AHADS

A FIREBRAND FROM ATTAPPADI

A platform for meeting, interaction and collaboration of minds


Bhagavathi is bold and ready to voice out the problems faced by the tribal. A firebrand from Attappadi, she was in the city recently to partake in a two day meeting organized by the States women’s commission.
Bhagavathi is one of the beneficiaries of Attappadi area development society AHADS, which is an eco restoration project implementing agency, funded by JAPAN. WHAT PROMPTED HER TO WORK FOR THE TRIBAL was the rampant illicit liquor brewing. Attappadi is a liquor prohibited zone. Btu brewing is a big business now. Outsiders find this a secure place. Even the children are addicted to liquor” says Bhagavathi. The women work under the banner of thaikulam a monitoring agency.

We conduct raids. Initially we installed warning boards and then warned them verbally. As a last resort we had to use the broom sticks. Then we imposed a fine of rs.100 on drunkards and with the collected we purchased provisions for the affected family. On confiscating jaggery we make payasam and distribute it among the tribal.

“Attappadi is a tribal belt in Palakkad. It is covered by forest. THE TRIBALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CULTIVATE THERE. Outside settlers encroached upon their land. We are illiterate and hence easy to cheat. There is no school or hospitals. We don’t mind sending our children to far off schools but the non-tribal teachers, treat these tribal children differently. Sexual harassment is very high and we have many unwed mothers. We are economically weak to approach the court and to conduct sophisticated tests like DNA test. The culprits escape as the law enforcing agencies are weak” she reasons.

There are 182 oorus and 110 thaikulam sangahm. Each ooru comprises of 25 families. Ragi is their staple food. Rice is consumed in eager quantities. Now they are force to supplement their diet with chama, roots tubers and fruits. Unscrupulous elements successfully owned the land and the ragi cultivation declined. Now they depend quality ration rice.Domestic violence an infant mortality is on the rise. Cancer and cardiac patients receive no attention.

Bhagavathi was listening to the various problems, suggestions and complaints raised by the NGOs. Finally she remarked: You have access to schools, colleges, courts, police stations, hospitals, and you have well equipped communication facilities- and still GRUMBLING?! On hearing this statement of Bhagavati the entire forum burst into laughter

Author
padmanabha Devoted Hubber