Salem to Be Child Marriage Free in One Year, Vows ICWO

Buoyed by the Government of India’s pathbreaking 100-Day Intensive Action Plan aimed at uprooting child marriage nationwide, ICWO - Indian Community Welfare Organisation has vowed to work hand in hand with all agencies to declare Salem child marriage free within a year. The ‘100 Days Intensive Awareness Campaign’, launched nationwide to mark one year of Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, has outlined a targeted strategy focusing on schools and educational institutions, religious places where marriages are solemnised, marriage-related service providers, and, finally, panchayats and municipal wards to ensure an end of this centuries-old crime against children. ICWO - Indian Community Welfare Organisation is a partner of Just Rights for Children (JRC), India’s largest network of over 250 organisations working to end child marriage in 451 districts. In the last one year alone, the network prevented over one lakh child marriages across the country.

 

To mark one year of ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign launched on 27th November 2024, ICWO - Indian Community Welfare Organisation also conducted awareness programmes across schools, institutions, and village communities, and organised pledge ceremonies throughout the district. The NGO also sensitised communities about the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, and explained that anyone from service providers such as caterers, guests, tent providers, faith leaders solemnizing child marriage are liable for punishment. Working with law enforcement agencies and district administration for the last few years, the ICWO - Indian Community Welfare Organisation has already stopped 351 CHILD MARRIAGES from 1^st April 2025 to 27^th November 2025 & 668 CHILD MARRIAGE from 1^st June 2024 to 31^st March 2025 with the total of 1019 CHILD MARRIAGES STOPPED in the last year alone.

 

Enthused by the government’s announcement that will give further impetus to their ongoing drive, NGO Director A.J.Hariharan said, “These 100 days of intensive action have the power to change the course of this country and bring us closer to the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat. For generations, our girls have been denied opportunities and pushed into abuse, exploitation and rape in the name of marriage. This unprecedented convergence of elected representatives, government departments, law enforcement, and communities is a game changer in India’s commitment to end child marriage. With this coordination and collective resolve, we are confident that we will make our district child marriage free within a year and there is no veil that can hide this crime anymore.”

 

100-Days Campaign launched in Salem, TamilNadu on 27^th November 2025 by ICWO in partnership JRC during the inauguration program in various schools / institutions 12739 Children participated (Girls – 12181 & Boys – 558) and took oath to STOP child marriage  in India. The 100 days of Intensive Awareness Campaign, divided into three spells, will conclude on 8th March, 2026 which also marks the International Women’s Day. The first spell (till 31st December) will focus on awareness generation through schools, colleges and educational institutes. The second spell, from 1st January 2026 to 31st January 2026, would focus on religious places as well as marriage-related service providers including temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras, wedding halls, and band parties. In the third and final spell till 8th March, focus would shift on gram panchayats and municipal wards to strengthen community-level engagement and ownership.

 

“Por Paravaigal (War Birds)” won Best Short Film Award at GIFFI 2025

The short film “Por Paravaigal (War Birds)” has been honoured with the Best Short Film Award at the 7th Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI) 2025, held at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium, Kolkata. Sincere thanks to GIFFI Awards 2025 for this recognition and to everyone who has supported our creative journey. This achievement marks yet another proud moment for us, as "Por Paravaigal" continues to receive international acclaim for its heartfelt portrayal of the struggles and hopes of refugees around the world.

Two awards received, namely, Best Director & Best Short Film Award  by Subhas Barathi & A.J.Hariharan for a Short Film “POR PARAVAIGAL” (WAR BIRDS) on 15th November 2025 at Kolkata.

Global Recognitions So Far:

1.      Norway International Tamil Film Festival – Winner

2.      Chennai International Short Film Festival (India) – Winner

3.      CANNES World Film Festival (France) – Winner

4.      Canadian Tamil International Film Festival – Best Film

5.      19th Ayodhya International Film Festival – Best Debut Director

6.      Dubai International Film Festival – Best Film & Best Debut Director

7.      Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI) – Best Short Film

8.      14th Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival – Special Festival Mention

Through Por Paravaigal (War Birds), we strive to share a universal message of peace, dignity, and the unbreakable human spirit.

