Santhigiri Ashram

Santhigiri Ashram
Annual Report 2009-2010
Introduction
We are living today in a world which is progressing spiritually and in material matters. Man with his spiritual attributes can mould the world with new visions and good deeds. He has the special ability to merge godliness and human qualities for the good of the world. Our dream for an ideal happy universe cannot be fulfilled because of broken relationships which is a reality. Even God has become a commercial commodity for personal gain owing to the declining values. Have we lost the ability to identify the dangerous changes taking place in the environment? Are we in a position to understand the challenges faced by global warming which is assuming dangerous proportions? Instead of resigning ourselves to be mere spectators in the broken dreams, let us participate actively in promoting a better world created by God. This report is being submitted with a fervent hope that we use our abilities to participate in healing the broken relationships.

Vision of Santhigiri:

Communion with God
Harmony with human beings and nature
Compassion to people
Passion for justice
Spiritual Rejuvenation
Social amity
Self awareness

Projects:

Meditation & Prayer
Counseling
Health Care- Ayurveda, Allopathic & Dental
Palliative and Cancer Care
Educational activities
Social activities-
* Social Awareness Classes
* Seminars
* Study Classes

Managing Committee:

The managing committee consisting of 11 members is headed by His Grace Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan. The other members/ Trustees are- Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan- Vice Chairman.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa (Diocesan Bishop)
Rev. K.S Mathew (Sabha Secretary)
Mr. George Kovoor (Secretary)
Mr. Oommen Johnson (Treasurer)
Mr. K Varghese
Mr. John Mathew
Mr. Philip Mathew
Mr. Cherian Varkey
During the year under report three meetings of the trust were held. The annual report and accounts were approved during this meeting. The managing committee and members of trust gave valuable advices for the functioning of Santhigiri.

Condolence:

We place on record our deep regret at the passing away of Mr. George Kovoor on 21st April 2010 at the age of 82. He was the secretary from the inception of the Trust. His leadership qualities and hard work in the administration of the trust would be missed by all. His personal approach and integrity were exemplary. We are indebted for the services rendered by him and thank God for the long association with us. The funeral service was held on 23rd April with Rt. Rev. Dr Zacharias Mar Theophilus leading the service. The service was attended by all the members of Santhigiri. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Activities:

1) Meditation: The theme of the Ashram is ‘Peace in Harmony’ and this has been made possible through different activities. Facilities for meditation like Dhyanagiri, Dhyanaram, Dhyanalayam are being utilized for this purpose. During the year around 2000 persons consisting of individuals, families and organizations have availed of these facilities for meditation.

2) Yoga:Yoga classes are conducted by Mr. Unniappasseril in the Ashram which is attended by those coming for ayurvedic treatment and other programmes.

3) Holy Qurbana: Holy Qurbana is conducted on every 4th Sunday of the month and attended by nearly 30 people from the neighborhood and residents of Santhigiri. Services were conducted by Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan, Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Timotheos Episcopa, Rev. Abraham p. Abraham, Rev. Sunil Mathew.
A prayer service is held every evening for the residents of the Ashram.

4) Intercessory Prayer: Every Wednesday an intercessory prayer is held at 12.45 pm in Dhyananilayam. This is attended by residents and volunteers of pain and palliative care.

5) United Christian fellowship: Prayer meeting is held on every 2nd Saturday at 6 pm. This is held at different places and attended by members of various Christian denominations.

6) Community Services:

a) Santhi clinic: The Clinic functions for the health care for patients from the surrounding area. Guidance is provided on sanitation and health aspects in their homes. Patients requiring specialized treatment are referred to other hospitals. The clinic is conducted by Dr. Aly Alexander and Dr. Marykutty on every Saturday. Besides, Doctors from MOSC Medical College Kolenchery, attend the clinic on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Dr.Ani Lincoln (USA) Neurology Consultant attended to patients from 15th February to 22nd February.

b) Senior Citizens camp: A camp for Senior Citizens under our auspices was held at MES old age home on 1st October—International Senior citizens day. 68 persons attended the camp.

c) Cataract camp: A cataract camp under the joint auspices of Rajgiri Out Reach and Santhigiri was held in Santhigiri. The camp was conducted by Drs of Tonys Eye Hospital. 69 patients attended the camp and those requiring an operation were referred to the hospital for free treatment.

d) Medical camp: A Medical camp was held in Santhigiri by the MOSC Medical College and attended by 43 patients.

e) Pulse Polio: Santhigiri was an immunization centre for Pulse Polio under the Edathala Primary Health Centre. Pulse polio was administered for 147 children on 10th January and 10th February 2010.

