SIHARAM - SALESIAN INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC ADVANCEMENT OF THE RURAL AND THE MARGINALIZED,
THIRUVANNAMALAI.

LOCATION
Tiruvannamalai District came into existence on 30th September 1989 after the bifurcation of the erstwhile North Arcot District.  The District lies between 12° 00' and 12° 49' North latitude and 78° 38' to 79° 45' East longitude. The district is bounded on the north and west by Vellore District, on the southwest by Dharmapuri District, on the south by Villupuram District and on the east by Kanchipuram District.

TOTAL AREA The total geographical area of the district is 6191 Sq Kms, comprising the Revenue Divisions of Thiruvannamalai and Cheyyar. The district has six taluks viz. Thiruvannamalai, Chengam, Polur, Arni, Cheyyar and Vandavasi. There are 18 Blocks, including one tribal Block,  Jawadhi Hills constituting the district under Rural sector and four Municipalities viz. Thiruvannamalai, Arni, Cheyyar (Thiruvathipuram), Vandavasi representing urban sectors along with Polur selection grade Town Panchayat .

Aim Holistic Advancement of the Rural and the Marginalized (SC/ST)

Vision Integral formation of the Rural and the Marginalized youth to work towards participatory village Development initiatives in order to give a new orientation to the upliftment process of the Sub-altern groups with special preference to the SC/ST based on the Kingdom values

Mission To animate and organize the Youth in Thiruvannamalai district for self-development and to activate them as catalysts and productive contributors for their own Rural and Marginalized communities  

Strategy SIHARAM will involve in the facilitation process of self-realization for the youth and organization of the rural youth in Thiruvannamalai district through the parishes of Vellore Diocese and other carefully identified socially committed NGOs, CBOs and other individuals

History From 24th of May 2003 one Salesian was appointed by the provincial to coordinate the activities of the Vazhikatti at Thiruvannamalai. Though the Salesian is the member of the Polur Agro - tech community he stayed in a rented house in Thiruvannamalai.  

During the month of November an offer came from the Diocese of Vellore that the Salesians could make use of the building at Thendral Nagar.  

The Salesians came over to this building on 1st December 2003. The building belongs to the Diocese of Vellore. One portion of the building is given to the Salesians based on the agreement that the Salesians will stay in this building and do their ministry till they find a place of their own.  

Later during the provincial chapter (2004) it was decided that SIHARAM could function as the center to coordinate all the social ministries of our province.  

From 24th May 2004 one more Salesian, Rev. Fr. John Christy SDB was given to this house as the director of youth in the diocese of Vellore particularly for the district of Thiruvannamalai.  

From 24th May 2005 Rev. Fr. Pappuraj SDB was appointed as the Asst. Director of this center.

Objectives

To function as a CBO (Community building organization) for this area

To be the center for coordinating the social ministries of our province

To be a branch office of the Vazhikatti  

To spread the spirituality of liberation based on the Gospel values

To have direct link with the collectorate for facilitating the welfare schemes for the target groups

To animate the target groups through residential programmes on various social issues

To give career guidance to the student community in this district

To arrange for possible job placements for the youth of this district

To concentrate on the integral development of the children and the youth of the thurumbar community

To create documentation for the target area
Current Activities Carrier Guidance and Job placement

Vocational training programmes for the dropouts

Skill-development center

Bosco Educational Academy for the chosen catholic children in the district

Organizing the Self-Help groups for the young

Ministry for the Thurumbar community in the diocese of Vellore

Legal Aid programmes

Community Building activities

Location

SIHARAM, Vazhikatti,
1289, Thendral Nagar
Vengikkal,
Thiruvannamalai,
Tamil Nadu - 606 604