Activities
Kreupasanam, under the leadership of Rev.Fr.Dr.V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil, undertake social activities and actively involves in social issues. For this purpose it has initiated various programmes and interventions to empower the marginalised and vulnerable sections of the society .The centre have succeeded in empowering and harmonising the coastal community’s socio-cultural, spiritual activities. It has intervened, with all commitment and urgency, in the lives of common man and contributed positively in alleviating their problems. In order to solve the problems emerging in the coastal areas, the Kreupasanam Coastal Mission was established. With the intention of freeing the land from alcoholism, innumerable efforts have been undertaken by Fr. V.P.Joseph in association with the Kerala Prohibition Committee. Kreupasanam has formed a disaster management cell to provide immediate help to fishermen at sea when they face any eventuality. This mechanism titled Blue Help Line has helped many fishermen by giving timely advice and thus saving their lives..
Motorised Ratt for women empowerment in coir industry.
helped to improve the standard of living and increase the income of the marginalised employed in this sector. Coir industry is the basic source of livelihood in Alappuzha. For the empowerment of women and for their integral development, Kreupasanam succeeded its developing and popularising a motorised traditional ratt, for which the centre received Coir Board's National Award.
V.P.Joseph receiving the Central Government's Coir Board National Award from the then Chief Minister Mr. A.K.Antony (2004) for introducing the new motorised ratt in the coir industry for fostering women empowerment.
De - Addiction Activities
series of protests of the committee have largely succeeded in influencing the government to take a decision on banning arrack shops in 1996.
Poet Dr. Sugatha Kumari inaugurating the women's state convention on de- addiction. President Fr. VP Joseph and other state leaders like G.Kumara Pilla and Jayaprakash Narayanan seen near.
District level workshop on banning alcohol being inaugurated by Mr. A K Antony the then MLA
Kreupasanam Coastal Mission against encroachment of coastal area.
to protect the common people from intruders who encroach their land.
International Congress held on December 10th 2005 at Trivandrum. Fr. VP Joseph voicing the first words against the threat of eviction of the ethnic fishermen from their home land.
Protest march chanting prayers organised by Kreupasanam against the encroachment of land mafia in the coastal region displacing the ethnic population.
Blue help line
a disaster management cell to provide immediate help to fishermen on sea.Kreupasanam effectively monitored / participated in the 62 days hunger strike organised under the leadership of Diocese of Alappuzha against the neglect of coastal roads, bridges and hospitals as part of Tsunami reconstruction project.
Social action for the protection of human rights
A social protest was undertaken so as to bring forth the violation of human rights that was laid in the Meenakumari commission report on Coastal fishing and thereby protect the interests of the fisher folk of India. One of the major recommendations by the committee to declare 200-500 metres along the coast as a buffer zone would affect the fishing activities of traditional fishermen, leading to major crisis in traditional and small scale fishing sector.It was pointed out that if implemented, the recommendations in the report would have adverse impact on the lives of traditional fishermen across country.
Naithal Bhavan Coastal Mission
The Coastal mission is carried out to uplifting the marginalised and weaker section of the society. Government pensions for the aged Chavittunadaka artists, medical aid are provided at the Naithal Bhavan, Pallithodu.
Kreupasanam represents World Forum of Fisher People
Kreupasanam represents World Forum of Fisher People – 7th General Assembly held at New Delhi The World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) is a mass-based social movement of smallscale fisher people from across the world WFFP was established in response to the increasing pressure being placed on small-scale fisheries, including habitat destruction, anthropogenic pollution, encroachment on small-scale fishing territories by the large scale fishing fleets, illegal fishing and overfishing.
The assembly session began with the chavittunadakam performance “ Jayakodi”, written and directed by Kreupasanam Director, Dr.Fr.V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil Chavittunadakam Play “ Jayakodi” depicts the desperation and helplessness of the fishing community caused by the degradation and destabilization of their living conditions and natural environment as a result of unsustainable developments in the tourism industry.
Kreupasanam upholds human rights
The Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Centre and Kreupasanam jointly organised agitation in support for improving the employment conditions of sea-food peeling workers. There was no mechanism in place to regulate the benefits that were being provided for the nearly 16,000 workers who were employed in the peeling sheds, most of which were located in the Alappuzha-Ernakulam coastal belt. Dr.Fr.V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil supported the agitation concerning the human rights of women workers employed.
Ockhi- cyclone storm - Memorandum to Central Team
Dr.Fr.V.P.Joseph Valiyaveetil, in the presence of District Collected handed over the memorandum to the centre team which was headed by V.Thankamani, Chief Engineer, Water commission. The plight of people in Ockhi affected areas were severe In Kerala, sea waves severely affected the areas of Neendakara , Kollam to Ambalapuzha and Andhkaranazhi to Kochi coastal areas. Construction of groyne will not be a permanent solution for sea erosion, as it can create severe environmental problems. Memorandum suggested a Mumbai reclamation based coastal road encircling model so as to bring a permanent solution to the affected areas
Historical Research & Developments
Histporical Research & Achievements
A phenomenal contribution to Indian Archaeology - Excavation of the Sail ship which was 1000 years old at Thaikkal, Cherthala paved the way for numerous studies and Archaeological findings Realising the grave historical importance of the ruins of the sailing ship found buried at Thykkal near Cherthala in 1994, several research studies and publications were made. Many pleas were made to draw attention of the government of India and Department of Archaeology to this valuable piece of historical evidence.
Importance of setting up an Archaeological Museum at Thaikal Historical aspect
1.Thaikal harbour and related museum will trace out the trade links that was disappeared into history
2.It will serve as a permanent monument for Indian naval trade history
Tourism
1.A great source of attraction to tourists as the museum will open up new historical evidences and remain as a monument
2.The museum is near to all other tourist destinations, which adds more vigour
Educational aspect
1.Archealogical, historical studies can be conducted
