From GoodNewsIndia.com.

One of the exciting achievements of Jananeethi was in creating the first litigation free village in the whole of India. It began like this: In early 2000, Fr.George had addressed a seminar of several village officials on the evils of litigation and the need to resolve disputes locally. In a few days, Ms.Saudamini led a small delegation from her village of Thissur [not, 'Thrissur'] in Varavoor panchayat inviting Advocate George to come over to Thissur and demonstrate his solutions. Adv. George and Adv.Jasmine Joseph visited the talented village. Peopled by craftsmen with ancient, masterly skills, Thissur a predominantly Hindu village, had been a steady contributor to Kerala's cultural life. Yet, the villagers were a querulous lot! There were disputes in every street. 40 law students from Thrissur town volunteered to survey and list the problems. So began eager --if cautious-- knocks on over 500 doors to listen and understand the disputes. In the end, the students had compiled a list of 264 dead-locks to be resolved. Not surprisingly, two-thirds of them was against the administration itself. There were also 17 cases filed in the various courts of law. A 'court' or Lok Adalat was set up in the village school. Law students and other volunteers began extensive discussions with the various parties to develop meeting points. George coordinated with the judiciary, police, authorities and banks who were parties to the disputes, to depute their representatives. Three benches were set up, each headed by a retired judge, a senior lawyer and a social worker. A team of three law students was assigned to assist each bench.

Jananeethi led by Fr./Adv. George had done the groundwork well. In mere three days --May 2, 3 and 4, 2000-- the three benches found enough time to hear all disputes in detail and arrive at settlements. A mere 11 cases were left for the newly set up village Harmony Committee to dispose of later. The villagers were agog with excitement. Hundreds stood around to gawk. On May 7, the whole village was dressed up to celebrate. Thissur's renowned pipers and drummers led a slow parade through the decorated streets and naturally enough a lunch fest followed. After all Thissur had just become India's first litigation free village.

What happened thereafter, you might ask? Well, the Harmony Committee is in working order. Since the 3-day fair ended, it has been able to dispose off 84 petitions. Villagers approach it first before they dash off to the police or the courts. No one has consulted a lawyer either, in the last year. Nor have they bothered Adv.George. He is busy anyway with enough things.