Sevalaya

Sevalaya is a registered charitable organization in India. Sevalaya means Temple of Service. It runs an orphanage in the village of Kasuva near Thirunninravur about 40 km west of Chennai, a coastal metropolis in South India. It is also engaged in activities for the welfare of the poor and the deprived.

Sevalaya runs a free school (recognized by the State Government of Tamil Nadu) for the children at the orphanage and the surrounding village; a free medical center; a free library; a goshala to protect & raise cows; and, an old age home for destitute senior men and women.

Organization

Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi & Mahakavi Bharathi, Sevalaya was founded by five young people - Mr. V. Muralidharan, Mr.K. Thangaraj, Ms. M.Bhuvaneswari, Mr. V.Dwarakanath and Ms. V.Lalitha. It started functioning on May 29, 1988 with 5 children in a small rented house at Sivanvoil village. During 1990-91, with the support of philanthropic minded public, Sevalaya began operating its own premises situated in 1.52 acres of own land at Kasuva, a remote village near Chennai which did not have any medical and schooling facilities.

In 1991 Mahakavi Bharathiyar Kalvi Nilayam (School) was started. In 1993 Mahatma Gandhi Health Care Centre started functioning. During 1995-96 Swami Vivekananda Library was opened.

External links

* [http://www.sevalaya.org/ Sevalaya]
* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/08/09/stories/13090464.htm Profile in "The Hindu"]
* [http://www.nilacharal.com/info/nilananbhan/sevalaya.html Profile on "Nilacharal"]