Dalits in Temple

The following report is about Dalits gaining entry into a Temple in Tiruvannamalai District. Seems difficult to believe that this is truly the year 2007!

Express News Service
Tiruvannamalai, Oct 4:

The Thirugnaneeshwarar Temple in Thamaraipakkam Village here was forcibly rid of its age-old practice of denying entry to the so-called ‘untouchables’ when, on Thursday, a group of Dalits from the village successfully entered the Shiva Temple and offered prayers.

According to people of the village, the Temple, situated on the banks of the Cheyyar River, is more than 1,000 years old. The Dalit population of the village has been denied entry to the Temple since time immemorial. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had even taken up the issue and represented it to the officials concerned for remedy. In fact, the party had also decided to enter the Temple along with Dalits on Thursday if caste Hindus of the Village stuck to their stand of not allowing them into the Temple.

Sivakumar, District President of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers’ Association, who was among those who participated in the Temple entry said, “I first came across the Dalit issues when, sometime ago, I saw in a small hotel in the village idlis being packed in bare newspaper without using a plastic sheet or banana left for Dalit customers alone. Later, I came to know about the discrimination in the Temple”.

After gaining entry in the to the Temple, the agitating Dalits went to one of the tea shops where the ‘two-tumbler’ system was allegedly in practice. The shopkeeper broke the tradition and served them tea in the same type of cups used for other people in the village.

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In the Indian caste system, a Dalit, often called an untouchable, or an outcaste, is a person who according to traditional Hindu belief does not have any "Varnas". Varna refers to the Hindu belief that most humans were supposedly created from different parts of the body of the divinity Purusha. The part from which a varna was supposedly created defines a person's social status with regards to issues such as who they can marry and which professions they could hold. Dalits fall outside the varna system and have historically been prevented from doing any but the most menial jobs. (However, a distinction must be made between lower-cast people and Pariahs.) Included are leather-workers (called chamar), poor farmers and landless labourers, night soil scavengers (called bhangi or chura), street handicrafters, folk artists, street cleaners, dhobis etc. Traditionally, they were treated as pariahs in South Asian society and isolated in their own communities, to the point that even their shadows were avoided by the upper castes.

Discrimination against Dalits still exists in rural areas in the private sphere, in ritual matters such as access to eating places and water sources. It has largely disappeared, however, in urban areas and in the public sphere, in rights of movement and access to schools. The earliest rejection of discrimination, at least in spiritual matters, was made as far back as the Bhagavad Gita, which says that no person, no matter what, is barred from enlightenment.

To read more of this information on Dalits please click here.

History of ALC

The first Protestant missionaries to India were German Lutherans sent by the King of Denmark and who landed in Tranquebar, Tamil Nadu on 9th July, 1706. The Tranquebar missionaries and Protestant Christians in Tamil Nadu were influential in many areas. They translated the Bible into Tamil and Telugu languages, were grammarians and lexicographers and studied the religious, social and cultural customs of the people. They translated Indian literature into European languages, established indigenous churches and public schools and set up a theological seminary.

[Tranquebar, about 1600]

Arcot is a City and a Municipality in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu. It is located on Palar River, and straddles a strategic trade route between Chennai and Bangalore, between Mysore Ghat and the Javadi Hills. The people who lived in the Arcot region especially in and near Tiruvannamalai, belonged to a clan called the Arcots. These were warriors and landowners, some of them were descended from ancient Dravidians and Hindu Marathas. The Arcot region was one of the quickest areas in Tamil Nadu to develop, perhaps in part, due to the influence of Danish missionaries.

The first missionary of the Danish Missionary Society (DMS) was a German Rev. C.C.E. Ochs. He started his first Mission station, Bethanien, at Melpattambakkam in South Arcot in 1861. Now all its activities have been transferred to the nearby town Nellikuppam. The second mission station of DMS was opened at Tirukkoyilur in 1869 and was called "Siloam". Saron, a third mission station of DMS, was opened in the year 1882 and situated just outside Tiruvannamalai. In 1898 a mission station was built in the town. From 1905 it was called "Carmel." The fourth mission station in the Arcot District, "Bethesda," in Kallakurichi was built in 1893. Later DMS started mission stations at Panruti, Vriddhachalam, Devanampatnam, Darisanapuram, and Servaroj Hills.

