The Sixth Birthday celebration of Siruthuli was named “Kooduthurai – the Confluence” and was conducted at Dr N Mahalingam Auditorium, Sankara Eye Centre, Sathy Road, Coimbatore on the evening of 11th June 2009. Intellectuals from literary and public life came and held debate on the four pillars of Siruthuli namely Water Resources Management, Afforestation, Waste Management and Awareness. The various speakers and the topics dealt with are as following:
Moderator: Adv. K Sumathi
- Sri K Kavidasan (Poet & Social Thinker): “Oorani Neeram Ulagamum”/“Water Conservation”
- Sh K Kalidas (Founder President, OSAI): “Maanudam Kakkum Marangal”/“Enhancing the Green Cover”
- Kavignar Marabin Maindar Muthiah : “Kuppail Kedukthu Selvam”/“Waste to Wealth”
- Dr RV Ramani (Managing Trustee, Sankara Eye Society): “Unnarvoom Unarthuvoom”/“Spreading the Good Word”
The evening started with a prayer and lighting of lamp by Smt Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee, Siruthuli. Other Trustees of Siruthuli, the Moderator of the event and the speakers joined in lighting the lamp. Adv N V Nagasubramaniam, Trustee- Siruthuli welcomed the gathering with a small note on Siruthuli’s activities from inception till date which was followed by a presentation on Siruthuli. Other dignitaries present for the function were Shri L G Varadaraj, Chairman - ELGI Trust, Shri G Soundararajan – CRI Pumps, Trustees and Apex Members of Siruthuli, donors and other NGO representatives.
After a short introduction, Adv K Sumathi, the Moderator introduced the panelists and the topics that are going to be discussed. The first deliberation was by Sindhanai Kavignar Thiru Kavidasan, (Poet & Social Thinker) on the topic “Water Conservation”. He presented the global scenario of Water Resources and hinted at the alarming depletion of Water Resources, especially in Coimbatore region. Sh K Kalidas, Founder President, OSAI gave his deliberations on “Trees” by giving lively examples and true-life stories. He gave a lift to the spirits of the audience saying that as all types of trees will grow only in the Tropical Belt region where India is situated, the entire world is looking forward to us for planting more trees thus protecting the environment and Ozone from depletion. “Waste Management”, a topic presented by Sh Marabin Maindar Muthiah was a concern of all who were present at the function. The main debate was on how to avoid plastics for which the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle can be practiced. Dr R V Ramani, the Managing Trustee of Sankara Eye Society, who is also one of the Trustees of Siruthuli, spoke about the importance of creating awareness among the public for less usage of fresh water, proper maintenance of Rain water Harvesting Systems, avoiding plastics, planting more saplings etc.