2025 Events List
January 26th, 2025: Suggi Habba at Angarike Mala
On 26th January 2025, Angarike Mala in Puttanpura Village, Chamarajanagara hosted Suggi Habba, a vibrant celebration of the harvest season. The event featured Dhaanya Pooje and Gau Pooje, traditional Suggi songs, Kolata (folk dance), and a community-cooked meal, bringing people together in the spirit of shared traditions.
Suggi Habba was a meaningful gathering, celebrating farming heritage, sustainability, and community spirit.
February 8 – 10, 2025: 2nd Phase of Trainer’s Training Program at Vistaar, Bengaluru
From February 8–10, the second phase of the Trainer’s Training Program was held at Vistaar, Bengaluru, with 14 young participants (6 women, 8 men). Over three days, sessions covered political structures, democracy, communication, self-development, and the Indian Constitution. Resource persons included Shiva Sundar, A.R. Vasavi, Ashwini (ALF), Yugashree, Badri, and Tippeswamy.
The training combined discussions, interactive activities, and participant feedback.
March 18th, 2025: Women’s Day Celebration at Punarchith
On March 18, 2025, Punarchith celebrated Women’s Day at Nagavalli with the launch of the Panchapayana program, a new initiative focusing on the holistic development and active participation of women across five key areas: Personal Development, Health and Wellness, Social Awareness, Democracy and Active Citizenship, and Environmental Concern.
On behalf of the event, a small workshop was led by Usha B N., a social consultant with extensive experience in women’s rights initiatives and youth engagement, and currently an English teacher at Jain University. She shared insights on the significance of the five dimensions of Panchapayana and inspired collective action towards building stronger, more aware communities.
March 21 – 24, 2025: 3rd Phase of Trainer’s Training Program at Angarike Maala
From March 21–24, the third phase of the trainers’ training was conducted at Angarike Maala. Despite low attendance, the training was completed successfully. Sessions covered climate change, sustainable agriculture, gender sensitivity, caste discrimination, education, and more. Resource persons included Niranjanaraadhya, Berty Olivera, Sumati (Samata Mahila Vedike), Ratirav, Roopa, Sridevi, and the Punarchith team.
Participants shared positive feedback, appreciating the inclusive and respectful learning environment. They prepared action plans for 2025–26 and received assurance of continued support from the Punarchith team.
April 8 to 11, 2025: Children’s Summer Camp at Punarchith Learning Centre
From April 8 to 11, a summer camp was organized at the Punarchith Learning Centre for children from Nagavalli village. A total of 68 children (36 girls and 32 boys) participated. Led by resource person Lal Saab Nadap, the camp included activities such as singing, storytelling, poetry writing, games, theatre, folk dance, clay modeling, mask making and drawing. Children also learned about the importance of the charkha, nutritious food, harmful effects of white sugar, and the health risks of processed snacks.
On the final day, the children performed folk dances and play they had practiced during the camp. Parents and villagers attended the event, marking a joyful conclusion to the four-day camp.
May 11th, 2025: Book Launch – Swa Artha
On May 11, Punarchith and Abhiruchi Prakashana launched Swa Artha at Gandhi Bhavan, Bengaluru. Based on conversations between Prof. A.R. Vasavi and activist couple Dilip and Neelima Kamat, the book reflects on their five decades of work in women’s empowerment, labour rights, and grassroots movements.
The event was attended by people from diverse backgrounds. Prof. Vasavi spoke of the couple’s unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even in the face of authority. Others on stage, including Harita and K.P. Suresh, reflected on the Kamats’ legacy, describing Dilip as an “organic intellectual” and Neelima as an “organic feminist.”
Neelima spoke of her role as an enabler within the family and community, while Dilip, in his characteristically reflective yet humorous tone, questioned the need for a book about his life. His questions about the fading dream of social transformation—“Where is the strength to dream of change?”—left a deep and lasting impression on everyone present.
May 13th, 2025: Discussion on agricultural calendar and soil testing
On May 13, a discussion was held with small farmers of Nagavalli village about the agricultural calendar. Farmers reflected on past practices, what crops were grown during different seasons, what types of manure were used and how farming methods have changed over time.
Muthuraj also demonstrated the best way to collect soil samples for testing. Farmers were encouraged to get their soil tested before proceeding with sowing, to help make informed decisions about crop planning and nutrient management.
June 27th–29th: Bhoomi Bandavya – Farm Experience Program
A three-day farm experience program, “Bhoomi Bandavya” (Bond with the Earth), was organized to connect people with the land, and to strengthen the bond between producers and consumers. The program offered an opportunity to introduce Honneru’s background and products, generating good sales and building hope for new customers. It also served as an experiment to explore alternative income activities rooted in Punarchith’s core values.
June 29th: Tree Mapping at Angarike Mala
Tree mapping work was carried out in the conservation zone of Angarike Mala by volunteers from Hallenahalli, Elechenahalli, and Nagavalli, along with the Punarchith team. Trees were marked with cloth tape, heavily clustered trees were fenced for better care, and fruit-bearing trees are being watered using the farm pond. For medicinal plant rejuvenation, the area was pruned, pits were dug, and manure was added.
