Model Village
“Kethanur is an agricultural village which has rich black soil and is surrounded by giant turbines.” This is how the village, 45 km from Coimbatore, has been described on its website that was launched recently. The website proceeds to explain the exact location of the village, the chief occupation of its people, the administration, education and the development programmes under way. Anyone who wants to learn more about the village or contact the villagers can log on to http://www.kethanurmodelvillage.com/.
Kethanur has set the example for a model village with the collective efforts taken by its pro-active residents to improve the educational, healthcare and infrastructural facilities. “The concept of a model village was planned six years ago. But, in the last two years, we have been able to bring about a lot of development to the village,” says K. Selvarajan, a Paediatric Surgeon and who belongs to the village. Among the various developmental projects are the Kethanur Guidance Programme, offers career guidance and counselling to students who have completed Class X and Plus Two and the employment-generation programme for women. About 120 women and girls from the village are given a six-months training in tailoring. They have also been given three sewing machines, Dr. Selvarajan says.
The construction of toilets in about 450 houses will be completed in the next few weeks, he adds.The concept of ‘Health Data Cards’ has been introduced here. Each villager is tested for heart diseases, diabetes and kidney diseases periodically. Basic blood and urine tests are done too and the data is stored in the computer. Each of them is given a health card, which will contain the complete health history of the individual and the treatment taken. “This would help them seek better and more effective treatment at hospitals,” adds Dr. Selvarajan.
The alumni association of the Government Higher Secondary School also actively takes part in the developmental activities. The other projects planned include providing garbage bins, maintaining clean roads and street lights and planting trees in public places. Specialised facilities such as an employment centre, garment manufacturing unit, powerloom, dairy, and biogas production unit are on the anvil.
The career guidance programme, the website and the health data card projects were officially launched at a programme held at the village recently. G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor of Bharathiar University, N. Gopal Shankar, Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, and Senthil, Managing Director, Professional Couriers and Sabol, took part.
