Integrated Rural Community Development Society - IRCDS

21/07/2026

Qualcomm-Supported Education Initiative | 18 July 2026

IRCDS conducted STEM learning sessions for Government school students and distributed the 2nd installment of scholarships with a total value of ₹5.50 lakhs to 24 economically disadvantaged students from Tiruvallur and Villupuram Districts.

Grateful to the Qualcomm CSR Lead, Qualcomm employee volunteers, and the IRCDS team for inspiring and empowering young minds through education.

20/07/2026

The IRCDS team met the newly appointed Chief Educational Officer (CEO), Tiruvallur, in the presence of the District Educational Officer (Secondary). We shared IRCDS's education initiatives and reaffirmed our support for providing transportation assistance to students of Government High School, Ramathandalam, to ensure timely school attendance and reduce absenteeism.

15/07/2026

IRCDS Celebrates 40 Years of Service – Ruby Jubilee

The Integrated Rural Community Development Society (IRCDS) celebrated its 40th Ruby Jubilee on 10 July 2026 at Hotel Ganga, Tiruvallur, marking four decades of dedicated service to vulnerable communities.

Founded on 17 July 1986 at Polivakkam Village by Late Titus Paul Cruz, a visionary school teacher and social worker, IRCDS has been transforming lives through community development. Following his leadership for 35 years, the organization is now led by Stephen Paul Cruz, who has served IRCDS for the past 36 years.

The programme began with a welcome address by STEPHEN PAUL CRUZ, followed by an introductory address by Preethi Titus, Project Director. The inaugural address was delivered by Asuri Lakshminarasimhan Rangarajan , Country Manager, India Literacy Project (ILP). The celebration was graced by Dr. T. Arun Kumar, MLA (Tiruvallur) and R. Prakasam, MLA (Poonamallee), who inaugurated several community development initiatives.

Major Announcements

₹1.52 crore in bank loans was provided to 248 women from 26 SHGs/JLGs through Bank of India, Pondavakkam Branch, including 136 widows and destitute women.
A ₹1 crore Seed Grant (Start-up Capital) was announced to support the economic empowerment of 400 widows and destitute women under the BMZ–DIZ Female Headed Households Project.
Milk Cans Distributed to Milk Producers' Cooperative Societies under the BMZ–DIZ Female Headed Households Project
The ILP–IRCDS Education Project Partnership (2008–2025): Learning Document was released
Microsoft laptops, facilitated by Children Believe, were distributed to community volunteers to promote education, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
The Tiruvallur Green Champions Collective was launched to strengthen community-led climate action.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. Nancy J. Anabel, Country Director, Children Believe India, and Dr. Jona Aravind Dohrmann, Chairman, Deutsch-Indische Zusammenarbeit e.V. (DIZ), Germany.

Special addresses were delivered by Vanitha, District Social Welfare Officer; K. Vijaya, Assistant Director, District Employment and Career Centre; R. Saranya, District Manager, TAHDCO; R. Sivakumar, General Manager, Aavin S. Thenpandiyan, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee; B. Senthil, Member, Juvenile Justice Board; A. Sarath Kumar, Branch Manager, Bank of India, Pondavakkam; and Antony Damian Titus, Well-wisher of IRCDS. Vote of thanks by D. Vijayan, Programme Manager.

The Ruby Jubilee celebrated IRCDS's 40-year journey of empowering women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, migrant brick kiln workers and marginalized communities. As IRCDS enters its fifth decade, it remains committed to building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities through partnerships and people-centred development.

07/07/2026

Life Skills Training for Children in Conflict with the Law

A Life Skills Training Programme for Children in Conflict with the Law was organized by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), and Iniya Udayam at the Tiruvallur Collectorate on 2 July 2026.
The programme was inaugurated by the District Collector, Tiruvallur, in the presence of the Magistrate-cum-Chairperson, Juvenile Justice Board, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), Probation Officer, Additional Superintendent of Police (ADSP), and JJB Members Shri B. Senthil and Smt. Sunitha.
On the occasion, the District Collector released drug abuse prevention awareness posters jointly published by IRCDS and the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU). The posters, designed by children from the IRCDS programme area, aim to create awareness on drug abuse prevention and encourage children and youth to lead healthy, responsible, and drug-free lives.

