________________
182
THE FAMILY AND THE NATION
Periyar PURA (Tamil Nadu): The Periyar PURA complex, pioneered by the Periyar Maniammai College of Technology for Women, Vallam, Tanjore, is functioning near Vallam in a cluster of over 65 villages with a population of 1 lakh. This PURA complex has all the three connectivities-physical, electronic and knowledge— leading to economic connectivity. The centre of activity emanates from the women's engineering college that provides the electronic and knowledge connectivity. Periyar PURA has healthcare centres, primary. to postgraduate-level education and vocational training centres. This has resulted in large-scale employment generation and creation of a number of entrepreneurs with the active support of 850 self-help groups. Two hundred acres of wasteland has been transformed into cultivable land with innovative water management schemes such as contour ponds and water sheds for storing and irrigating the fields. The villagers plant jatropha, herbal and medicinal plants, generate power using bio-mass, process food and run marketing centres. This model has emanated independent of any government initiative. A committed leadership has been provided by the engineering institution. Recently, five of Periyar PURA villages were connected through Wi-MAX Wireless, having minimum 4 mbps connectivity, with the Periyar PURA nodal centre. This connectivity provides sustainable economic development in that region. One Village One Product and PURA: The members of Periyar PURA have entered into a strategic partnership with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) of Japan. During the last eight months, the people of Periyar PURA villages, technologically supported by Periyar Maniammai College of Engineering for Women, have worked with experts from JETRO on various products for which core competence and raw material is available in Thanjavur district. They
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