f) Medical survey: Medical students of MOSC medical college conducted a health survey in different areas. Patients identified during the survey were rendered primary health care and awareness on health aspects.

g) Santhi dental clinic: The clinic is conducted every day by Dr. Sneha Mariam Kuruvila who is the resident Dr. on Saturdays Dr. Shiny Biju from MOSC Dental Clinic also attends to patients. Dr. John Lincoln (USA) attended to patients from 15th February to 22nd February. 582 patients were treated in our clinic during the year.

h) Financial Assistance: The Santhi clinic and Dental Clinic are assisted financially by the APDM (Association of Physicians and Dentists of the Mar Thoma church in North America). We are very grateful to the members of this organization for their unstinted support.

i) Ayurveda Hospital: Ayurvedic Hospital is being run by the reputed Kottackal Arya Vaidaya Sala. All forms of Ayurvedic treatment under the supervision of expert Doctors are available. During the year 356 IP and 944 OP patients were treated in this hospital. Environment friendly surroundings and food are the special features available for the patients coming here.
The initial agreement with Kottackal expired during this year. As the functioning of the establishment was found to be satisfactory the agreement was extended for another 3 years.

j) Pain & Palliative Care: The palliative and Pain care service is a humanitarian service extended to patients suffering from cancer, kidney problems and other debilitating diseases. House visits are conducted every Friday and besides financial assistance for treatment counseling is given to the patients and their families. During the past 4 years over 200 patients availed of our services. A few of them also passed away. At present 80 patients are part of this programme.
In addition to financial assistance for treatment, provisions are provided to some deserving cases and education assistance for children of patients.
Convener of this program is Mr. T. Mathews and assisted by a team of volunteers. The financial and other assistance rendered by many persons for this programme is noteworthy.
On 27th march 2010 the 4th anniversary of the Pain and palliative care programme was observed. The well known Cancer specialist Dr. Gangadharan was the chief guest who delivered the main talk. M/s Vinod and Ramachandran who are patients shared their experiences.

k) Awareness Class: An awareness class for volunteers of pain and Palliative care was held by well known counselors Dr Joseph Thomas and Dr Elizabeth from USA.

l) Patient Care: Besides the programme for pain and palliative care patients, other patients are provided health care. Those requiring specialized treatment are referred to specialty hospitals. The services rendered for such patients by Dr. Joy George, a member of the Fort Cochin parish are exemplary and noteworthy.

m) Counseling Centre: We have a counseling centre for those who are afflicted by mental health problems and the special needs of the younger generation; the counseling clinic has been functioning well. Besides 24 new patients, 17 old patients are provided counseling in Santhigiri.
A class on adolescence and goal setting for students in the age group 13 to 18 was held in Santhigiri. This was attended by 9 students. A class was also held in June on adolescence for the girl students of SNDP high school and attended by 50 students. For the students of Edathala Govt. School, classes were held on Memory Tips, Sex education. In addition counseling is provided to students of this school on 3 days of the week.
A class on value education was held for students 0f Mar Thoma women’s college Perumbavoor and was attended by 400 students. Regular visits in a fortnight are also made to this college.
Cells on counseling are functioning in Perumbavoor Women’s College, Perumbavoor Balika Mandiram and Govt. School, Edathala.

7) Social Activities:

a) Swasraya Thrift and Credit Scheme: To inculcate the habit of savings this scheme meant for the benefit of common people in the neigbourhood has now 430 members as on 31st march 2010. Collections under this scheme are done by the agents on a weekly basis. The agents also inform the members of the various activities of Santhigiri. Loans were provided for 31 members for their various needs. Annual meeting of this scheme was held on 27th March and Dr Jit Abraham delivered a talk on diseases during summer and monsoon. After the talk during the general body meeting 2 persons who deposited the maximum amount were given prizes. 3 persons were also given prizes for the lucky draw.

b) Assistance for marriage/ house construction: From the applications received for assistance under this scheme 5 girls were considered for marriage assistance and 8 persons for house construction. Rs 70000/- were disbursed under this scheme.

c) Drinking Water Programme: Residents of Pookatumugal colony near Santhigiri were having problems of getting drinking water. The scheme for providing drinking water to this colony could be completed through the assistance of Rs 25000 given to the panchayat.

d) Food kits: Food kits were distributed to 100 needy people during Onam. This was made possible through the cooperation of many people in the neigbourhood.

e) Blanket distribution: Through the special effort of His Grace the Mar Thoma Metropolitan over 300 blankets received from CASA were distributed to poor people in the neighborhood. We are thankful to esteemed Metropolitan and the CASA authorities for their kind gesture.

f) Social/ Economic survey: A survey was conducted among the needy residents in the neighborhood of Santhigiri. After assessing their needs some assistance was provided. M/s. John G Varghese and Manoj Mathew conducted the survey.

g) Prevention of Monsoon Diseases: A leaflet on prevention of monsoon diseases was prepared and distributed in the neighbourhood.

h) Anti-Alcoholism Camp: A ten day camp under the auspices of Kottayam Mojana centre was held from 16th March 2010.16 people participated in the Camp.

