. He is the founder of the Kumari Arivial Peravai
Kumari Arivial Peravai
Kumari Arivial Peravai is a voluntary group doing service in the field of science and technology in Kanyakumari district, India. Developing young scientists is one of the important programs of Kumari Arivial Peravai....

(Kumari science forum). He has also written plays.

Early life

Mullanchery M Velaian also had the common education like every others from his village. He was concerned about the village people and with endless efforts he came out with solutions for their problem. At the age of 13 he had learnt “Kambu Kaliyal”. His passion towards plays and drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...

s brought out the writer in him at the age of 17. The play “Thaimel Aanai” highlighted the problems and difficulties faced by common people. Being too young to be a writer, it took some time for the people to acknowledge his play. He had presented more than 20 plays which had good response .At the age of 11 he had facilitated and welcomed Perunthalaivar Kamaraj
K. Kamaraj
Kumarasami Kamaraj better known as K. Kamaraj was an Indian politician from Tamil Nadu widely acknowledged as the "Kingmaker" in Indian politics during the 1960s. He was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu during 1954-1963 and a Member of Parliament during 1952-1954 and 1969-1975...

 who came to his village.

Career

He completed ITI and worked in the private sector in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...

 until 1984, when he joined a government organisation as a draftsman. This job improved his financial position and he went on to obtain a MA from Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai Kamaraj University also abbreviated MKU is a public university in India.-Overview:Madurai Kamaraj University, located in Madurai city established in 1966, has 18 schools comprising 72 departments. The Directorate of Distance Education of the University has a student strength of about 1.3...

 and a MPhil from Alagappa University
Alagappa University
Alagappa University is located on about in the business town of Karaikudi in Sivaganga District in Tamil Nadu, India. Karaikudi is 400 km south of Madras on the Madras–Rameswaram line and is accessible from Tiruchirappalli and Madurai in about 2 hours by road and rail. This seat of higher...

. He returned to his home village and in his spare time became involved in voluntary work such as organizing temple festivals, youth development and child care. He undertook public speaking roles and encouraged others to do the same.

Social involvement

It was his idea to form an organization to develop his village. He gathered people, youngsters and women and formed “Village People Association”. Being a government servant he mingled with the people and was responsible for developments like roads, entrepreneurship, and care for youngsters. He never accepted donations or rewards and spent money from his own pocket and still leads a very simple life.

Village People Association

The first step was the development of Mullanchery road which was in 1985 and then Kollakudi Villai road in the same year. This was done with the help of village people.

Literacy development

In these program nine wards of Nallor panchayat was concentrated and the main aim was to make people capable to sign at least. A camp was conducted and around 950 people were educated. This was a revolution in 1988. This was done before the implementation of Arivoli Iyakkam (the Literacy Movement). At the last day of the camp, a procession was held between Karavilagam and Illavuvilai consisting of women and youngsters insisting on the importance of education. This was conducted with the help of students of teacher training institute of Kollamkodu.

In addition to that, classes were conducted for school drop outs and were encouraged to pass eighth standard.

Medical camp

Free medical camp, eye care camps, village care camps etc were organized by him to improve the health of people.

Industrial development

A tailoring institute was formed to train the ladies and make them empowered. Rope weaving was taught to household ladies. For youngsters’ technical training was given on radio and television repair for 2 years by Nehru Yuva Kendra. Every year sports day, Independence Day, Republic day celebrations were conducted and still continues. He helped to organize Hindi classes, kinder garden schooling, basic law education etc. Collectors
District collector
The District Collector is the district head of administration of the bureaucracy in a state of India. Though he/she is appointed and is under general supervision of the state government, he/she has to be a member of the elite IAS recruited by the Central Government...

, government officials, doctors
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...

, professors, etc. used to participate in these celebrations at Mullanchery.

