Quick Links

Rajahmundry, 20 November 2025 – A ray of hope has brightened the lives of underprivileged children living in Vambay Colony as evening tuition classes have successfully begun at Ekalavya Children’s Home.
 The special tuition program targets children from the colony who attend school regularly during the day. In the evening, they now have access to focused academic support tailored to their individual learning abilities.
Fr. Pallithanam Thomas, Rector of Ekalavya Children’s Home, and Fr. Simha, Director, expressed their delight at the progress being made. “The children from Vambay Colony blocks are remarkably smart and active. They are deeply engaged in their studies and show equal enthusiasm for games and cultural activities,” Fr. Pallithanam Thomas said.
The students have quickly adapted to the structured teaching approach of tuition teacher Vijay, who designs lessons according to each child’s capability and pace. “We are witnessing genuine interest in learning. The children are regular, attentive, and eager to improve,” added Fr. Simha.
This initiative marks a significant extension of service by PARA Society and Ekalavya Children’s Home toward the less-privileged sections of society. The joy and discipline displayed by the children have filled everyone involved with a deep sense of fulfillment.
Speaking on behalf of the team, a representative shared, “We are truly happy. Finally, we are able to do meaningful service that is making a real difference in these young lives.”
The success of the tuition program underscores the transformative power of education and community support. As these bright young minds continue to flourish, Ekalavya Children’s Home and PARA Society remain committed to nurturing their dreams and helping them build a brighter future.

The social audit was conducted from 15–19 November 2025 by a team from the Province of Hyderabad to assess the progress of PARA’s Manos Unidas–supported initiative, “Empowering Human Rights, Fostering Gender Sensitivity, and Enriching Inclusive Cultural Environments for Individuals with Disabilities,” implemented across four blocks of Kothapeta Constituency in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar District. The project aims to promote human rights, strengthen community participation, build inclusive neighbourhood structures, improve gender awareness, ensure access to government welfare schemes, enhance educational inclusion, and extend rehabilitation support to persons with disabilities.

The audit team spent five days visiting eight selected villages across the four blocks and interacted with diverse stakeholders, including Neighbourhood Committee members, persons with disabilities, parents, villagers, Anganwadi teachers, school teachers, Bavitha Centre staff, and government frontline workers. They also examined project documents, meeting registers, committee files, beneficiary records, and financial accounts to verify transparency, accountability, and alignment with the project objectives. The field visits enabled the team to understand the level of awareness created, participation of community members, and the effectiveness of PARA’s interventions at the grassroots.

Activities Undertaken During the Visit

Ø  Interactions were held with ICDS staff and Neighbourhood Committee members in Kothapeta to understand community engagement and support mechanisms.

Ø  Committee members in Devarapalli village shared experiences of organizing meetings, identifying PwDs, and supporting access to schemes.

Ø  In Narkedimilli, villagers discussed their awareness of government welfare programs, existing liabilities, and follow-up mechanisms facilitated by PARA.

Ø  A Bavitha Centre was visited in Ravulapalem, where the team met children with disabilities, parents, and teachers to understand early learning, therapy habits, and institutional support.

Ø  Committee interactions in Mandapalli highlighted growing community responsibility toward PwD inclusion.

Ø  Meetings were conducted separately in Madiki (BC community), Alamuru (ST community), and Mulastanam (SC community) to understand caste-wise inclusion, participation, and accessibility challenges.

Ø  School teachers in Mulastanam reported improved attendance and sensitization toward children with disabilities.

Ø  In Podagatalapalli and Ryali, committee members shared positive developments in rights awareness, gender discussions, and entitlement linkages.

 However, the audit also identified certain challenges. Some government schemes continue to face delays in approval and processing, leading to extended waiting periods for beneficiaries. Physical accessibility remains limited in several schools and public institutions, restricting mobility for children and adults with disabilities. Rehabilitation support is insufficient in a few villages due to limited availability of trained therapists and medical facilities. Additionally, varying levels of responsiveness among government officials across blocks affect the pace of advocacy and service delivery.

To strengthen impact, the audit team recommended intensified advocacy at district and block levels for faster sanctioning of welfare schemes, along with periodic convergence meetings with government departments. Neighbourhood Committees may benefit from refresher trainings on documentation, follow-up mechanisms, and leadership. More efforts are needed to promote inclusive infrastructure such as ramps, accessible toilets, signage, and classroom supports in schools and public buildings. Collaborations with hospitals, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation centers could enhance therapeutic access. Continued awareness campaigns on gender equality, disability inclusion, and education will help sustain behavioral and cultural change.

The official Annual Provincial Visitation of Rev. Fr. Santiagu Thomas Raj Kumar SDB, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Hyderabad, to People’s Action for Rural Awakening (PARA) took place on Friday, 31st October and Saturday, 1st November 2025. The visit was marked by spiritual renewal, fraternal dialogue, and meaningful interactions with confreres, staff, and collaborators of PARA and its associated institutions.

Day 1: Friday, 31st October 2025

The Provincial arrived on the evening of 30th October to a quiet welcome by the Salesian Community. Friday, the 31st began with Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharistic celebration, invoking God’s blessings upon the visitation. After breakfast, Fr. Provincial conducted the Inaugural Conference for the Salesians, setting a reflective and inspiring tone for the two-day program.

A warm welcome by the PARA staff followed, expressing gratitude for the Provincial’s presence and guidance. This was accompanied by a brief coffee interaction, fostering a cordial and informal exchange between the Provincial and the staff.