8) Educational Activities:

a) Educational assistance: On 1st June 2009 a well attended meeting was held at Edathala Govt. School where Uniforms, Scholarships etc. was distributed. 225 students received uniforms and 16 students were given scholarships. Rs. 50000/- was the expense incurred on this. This meeting was attended by people’s representatives, Parents, School authorities and others.

b) Career Guidance: A class on Career guidance under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Varghese of Thrikkakara Samanya Counseling centre was held on the 30th January 2010 for students of plus Two Classes. This was attended by 150 students.

c) News Paper distribution: For improving the reading habits of children, copies of Madhyamam newspaper has been made available for students of Govt. School Edathala.

d) Santhigiri Tuition Center: A Tuition centre for helping students from class 5-8, in their studies commenced on 10th June 2009. During the public meeting Mrs. Lalitha Gopinath inaugurated the tuition centre. 64 students are studying here. Mrs. Aswathy Mathews was the coordinator of the centre.

e) Sowhartham 2009: A three day camp was held in Santhigiri to create the awareness of moral values among the students. The camp was conducted by Rajagiri Social Works and attended by 150 people.

f) Sat-gamya- 2009: A programme to enrich the inborn qualities of students was held here. This was attended by 50 students.

9) Conferences:

a) Family Empowerment Programme: In the present day context of decaying family values a family programme away from day to day tensions was held on 3rd & 4th July 2009. This programme was intended to enrich family values and the classes were conducted by Rev. Dr George Varghese. 10 families attended this programme.

b) Pre marital Counseling: A pre marital counseling class was conducted on 7th and 8th August 2009 for those residing in Ernakulam and Alwaye. This was attended by 16 young men and women and under the guidance of Rev. Dr Jo Joseph Kuruvilla. Course certificates were distributed to the participants.

c) Parish office bearers meeting: A meeting for the office bearers of Ernakulam-Alwaye centre parishes was held on 21st August 2009 in Santhigiri. There were 146 participants and the presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. Yuakim Mar Kurilose, Episcopa was a blessing. Rev.Oomen Philip, Rev.John John, Adv: Chacko George, Mr. Jacob Kovoor took classes on different subjects.
10) Camps:

Camps were held for participants at State, National, and International levels. We are grateful to all those who availed of the facilities available in this picturesque campus. Local organizations like Kudunbashree, Ayalkuttam, Janashree and grama Sabha conducted classes’ here.The Clergy Conferences of Thiruvanthapuram-Quilon Diocese from 14th to 16th September and that of the Chengannur-Mavelikara from 2nd to 5th November 2009 were held here.
Besides meetings were held here by Senior Citizens of Palarivattom Parish, family conference of kakanadu Christos parish, and Parish day of Ernakulam salem parish.
Film shooting for various episodes of Fr. Bobby Jose Kattiakadan for Shalom TV were shot here. Shooting of the visual program B+ under the supervision of Rev. George Varghese was also held here.
In addition to the above 51 camps of different organizations, parishes, church groups and family get-togethers were held here during the year.

11) Ashram day Celebrations: The 17th ashram day celebrations were held on 29th august 2009. The chief guest was most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan. In the public meeting held on this occasion Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan presided. The Shanti Prabashanam on Role of a Secular Society in Combating Ethnic Violence and Racial Discrimination was delivered by Dr. Rajan Gurukkal, Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University. The meeting was attended by over 300 members including friends from abroad.

12) Christmas day Celebrations: Christmas celebrations were held from 5 p.m. 0n 15th August 2009. Choirs from Sinai church, Ambalamedu, Keezhmad Blind School, Geeridipthi tribal hostel rendered beautiful Christmas Carols on this occasion. The message was delivered by Mr. Ismail Kangarapady, a renowned Islamic scholar.

