PIRAVOM: The new generation of ‘Nayadi’, a nomadic tribe, is struggling for higher education in this highly literate state. For the authorities responsible for serving them are turning a blind eye.
Higher education of the younger generation of 40 families of the tribe has come to a standstill as the authorities are yet to distribute community certificates to them.
Around 30 students belonging to the Nayadi tribe living in Pozhimala Colony, near Piravom, are facing problems due to the absence of community certificates.
Reshma Benny, a Plus-Two student of the Government Higher Secondary School, Namakuzhi, has lost a chance to appear for the medical entrance test. Reshma completed her studies with the help of a social service organisation. After she passed her Standard X with over 60 percent marks she joined the Namakuzhi HSS for Plus-Two. She secured high marks for Plus-One examinations and her teachers persuaded her to apply for the Common Entrance Test.
Her uneducated father Benny and mother Rossy approached the village officer to issue them a caste certificate for applying for the test. But the officer said that her caste has not been mentioned on her SSLC certificate and refused to issue it. Reshma abandoned her dream of becoming a nurse.
Reshma, her brother and their parents live in a small house in two cents of land given by the panchayat at Pozhimala Colony. Earlier all the ‘Nayadis’ were living on the Koothattukulam road sides. The society consider them a nomadic tribe as they hunt wild animals. They also do jobs in rich houses.
Benny said that they belong to ‘Ullada’ tribe. But the Revenue Department did not acknowledge them as ‘Ullada’.
Some years ago a few social activists worked for the welfare of the tribe. They organised mass meal to bring them to the mainstream of society. A Christian organisation baptised some of them and though Christian has been mentioned in the religion column, caste has not been mentioned in the certificate.
So the Revenue authorities hesitate to issue the caste certificate, said Benny. Neenu Mathai is another such bright student. About 30 students belonging to this tribe is facing the problem, said Rajan Mathew, a social activist.