Latest news with #Dhimsa
India Today
2 days ago
- General
- India Today
Electricity reaches remote hilltop village in Andhra, tribals dance with joy
For the first time ever, the Jeelugulowa community in Telangana's Anakapalle district danced the traditional Dhimsa with joy, because their village finally has electricity. Tucked away on the top of Samalamma hill, Jeelugulowa is home to just eight families with a population of 50 people. Until now, life after sunset meant surviving in darkness, amid dense forests and wild animals. The villagers used candles to eat, walked 7 km to Bangaru Bandalu to charge their phones, and lived in fear at night, especially when someone fell ill or was bitten by a long wait for basic infrastructure has finally ended. After multiple protests and appeals during Visakha Zilla Parishad meetings, and a visit from the National Human Rights Commission Chairman and Anakapalle Collector in 2022, promises were made to provide electricity, water, and roads. Aadhaar and ration cards were issued, but progress remained slow. On Sunday night, the lights came on. Under the Janman scheme, power finally reached the village — prompting a celebration with dance and heartfelt gratitude. The villagers extended special thanks to the Anakapalle District Collector and the electricity department district executive committee members K Govinda Rao and K Mahesh were also thanked for their continued support. While electricity is a big win, the villagers say they still await roads and drinking IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Lights up: Jeelugulova tribals celebrate freedom from darkness
VISAKHAPATNAM: For the first time, the tribals of Jeelugulova, a remote PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) hamlet atop Samalamma Hill in Cheemalapadu panchayat of Ravikamatham mandal in Anakapalle district, have seen electric lights brighten their village. Marking the occasion with joy and emotion, the villagers celebrated the moment with traditional Dhimsa dance on Sunday night. The hilltop village, home to eight families and around 50 people, has long lived in darkness, relying on fire torches and kerosene lamps. Surrounded by dense forest and facing the constant threat of wild animals after nightfall, the villagers spent many years in fear and isolation. 'Even to charge a mobile phone, we had to walk nearly 7 kilometres to Bangaru Bandalu, the nearest village with a power supply. Night travel often came with the risk of snake bites and injuries,' the tribals recalled. Some years ago, a few solar panels were provided to the village by social workers, offering limited relief from darkness. However, villagers recall that these panels often became ineffective during heavy rains, as they were prone to flooding. The residents, belonging to the Kondh tribal community, primarily depend on cashew cultivation for their livelihood, while turmeric farming also supports their seasonal income. Over the years, Jeelugulova's residents repeatedly raised their concerns at Zilla Parishad meetings in the erstwhile united Visakhapatnam district, requesting basic infrastructure like electricity and roads. 'Recognise us as people, give us light,' they had appealed, often holding torches during protests. After repeated protests, their plea eventually drew the attention of the National Human Rights Commission and senior district officials. In 2022, the then District Collector of Anakapalle, Pattanshetti Ravi Subash, along with Narsipatnam RDO Ronanki Govinda Rao and other divisional officials, visited the village. Jeelugulova tribals thank EE & Collector Following the visit, the administration issued Aadhaar and ration cards and promised electricity, drinking water, and road connectivity. However, the promises took time to materialise. Now, under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) Scheme, Jeelugulova finally has access to electricity. The villagers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the executive engineer of the electricity department and the district collector for fulfilling a long-standing need. Residents Korra Balaraju and Korra Mahesh, along with K Govinda Rao, district committee member of the CPI(M), conveyed their thanks to the officials who helped bring light to their village.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Jeelugulova tribals rejoice on getting electricity for the first time in their hamlets
The tribal people of Jeelugulova hamlet of the Cheemalapadu panchyat in the Anakapalli district were in a jubilant mood as they danced in gay abandon to the tunes of Dhimsa on Sunday (June 1, 2025) night. They had enough reason to cheer as their village got electricity for the first time. The hilltop village, located atop Samalammakonda, has a population of 50 persons, belonging to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Kondh tribe. The villagers recall how they used to move with 'kagadalu' (traditional torches with wooden sticks lit at one end) to scare away wild animals apart from helping them in finding their way through the thickets. They used to mostly remain indoors after dark for fear of wild animals. 'There are eight families but electricity meters were installed in only six households, as two families had no Aadhaar card. Two poles were erected on the streets in our hamlet. We have been staying here for the past 16 years, before that our ancestors used to live here (Jajulabandha), some of them had died while others had migrated to other places in the Agency areas,' Korra Mahesh told The Hindu on Monday (June 2, 2025). 'Before coming here, we were living in Sadangi village of the G. Madugula mandal. We are very happy that electricity has finally arrived in our village. The line is being extended to Pasuvulabandha, another hamlet, towards the far end of the hill. The electricity department staff had a tough time in carrying the poles to the hilltop. Each pole had to be carried by six men, and we (tribal people) helped them in the task,' he recalls. 'The lack of a road to our village is a stumbling block in the development of our village. In the absence of drinking water taps, we have to fetch water from the 'voota' (spring), located about half-a-kilometre from our village,' he adds. The villagers had staged protests at the Zilla Parishad in the Visakhapatnam city on several occasions in the past seeking provision of electricity and formation of a road to their hamlet. The news was prominently reported in The Hindu had also other English dailies, apart from Telugu newspapers. The District Collector of Anakapalli visited Jeelugulova village in 2022 and directed the officials concerned to provide basic amenities in the hamlet. Narsipatnam RDO Ronanki Govinda Rao and other Divisional-level officials visited the village and subsequently the Aadhar and the ration cards were issued to the villagers. They were also promised power supply and drinking water facility. They were provided electricity facility under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) scheme. Korra Balaraju of Jeelugulova, and CPI-M district secretariat member K. Govinda Rao thanked the AP EPDCL Engineering officials and the Anakapalli district Collector.
