Athencottasan Muthamizh Kazhagam (AMK) is a National Level Non – Governmental Organization (NGO), actively involving in social and developmental services since 1970. The organization was started with a vision of providing social security to the marginalized communities and creating access to basic welfare schemes and services to the disadvantaged section of the society. The seed for this noble venture was sown by Pulavar (Poet) T. Retnaswamy, a retired teacher, who named the organization after his mentor Pulavar Athencottasan. Though “Health for All” was the motto during its formation,now the organization is addressing varied and multi dimensional problems confronting the poor and the marginalized people. 47 years of dedicated service has shaped us into a model NGO, deep rooted in community development and we are on a forward march with the support and co-operation of Government officials, bankers and other stakeholders.
The awards and appreciations we received from Central and State Governments and from International Organizations are proofs of our committed service to humanity.
AMK envisions a society where children, youth, women and senior citizens have improved quality of life in an environment of participation, gender equality and good governance with easy access to basic needs. With this vision, AMK has been implementing various programmes for the development of the rural communities since 1970. Though started its development initiatives inKanyakumari district first, as to the growing needs of the Nation and its development, AMK stretched its hands broader and now covers all over India.
Mr. T. Ratnaswamy, M.A; B.Ed, is the Founder President of AMK, and still continuing as the president. A well known scholar in Tamil, he has worked as a teacher for nearly 45 years and contributed much for the development of the student community. Social work is an inborn desire of him, which made the instinct to start this institution. Even at the age of 76 years, he is actively rendering his contributions for the development of the organization. He is the corner stone of the institution on which the institution is built-up.
Mrs.Reethamary is the secretary of the organization. A women highly motivated by the instinct for women empowerment, she has been rendering yeomen services for the development of women. AMK is blessed to have her as the secretary. She is 65 years old and steering up the organization in the right path of development. Her thoughtful innovative ideas have helped us to come out of difficult situations many a times.
Dr. R. Arul Kannan, M.S.W, aged 36 years is the Vice President and Chief Functionary of the organization. He is a professional social worker and has obtained Doctorate in Social works. He is representing various district and State Level forums and contributing his ideas for social development. With his smart appearance, approach and innovative ideas, he has developed close rapport with officials of various State and Central Government departments. He is steering the organization through success since 2002.
Mr. S. Suresh Babu, B.A, aged 40 years, is the Vice President of the organization. Though a businessman, he has strong commitment and instinct for social development. He has been in association with AMK since 2001. Whenever leisure time available, he make it fruitful by involving in social activities. He works with the management in evolving new project ideas and putting them in to practice.
Mr. Ravi Kumar, B. Sc, is the Joint Secretary of AMK. He is aged 42 years and doing business. He is committed and hard working, mainly for the upliftment of the rural communities. He has been in association with AMK since 1994. He knows the tricks to handle hard issues, which is helpful for AMK in handling projects smoothly.
AMK has a very good Management Team, with committed and talented people. The following are the members of Management Team
Dr. R. Arul Kannan, M.S.W, aged 36 years is the head of the Management Team. He is also the Vice President of the Society and Chief Functionary of the organization. He is a professional social worker and has obtained Doctorate in Social works. He is representing various district and State Level forums and contributing his ideas for social development. With his smart appearance, approach and innovative ideas, he has developed close rapport with officials of various State and Central Government departments. He is steering the organization through success since 2002.
Mr. R. Arul Jothi, M.B.A, is the Administrative Director of the organization. He is an expert in managing the staff team and guiding them to achieve the desired result in their work. He has the talent of getting work done by staff by advising and correcting them without wounding their hearts. He is aged 34 years and has been in service since 2009. He is one of the reasons for the smooth functioning of the organization.
Mr. S. Silvester, B.Sc, the Programme Manager of the organization has very long experience in social service and has worked in various capacities in number of organizations. He is talented in programme planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Further, he is a very good trainer and has been accredited as State TOT in health and Counselling. He joined AMK in the year 2012 and successfully steering the programmes of AMK.
Mr. M. Geo Prakash, M.Com, Project Officer of AMK is 60 years old and has experience in administering organization and programmes. He is a certificate holder in Journalism and has worked in monthly and weekly magazines. He has also worked in various cadres in NGOs. He is good in reporting and project preparation. He has been in association with AMK since 2009.
Dr.Nagarajan, MB; BS, DPM, Project Co-ordinator (Health), is a Psychiatrist. He is eminent and is a popular figure in the field. He is known for his profound knowledge in the field and has got many awards. His interviews have been broadcasted in All India Radio and in various magazines. His long experience and expertise in the field has helped AMK in successfully implementing health related programmes. He is in association with AMK since 2006.
