The economic historian Angus Maddison documented that India and China together dominated the world economy between 1 CE and 1700 CE. In 1 CE, India alone contributed 32% of world GDP, and it was still 25% in 1700. Temples were central to this prosperity — social and educational centres, and important economic institutions that ensured the local re-distribution of wealth and supported priests, musicians, dancers, craftspeople and village medicine practitioners.
Starting with the destruction of our native education system, our economy, education and healthcare rapidly deteriorated and we fell behind the rest of the world — Indian GDP fell from 25% in 1700 to 3% by 1947. To reverse this fall and reclaim our heritage, Aram Valartha Naayaki Sevai Maiyam is taking steps in the form of Kovil Maiyam — the temple as the centre of the community.
We select only neighbourhood temples in low-income localities of Chennai and its suburbs, and provide five services entirely free of cost to beneficiaries.
