Uplift of Primitive Adivasi of Kerala

In India, the term adivasi is used for people who live in remote villages, without much knowledge of the world and with no exposure to the modern world. Sometimes they are called primitive people. These people stay isolated from developed society, lack basic amenities like education and health, and have poor living conditions. Due to lack of adequate knowledge and lack of proper supervision and education in childhood, they pick up smoking and drinking at very young age and gradually spoil themselves.

The Sathya Sai Organisation works to help

The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation in Malappuram district of Kerala has taken up a massive project to bring these primitive people into the mainstream of civilisation and to provide character development, education, and skills training so that they can live decent and fruitful lives. This project will spread to all of Kerala State, with the Malappuram district selected as a first trial. The Sai Organisation works closely with various branches of the government to bring up the living standards of these adivasi people and to make the adivasis aware of any government programs from which they can benefit.

Basically, the aim and objectives are long-term, and we expect good and positive results over these sustained and sincere efforts. Here are the main aims:

1. To provide educational facilities for the children of adivasis.

2. To train the adivasi youth to gain employment.

3. To liaise and avail for them various concessions for which they are eligible from the government sector.

4. To elimimate bad habits such as alcohol drinking, smoking, and drug addiction.

5. To bring them under the main stream of civilised life and to impart to them the rich Indian cultural values and heritage.

First step

children going to school Although several schools and amenities can in theory help the Adivasis, in practice, rarely do these programmes reach these poor people. Very few children attend school, and the drop-out rate is high, since they have to work to earn a livelihood, and the atmosphere in the homes is not very conducive to continue studies.

In June 2009, two separate, small hostels were set up, for 15 boys and 10 girls respectively, to provide a positive environment for their studies and enabling them to attend a nearby school. In three years’ time, satisfactory and positive results were seen.

To provide medical help to the adivasi community, four mobile vans were placed in operation – two vans in Palakkad district and one each in Ernakulum and Trivandrum. The services of these vans are being utilised for the needy and deprived. A medical camp was held at the Meenakshipuram Adivasi colony on 17 December 2012, where there are a few leprosy patients, including children. About 75 patients were checked, and medications provided.

Progress

1. At present, the total strength of the two hostels is 30, consisting of 18 boys and 12 girls, and they are attending classes from kindergarten to high school. The hostels are thus far in rented buildings.

2. In March 2011, two of the inmates (one boy and one girl) passed the metric (10^th standard) examination, and one boy passed in March 2012. These three were the first to pass the metric examination from their colonies, and they are now in higher education.

Future plans

1. A plot of land has been acquired in Perintalmanna town, and two buildings are under construction, one to house the boys’ hostel and the second one to house the girls’ hostel. These buildings are expected to be ready by the beginning of the next academic year (2014).

2. Strength and unity can achieve any big task, particularly in the social sector, where voluntary, material, and monetary considerations are essential. Therefore, apart from members of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, a section of dignitaries and respected gentlemen and women have been invited and involved in this noble and divine work. With their active support, we expect even greate results in the future.