District level elocution, essay writing, poetry writing, drawing, dance competitions were organized by him successfully. This helped the youngsters to upgrade their knowledge also helped to build up their confidence. Due to continuous effort of Mullanchery M. Velaian education and industrial growth of Mullanchery was improved. The threat to the growth of Mullanchery was production of Arrack which spoilt the youth. So he formed an association to give awarenss to people about its effects and to give protection to those who give up arrack production. People were gathered to ask government to take legal action against arrack production.

Initially people, who were unable to realize the benefits of his activities,were creating problems to him. Due to this he suffered financially as well as mentally. Some tried to attack physically and also tried to create problem at his work place. But the goodwill, punctuality, honesty and hard work at his work place saved him. Some well-wishers and Mr.N.Dennis (Ex. Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...

 from Nagercoil
Nagercoil
Nagercoil is the 12th largest city in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipality and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District...

) gave support and ensured safety.

Anti Drug Addiction Movement

He realized that many other villages also face the same problem. Hence he initiated a campaign named Anti Drug Addiction Movement. The professor of Nagercoil
Nagercoil
Nagercoil is the 12th largest city in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipality and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District...

 Hindu College Dr.Sreekumar and Palm Workers Development Association coordinator Mr.Edwinzam gave support to his ventures.

• He organized a cycle rally from Kaliyakavilai to Nagercoil
Nagercoil
Nagercoil is the 12th largest city in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipality and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District...

 against Alcohol Usage.

• He organized a procession along the coastal side from Kollamkodu to Kanyakumari.

• Also every year June 26 The World Anti Alcohol Day is celebrated by conducting elocution competition and rallies in Kanyakumari district.

• Seminar, debates and camps were conducted at all villages in Kanyakumari district. This brings some awareness among the people.

Thought of development

In order to enhance intellectual thinking among youngsters, he organized science exhibition, scientist student interaction program, science tour, science camp and cultural programs. In 1999 he first organized a District level science exhibition in Marthandam
Marthandam
Martandam is a major trade centre in Kuzhithurai municipality across National Highway in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India, at the border with Kerala. Originally called Thoduvetty, it was a portion of Kanyakumari district which was added to the state of Tamil Nadu on November 1, 1956...

 then in Munsirai, Thuckalay
Thuckalay
Thuckalay -தக்கலை- is a town in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. Thuckalay comes under the Padmanabhapuram Municipality. Thuckalay is the administrative headquarter of Kalkulam Taluk. The Revenue Divisonal Office is located in Mettukadai. Thuckalay is connected by road from both...

, Padanthalumoodu, Nagercoil
Nagercoil
Nagercoil is the 12th largest city in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipality and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District...

 and it is keep going.

Realizing the weakness of village schools he conducted a seminar for headmasters on “the look of education in the 21st century”

He organized a computer training program for 650 school headmasters of Kanyakumari district, as well as a camp for science teachers based on the theme of “Science for the Young Generation”.

Kumari Arivial Peravai
Kumari Arivial Peravai
Kumari Arivial Peravai is a voluntary group doing service in the field of science and technology in Kanyakumari district, India. Developing young scientists is one of the important programs of Kumari Arivial Peravai....

 [Kumari Science Forum]


To do these science activities he formed an organization named Kumari Arivial Peravai
Kumari Arivial Peravai
Kumari Arivial Peravai is a voluntary group doing service in the field of science and technology in Kanyakumari district, India. Developing young scientists is one of the important programs of Kumari Arivial Peravai....

 in 2003. Many teachers from various schools are voluntarily involved in the forum because of the activities.

He organizes many programs like Science exhibition, Scientist students interaction, Science Camp, Science tour etc. This helps the students in improving their knowledge.

According to the performance “Best Teacher Award” is given to 8 teachers every year. This award is given to physically challenged schools.

The Students of Kumari District were called and topics were given on scientific problems faced and were asked to give solutions. Every year he conducts young scientist program for school students.

Gandhism

His passion for Gandhism is the reason for involving himself in social work. Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations are organized by him at schools and colleges every year.

Literature work

More than 20 plays are there to his credit. A Drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...

book named “Puthiya Vidiyal” was published. Three science magazines and a Spiritual magazine were published by him so far.
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