Telangana: Adivasi Cop Has Seven Books to His Credit

 Adilabad: Durva Santhosh, 34, is a police constable by profession but a writer by passion. Reading and writing have remained close to his heart since his childhood.

A native of Muthnur in Indravelli mandal of Adilabad district, Santhosh calls himself an Adivasi writer. He has seven books to his credit, most of his works are monographs and biographies of Adivasi leaders and on Adivasi culture.

Santhosh joined the police department in 2013. His first book ‘Gondwana Manavatha Parimalalu’ was released three years later.

Santhosh also extended support to needy Adivasi students, especially those who could not continue their studies and helped poor Adivasis with medical treatment.

He created awareness among Adivasis against consumption of gudumba when he was at Gadiguda police station. He also runs a library named after Prof. Christoph von Furer Haimendorf and Betti Elizabeth in Muthnur.

Santhosh said he had collected a good number of books on different subjects and donated some to village library.

Setting up a museum with ancient artefacts and traditional tools of Adivasis is another ambition of Santosh.

Santhosh said his father Durva Yashwanthrao, a government employee, used to buy books for him, and inculcated in him an interest to read and write since his childhood.

His brothers are also in the police department while his wife Rajani works as a forest beat officer. His mother Durva Hemalatha said Santhosh used to draw birds and nature on his own from his childhood and she never taught him.

Santosh’s other titles are ‘Madavi Thukaram Saab’, the first Adivasi IAS officer of Telangana, prominent Adivasi leader ‘Sidam Shambu Pagel’, ‘Kadam Nadi Prayanam’ and ‘Gondula Muchatlu’.