Chennai: Breaking the barriers of caste, male domination, economic deprivation, a girl from an interior tribal village near Valparai in Tamil Nadu has come out with flying colours in the 10th standard public examination in Kerala.
Determined to prove her mettle and driven by her passion to become a doctor, Sridevi secured the first rank in her district with an A+ grade.
The people in Karumatti were elated with joy after they came to know that a girl from their tribe is one of the toppers of Class 10 examination in Kerala.
Sridevi said, "I am extremely happy. My ambition is to become a doctor and serve the people. I want the children of our tribal communities to pursue education because that is the path to empowerment.”
Karumatti, a village near Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) consists of 65 families.
Sridevi's father Chellamuthu is a farmer engaged in gathering forest produced product like honey, fruits and tubers.
Elated at his daughter’s achievement, Chellamuthu said, “We are from the Muduvar community and our parents were not aware of the importance of education. Our generation has not entered the precincts of a school. I am unlettered, but I am determined to give my children an education. Sridevi has an elder sister who could not pursue studies and a brother. She is our pride and hope. She should continue her higher studies and realize her dreams.”
Though hailing from Tamil Nadu, the desire to pursue studies has taken her to Chalakudy in Kerala.
There are around 45 school-going children in Karumutti, which is among the 36 interior hamlets situated inside the tiger reserve near Valparai off Pollachi in Coimbatore district.
Tribal communities such as Kadar, Muduvar, Malasar, Malai Malasar and Iravalar reside in these hamlets within the Western Ghats.
They need to step out of the hilly region for basic needs including educations, purchasing goods and availing health care facilities.
Sridevi, who is also a district level topper, was studying in a private school which was about 100 km away from her residence.
Meanwhile, the tribal girl stayed with her distant relatives for attending her exams amid lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.
The Kerala government officials arranged a vehicle and dropped her at Valparai check post after she got stuck at her relative's house due to lockdown.
The ATR authorities extended greeting to Sridevi and celebrated her achievement. The Deputy Field Director Arockiaraj Xavier felicitated her with shawl and gifts.
"The forest department will provide all assistance for the education of the tribal children. The tribals are hard-working people and now, they are interested in getting educated. Sridevi is an example of their efforts," said Arockiaraj.
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