In the late 1950s the Church was handed over to Indian hands with Bishop D. Peter being the first Indian Bishop. The church was renamed the Arcot Lutheran Church and is still known by that name. Education and health were given to all people. The Church is serving Tamil-speaking population in the Districts of South and North Arcot, Tamil Nadu. [Other work of the Danish Missionary Society is now undertaken under the name of Danmission].

Arcot Lutheran Church has about 30,000 members and works in several Districts of Tamil Nadu. It is a Church, committed to service to society through schools, orphanages, homes for women, hostels for students and working women, hospitals and community service centres in villages and towns. Currently the Arcot Lutheran Church educates nearly 40,000 students in 90 schools. The current Bishop of Arcot Lutheran Church is the Rt. Rev. Gideon Devanesan. The Arcot Lutheran Church headquarters are based at Cuddalore but much school and social work of the Organisation is undertaken here at Tiruvannamalai.

Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry became associated with the Arcot Lutheran Church in 1996 when it began to support children in three boarding homes; Melpattambakkam, Siloam and Saron.

School Exams

In School leaving examinations, Tiruvannamalai District has registered a 71% pass in the SSLC examination, bettering its previous year's result of 67%. Out of the 29,642 students; 14,430 girls and 15,212 boys; who appeared for the exams, 21,171 passed.

Fourteen schools in Tiruvannamalai District reported 100% success. The schools are Vada Iluppai, Cheyyar Housing Board, Salukkai, Korukkathur, Thiruvothur, Rayandapuram, Kanchi, Mampattu, C.Nammiyandal, Rantham Government Schools, Vandavasi Sacred Heart School, Polur Don Bosco School, Thirumalai Neminathar School and Veeranam Thiruvalluvar High School.

Mortgaged Property

Chairperson of the Debts Appellate Tribunal recently said (at a Chennai meeting), that Banks should be required to take steps to register mortgaged properties. At present equitable mortgage is not reflected in encumbrance certificates issued by registration offices. Thus, people buying mortgaged properties come to know of an encumbrance only when the property is put up for sale.

If such a regulation was put into effect, it would go some way in ensuring potential property purchasers (throughout Tamil Nadu, and in particular Tiruvannamalai District) would know right at the beginning of negotiations the extent of all existing mortgage encumbrances on the property they wished to purchase.

Eucalyptus

Insect threatens Eucalyptus

An insect, new to India, which is believed to have migrated from Australia, has started to damage large swathes of Eucalyptus plantations in South India. The insect is feared to pose a threat to an estimated 8,000,000 hectares (a hectare is 2.47 acres) of plantations. Eucalyptus is an important pulpwood species, which is widely used in paper and rayon industries. First reported in Malakampadin area in Tamil Nadu, the damage has now spread to neighbouring States of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The Eucalyptus tree was introduced to Tiruvannamalai District in recent times and is now commonly found in the immediate surrounds of the town of Tiruvannamalai.

A local plantation of young Eucalyptus trees

Authorities first noticed the menace when they found parts of Eucalyptus trees in Andhra Pradesh forests damaged due to the insect. The insect is of a group which lays eggs inside tree leaves and stems and blocks the sap flow to the tip of the plants, causing shoots to droop and thereby affecting normal growth.

In 2000, the infection was first reported in the Middle East and thereafter subsequently spread to Mediterranean countries and northern and eastern Africa. Though no specific pesticides are available to kill the tree insect, research suggests early treatment can halt damage. It is recommended that as soon as the insect problem is located, one should prune or cut off the parts that are affected and apply systemic pesticides, which will go inside the plant and kill the insect.

Tamarind Tree

The Tamarind tree, which is very common all around Tiruvannamalai, has many superstitions surrounding it. Locals believe that the neighbourhood in which the Tamarind tree grows becomes unwholesome, and that it is unsafe to sleep under it owing to the acid the tree emits during the moisture of the night. Another superstition about the Tamarind is that few plants will survive beneath it and that it is harmful to both people and animals to sleep under it, because of the belief of the corrosive effect that fallen leaves from the tree has in damp weather.

Maybe because of the supposed health dangers attributed to the tree, there also exists the common village superstition that the Tamarind attracts ghosts. For this reason it is uncommon to see this tree planted on private land. It is more often seen on the sides of public roads, where it provides effective, cooling shade to travellers.

Regardless of the bad associations of the Tamarind, it is essential in Indian cooking, so the tree must never be too inaccessible for harvesting purposes. The tree tolerates a great diversity of soil types, from deep alluvial soil to rocky land and porous, limestone. It also withstands salt spray and can be planted close to the seashore. The Tamarind can be grown just about anywhere and also because of its deep root system, can withstand the hot summer days of South India very effectively.