IRCDS is proud to partner with the Juvenile Justice Board and the District Child Protection Unit in promoting child protection, life skills, and positive behavioural change among children

08/06/2026

World Environment Day – 5 June 2026

As part of the Climate Resilience and Carbon Reduction Project, IRCDS Green Champions coordinated tree plantation activities across project villages in Poondi and Ellapuram Blocks and in local schools to mark World Environment Day (5 June 2026).
Awareness programmes were also conducted to educate community members, children, and youth on the importance of environmental protection, tree planting, and conserving natural resources for future generations.
Through collective action and local participation, the initiative reinforces the message that every tree planted today contributes to a healthier environment, stronger climate resilience, and a sustainable future.

08/06/2026

Meeting with Hon’ble Tamil Nadu Ministers and Secretary to the Government

The IRCDS team, along with representatives of the Vidiyal Women Federation and Tiruvallur Vidiyal Farmer Producer Company had the opportunity to meet the Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment, , the Hon’ble Minister for Dairy Development and the Secretary to Government, Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Department at Secretariat on 5th June 2026.

During the meeting, the delegation greeted the dignitaries and submitted a petition highlighting the livelihood needs of women, particularly widows and destitute women. The petition emphasized the importance of strengthening dairy-based livelihood activities, improving access to income-generating opportunities, and enhancing economic empowerment for vulnerable women.
IRCDS expressed its commitment to working closely with the Government of Tamil Nadu, women’s federations, and community institutions to promote sustainable livelihoods and improve the socio-economic well-being of rural women.

02/06/2026

IRCDS organized a "Workshop on Livelihood Opportunities for Female-Headed Households" in Collaboration with Government Departments with the Funding Support of BMZ/DIZ | December 2025 which has been documented in the following link.

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02/06/2026

Dedication Ceremonies at Emappur and Sirumadurai Schools, Villupuram District, with the support of Qualcomm CSR, on 10th April 2026.

Under the program “Improving the Learning Environment and STEM Education Experience in 6 Schools,” supported by Qualcomm India Private Limited, Shri Ravi S., Senior Director, Qualcomm Chennai, dedicated the Mid-Day Meal Centre at Emappur Government Model Higher Secondary School and the compound wall at Sirumadurai Government High School.

The event was held in the presence of Shri. Murali K., CSR Lead, Qualcomm Chennai. During the visit, the dignitaries interacted with the Headmasters, teachers, and students, and also visited the Science Labs and Computer Labs.
They also inaugurated the Digital Classroom created by Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) with the support of Qualcomm at Emappur School.

13/04/2026

The Tamil Nadu Assembly Election awareness and 100% voting campaign, along with a drug awareness program, was conducted by IRCDS through street theatre at Tiruvallur Railway station .The program was organized in collaboration with the Tiruvallur District Administration and the District Child Protection Unit.

Government officials, including the Child Protection Officer and team, Child Welfare Committee Chairperson , probationary officer and the IRCDS staff team, actively participated in organizing cultural and street theatre events to create awareness among the public.

13/04/2026

Celebration of International Women’s Day 2026

IRCDS proudly celebrated International Women’s Day on 31st March 2026 at its office premises. The event featured a thought-provoking debate on women’s empowerment, moderated by Dr. P. Gilda.
Leaders from the Village Development Committees (VDCs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Youth Clubs actively participated and shared their perspectives. Children and Youth Club members presented a role play highlighting the importance of education, child protection, and gender equality.

The program was graced by Mr. Stephen, Executive Secretary; Mrs. Preethi Titus, Project Director; Mr. Vijayan, Program Manager; Mr. Livingston, President of Vasantham Federation of Differently Abled Persons; along with federation leaders and IRCDS staff members including Mrs. Velankanni (Cluster Coordinator), Mrs. Saranya (Accountant), and Mr. Alban (Project Manager).

The celebration reinforced our collective commitment to empowering women and building an inclusive and equitable society.