VILLUPURAM: Writer, activist and politician – D Ravikumar, the senior member of the VCK, wears these hats with consummate ease and has earmarked a place for himself in all these realms of social life. Once an employee of a bank, the 55-year-old quit the job a week before 2006 Assembly polls and entered politics full time.
Born in Manganampattu near Seerkazhi in Nagapattinam, Ravikumar completed his graduation arts and law in Annamalai University in Chidamabaram, his masters from Tanjore Tamil University, where he is currently doing his doctoral research on the topic ‘hidden history behind King Nandha'.
He has also a writer, having written more than 30 books including poems, and translated over 40 works. He had launched little magazines named Nirapirigai, Dalit andBothi, and currently runs a bimonthly Manarkeni. He is also the co-editor of The Oxford India Anthology of Tamil Dalit Writing.
This time, he is the Third Front’s candidate at Vanur in Villupuram – a backward district where not many may have read his works. But Ravikumar remains confident of his victory, pointing out that the people in the State are eager for a change that his coalition represents. Excerpts from a short interview with him:
Q: First you were disinterested in contesting, then the party withdrew the candidate and fielded you. What prompted this?
A: Our cadre at Vanur wanted me to contest, but I did not want to due to two reasons. First, I have already contested thrice including once to Lok Sabha in 2014, less than two years ago. So I took the decision so as to give chance to new persons. Secondly, I didn't have money to spend, as I already spent my savings for three election – of which I lost two! I explained to them about the financial constraints, but they informed our party leader Thol Thirumavalavan that they would contribute for election expenses.
That is when he announced me as the candidate here, after consulting seniors in the party.
Q: Will the people at Vanur accept you?
A: I have visited here several times, both as an MLA and as an activist. Though born in Nagapattinam district and elected as MLA from Cuddalore district, I have concentrated a lot of my efforts at Villupuram district that is backward – both in terms of education and economy. I was part of the evaluation team on concrete housing plan - Villupuram has the highest number of huts in the country – and I have also worked with the public officials, NGOs and activists to uplift the educational and social indices here. That way, I am not an unknown person here.
Q: What are your promises to the people in Vanur?
A: This backward constituency is dependent on Puducherry for health, educational and other basic things. I will take steps to establish an arts and science college and an ITI here. There are scores of people who are residing on puramboke land for decades, who should be provided patta. Water shortage will be addressed by building check dams across the three rivers, and action will be taken against illegal packaged drinking water plants which extract large quantity of water.
Another initiative is to develop tourism here, as major temples like Anjenayar temple in Panjavadi, Vakkrakaliamman temple in Thiruvakarai and also Auroville International Township are situated here. There are villages like Kyuilapalayam, Bhommiyarpalayam, Edaiyanchavady and Kottakarai near Auroville where the people are living in abject conditions, which is perpetuating the image of the country as being that of the poor among the foreign tourists who come to Auroville. With the support of the tourism department, we will transform them model villages. Similarly, facilities in Thiruvakarai will be increased to attract more tourists, all of which will help the villages nearby to become more prosperous.
I have plans to market the best quality granite from Kunam, the papier mache works by artisans of Kilapakkam village, networking the cashew farmers near Auroville so as to fetch them better price and finding a proper market for the stone carving work done by craftsmen in Tiruvakkarai.
Q: Fishermen form a large chunk of the population here. What do you offer them?
A: Fishermen are affected by sea erosion, which will be checked with an engineering solution. A complaint they have is about the houses built under tsunami rehabilitation is far from the sea, which will be addressed. A guidance cell will be set up to advise them on selling their catch for the best possible price. Training will be given on deep sea fishing and steps will be taken to stop foreign vessels fishing in Indian waters.
Q: How are people responding to the PWA?
A: We have received a rousing welcome from youngsters and first-time voters – there are 1.38 crores of them. There are genuine surveys that show that a majority of these people are willing to vote for our alliance, for ushering in change. We will win the election and the State will have a coalition rule for the first ever time.
Vanur constituency highlights:
In the last 12 Assembly polls that Vanur has witnessed, only DMK and AIADMK have won from here till now – DMK 7 and AIADMK 5 including last three consecutive wins.
Voters details
Male - 109247
Female - 111031
Total - 220293