Traditional Farming

Some paddy (i.e. rice) farmers of Kalasamppakkam, a village near Tiruvannamalai are now using a variety of a nearly extinct seed 'Thuyamalli' in place of hybrid varieties.

A mechanic, P.T. Rajendran, working in the State Transport Corporation first introduced 'Thuyamalli' in the area because of fears about the economic, agrarian and health consequences of using hybrid varieties with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The seeds were obtained from a traditional seed activist from Chengam.

Since the introduction of this seed into the area other farmers have also started using varieties of traditional seeds such as kichily samba, karpalai, mappillai samba, samba moosanam, perungar, madumuzhungi and vadan samba. The change in seeds has marked a change in the system of their agriculture.

Farmers in adjacent lands using hybrid seeds which necessitate the additional use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, are getting 20 to 25 bags (75kg each) of paddy per acre whereas the traditional methods using only a small amount of cow dung as natural manure, yields 12 to 15 bags of paddy per acre. However the farmers using traditional natural methods feel the cost of chemical fertilizers and pesticides offset the reduced yield of rice in their fields.

P.T. Rajendran says: "In all these years of traditional farming, we have virtually not used pesticides, because these varieties are extremely pest resistant. Even when we were faced with a pest problem several times, we managed it with a concoction made out of local herbs. Non-utilisation of chemical pesticides not only has saved farmers' money, but has also ensured soil and human health. Now there are around 20 farmers in our village that have shifted to traditional seeds and become liberated from chemicals."

Currently farmers using the traditional 'Thuyamalli' are selling their produce mainly as seeds as the number of farmers shifting to traditional farming is increasing. These local farmers are extremely satisfied that traditional varieties of seeds and agricultural techniques are beginning to make a comeback. In this respect the farmers said,"We propagate to keep up this practice and not to give up to the marauding hybrid and Genetically Modified seeds marketed by Multi National Companies."

TB Control

To control the impact of TB in Tamil Nadu, effective measures have been taken by the Government through Designated Medical Centres. After inspecting the performance of TB control units in; Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Vellore and Krishnagiri, deficiencies were found in administrative issues and treatment given to patients in several TB units in the District.

As per a World Health Organisation Report, included in the deficiencies are; a shortage of pharmacists and lab technicians in TB units, no provision of Directly Observed Treatment in several Designated Medical Centres, non-observance of proper Laboratory guidelines and variations in TB treatment. It was also stated in the Report that there was a lack of commitment and sincerity among the staff of TB units and the quality of supervision and monitoring by staff was very poor.

Shenbagathoppu Dam

To add to the sad dislocation of the tribals of the area, now at a recent press meeting held at Tiruvannamalai, the ill-fated Shenbagathoppu Reservoir is being accused of financial irregularities.

The project was first drafted in 1996 with an estimated cost of Rs.21.31 crore (U.S.$4,819,222). But in 2001, the estimate was revised and fixed at Rs.34 crore (U.S.$7,689,045). The deadline was extended from 2004 to March 31, 2007. But as of this date approximately only 75% of the dam has been completed.

Approach roads remain to be laid and bunds in the dam need to be properly covered with cement lining instead of the current earth lining. It has been reported that norms have not been properly followed and houses constructed for those evacuated from the dam area, were substandard and unfit for living.

Population Figures

India's population, which is estimated to have gone up from the census 2001 figure of 1.029 billion to 1.112 billion in 2006 is projected to increase to 1.4 billion by 2026. The current 62.9% demographic of 15-64 years old will increase to 68.4% by 2026.

In 2001, Tamil Nadu's population stood at 62.1 million. The State accounts for 5.05% of India's population. Its population density of 478 persons per sq km. is much higher than the all-India density of 324. Tamil Nadu is the 11th most densely populated State in India and approximately 47% of the State's population live in urban areas. During the decade 1991-2001, Tamil Nadu reported the second lowest growth in population after Kerala and this trend is continuing in the current decade.

Results of the most recent Census of 2001 place the population of Tiruvannamalai District (which comprises: Tiruvannamalai, Chengam, Polur, Arani, Vandavasi and Cheyyar) at 2.18 million comprising 1.09 million males and 1.08 million females. The density of population stands at 352 per sq km and the sex ratio 996 females per 1000 males.