Throughout the day, Fr. Santiagu Thomas Raj Kumar met individually with confreres, providing space for personal sharing and encouragement. Later, he met with the MACS Staff, followed by tea and an interaction session that allowed for discussion on ongoing projects and future directions. A visit to Oota-Wellsprings, the Province Center for Psycho-Social Services, was also part of the schedule.

In the evening, the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of PARA was presided over by the Provincial, who is also the organization's president.  This session provided an overview of PARA’s activities, achievements, and plans. The day concluded with Evening Prayer, Spiritual Reading, a Conference, dinner, and the Rosary and Goodnight talk, rounding off the day in prayerful reflection.

Day 2: Saturday, 1st November 2025

The second day began with Morning Prayer, Meditation, and the Holy Eucharist, followed by breakfast. The Provincial continued his individual meetings with confreres and later interacted with the PARA Staff, offering words of appreciation and encouragement for their commitment to social transformation.

This was followed by a meeting with EPC and Committee Members, and PARA Collaborators, strengthening the spirit of shared mission and collaboration. All members joined the Provincial for lunch, marking a joyful moment of fraternity and togetherness.

In the afternoon, Fr. Provincial proceeded to Ekalavya Children’s Home (ECH), Rajahmahendravaram, where he met with the ECH staff, children, and collaborators among whom were 3 members of the Child Welfare Committee of East Godavari District. His presence brought warmth and inspiration to the young beneficiaries and the team working with them. After tea, he returned to Ravulapalem, concluding the visitation with Evening Prayer and a Concluding Conference, wrapping up the two-day program in a spirit of gratitude and renewal.

The Provincial’s visit was a moment of grace and encouragement for the PARA community and its collaborators. His presence, insights, and fraternal interaction strengthened the commitment of everyone involved toward the shared Salesian mission of empowering the marginalized and promoting integral human development.

A team of religious brothers from the Don Bosco Philosopate, Mariapuram, Warangal, who are currently pursuing their studies in philosophy, visited PARA for a week-long – from 10th to 18th October social exposure program. The purpose of this visit was to help them gain practical insight into the lives of marginalized communities and to understand the ground-level realities of social development work. This exposure also aimed to deepen their appreciation for human rights, social justice, and the principles that guide community empowerment.

The program began with an orientation session conducted by PARA’s team. During this session, the participants were introduced to a variety of important themes, including human rights, child rights, gender equality, rights of persons with disabilities, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and constitutional values. These sessions provided the brothers with a broad understanding of the frameworks and legal protections that guide social action in India.

After the orientation, the brothers were divided into four groups and placed under the guidance of PARA’s block coordinators. Each group was assigned to a different operational area for field exposure. The four blocks covered were Alamuru under the leadership of Durga, Atreyapuram led by Prabhakar Rao, Ravulapalem guided by Raja Rao, and Kothapeta coordinated by Isaiah. Through these placements, the brothers had the opportunity to engage directly with local communities and gain hands-on experience in social fieldwork.

During the exposure visits, the participants visited several villages within their respective blocks, with a particular focus on brick kilns where child labor and migrant labor are prevalent. They conducted surveys on child labor and migrant workers to better understand their living and working conditions. In addition to the surveys, the brothers actively supported the e-Shram registration of laborers, which would help workers in villages and brick kilns to access social security benefits. Towards the evening, the teams also visited village committees to learn about their structure, activities, and role in promoting local governance and community participation.

On the 18th, they travelled to Ekalavya Children’s Home (ECH), where they, along with wider civil society they participated in a workshop to understand the struggle to safeguard the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. In the evening, they had an opportunity to interact with the inmates of ECH. The following day, the 19th, they left for their Philosophate.

The program proved to be a deeply enriching experience for the participants. It provided them with first-hand exposure to the struggles and resilience of marginalized groups, helping them develop a greater sense of empathy and commitment to social justice. The brothers also gained valuable knowledge about participatory approaches to development, rights-based advocacy, and the importance of community organization in bringing about lasting social change.

The People’s Action for Rural Awakening (PARA), together with the Manava Hakkula Ikya Vedika, held a forceful protest at Konaseema Mukha Dwaram, Ravulapalem on 10th October, condemning the October 6 incident in which an unidentified lawyer allegedly attempted to throw his shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court.

Protestors described the act as not only an assault on an individual but an attack on the independence and dignity of the judiciary. They expressed deep concern that the attacker’s motive appeared to be linked to CJI Gavai’s Dalit identity, and criticized what they perceive as a slow or inadequate response by authorities.

“This protest is to protect the Indian Constitution,” said PARA Director Thomas Pallithanam. “If the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can be attacked in this manner, what will happen to ordinary people? We demand justice — and that the state act firmly to protect constitutional values.”

Protestors also made a direct ideological demand: the demolition of caste-affirming texts and practices rooted in exclusion. They called for the abolition of Manusmriti and other practices they say perpetuate caste discrimination, arguing such systems have no place in a modern, egalitarian democracy.

The gathering included prominent Dalit leaders, human rights activists, and local community members who raised slogans for equality, dignity, and the swift prosecution of those responsible for the courtroom assault. The event at the Ravulapalem Centre served as a strong statement of solidarity with CJI Gavai and a renewed call to defend constitutional rights against caste-based violence and intimidation.

The protesters demanded immediate legal action against the perpetrator, stronger safeguards for public officials and citizens alike, and broader social and legal measures to dismantle structural caste discrimination.