 

A crusader against Human Trafficking - J.R.Sharan

 

ICWO Sounds Alert to Stop Child Marriages This Dev Uthani (A beginning of Wedding Season in Hinduism)

 

To ensure that no child marriages take place on the occasion of Dev Uthani Ekadashi (A beginning of Wedding Season in Hinduism), which marks the beginning of the wedding season, ICWO has urged the district administration and the District Legal Services Authority to maintain strict vigilance and stay on high alert against child marriage. In its letter to the administration, the organisation has emphasised the need for proactive monitoring to ensure that no instance of child marriage goes unnoticed or unreported. It is important to spread the message that anyone with any information about child marriage must report it to the Police Helpline (112), Child Helpline (1098), ICWO Helpline (9087 161 161) or the local police station immediately to stop anyone from committing this crime; it said.

Indian Community Welfare Organisation – ICWO, a partner of Just Rights for Children, has been working in the district to end child marriage by 2030 under JRC’s nationwide campaign ‘Child Marriage Free India’. Just Rights for Children is one of the largest networks of NGOs dedicated to child rights and child protection in the country. Over the last few years, the network has been working relentlessly to end child marriage by 2030 with its comprehensive 3P model of Protection, Prevention and Prosecution.

In the letter, the NGO has asked the administration to put Anganwadi workers, sarpanches, ASHA workers, and police officials on high alert and to be extra cautious as the wedding season begins on November 1. The organisation has also intensified its awareness drive against child marriage in schools and villages starting today and has appealed to faith leaders to be extra vigilant too.

“The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in its landmark 2024 judgment clearly asked the districts to be more vigilant to end child marriage. We are simply asking the administrations to comply with the apex court’s judgment. Even the Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign reaffirming the national commitment to end child marriage by 2030. Today, we stand at the brink of ending child marriage with everyone’s collective efforts. While our efforts have been ongoing, this is a particularly crucial time, as many families tend to arrange child marriages during this auspicious period. We must uphold the sanctity of this pious occasion by ensuring that not a single child marriage takes place,” said A.J.Hariharan, Secretary-ICWO.

The NGO has urged the district administration to instruct all sarpanches to closely monitor upcoming weddings in their respective villages and to ask Anganwadi workers to prepare lists of marriages scheduled in their areas. School authorities must also be alerted to take note of any dropouts in the coming days, it said.

The organisation has also appealed to all faith leaders and service providers, such as caterers and tent decorators, to ensure that they are not party to any child marriage. As per the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, those who perform, conduct, direct, or abet a child marriage face rigorous imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh. This applies to anyone involved in promoting, permitting, or negligently failing to prevent the marriage, including organisers, attendees, and service providers.

Notably, as part of the ‘Child Marriage Free India’ campaign, the NGO has been conducting awareness campaigns in schools, communities and villages; collaborating with faith leaders in this fight against child marriage; and working with law enforcement agencies to ensure prosecution of the offenders.

 

 

GVN Homes Celebrates 25 Years of Trust and Growth in Real Estate

GVN Homes , one of Chennai’s most trusted and reputed land developers, proudly celebrates its 25th year of excellence in the real estate sector. Founded and led by Chairperson Dr. GVN Kumar, the company has spent the past two and a half decades transforming countless dreams into reality helping families and investors own their piece of land in and around Chennai. 

Over the years, GVN Homes has built a strong legacy based on trust, transparency, and timely delivery. With numerous successful land development projects across Chennai, the company has earned the confidence of thousands of satisfied customers who have witnessed consistent appreciation in their investments. 

Speaking on this milestone occasion, Mr.S.Raja Kumar, MD, GVN Homes said, “When we started GVN, our vision was simple to make land ownership possible for every aspiring individual. Today, as we celebrate 25 years, we take pride in being part of many success stories and in contributing to Chennai’s growth through our planned and well-developed layouts.” 

At GVN Homes , the vision is clear and forward-looking to make land ownership a reality for every aspiring individual by developing safe, affordable, and high-potential housing plots across Chennai’s emerging growth corridors. With the city’s future expansion planned through the development of six new satellite cities, GVN is strategically focused on creating low and mid-budget plotted communities in these upcoming regions. 

The company’s guiding philosophy “1x investment that grows into 10x returns” reflects its mission to help customers build long-term wealth through well-researched locations and value-driven developments. Every project launched by GVN goes beyond mere land creation it builds pathways to prosperity, helping thousands of families secure a stable and promising future. 

