Thuvakkam

Picture of the Week- Gardeners session

Thuvakkam’s Monthly Employee meetings also has a special gardeners sessions for our full time gardens with the Operations team.

The session is aimed at bringing a holistic understanding at a top to bottom approach without posing any barriers in communication.

The need and requirements from both the gardeners and the organization is discussed and planned accordingly, which strengthens our commitment and resilience towards the projects, and the vision over sustainability.

Thuvakkam’s Urban Forests of 2020: A Green Revolution

In 2020, Thuvakkam spearheaded an impressive initiative to enhance urban greenery through the creation of six urban forests, covering over three acres and nurturing more than 30,000 saplings. This green movement was driven by collaboration with various organizations and took root across multiple locations in Chennai and Tuticorin.

Prabhas Auto Products contributed significantly in Phase II with a 3,000 sq ft plot, planting 375 saplings.

In Mugaliwakam, Chennai, a sprawling 15,000 sq ft Blooming Garden flourished with 2,600 saplings.

Tuticorin’s Urban Forest spanned 86,000 sq ft, housing a remarkable 15,000 saplings, while Model School Road in Chennai saw 3,000 saplings take root across 15,800 sq ft.

The TNGMSSH in Omandurar Campus, Chennai, welcomed 2,000 saplings over 10,000 sq ft, and Anna Institute of Management in Chennai saw 250 saplings planted in a 1,000 sq ft area.

Thuvakkam also organized various plantation drives: 150 saplings at Kovur Plantation, 3,520 at SIPCOT Campus, 50 at CTTE College, 300 at TNPES College, 40 at Pallikaranai Park, 1,350 at MIPL, and 500 at Kalpakkam.

This concerted effort marks a pivotal step toward a greener, more sustainable urban environment, showcasing the power of community and commitment to environmental stewardship.

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.

Over 450 students from the school participated in the event, where the team of 5 members from Everlean Yoga Studio of Hyderabad held the session for us. Over 15 asanas were taught for the students. Also the benefits of yoga were oriented to the students, where the importance of physical and mental wellness were taught.

To collaborate, email us at: [email protected] or contact us at +91 94448 88937.

Visit thuvakkam.org for more details.

Thuvakkam celebrated the 1st birthday of our forest on February 17, 2020, marking a year since we planted over 1600 saplings at Pasumpon Nagar, Thoothukudi. The forest’s growth has been phenomenal, leaving us speechless.

A big thank you to District Collector Mr. Sandeep Nanduri IAS for his conscious and supportive efforts towards environmental improvement. Our gratitude also goes to Dr. Alby John IAS and other corporation officials, volunteers, and stakeholders who made this possible.

We celebrated this milestone by cutting watermelons and fruits harvested from the forest itself. Looking ahead, with government support, we plan to create more such forests in Thoothukudi, expanding our green footprint.

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.

As a part of our Eco Month celebrations, organised Yoga with Nature- aligning to the International Yoga Day- today at our Urban Forest in Buckingham Canal, Kasturba Nagar MRTS in Chennai.

Over 40+ volunteers from Local Community, participated in the event. Ms. Sumathi, of the Kalashree Yoga Center tutored our volunteers along the session. The agenda of the event was to promote the importance of physical and mental healthiness and an awareness about the natural habitat around us.

To collaborate, email us at: [email protected] or contact us at +91 94448 88937.

Visit thuvakkam.org for more details.

As a part of the Eco Month celebrations aligning with World Environment Day, Thuvakkam is organising a Nursery setup event this Sunday.

The Nursery setup event is scheduled on 23 Jun ‘24 from 7.30 AM to 9.00 AM at our Urban Forest in Madambakkam, Chennai.

Volunteers can register for the event by scanning the QR or through the link given.

Link to register: thuvakkam.org/event/nursery-setup/

POC: Mr. Kaviyarasan- +91 98844 03762

in collaboration with the under its DRR initiative, successfully developed volleyball courts at two schools: one in Nanganallur and the other in Thiruvenchery.