Mrs. S. Pushpavathi, M.A; B.Ed, Project Co-ordinator, (WATSAN activities), aged 44 years is a highly talented and expert in counseling. She has been in charge of the De-addiction centre and is led it right for getting awards and appreciations. She is also monitoring the Rural Medical Camps organized by AMK. She is willing to do any work for the organization without hesitation. She has been in association with our organization since 2003.
Mrs. R. Dhanalakshmi, M.A, Project Co-ordinator, (Aged Care), aged 38 is in charge of our Home for The Aged. She is compassionate and committed. The aged people in our home recognize and treat her as their family member. She is in charge of our ROJAVANAM aged homes and successfully managing these centers. She is an expert in counseling also. She has been in association with our organization since 2006.
Mrs.R.Suseela, M.A.,M.B.A, Project Co-ordinator, (Community activities), aged 40 years is a highly talented and expert in community co-ordination. She has been in charge of the community activities and is led it right for getting awards and appreciations. She is also monitoring the Rural Medical Camps organized by AMK. She is willing to do any work for the organization without hesitation. She has been in association with our organization since 1998.
Miss. RuphaVahini, B.Com.,M.S.W., Project Co-ordinator, (Women’s Group), aged 26 years is a highly talented and expert in co-ordination with Women’s. She has been in charge of the Women’s Welfare activities and is led it right for getting awards and appreciations. She is also monitoring the Women’s Welfare activities organized by AMK. She is willing to do any work for the organization without hesitation. She has been in association with our organization since 2012.
Poet Athencottasan was the chair person of the Tamil Forum when the first ever Tamil Grammar book Tholkappiyam 
was released variously between the third century BC and 10th century B.C. He was born in Athencode in Kanyakumari district.
Poet Retnaswamy, Dr. Samuel Dhasan, Prof. E.V.Mani and Prof. Chelliah Pillai started Athencottasan Muthamizh Kazhagam(AMK) in the year 1970 at Mondaicaudu in Kanyakumari district, mainly to popularize the Tamil mentor, Athencottasan. In the initial stage the Organization took efforts to develop and make the student community well versed in Tamil language and conducted a number of elocution and essay competitions for them. Free evening classes were also conducted for the educational development of poor children.
Later, realizing the needs of the poor and the downtrodden, the organization changed its strategy and activities. Till now, the organization has helped for the education of more than 1000 students and their livelihood development. As we found drug addiction of the family head stood as a hindrance for the educational development of the children, counselling for drug addicts was initiated from the year 1989.
Then the Drug Awareness Counselling and Assistance Centre was started in the year 1995. Followed by it, Drug de-addiction treatment cum Rehabilitation Centre was started in 1999. Till now more than 7500 drug addicts availed our counselling services and treatment and are living a happy healthy life.
Now varied types of development activities are being implemented with the support of Central and State Government departments, donors and well wishers. HIV/AIDS awareness, TB awareness, Counselling Centres, Village Knowledge Centres, Emergency Ambulance Services, Capacity Building Programmes, Awareness Campaigns on important health issues such as Anti Polythene, plastics and Global warming.
Though started in a small town, the organization has now developed as a multifaceted one stretching to the whole of India, and became a National Level NGO by its commitment and hard work. We remember the committed voluntary services provided by doctors, teachers, officials and well wishers and we extend our heartfelt thanks to them. In the meantime, we seek generous donations from noble hearts for this venture to fulfil its ultimate vision.
AMK envisions a society where children, youth, women and senior citizens have improved quality of life in an environment of participation, gender equality and good governance with easy access to basic needs.
Registration / Approval - under,
The registered office of AMK is located at Naduvoorkarai, Mondaikad in Kanyakumari District, TamilNadu, South India.In the initial days our works were concentrated in TamilNadu & Kerala. As we realized the need for comprehensive community development we stretched our hands broader and now cover all over India.
