Gandhi Ashram plans to tie up with CSV

Nellore, Jan. 30: Management of Pinakini Sathyagraha (Gandhi) Ashram is planning to enter into a tie up with Wardha, Maharashtra- based Centre of Science for Villages (CSV). The ashram is located close to the banks of Pennar River at Pallipadu, a small hamlet situated 15 km away from Nellore town. The Ashram was established by the Mahatma in April, 1921 during his visit to Nellore .

In a bid to effectively use the 18 acres of land belonging to the ashram, the Indian Red Cross Society, which is managing the ashram, invited Dr Soham Pandya, the director of CSV, on the occ-asion of Mahatma’s death anniversary on Saturday.

The Centre of Science for Villages is a government organisation. Its primary goal is to improve conditions in rural areas, according to Dr Pandya. He dwelt at length on opportunities available to make use of the land belonging to the ashram.

According to him, the techniques developed by the CSV range from mud housing technology to various methods of energy production or food growing. The use of these appropriate technologies brings financial independence to villagers and helps them to live with dignity, Dr Pandya asserted.

He said that paper, roofing panels, and acoustic panels can be developed using banana stem pulp.

Pointing to the palm trees in the area, he said that each tree can give 30 to 40 kg of sugar from palm juice.

He said that they have developed a technology to harvest honey at least three times, from the combs of the dreaded rock-bees without killing them. He said that CSV has developed special equipment required for organic farming and offered its technical assistance to the ashram.

The district Collector, Mr K. Ramgopal, assured support for all the development programmes of the ashram.

The secretary of Red Cross Society, Dr A.V. Subhramanyam, noted philanthropist, Mr J.S. Reddy, the Nellore RDO, Mr M. Venugopal Reddy, Ashram secretary, Mr G. Krishna Reddy, Mr T. Sivaprasad Reddy were present.