To provide sturdiness and ensure durability along with stability, a layer of red soil was added atop the existing soil bed. Precise measurements and markings were meticulously carried out for the construction of the courts.

The school in Nanganallur aspires to become a premier sports arena for volleyball, with hopes of hosting major events in the future.
Our efforts and the project site were honored by the presence of Mr. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the Hon. Minister of School Education for Tamil Nadu, who oversaw the completion of this initiative.

During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thuvakkam NGO stepped up to support remote tribal communities. Our dedicated team of 60 volunteers worked tirelessly to distribute essential relief kits across 4 districts, reaching over 1300 beneficiaries. Through our “Sponsor a Kit” campaign, we raised Rs. 1200 per kit, providing ration supplies sufficient for 15 days.

Our efforts extended to the Nilgiris, where we supported various tribal communities in 5 different locations. This initiative was crucial in ensuring that even the most remote communities received the aid they needed during the pandemic. Thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers for making this possible!

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.

A significant tree plantation event took place on 22nd May, 2022, at Kudikanta Lake, which is located in Hyderabad. During this event, 100+ dedicated volunteers planted a total of 1,215 saplings. The event was a resounding success, a huge part going towards the support of our partner,

This event is a key milestone in our journey, marking a significant expansion in Hyderabad because of our efforts. It highlights our commitment to environmental sustainability and community involvement, demonstrating the impact of collective hard work and dedication.
We are deeply grateful to all those who supported us on this journey. A special thanks goes out to Firstsource for their invaluable support in in partnering us for the project. This milestone is a proud moment in Thuvakkam’s history, and we look forward to achieving even greater heights together.

Thuvakkam has partnered with the Ford Motor Company in rejuvenating a waterbody on the outskirts of Chennai, under our Project Blue Zone, with the project kick starting from today.

The waterbody was identified at Kumizhi panchayat of the Chengalpet district. The pond spans an area of 50,000 sq ft. The project enables us to increase the catchment capacity of the pond by desilting and removing sludge, creating a proper inlet- outlet channel for the pond. Also bund strengthening will be done with plantation of native trees over the bund and the boundary to be fenced.

Since the water from the pond would be used for drinking purposes, through this project we estimate to create 56 Lakhs Litres of water storage by volume, which would benefit the local community.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down for almost a year in 2020, leaving many questioning their livelihoods. During this crisis, Thuvakkam stepped in to provide crucial support. With the help of generous local donors and dedicated volunteers, we collected and distributed relief kits worth Rs. 25 Lakhs. Each kit was designed to sustain a family for 15 days. Our extensive relief drive covered 13 districts in Tamil Nadu, ensuring that even the most remote communities received the aid they needed. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this effort and proud to have made a difference in such challenging times.

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.

Aligning to World Environment day, Thuvakkam celebrates the whole month of June as Eco Month, where the activities for Week 4 is now out!

The following activities are planned on Friday, Saturday & Sunday ie., 21, 22, and 23 of June ‘24 in Chennai and Hyderabad.

21st June- International Yoga Day- ZPHS, Kondapur, Hyderabad, from 7.30 AM to 9.00 AM

21st June- Yoga with Nature- Urban Forest, B’ Canal, Kasturba Nagar, Chennai, from 7.30 AM to 9.00 AM

22nd June- Tree Plantation- Sri Nageshwara Park, Kundrathur, Chennai from 7.30 AM to 9.00 AM

23rd June- Nursery Setup- Urban Forest, Madambakkam, Chennai from 7.30 AM to 9.00 AM

Interested volunteers can register for the event by scanning the QR or through the link given below.

Contact:

Chennai- +91 98844 03762
Hyderabad- +91 98844 03758

Link to register: thuvakkam.org/events

Thuvakkam’s Humanity Initiative includes providing daily essentials to orphanages/old age homes. In the initiative, Thuvakkam organizes groceries and daily necessities.

In modern times there has been an increase in the number of orphanages. Hence Thuvakkam aims to extend its helping hands by contributing to children. The average monthly amount for a month is Rs. 8,000. If interested you can contribute a minimum amount of Rs. 500 per month.