13) Consecration of Archana Meditation Centre: A large auditorium with 17 rooms, library, museum and ample parking space was consecrated on 29th August 2009. The service was led by Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan and assisted by Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan. The presence of large number of priests and members of the public was noteworthy. We thank all those who rendered necessary advices, financial support and other aspects in the construction of the auditorium.

14) Maramon convention Stall: During this year also a stall was put up by us at the Maramon Convention. This stall enabled us to highlight the activities of Santhigiri and to collect donations. M/s Ajit Alexander and Justin assisted in the running of the stall.

15) Santhi Sandesham: The news bulletin Santhi Sandesham highlighting the activities and news of Santhigiri is being published half yearly for the information of the friends of Santhigiri.

16) Library and Museum: Books on Church history, Sabha activities, Ecumenism, Yoga, Meditation and other subjects are available in the library which is housed in a large room of the auditorium. Adequate space is available for the use of the library.
A museum has also started functioning during the year under review. It houses heritage pictures and articles which are available for the viewing of visitors.

17) Agriculture, Livestock and Fish rearing: Traditional agricultural products being cultivated here are utilized in the canteen and remaining sold outside. Cows, Goats, Poultry, Fish etc are reared in the farm.

18) Facilities: 250 people can be accommodated here. 37 rooms, dormitory, auditorium, seminar hall, conference hall, Dhyananilayam, Dhyanaram, Dhyanagiri, canteen facilities are available here. Besides these, public telephone booth, internet, super shop are also provided.

19) Finance: The income from camps, conferences, Ayurveda centre, agriculture and donations from friends of Santhigiri help in the running of Santhigiri.

20) Staff: Rev. Sunil Mathew is the Director of the Ashram. Other members are: Mr. A. V. Oommen (Estate Manager), Mrs. Sumi Mol (Counsellor), Dr. Sneha Mariam Kuruvilla (Dentist), Mrs. Monica and Mrs. Mercy (Nursing assistants). Other staffs members are Mrs. Rajini Velayudhan (Clinic Assistence), Mr. Arun Kumar, Mr. Benny Thampi (Canteen), Mr. Beno Raj, Mrs. Chandravalli(Ayurveda Hospital) , Mr. Baiju and Mrs. Shailaja (gardeners). Besides there are 10 casual labours working daily. The services of many seminary students who worked as volunteers have been a source of strength for the functioning of the ashram. At present Mr. Gigi Varghese is working as a volunteer.

21) Visitors: We had many distinguished visitors and all our Thirumeni’s have visited the Ashram. We were privileged to have their valuable advices. Many of our Achen’s and laymen from different walks of life are among the other visitors.
We had a very honoured guest Shri Rahul Gandhi who visited the ashram on 4th February 2010 to attend the KSU camp.
Many people from different countries visited Santhigiri and some of them underwent treatment at the Ayurvedic Hospital. It is worth mentioning that Rev. Immanuel Garib from Kuwait, a well wisher of Mar Thoma Sabha stayed for a few days here. Distinguished speakers at the Maramon convention also stayed here.

Thanks:
We express our prayerful gratitude to God Almighty for all the blessings showered on us during the past one year. We are grateful to our Chairman Dr, Joseph MarThoma, Metropolitan for his advices and help. The vision and hard work of our Vice Chairman Rt. Rev. Dr Zacharias Mar Theophilus during the past year has enabled Santhigiri to make good progress. We are thankful to our treasurer Mr. Oommen Johnson for his hard work. We are also grateful to all our trustees for their valuable advice.
# All office and other staff members for their devoted work at Santhigiri
# All those who have benefited of the facilities in Santhigiri
# All those who have contributed generously
# Staff of Kottackal Aryavaidyasala
# Doctors and other workers of MOSC, Kolenchery
# Volunteers of Pain and Palliative Care programmes
# Our Auditors, Mr. Jacob Kovoor & co.

Conclusion:

We have to look inward to examine how far we have fulfilled the calling of our Lord in accomplishing good deeds assigned to us. While we look at the year which has concluded let us meditate as to whether we are satisfied with our achievements and how we can move ahead with greater vision. We should submit ourselves to God’s will for the glory of the kingdom of God and able to influence the progress in this world with our Christian presence. Let us submit ourselves to heal the wounds in this world. We conclude this report with a prayer to God almighty for His guidance in achieving our tasks.

Santhigiri Ashram

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Ashram Day'11

Pre- Marital Counseling

Monday, September 13, 2010

FAMILY EMPOWERMENT RETREAT

Monday, August 30, 2010

Santhigiri Ashram Annual Report 2009-2010

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Condolence:

Managing Committee of Santhigiri

ASHRAM DAY 2010

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