20 Nov.
Morning visit to ashram paper factory to see paper made by hand
raw materials of cotton, rice husks, etc.; soaking materials and
making it into pulp; pulp travelling through large pipes; placed
on flat screens; water pressed out by workers in dilapidated
plastic aprons; sheets of paper dried, dyed and hung on rooftop
room; made into books, photo frames, stationery, etc.; workers
earn 100 Rupees/day.
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple Dancing Shiva
large private temple of black granite
Project visit Rotary
Club of Chidambaram Eye Clinic
Open 3 evenings/week from 5-7 p.m.; has helped
600 patients with a wide variety of treatments from eye glasses
to glaucoma medicine and cataract surgery; run by Dr. Kumar
Low-Cost Housing Project Vallampadugai
Supported by Rotary clubs of Japan and India; 6-year-old project; 20
families in an agricultural area who met certain criteria (based
on earning capacity, size of family, etc.) pay no rent to live
in a small home that costs 60,000 Rupees.
Note: The families cant sell the homes because they belong to the
Rotary club.)
Girls School
Playing basketball with the girls
Lunch with Chidambaram Rotarians
Travel to Kumbakonam and Hotel Swamimalai luggage and a few
travellers carried the last few minutes by bullock cart
Meeting and dinner with the Rotary clubs of Kumbakonam |