Your contributions can bring happiness to the lives of these children/elderly.

Scan the QR or click the link given below to donate and avail upto 50% tax exemption

Link to donate: https://thuvakkam.danamojo.org/dm/donate-essentials-for-orphanage-6326?dmMicrosite=yes

Thuvakkam’s associates, Prasad (Associate of Programs), Majitha (Senior Associate of Education), and Jeba Rupavathi (Senior Associate of Communication) met with Sri Dr. Ramakrishna Rao, the Municipal Commissioner of Nizampet on 28th May, 2024, at the Commissioner’s Office along with Bhandari Colony President, Narasimha Reddy, of the Bhandari Residential Welfare Association.

The Commissioner was welcomed with an introduction to Thuvakkam, along with its reports and a calendar. The discussion covered restoring green cover, engaging the community in afforestation, and promoting the ecoscape. Additionally, initiatives for improving government schools in the area were discussed.

The meeting was concluded after getting assurance that they would handle the necessary permissions. Prospects of working on water bodies have also been identified.

Thuvakkam held the Employee's monthly meeting on 11 June ‘24, where all the respective departments had their participation. Every team presente their updates of the month of May, ‘24.

As a kick start for the second half of the year, 5 new employees were onboard for various vacancies that Thuvakkam had filled up. We take this moment to congratulate them for their journey with us.

Various prospects of expansions and notably the Small Grants Program were presented and discussed and a special session with our gardeners was organised. With our regular question hour and the President’s address, we squared off at the Monthly meeting.

Thuvakkam organized two amazing field trips for 150 enthusiastic students with the support of 40 dedicated volunteers in 2019! Our destinations? The fascinating Birla Planetarium and the vibrant Aringar Anna Zoological Park. These trips weren’t just about fun; they were designed to complement our Karka Kasadara curriculum, offering students hands-on learning experiences and fostering a sense of togetherness.

These visits have now become a staple in our educational program, enriching our students’ knowledge and creating unforgettable memories. Thanks to everyone who made these trips possible! Let’s continue to inspire and educate our future leaders.

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.

Picture of the Week- Welcome Onboard!

Thuvakkam is delighted to welcome our new employees to our team a.k.a family.

Mr. Balamurugan- Associate Community Development
Mr. Arullmozhi- Jr. Associate Communication
Ms. Jayabharathi- Associate- Agriculture Engineer
Mrs. Suchithra Narayankutty- Sr. Associate Partnership
Mr. Sarathi- Jr. Associate Operations

The Thuvakkam family wishes them all success in their journey with us.

In 2019, Thuvakkam transformed 15,000 sq ft of land in Thoothukudi into a thriving urban forest! With the dedication of 275 volunteers and over 1100 hours of volunteering, we planted 2600 saplings. This was one of the first large-scale projects outside Chennai, and despite geographical challenges, we successfully executed it.

Today, this urban forest stands as a well-grown model of sustainability and community effort. Let’s continue to green our urban spaces!

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.

Thuvakkam organized a Tree Plantation Event at our Butterfly Forest- Taramani MRTS on Sat, 08 June ‘24 as a part of the Eco Month celebrations, aligning with World Environment Day.

47 volunteers from and the general public participated in the event where over 400+ native plant saplings were planted during the event. Volunteers would plant the trees, place support sticks, add manure and water the plants.

To collaborate, email us at: [email protected] or contact us at +91 94448 88937.

Visit thuvakkam.org for more details.

We’re excited to look back on Thuvakkam’s very first “Be the Change” conference, organized in 2019 through our Kural initiative. Held at Women’s Christian College in Chennai, this event aimed to create social awareness among college students. It was a vibrant gathering where young minds came together to discuss pressing social issues, share ideas, and explore solutions.

The conference featured inspiring speakers, interactive sessions, and collaborative workshops, all designed to empower students to become proactive change-makers in their communities. As we reflect on this milestone, we’re reminded of the enthusiasm and commitment of our participants, which continues to fuel our mission for a better society.

Join us in celebrating the spirit of change and stay tuned for more initiatives that drive impactful social transformation.