Eleventh 5-Year Plan

The State Planning Commission (SPC) recently announced that the Eleventh Five-Year-Plan (2007-12) of Tamil Nadu would address economic disparities among Districts. In this respect Districts such as; Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Dharmapuri are lagging behind in population, education, public health, infant mortality and agricultural growth.

Taking these factors into consideration the State Planning Commission proposes devising techniques to boost growth in the above-mentioned Districts. Efforts would be taken to achieve an overall 8.5% economic growth in the State, during the eleventh 5-Plan period (2007-2012). Since there was a slump in the growth rate of the agricultural sector during the last two five-year-plan periods, pains would be made to ensure a 4% growth in this sector during 2007-12, thus ensuring long term food security.

Currently 14,000,000 people are living below the poverty line in Tamil Nadu and it is proposed that the State Planning Commission should come up with effective measures to mitigate poverty in its final proposal for the Eleventh Plan, which would be available in two months. To read the working committee approach papers subsequent to the upcoming final proposal of the eleventh 5-Year Plan please refer to:

http://www.tn.gov.in/spc/eleventhplan/

The District

Tiruvannamalai District came into existence on 30th September 1989 after the bifurcation of the erstwhile North Arcot District. The District lies between 11.55 (degrees) and 13.15 (degrees) North latitude and 78.20 (degrees) to 79.50 (degrees) East longitude. The District is bounded on the north and west by Vellore District, on the southwest by Krishnagiri District, on the south by Villupuram District and on the east by Kanchipuram District.

The Total Geographical Area of Tiruvannamalai District is 6191 sq.kms, comprising the Revenue Divisions of Tiruvannamalai and Cheyyar. The District has six taluks viz; Tiruvannamalai, Chengam, Polur, Arni, Cheyyar and Vandavasi. There are 18 Blocks, including one tribal Block, Javvadhu Hills constituting the district under Rural sector and four Municipalities viz; Tiruvannamalai, Arni, Cheyyar (Thiruvathipuram), Vandavasi representing urban sectors along with Polur selection grade Town Panchayat.

Tiruvannamalai District is bounded on the North and West by Vellore District and on the South West by Krishnagiri District on the South Villupuram District and on the East by Kanchipuram District.

One sixth of the area of this District is Covered by reserve forest and hills which is part and parcel of Eastern Ghats under Javvadhu Hills. The important hills in this district are Tiruvannamalai (2668ft 79.80 MSL), Javvadhu hills (2500ft MSL) and Kailasagiri (2743ft MSL).

Red loamy soil is predominantly found here. The District has also different types of soils such as ferrogenous loamy and sandy loamy. The general climate is tropical. Tiruvannamalai District receives rainfall from North East and South West monsoons.

As per the most recent population census (i.e. 2001) total population of this District is 2,181,853; comprising 1,093,191 Men and 1,088,662 women. The urban population is 400,549 constituting 18% of the total Population, the remaining 82% ie.1,781,304 is rural population. The density of the population is 352 per sq.km. The total literate among male are 773,367 and that of female 544,284.

There is no perennial river in the district. Cheyyar, Thenpennai, Kamandala Naganathi are only seasonal. SATHANUR DAM is constructed across Thenpennai river in Chengam taluk among Chennakesava Hills.

Tiruvannamalai District is industrially backward. The SLS cotton spinning mill is the only major industry and in Annakkavoor and Polur, sugar mills are functioning. However medium and small scale industries as well as cottage industries, such as modern rice mills, weaving factories, cotton, silk and mat-weaving, coir manufacturing and beedi manufacturing are flourishing. The District is enriched in mineral deposits such as black granites, multi-coloured granites, soap and magnesite deposits. Paddy, Groundnut, Sugarcane, Millets and pulses are the District's major crops and two milk chilling plants are in operation. Tourism and resources for Pilgrimage are becoming increasingly major revenue generators of the District.

Water Dispute

Former Chief Minister Jayalalitha recently accused the current DMK Government of failing to adopt a clever, tactful and courageous approach to finding a solution to river water disputes with Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

In a statement Ms. Jayalalitha said lack of administrative efficiency on the part of the current Government had come in the way of finding a solution to the inter-State water disputes with neighbouring States.

She warned that the Northern Districts, including Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallore, and the suburban areas of Chennai would face serious drinking water shortage if the Andhra Pradesh Government went ahead with its plan to construct a check dam across the Palar.

Tamil Nadu, more particularly the Northern Districts, would experience an agrarian crisis and farmers would suffer serious difficulties.