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Marthandum Project

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Lesson 18:Pre Independence era

Marthandum Project (1928)

This programme was started in 1928 by Dr. Spencer Hetch under the auspices of Y.M.C.A. and Christian Church. The Y.M.C.A. was interested in development of social aspects while Church was responsible for development of children and Juveniles. It was having a 3 field programme-development of spirit, mind and body. But later it evolved a fivefold programme-development of the mental faculty, physic, spirit, mind, economic and social aspects of life. Area covered was 100 villages, 40 villages in radius of 3 miles and rest in radius of 5-6 miles.

Objectives:

1. Self help and cooperation.
2. Helping people to help in their own work.
3. There should be a voluntary association.
4. Opening the demonstration centers.

Activities:

1. Poultry
2. Cultivation by improved methods
3. Bee keeping
4. Reforms in cattle industry
5. To bring out the serving habit in people
6. The members of voluntary association were staying in villages for few days to work with them in the same condition.
7. Rural dramas for recreation
8. Short courses of 6 weeks training to villagers and school teachers were organized during summer vacation.
9. Poultry and Bee keeping programmes were launched.
10. Tours, Camps, Exhibitions and Melas were organized.