July 4th: Women’s Health Awareness Workshop
A women’s health awareness workshop was organized, attended by 46 women and 8 children. Dr. B. Mallika served as the resource person, covering topics such as leucorrhoea, knee pain, blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, and uterine health. She emphasized the importance of proper diet, hygiene, and nutrition, and informed participants about free medicines available at government PHC centres. Women actively asked questions and found solutions to their health concerns.
July 22nd: Ragi Seed Distribution
A small farmers’ meeting was held with 46 farmers in attendance. Krishnaprasad from Sahaja Samrudhi and Bala from Prakruthi visited and shared information on the importance of local seeds, value addition, and market linkages. Punarchith distributed ragi seeds (Bili Mudduga and Kari Mudduga varieties) to 39 farmers for sowing.
August 15th–17th: Biodiversity Study at Angarike Mala
Abhisheka and her team visited Angarike Mala for three days to study birds, grasslands, and insects as part of the site’s biodiversity documentation. On the second day, they joined the Punarchith team for an insect study session, discussing the life histories of several
micro-insect species and their conservation needs.
August 15th: Farmer Documentary Screening
A documentary on small farmers was screened at Punarchith. The screening was well received, with participants sharing their thoughts and reflections after watching.
September 22nd: Hittalahita Program
The “Hittalahita” (Kitchen Garden) program was held at Punarchith Learning Centre to raise awareness about healthy living, conservation of local seeds, and the importance of kitchen gardens for nutritious food. 72 participants attended, including women, men, PDO and NES members from the panchayat. Chief guest Smt. Mona Roth, CEO of Chamarajanagara Zilla Panchayat, inaugurated the event. She spoke about the value of homemade food for children and shared her experience of growing chemical-free vegetables and fruits at home for better health and wellbeing.
September 23rd: Soil Week Inauguration at Angarike Mala
Soil Week was officially inaugurated at Angarike Mala. The Bioresource Unit was launched by progressive farmer Shri Avinash. The event also served as a tribute to “Soil Vasu”, a dear friend and significant contributor to Angarike Mala’s soil regeneration journey, who passed away recently. Friends shared memories of their time with him. Avinash interacted with farmers and shared his knowledge and experience on preparing various biofertilizers at low cost.
September 23rd – 27th: Soil Week Programs
As part of Soil Week, a series of programs were held at Angarike Mala throughout the week, with students from various schools attending. Children learned through hands-on demonstrations about soil structure, properties, erosion, conservation, and organic fertiliser preparation.
October 30th–31st: Soil Week Continued – School Programs
On October 30, 38 students and 2 teachers from Dheenabandhu School participated in a soil program at Angarike Mala. Through activities, children learned about the importance of soil, how to understand it, and how to identify different soil colours.
On October 31, 80 students and 2 teachers from St. Peter’s School participated. Divided into 4 groups, students explored the importance of soil, understanding soil types, and the significance of the environment.
November 5th: Women Farmer’s Day
Women Farmer’s Day was celebrated at Punarchith, with around 60 farmers in attendance. The Panchaphayana handout was released on the occasion. Guest speaker Mamata Yajaman spoke about the role of women in agriculture and social justice, and engaged the gathering through songs on these themes, encouraging the women to join in. Prof. Vasavi’s friends — Kala Sunder, Jamuna, and Chitra — also visited Angarike Mala and participated in the event.
November 15th: Children’s Day Celebration
A special Children’s Day program was held at Punarchith for the children of Nagavalli. Senthil and Suganya from Mysuru facilitated fun and simple activities. Children participated in groups, and the session was filled with enthusiasm and laughter throughout.
November 24th: Ragi Harvest at Angarike Mala
32 small farmers came together at Angarike Mala for the ragi harvest. Before harvesting, women performed a traditional pooje for the ragi and sang folk songs in celebration. Despite a significant shortfall in the rabi rains this season, the crops withstood drought stress and yielded a harvest — Kari Mudduga (30 kg), Ayyana Ragi (45 kg), and Kempu Mudduga (44 kg) — totalling 119 kg, of which 33 kg has been set aside as seed for the next sowing.
November 30th: Discussion on Kamat’s “Swa-Artha” and Alternatives
On May 13, a discussion was held with small farmers of Nagavalli village about the agricultural calendar. Farmers reflected on past practices, what crops were grown during different seasons, what types of manure were used and how farming methods have changed over time.
Muthuraj also demonstrated the best way to collect soil samples for testing. Farmers were encouraged to get their soil tested before proceeding with sowing, to help make informed decisions about crop planning and nutrient management.
December: Sourhardha – Interfaith Visits
As part of the Sourhardha (Harmony) program, children began visiting a local temple, mosque, and church this month. Sourhardha is an initiative that promotes religious harmony and mutual understanding. Through these visits, children met the religious heads, asked questions, and deepened their understanding of one another’s faiths and traditions.