As part of its Silver Jubilee journey, GVN Homes has introduced an exciting new investment opportunity  “Ponneri Athisayam”, located in Ponneri, the region hailed as the future of North Chennai. Strategically positioned near Adani Port and within the 22,000-acre Chennai–Bangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC), this project promises high growth potential and long-term value appreciation. 

*Priced affordably at just ₹500 per sq.ft., the project offers DTCP-approved plots with wide 30- and 40-feet roads, tree plantations, and complete maintenance by GVN Promoters. With the upcoming Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (CPRR) and 2nd Outer Ring Road developments, the Ponneri region is poised to emerge as a major industrial and residential hub. 

The project’s concept "Invest Small, Grow Big” perfectly aligns with GVN’s mission to empower investors and first-time buyers with low-risk, high-reward real estate opportunities. Experts predict that land values in Ponneri could multiply tenfold within the next decade, making it one of Tamil Nadu’s most promising investment destinations. 

As GVN Homes celebrates 25 years of success, the company continues to uphold its core values of ethical business practices, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth staying true to its motto, “Turning Your Land into Legacy.” 

For more details & booking please contact GVN Homes Pvt. Ltd., 2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai– 600040. (Near Anna Nagar Ayyappa Temple). Contact 96000 23348 | 98401 88821 for more details.

 

Ponneri Athisayam an ideal and best place to invest today!

 

Plots for sale at Ponneri. Don’t miss the opportunity

 

Dignity Foundation honored A.J. Hariharan, Secretary-ICWO

World Alzheimer’s Day, observed on 21st September each year, is a moment for us to come together, raise awareness, and break the stigma around Alzheimer’s and dementia. For many families, dementia is not only a health issue but also an emotional and social challenge. Through this day, we aim to spread awareness, engage with the community, and honoured those who have stood by the dignity and well-being of our senior citizens. 

Proposed Activity – Felicitation: 

We will be felicitating individuals, organizations, institutions, colleges, and sponsors who have extended their valuable support to senior citizens. As a token of gratitude, each of them will receive a sapling, wrapped in gift paper and tied with a purple satin ribbon—symbolizing care, hope, and growth. 

On this special occasion,  Chennai Dignity Foundation. honoured Mr. A.J. Hariharan, Secretary of ICWO – Indian Community Welfare Organisation, for his dedicated service and continued support for the welfare of senior citizens. 

Lions Club of Golden friends donated 52 Kg rice to shelter for homeless people

The Lions Club of Golden Friends contributed 52 kilograms of rice to a shelter for the homeless located on Stringers Street, Periamedu, Chennai, overseen by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO). Mr. Vimal Sekar serves as the President of the Lions Club of Golden Friends. Mr. Vinod B. holds the position of Secretary, and Mr. Prabhu is the Treasurer of the Lions Club of Golden Friends.

ICWO and ABHY DAN Trust launched the "Go Green" campaign by planting 616 saplings in Karur District, Tamil Nadu

It is reported that ICWO, in collaboration with ABHY DAN Trust, inaugurated the "Go Green" campaign in Karur District, Tamil Nadu on 21st & 22nd July 2025 by planting 294 saplings on private farmland. On 16^th and 17^th August 322 saplings were planted totalling to 616 saplings.This marks the beginning of our larger goal to plant 3,000 saplings between 21st July 2025 and 31st October 2025. 

The plantation activity includes the purchase of saplings, trimming, digging, watering, planting, and maintenance for one year. Each sapling costs Rs. 300, which covers all the above. After one year, the landowners or farmers will take over the long-term care of the trees.  

The selected tree species for this campaign include: The selected tree species for this campaign include: 1. Mahogany Tree 2. Semaram (Rosewood) 3. Neem Tree 4. Matchbox Tree (Thepetti Maram) 5. Teak Wood 6. Strychnine Tree (Etti Maram). 

These trees have been carefully chosen for their long-term economic, medicinal, and environmental benefits. They are known for providing high-quality timber, medicinal properties, shade, and ecological value, ensuring both sustainability and potential income for the caretakers in the years to come. This will ensure the farmers to protect the trees for the long run. 

ICWO is also expanding this initiative to include Corporation Schools in Chennai, where trees will initially be maintained by us, with the school administration assuming responsibility thereafter. ICWO believes that the successful plantation of 3,000 trees will be a significant contribution to environmental protection, reducing the carbon footprint, and promoting biodiversity. 

Koyambedu Market provides a diverse array of vegetables and fruits for both wholesale and retail sales