|
Sl. No. |
Name of the faculty |
Expertise in |
|
1 |
Mr. G. Jeya Kumar |
Disaster Management |
|
2 |
Mr.Satya Narayan Ghosh |
Water and Sanitation |
|
3 |
Dr.Ponraj |
Environment and Ecology promotion, Water and Sanitation |
|
4 |
Er. C. Bennet Jose, BE (Civil) |
Watershed development, rainwater harvesting, sanitation |
|
5 |
Ms.Priya |
Women empowerment, Hygiene promotion and sanitation |
|
6 |
Mr. S. Silvester, B.Sc |
Health and hygiene, Counseling, Women Empowerment |
|
7 |
Dr.Nagarajan.,M.B.B.S.,D.P.H. |
Psycho social support & General Health Issues |
|
8 |
Mr.John |
Global Warming |
|
9 |
Mr.R.Balachandran., M.A.,B.L |
Legal Issues |
|
10 |
Mrs.C.Jayanthi.,M.Sc |
Water and Sanitation |
|
11 |
Mrs.JasminePinkey.,M.Sc |
Water and Sanitation |
|
12 |
Mr.R.Sekar., M.Sc., B.Ed. |
Environment |
|
13 |
Mr.S.Natarajan., M.A.,B.Ed |
Hygiene promotion |
|
Sl. No. |
Name of the Award Received |
Given by |
Year |
|
1 |
'Outstanding performance' in the field of De - Addiction in Southern District of Tamilnadu |
FINGODAP-TamilNadu |
2006 |
|
2 |
'Outstanding performance' in Kanyakumari District Award |
Honourable Tourism Minister - Tamil Nadu. |
2007-2008 |
|
3 |
‘Outstanding performance’ in Kanyakumari District Award |
Honourable Transport Minister – Tamil Nadu. |
2008-2009 |
|
4 |
‘Best Service Provider Award’ given during Republic Day Celebration |
Government of Tamilnadu |
2010 |
|
5 |
‘Best De-addiction Centre’ in Tamilnadu |
Regional Resource Training Centre (RRTC),TamilNadu |
2009-2010 |
|
6 |
‘Best Performance Appreciation Award’ |
His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India |
2007 |
|
7 |
‘Best Service Provider Award’ during Republic Day Celebration |
Government of Tamilnadu |
2011 |
|
8 |
‘Best De-addiction Centre’ in Tamilnadu” Award |
Honourable Forest Minister of Tamil Nadu |
2011-2012 |
|
9 |
‘Best De-addiction Centre’ in Tamilnadu -Governor’s Appreciation Award |
His Excellency Dr. Roseiah, Governor of Tamilnadu |
2012 |
|
10 |
Award for ‘Outstanding Performance’ in de-addiction activities in the Southern District of Tamilnadu |
FINGODAP-TamilNadu |
2006 |
|
11 |
Award for ‘Outstanding Performance’ in Kanyakumari District |
Honourable Minister for Tourism Tamil Nadu. |
2007-2008 |
|
12 |
Award for ‘Outstanding Performance’ in Kanyakumari District |
Honourable Minister for Transports Tamil Nadu. |
2008-2009 |
|
13 |
“Best Service Provider in Southern Tamil Nadu” Year 2009.
|
Member of Parliament, Kanyakumari Constituency & Public Representative. |
2009 |
|
14 |
‘Best Service Provider Award’ of Government of Tamil Nadu during Republic Day Celebrations |
District Collector, Kanyakumari district. |
2010 |
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
16 |
‘Communal Harmony Award’ during Republic Day Celebrations |
Government of Tamilnadu |
2011 |
|
17 |
‘Mother Therasa” Award’ at Sevaiyalar Thinam |
Kanyakumari District Collector |
2011 |
|
18 |
‘Humanitarian award’ was presented to AMK for its active participation and voluntary contributions extended for the American Red Cross, Washington year 2011. |
American Red Cross, Washington, delegates |
2011 |
|
19 |
“Active NGO” and awarded for its good performance in Southern Tamil Nadu Year 2011. |
Indian Consortium Forum |
2011 |
|
20 |
“Best De-addiction Centre’ in Tamil Nadu” Award |
Honourable Minister for Forest |
2011-2012 |
|
21 |
‘Governor’s Appreciation Award’ for “Best Rehabilitation Centre” |
His Excellency Dr. Roseiah, Governor of Tamil Nadu at RAJ Bhavan |
2012 |
|
22 |
“LIONS Best Community Service Excellence Award-2013” during Lions Installation Day |
Governor of Lions International |
2013 |
|
23 |
‘Best Service Provider Award – 2015’ kanyakumari District. |
Kanyakumari District Collector Mr.Sajjan Singh R. Chawan, IAS |
2015 |
|
24 |
“LIONS International Service Excellence Award-2015” during Lions Governors official visit day |
Lions Governor Dr. Sivagami S. Arumugam PMJF |
2014 |
|
25 |
Governor’s Appreciation Award 2015 the “Best Service Provider Award” in state level. |
Hon. Dr. Mirudulla Singha, Government of Goa |
2015 |
|
26 |
“ROTARY International Community Service Excellence Award-2016” |
Rotary International Governor H.Shajahan |
2016 |
|
27 |
‘Best Service Provider Award – 2017’ kanyakumari District. |
Rotary International President Dr.Suresh |
2017 |
