IDUKKI: Although Edamalakkudy was formed as the state’s first tribal panchayat in 2010, it took 14 years for the residents there to get an uninterrupted 4G network facility in their settlement. Network coverage became a turning point in their path to development as the tribes, majority Muthuvans, formed a social media group comprising government officials to bring their issues to the attention of the government. Now, in what is seen as yet another milestone, the educated youths of the community have formed an organisation to seek their rights and work for the betterment of the community.
The Muthuvan Adivasi Samudhaya Sangham is a renewed version of the organisation formed by tribal leaders of the settlements in Devikulam Taluk of Idukki way back in 1995. “The Sangham was the brainchild of a group of faculties of the Gangothri School, opened by an NGO named World Vision at the Tank Kudi settlement in Suryanelli in the 90s. The officials emphasised the need for a collective for the tribal people and the Sangham was formed under the leadership of the tribal chiefs of various Muthuvan settlements in Devikulam in 1995. The Sangham has its registered office at Chembakathozhukudi in Suryanelli,” Sangham advisory committee member and media coordinator Ramachandran told TNIE.
Although the organisation was working smoothly until 2008, the closure of the school and the faculties moving to other parts of the state stunted the activities of the group. Moreover, there were no educated persons in their community then to lead the collective.
“When the idea of forming a collective for the Muthuvan community was mooted again, instead of forming a new one, renewing the old registered Sangham was the suggestion put forward by the tribal elders. So that the official proceedings and activities of the Sangham can be expedited,” Ramachandran said.
A first of its kind
Although many socio-cultural organisations are there for tribal people in the state, a collective exclusively for Muthuvans aimed at their welfare, development and progress is a first of its kind in Kerala.
Muthuvan tribal settlers belonging to nearly 130 settlements in Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts will become part of the organisation.
In addition, Muthuvans settled in tribal settlements located on the Kerala - Tamil Nadu border near Devikulam Taluk, have also extended their support to the Sangham, he said.
District panchayat member and Muthuvan community member C Rajendran told TNIE that even as the government has reserved seats for ST communities in the local bodies, the representatives of the communities are given no importance and least considered when it comes to implementing development projects. “Moreover, in many tribal areas, the settlers are unaware of their forest rights and this has resulted in loss of their land. Many tribal settlements also lack basic infrastructure facilities including communication and transportation facilities,” he said.
Rajendran said the ultimate aim of the Sangham was to make the tribal people aware of their rights and demand the same. “The tribal people have become mere vote banks. The system should be changed and the tribal community will be organised to demand the necessary facilities,” he said.
The governing body of the Sangham will be formed with two representatives from each tribal settlement. Elected persons from the governing body will lead the executive or the state committee.
Besides, there will be area committees and ooru committees which will be led by the tribal chiefs of the respective tribal settlement.
“Area committees in all tribal settlements in Devikulam Taluk, including Edamalakkudy, have already been formed. As soon as the committees in other districts and Ooru committees are formed, members of the governing body and state committees will be elected. And we expect the Sangham to start functioning officially by October this year,” he said.
RENEWED VERSION
Muthuvan Adivasi Samudhaya Sangham is a renewed version of the organisation formed in 1995
It was the brainchild of a group of faculties of the Gangothri School, opened by an NGO named World Vision at the Tank Kudi settlement in Suryanelli
It functioned smoothly until 2008, but the closure of the school and the faculties moving to other parts of the state stunted the activities of the group