Chennai: Pitch dark nights in a remote tribal village near Chengalpet have seen light, following a DC report. Located around 70 km from Chennai, Chinna Edayathur, a small Irula hamlet in Thirukazhukundram district, lived in darkness for over 10 years.
The fact that the upper caste Edayathur residents are beneficiaries of power and water facilities described the discrimination. "We had moved here from a nearby village, Iruvulchery, only after authorities promised to provide the amenities. Unfortunately, it never happened," said Valli, a long-time resident. Residents' pleas to the panchayat president in seeking a power connection went unheeded.
Tamil Nadu electricity board officials reacted to the news coverage in DC and provided connections to all 13 households, a move that transformed their lives.
"Had we received the application from the community, we could have provided the connection long ago," said electricity board official from Budur. It is the illiteracy and ignorance that prevented the residents from questioning the local panchayat board. "We were asked to wait and we kept doing that. None of us know the procedure of submitting the application in EB office," Suresh told
DC.
Social work students from Madras Christian College, Arpit Haldar and John Samuel, had sown the initial seeds of development by setting up a water tap and a street light. "We had to run from pillar to post in the government offices to place the street light here," said Haldar.
A sense of security and elatement engulfs the residents who no longer fear the intrusion of snakes. "Though risky, we had no option but to eat outside. Having dinner in the house under proper light feels like a luxury," said a cheerful Gracy.
The facility also diminished residents' burden of traveling a kilometre to charge their mobile phones.
