Irula tribes come out of the dark

Chennai: Two days after Deccan Chronicle reported about the darkness prevailing in the homes of the Irula tribe of Thirukazhukundram in the last week of February, Tamil Nadu Electricity board officials provided connections to the community for the first time.

Located around 70 kilometres from Chennai, Chinna Edayathur, a small Irula hamlet at the banks of Palar river in Thirukazhukundram are beneficiaries of freebies like grinders and televisions. But they were of no use for the residents.
Residents have moved from a nearby settlement after authorities promised to provide facilities. “We had shifted from a village Iruvulchery over ten years ago. Forget power, we had no water tap,” said Gracy, a resident.

A ray of hope illuminated the locality after social work students from Madras Christian College prompted authorities to set up a water tap and Street light. “We were shocked to learn that the authorities  were unaware of the existence of the locality,” said Arpit Haldar, social work student of MCC. “It was a struggle frequenting to the government offices to have a water tap and streetlights set up,” said another student, John Samuel.

Residents’ pleas to the Panchayat president in seeking a power connection was unheeded. Tamil Nadu Electricity board officials had reacted to the news coverage in DC and provided the connections to all the thirteen households, a move that transformed their lives. The illiteracy in the locality is so high that they are oblivious of submitting the application to EB office. “Had we received the application from the community, we could have provided the connections long ago,” said electricity board official from Budur. “We toil for more than ten hours a day to meet the basic expenses. We never thought beyond that,” said Suresh, a daily labourer from the locality.

With electricity connection lighting up the locality, women no longer
cook in the dark. Residents too escaped walking long distances to charge their mobile phones. “Though risky, we had no option but to eat outside. Having dinner in the house under proper light feels like a luxury,” told a cheerful Gracy.