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| P.N.Suresh, Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam, Aranmula |
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Often, money isn’t the critical factor to get a project going. Perhaps it is coordination and networking that is more significant. The project to document the traditional architectural structures in the State, undertaken by the State-run Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam is case in point. The Gurukulam, under the leadership of its Executive Director P.N.Suresh, has so far been able to document 200 temples and 16 churches even without spending anything from the exchequer. This was made possible by entrusting the task to students as part of their project work.
In the 9 years of its existence, the Gurukulam has prepared sketches and plans for 1640 buildings, including Vailoppally Multipurpose Cultural Complex in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Gurukulam stands as a role model for other agencies by setting up a pension scheme and pension gratuity fund. The gratuity fund was another innovative idea of Suresh, who incidentally holds post graduation in Sanskrit, Malayalam and Sociology. With the consent of the Gurukulam, certain Government and private sector agencies in neighbouring States have adopted the scheme as their own.
Suresh was one of the architects of the Kerala Village at the World Malayalam Meet held in New Jersey, USA in 1995. And now the Union Ministry of Human Resources has recommended Suresh for preparing a national project on Vasthu Vidya and the State Government has entrusted him with the task.
Although money isn’t the crucial factor in many things, it may worth mentioning that according to present and past Ministers of Culture in the State, the Gurukulam is the only agency under the department making profit.
Courtesy: Radhakrishnan Kuttoor, The Hindu, March 5, 2005
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