Date:05/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100503850800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Narikurava woman jumps into the fray

R. Krishnamoorthy

Seetha is contesting for panchayat president post in Tiruchi district

COMMUNITY UPLIFT: A Narikurava woman seeking votes at Devarayaneri hamlet in Tiruchi on Tuesday. — Photo:M. Moorthy

TIRUCHI: A sense of quiet outrage over the plight of the Narikurava community has driven 28-year-old mother of two teenaged children to contest for the post of president of Tirunadunkulam Panchayat near Thuvakkudi in the district.

Seetha is quite enthusiastic about exercising her democratic rights as an Independent candidate, notwithstanding the fact that there is stiff competition for the post.

Not only are there candidates representing major political parties in the fray for the post, Seetha also has to prevail over two candidates from her own community which has about 800 voters in Devarayaneri hamlet in the panchayat with a total voting population of over 2,000.

She considers her exposure to the community as her main advantage. By virtue of associating with the Narikkuravar Education and Welfare Society (NEWS) of which her husband S. Mahendran is the Founder Secretary, Seetha had acted as a facilitator in securing bank loans for self-help groups comprising Narikkurava women.

Hostile response

The hostile response of the electorate comprising other communities in the panchayat has not deterred her.

As a supportive husband, Mahendran campaigns for Seetha. He seeks to make this democratic initiative a model for emulation for the community elsewhere in the State.