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
National-level Old Seeds Fair in Alluri Sitarama Raju district evokes good response
VISAKHAPATNAM: The 'National-Level Old Seeds Festival - Eastern Ghats Biodiversity Fair' was organised at Killoguda village in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district on Saturday. The event was conducted under the aegis of the Sanjeevini NGO. Farmers, tribals, and voluntary organisations from various states engaged in seed conservation, organic fertilisers, and natural farming took part in the festival. Over 60 stalls featuring traditional heirloom seeds and indigenous products were set up, drawing the interest of visitors. Participants from the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad in Kerala, Koraput in Odisha, and Araku and Rampachodavaram regions in Andhra Pradesh exhibited a wide variety of native seeds and products. Local tribal communities interacted with the participants, learning about different crop varieties, seeds, cultivation methods, and market opportunities. They shared their experiences related to traditional tribal farming practices. The festival began with a floral tribute to late Pachari Ammaji, a key figure associated with Sanjeevini NGO's earlier initiatives in tribal welfare and seed conservation. A traditional seed procession was held, with villagers of Killoguda showcasing the seeds they had preserved. Cultural programmes, including Koya horn performances and Dhimsa dances by artist groups from Chinturu and Araku, were held as part of the celebrations. Among the notable participants were Raimati Guria, recognised nationally as the 'Millet Queen of India,' and Pangi Vineetha, recipient of the Andhra Pradesh State Award for excellence in organic farming. Delegates from different regions interacted with them to learn from their experiences in sustainable agriculture practices. Sanjeevini NGO General Secretary Devullu said the Old Seeds Festival aims to conserve traditional food crop seeds.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh hosts 2-day indigenous seed festival at tribal hamlet of Dumbriguda mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju district
VISAKHAPATNAM: A two-day traditional and indigenous seed festival ( Patha Vithanala Pandaga ), aimed at the conservation of native seed varieties and their usage sharing among farmers, commenced at Killoguda tribal hamlet of Dumbriguda mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district on Saturday, April 26. The festival was organised by the environment protection society " Sanjeevini ". Tribals, farmers, and voluntary organisations from various states—working extensively on seed conservation, organic fertilisers, and natural farming practices—actively participated in the festival. Over 60 stalls showcasing traditional heirloom seeds and indigenous products attracted and impressed the visitors. Farmers and organisations from the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu), Wayanad (Kerala), Koraput (Odisha), and the Araku and Rampachodavaram regions (Andhra Pradesh) brought indigenous varieties of millets, pulses, paddy, vegetables, and a few others. They displayed the native seeds and products and exchanged traditional knowledge among themselves. The festival commenced with a floral tribute to the late Pachari Ammaji, a key figure in Sanjeevini NGO's earlier initiatives, honouring her contributions to tribal welfare and seed conservation. Following the tribute, a vibrant seed procession was carried out by the villagers of Killoguda, showcasing seeds they carefully preserved. Cultural performances, including the Koya horn and Dhimsa dances by artist groups from Chinturu and Araku regions, added colour and excitement to the celebrations. One of the major highlights of the event was the participation of Raimati Guria, honoured nationally as the "Millet Queen of India," and Pangi Vineetha, recipient of the Andhra Pradesh State Award for excellence in organic farming. Their presence drew special attention, and delegates from different states eagerly interacted with them to learn from their experiences. Addressing the gathering, P Devullu, organiser of the seed festival and secretary of the environment protection society "Sanjeevini," emphasised that the Old Seeds Festival, organised consistently for the past sixteen years, aims to conserve traditional food crop seeds, preserve the rich biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats, and promote sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities. He expressed satisfaction over the overwhelming and growing response, noting how the event evolved from a local initiative involving a few tribal farmers to a national platform with participation from organisations and farmers across the country, he added.
