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MODEL VILLAGES IN PONDICHERRY
Click here to see village inauguration
Project Hope has taken on the project of re-constructing the villages of Pannithittu and Pattanchery in Karaikal, Pondicherry, both of which were completed devastated by the tsunami. Pannthittu will have 100 homes and Pattanchery will have 350 homes. Each will have a school, gardens, community center, vocational training center, medical center, computer center etc. With the gracious assistance and support of the entire government of Pondicherry, we will truly create model villages for these people.
This is what the model village layout design is!
This is what the individual houses will look like in Pannithittu
(full picture above and hall way/kitchen and bedroom below)
VILLAGE INAUGURATION - DECEMBER 13, 2006
On December 13, the first tsunami reconstructed village, built by Project Hope, in Pondicherry, was officially inaugurated by the Hon. Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, the Hon. Governor of Tamil Nadu and the Hon. Governor of Uttranchal together with the founders and leaders of Project Hope, H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh and Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi. The Chief minister of Pondicherry was also supposed to be present, but due to the tragic demise of his father, he could not make it, but he sent his best wishes and also a representative on his behalf.
The Village of Pannithittu is being rebuilt by Project Hope through the generous funding from India Heritage Research Foundation, Rotary International and other generous donors from around the world. The village, which will ultimately include not only the 100 houses but also a school, community center, vocational training center, primary medical care center and computer center, was adopted by Project Hope in July 2005 and construction began in the middle of August. In just under 4 months, the first batch of houses were completed and handed over to the villagers.
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Clockwise from top: Pujya Swamiji meets the Hon. Goverorns of Tamil Nadu, Uttranchal and Pondichicherry; The DM of Pondicherry garlands Pujya Swamiji; stage at the function
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The 3 Governors praised the work done by Project Hope, and the Honorable Governor of Uttranchal pledged Rs. 30 lakhs of assistance in phase II (school, community center, vocational training center, computer center, etc.).
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(left) Honorable Lt. Governor of Pondicherry; (right) Honorable Governor of Uttranchal
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Sivamani gives his divine drumming show
World famous drummer Sivamani, devotee of Pujya Swamiji’s, also came and gave a divine musical concert for the village. Through the sound of music he filled the hearts and minds of the villagers with hope, faith and love.
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House ownership papers are given to the families selected by the Government for the houses
Following the function, hot lunch was served to thousands of villagers.
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Clockwise from top: Pujya Swamiji speaks at the function; the audience of villagers; Sadhvi Bhagwati speaks
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All stand for the Tamil Tai Valtu at the beginning of the program
The function was one truly blessed by God! The forecast for the 13th was heavy rain, and in fact it had rained on the 12th and 12th night. Further the entire way from Chennai to Pondicherry was raining on the 13th. However, in the small area of Pannithittu and environs, the weather was clear and sunny, despite all predictions to the contrary. After the function concluded and after all of the villagers had finished their hot lunches, then the rains began and continued throughout the rest of the day! |
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The first house is officially opened by the hands of the Honorable Governors of Pondicherry, Uttranchal and Tamil Nadu with Pujya Swamiji and Vivek Oberoi. |
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Trees are plantedon the village grounds
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Pujya Swamiji opens a house with Sivamani and his wife
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The sewing machine for the vocational
training program are officially inaugurated
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Pujya Swamiji and Vivek overseeing the service of lunch; with village girls
HERE IS WHAT PANNITHITTU LOOKED LIKE BEFORE
The land on which we reconstructed the village of Pannithittu
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A few walls of some buildings still were standing, but the majority of the village was just washed away.
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VILLAGE RECONSTRUCTION: PATTINCHERI, KARAIKAL
Project Hope has also taken on the project of reconstructing village Pattincheri in Karaikal with the assistance of generous donors including Shri L.N. Mittalji from London, UK.
This village will include 350 houses, a school, community center, vocational training center, computer center, medical care center and more. The vocational training center and computer center have already been opened, and work on the houses is scheduled to begin any day.
This home, like most of them in Pattincheri village of Karaikkal, was destroyed in the tsunami. The water literally pushed up through the floor of the house, washing away all possessions and many lives.
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Project Hope's New Model Village for Pattincheri
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The homes will be beautiful and modern, filled with gardens and greenery.
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The bhoomi puja is performed on the 22 March by Pujya Swamiji, Vivek Oberoi
and the Hon. Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, Lt. General M.M. Lakhera
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Vivek shows the villagers of Karaikkal what their new homes will look like
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The Foundation stone is officially inaugurated by the hands of the Hon. Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, Lt. General M.M. Lakhera and the Hon. Chief Secretary of Pondicherry
Shri C.S. Khairwal on 22 March
On the 2 April, a team of 20 Rotarians from USA and UK, led by Rotary Governor Elias Thomas III joined us in Karaikkal (as they had come to do hands on labor for the orphanage construction in Cuddalore). They were so touched by the plight of the people and also so impressed by the design of the new model village, that they have offered to sponsor at least 32 homes from their side! They will aim to build over 100.
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Rotary Governor Elias Thomas III of Maine, USA and his entire team are welcomed by Project Hope
On April 2, we distributed sewing machines to the ladies of Pattincheri in order to open a vocational training center.
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