implementation of Gandhiji's Constructive Programme. Truth reigns through the model pursued by the Institution, where the priorities are set by the rural community. The inspiration has translated into:

§ providing access to affordable essential services to the rural community in health, education and social welfare,
§ co-creating knowledge with the communities leveraging their traditional strengths, and make them applicable for modern times and
§ ultimately strengthening the community by facilitating economic development programmes, creating livelihood opportunities and self-managed development programmes

LATEST
LSS awarded ISO Certification
Quality standards and adhering to sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures to be able to stand tall in the market in the trend of the day. This is more so in the case of medicines that are Indian such as Siddha and Ayurveda. Lakshmi Seva Sangham (LSS) has been has always been after quality, adopting prescribed quality standards and putting to use a testing laboratory etc. LSS puts in all possible efforts to deliver quality medicine, produced in a clean environment that is hygienically packed. Everyone working for Gandhigram feels proud that the LSS has been awarded the prestigious ISO Certification now. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) issued ISO 9001:2000 certificate to LSS on 16th March 2007. With this LSS has become an ISO 9001:2000 firm. ISO Certification for LSS products is a very strong indication for the consumers to take the products of LSS without a speck of doubt with regard to manufacturing processes and quality standards.

Freedom Fighter and Founder of Gandhigram Dr T S Soundram Commemoration Postal Stamp Released on 2nd October 2005.
Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran releasing the T.S. Soundram centenary commemoration stamp in Chennai on Sunday. Also seen (from left) are R. Kousalya Devi, Managing Trustee, Gandhigram Trust; N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu ; N.S.V. Chitthan, Congress MP; Sarojini Varadhappan, president, All-India Women's Association; Venu Srinivasan, CMD, TVS Motors; G.K. Vasan, TNCC president; and Vatsala Raghu, Principal Chief Postmaster-General, Tamil Nadu Circle.

CHENNAI at Taj Coramandal on 2nd October 2005:
Glorious tributes were paid to T.S. Soundram, freedom fighter and founder of Institutions of Gandhigram, for her contribution to the freedom movement and service to the country as legislator, Minister and educationist, at a function here on Sunday.

Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran released a postage stamp to mark the centenary commemoration of Soundram. R. Kousalya Devi, Managing Trustee, Gandhigram Trust, received the first album. Mr. Maran said the Gandhigram Rural Institute contributed significantly to the Centre's rural development projects.

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, recalled Soundram's commitment to Gandhian values and rural development. But her dream to make primary education free and compulsory had not been fulfilled in many parts of the country. Though Indian economy had attained a higher growth trajectory in some respects, steps should be taken to make a dent on mass deprivation and achieve the goal of free and compulsory primary education. He recalled Soundram's contribution to medicine and public health.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee G.K. Vasan said while serving as a legislator and Minister, Soundram had reflected the sentiments of the people. Her initiative to create a cooperative credit system for farmers would be always remembered.

N.S.V. Chitthan MP said the freedom fighter had served the country as a Minister under the stewardship of Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi.

Sarojini Varadappan, president, All-India Women's Association, said the stamp on the freedom fighter, who had won the appreciation of Gandhiji, was aptly released on her birth anniversary.

Venu Srinivasan, Chairman and Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, thanked Mr. Maran for bringing out the stamp at a short notice.

Vatsala Raghu, Principal Chief Postmaster-General, spoke.
During the last 16 months, 12 stamps, including the commemorative stamps on Tiruppur Kumaran, Marudhu Pandiar, Baskara Sethupathi, Dheeran Chinnamalai and Soundram, were released in the State. Stamps on Tiru.Vi.Ka., Kavimani Desikavinayagam Pillai and N.M.R. Subbaraman would be released.
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Secretary Gandhigram Trust at CAPART Screening Committee
In recognition of the good performance of the Trust in CAPART funded projects that organisation has honoured the Gandhigram Trust by making Shri. M.R. Rajagopalan, the Secretary of Gandhigram Trust a member of the General Body, Executive Committee as well as the National Committee for screening and sanctioning projects on Rural Technology.
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