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.

has signed MoU with a solid waste management firm for conducting various activities aligning to solid waste management, this week.

Mr. Syed Sirajudeen, the Executive Director of Thuvakkam signed the MoU with the porject partner, along with Mr. Santhosh M , Associate- Partnership of Thuvakkam.

The collaboration enables us to conduct various activities aligning to cleanliness such as cleanup activities and revamping events. Thuvakkam will also be supporting the partner by facilitating volunteers for events, through our robust volunteering network.

To collaborate, email us at: [email protected] or contact us at +91 94448 88937.

In 2019, through a mass volunteering drive, we expanded our plantation initiative in partnership with the TN Police Dept. For the first time, we planted fruit-bearing trees along the pond bund to enrich biodiversity.

With the support of 380+ volunteers, we successfully planted 2200 saplings, dedicating over 1300 hours to this cause. This collaboration marks a significant step towards a greener future, enhancing the local environment and providing a sustainable habitat for wildlife.

Together, we are making a difference, one tree at a time!

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.

Aligning to World Environment day, Thuvakkam celebrates the whole month of June as Eco Month, where the activities for Week 3 is now out!

The following activities are planned on Saturday & Sunday ie., 15th and 16th of June ‘24 in Chennai.

15th June- Tree Plantation- Butterfly Forest, Taramani MRTS, Chennai from 7.30 AM to 9.00 AM
16th June- Bird Nest Making, Urban Forest, B’Canal, Kasturba Nagar, Chennai from 7.30 AM to 9.00 AM

Interested volunteers can register for the event by scanning the QR or through the link given below.

Event POC:
Mr. Praveen Kanth- +91 98844 03762

Link to register: thuvakkam.org/events

The National TB Elimination Program at Hyderabad honored Thuvakkam for our contribution towards creating awareness in the state.

Thuvakkam Hyderabad has been collaborating with NTEP- Telangana on various events, to create awareness for Tuberculosis. We have conducted artwork events that portray awareness of TB in public spaces through volunteering initiatives.

The SGP was taken for Orivayal and A. Punnavasal Panchayat of the Kadaladi Block of the Ramanathapuram district. They are an aspiring community with an average literacy of 75.98%, slightly higher than the national literacy, which is 72.98%. However, this area consists of BPL families, based on poverty, drought, health and industrial opportunities. Thuvakkam has taken the initiative of uplifting them from economically disadvantaged communities.

Initiatives namely Agro Forestry, Agro Horticulture, Livestock and Azolla Upgradation, Vermicomposting, Fodder Development, Drip Irrigation, and many others are in progress. This is done for Land Restoration and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation. Farmers Knowledge Resource Hub (FKRH) contains several SHGs, FIG, Youth Groups, and Individuals with Disability. This is done for Capacity Building. There are training programs for the transfer of knowledge on sustainable management to the agricultural population.

The stakeholders for this project are SGP, TERI, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of India, UNDP, and Thuvakkam.

, the founder of achieved a significant milestone in 2019 by receiving the United Nations V-Awards India. This prestigious honor was bestowed upon him by Kiren Rijiju, the then Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, at a grand ceremony held at the UN House in New Delhi.

The V-Awards, an initiative by the UN Volunteers India, is a celebrated program recognizing the exceptional contributions of young volunteers. These awards shine a spotlight on individuals who are dedicated to making a substantial impact in their communities through relentless efforts and selfless service.

Krishna Kumar Suresh’s work with Thuvakkam exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism the V-Awards aim to celebrate. Thuvakkam has been instrumental in driving sustainable community development and environmental conservation initiatives. His dedication to creating a positive change has not only transformed lives but also inspired many young individuals to take up the mantle of volunteerism.

Receiving the V-Award is a testament unwavering commitment and the profound impact of his work. His journey is a powerful reminder of the difference one individual can make, encouraging others to contribute towards a brighter, more sustainable future.

Link to donate: http://bit.ly/thuvakkam-iyalvadhu-karavel

Donors contributing to Thuvakkam’s initiatives receive 80G Certificates for Tax Exemption benefits.