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Makuttam is a village situated in the forest, 30kms away from
cannanore, in the boarder of Kerala and
Karnataka State. I visited
one of the tribal resettlement villages. Distressing details of the village
population and the video clip explains their dilemma and the Government
ignorant approach. The feedback published in this page is acquired from the
villagers. The video clip is a self-explanation by the Moopar (head of the
village) and RAJAN/ SATISH who are resident of this village:
Name of the
Village:
Makuttam (situated in the boarder forest in Karnataka and Kerala)
Tribes name:
Paniyar tribes. Little details of
this tribe. Paniyars believe the soul of their dead always live with them,
and keep nonstop watch over them for their well-being. The members of the
Paniyar tribes perform a ritual known as Nikalattam, the shadow dance of the
dead. The belief is that the dead soul expresses its desires, either through
a member or through the senior man of the tribe. The Paniyars do not cremate
their dead. They believe that the dead person will be unable to withstand
the burning. The song of the crows (kakkappattu) is important for the dead.
This is a common belief with many communities. The dead are supposed to come
in the guise of crows to receive their share during the yearly ritualistic
obsequies.
Contacted
persons: The
Moopar (name K. Kumaran), Rajan, Satishan ( see video clip)
Village
population:
50-60 families
Educational
standard of the village:
Only four of the village have reached 8th standard, all others
are uneducated. The literacy level is a dream far-far away.
Hospital and
educational schools:
Hospital 10 kms from the village and primary school 5kms from the village.
Employment and
earnings: Works
as street laborers and have opportunity for 5months in a year. In addition,
some times live with roots in the forest. The condition is very bad. During
their employment they earn Rs.50/- around US$ 1.15 per day.
Population
control: Each
has three or more children. Condoms have failed to lift up the population
control program.
Health:
Need not to explain,
the pictures and video can gives the health standard. The faded faces and
the ribs alone will prove the bad health of these people.
Electricity and
water facility:-
Non-accessible. For water, they have to go far areas. No electricity
facility. One solar street light they never lights.
Sathishan and Rajan of the village said, they cannot go for
subsidized food grains and kerosene gas (to light during night) by the
Government as they have not been issued the ration cards. Further more,
their urgent need is the provision of jobs and earning resources. They need
urgent health care provisions as is observed there is serious specially the
men.
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