Latest news with #Irula
New Indian Express
01-08-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Kerala University unveils tribal language primer to aid indigenous education
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The same word — or minor variations of it — can hold different meanings for different people. The word 'kara' can conjure up images of 'land' in the minds of a Malayali. But imagine speaking the same word to a person from the Irula community, for whom the term 'karae' means 'water'. The variance becomes pronounced when students are made to learn words that convey another meaning in their native tongue. To combat this issue and support the primary education of tribal children, the Centre for Endangered Languages of Kerala (CELK), under the University of Kerala, is set to release a primer for three tribal languages — Irula, Muduga, and Kurumba. CELK plans to launch the elementary book— the result of close to three years of tedious effort — this month. 'The loss of a language means the loss of a culture,' said CELK co-ordinator S Prema. She said the primer will serve as a reference book for primary students. Divided into sections such as relations, animals, etc., each word is listed in its Irula, Muduga, Kurumba, Malayalam, Tamil and English versions, along with corresponding images. 'A simple listing of words and their translation may not have the desired impact. A book must be attractive in the first place,' Prema said, adding that the primer was prepared as part of a state-funded project. However, it will require more government procedures, including SCERT approval, for the book to reach the hands of children, she said. As part of its compilation, the CELK team travelled to tribal settlements and engaged with residents, to better understand their languages. The team would show community members objects or images to gather what they were called in the corresponding languages. 'Not all communities were open to us in the beginning. Active engagement ensured that the team was treated like family on subsequent visits,' Prema added.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- The Hindu
Tribal woman trampled to death by wild elephant near Coimbatore
A tribal woman from Narasipuram in Coimbatore district died after she was trampled by a wild elephant on Thursday. The Forest Department stated that J. Selvi, 23, who had been residing and working in a farm at Narasipuram was killed in elephant attack. According to the department, Selvi went to a stream close to the farm, adjacent to a forest area, around 2.30 p.m. to wash clothes. She had a close encounter with a wild elephant that came to the stream. The animal trampled her and she died on the spot. The area falls under Narasipuram section of Boluvampatti forest range. An official from the department stated that Selvi, who belonged to the Irula tribe, had been working in the farm along with her husband. The official added that an immediate financial relief was provided to the family and the post-mortem examination of the deceased will be held at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital on Friday morning.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- The Hindu
Tribal association slams police inaction on alleged attack on Irulas in Pennagaram
The Tamil Nadu Tribal Association (TNTA) has slammed the alleged attack on an Irula family by a dominant caste family in a Pennagaram village here early last month. According to the complaint lodged by the Irula family, residents of Kuzhipatti village in Vattuvanahalli panchayat in Pennagaram, the attack took place on June 10. The assault on the Irula woman, and her family however led to filing of cases on both the parties, the victims and the perpetrators, according to TNTA. On Tuesday, the TNTA led protests demanding the police make arrests under the Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victims, Murugan and his wife Deivanai, are among the 20 Irula households in the Kuzhipatti village, with a majority belonging to the dominant Vanniyar community houses. The couple also owns 50 cents of marginal holding on which they raise groundnuts and millets. Like others in the village, a part of poramboke land was under cultivation by Murugan. However, according to the complaint, the alleged aggressor Selvam, from the dominant community, had been demanding a road on the farmland under Murugan's use in order to reach Selvam's land, also a poramboke. On July 10, Selvam had brought in a tractor, trespassed into Murugan's land, levelled the vegetation and laid a road. Murugan's wife Deivanai, who had come in the way of the tractor to stop the levelling of their agricultural land was also attacked and disrobed, according to the TNTA. CPI(M) ex-MLA Dilli Babu, who lead the protest on Tuesday, slammed the attack as a deliberate act to grab the lands of the Irulas. The assault on Deivanai, which had reportedly left her incapacitated with injury to her ribs, and other family members led to their admission to Dharmapuri government hospital. In their absence, the vegetation on the poramboke under Murugan's use was cleared up and a 10 feet road was laid by Selvam to the poramboke under his use, according to TNTA. On Tuesday, TNTA demanded arrests of the perpetrators of the violence on Deivanai. The Tribal association affiliated to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has also demanded compensation for the loss of trees on Murugan's land. The Hindu contacted Sabapathi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Pennagaram, on the status of the case. Mr. Sabapathi said, 'the Irulas went to Vanniyars land and created ruckus, which led to fisticuffs.' Further, the DSP said that the other parties have approached the court for anticipatory bail and no arrest was made.
New Indian Express
26-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Children rescued from bonded labour in Tamil Nadu go off official radar
KRISHNAGIRI: The illegal and ignoble practice of bonded labour is still rife in Krishnagiri district. The lack of coordination among various departments that have a stake in curbing it is being blamed for inadequate rehabilitation of those rescued. This has been proved by two instances, years apart, when children who were rescued are no longer traceable though it is mandatory for the authorities to follow up the rescued ones. Only last week the school education department helpline - 14417 - received information that a 13-year-old tribal boy from near Thalli was working in a brick-kiln unit at Chinnaubbanur village as a bonded labourer. He was rescued by the personnel of the child protection unit, labour department, police, and revenue department. A case was filed against the landowner and the boy was enrolled back to school near Thalli. Inquiry revealed the boy was sent for garden work for Rs 25,000 per year. Another case: an April 2022 TNIE article titled 'Irula couple in Krishnagiri seeks help to rescue sons from Karnataka' explained that a couple from Kamatchipuram village, near Bargur, had sent their two children, aged 14 and 12, to Karnataka for duck-rearing in return for Rs 55,000 each per year and the couple received only Rs 16,000. The child rescued last week was admitted to a government school near Thalli. The other two — Ramesh and his brother Sajesh (both names changed) — were admitted to the Kamatchipuram Panchayat Union Primary School and the Government Higher Secondary School Anchoor - Jegadevi.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Adani Kattupalli Port launches development projects in Tiruvallur; Rs 46.3 lakh initiative benefits over 250 students, 45 Irula families
CHENNAI: Adani Kattupalli Port, through its CSR arm, Adani Foundation, inaugurated a series of developmental projects in the Tiruvallur district on Friday. As part of its CSR initiatives, the port constructed new toilet blocks at three govt schools: Kattupalli Government Higher Secondary School, Thirumalainagar Government Primary School, and Government Middle School at Lighthouse Kuppam. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These upgraded sanitation facilities are expected to directly benefit over 250 students, offering them safer and more hygienic environments to pursue their education. Additionally, the Adani Foundation installed a 1000 LPH (litres per hour) ATM-based RO water plant at Kadal Kanniyur in the Thangal Perumbulam Panchayat. This facility is especially vital for the Irula tribal community in the region, addressing their long-standing need for access to safe drinking water. The project directly benefits 45 Irula families. The combined cost of these initiatives stands at ₹46.31 lakhs. Cherian Abraham, Business Head of Adani Kattupalli and Ennore Ports, presided over the inaugural ceremony. The event was also attended by officials from the Education and Panchayat Departments, village leaders, and members of the local community, who expressed their gratitude for the much-needed improvements. 'These initiatives demonstrate Adani's commitment to creating long-lasting, positive impacts in the communities we operate in, especially in areas of education, health, and infrastructure,' said Abraham.
