chapter iii profile of the study area and the scope for...
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CHAPTER III
PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA AND THE SCOPE FOR WOMEN
DEVELOPMENT IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT
3.1 Introduction
Kanyakumari District is a district of Tamil Nadu state, India; it is
the southernmost land area of mainland India. It was previously a part of Kerala
state went to Tamil Nadu on division Kanyakumari District is the smallest of the
32 districts of Tamil Nadu state. The district takes its name from the tourist town
of Kanyakumari, which is at the tip of the Indian Peninsula and faces the Indian
Ocean. The administrative capital of the district is Nagercoil, which is 20 km
from Kanyakumari town. The district has the best literacy rate in the state and is
considered the best educated district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu by the
HRD Ministry. It is the third most developed district in the state and is leading in
most of the parameters. The District is also represented by a large population of
NRI's in the Gulf. It was ranked third in a comprehensive Economic Environment
index ranking of districts in Tamil Nadu in August 2009. The district is known as
"The District of Ponds" or "The Lands End". Kanyakumari District is located at
the southern tip of peninsular India and bordered by Thiruvananthapuram district
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of Kerala state to the west and Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu to the north and
east. It is also sometimes referred to as "Land's End". The district lies between77°
15' and 77° 36' of the eastern longitudes and 8° 03' and 8° 35' of the northern
Latitudes. The south-eastern boundary (coastal) is the Gulf of Mannar (Bay of
Bengal), while on the South and the South West, the boundaries are the Indian
Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
3.2 History of Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari district takes its name from the town
of Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of India. (In Tamil, Kanni means a virgin
lady and in Sanskrit, Kumari means a spinster). Kanyakumari District is also
sometimes called Kumari District in short. Kanyakumari town is named after the
Goddess Kanyakumari Amman, a popular deity of the area. Legend has it that the
Goddess Parvati in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanniya did penance on one
of the rocks of this 'land's end' to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. The town of
Kanyakumari is geographically a cape, and it was called Cape Comorin by the
British. Since ancient times, Kanyakumari District has consisted of two
geographical areas, known locally as Nanjilnadu and Idainadu. The etymologists
interpret the word Nanjilnadu as the country ("nadu") where there were (and still
has) several agriculture plantations and fields. Nanjilnadu is mentioned in
old Tamil literature as a rich agrarian area, where the town of Kottar, (today, a
locality in Nagercoil) as a major commercial centre. Ancient temples and
inscriptions reveal a major Jain influence in ancient times. The district is home to
many practitioners of various branches of ancient India's health tradition,
including siddha, ayurvedha, and varma kalai. Nanjilnadu, which was formed by
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the present Agasteeswaram and Thovalai Taluks of the district, was alternately
under the rule of the Pandyas and the Cheras until the beginning of the thirteenth
century. Idainadu, including Kalkulam and Vilavancode Taluks, was under the
rule of Cheras. When the power of Cheras declined due to the rise
of Hoysalas and western Chalukyas, the Venad (Travancore) chieftains gradually
established their hold on many areas of Nanjilnadu. The annexation commenced
by Veera Kerala Varma was to a large extent continued by his successors and
completed by 1100 A.D. Four centuries later, the Vijayanagar kings preceded
against Venad, and in 1609, Kanyakumari fell into the hands of Viswanatha
Nayak of Madurai, while the remaining parts of Nanjilnadu was under
Venad. Padmanabhapuram near Nagercoil was the capital of Venad.
3.3 Geographical Features of Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari is the smallest district in Tamil Nadu, with a land
spread of 1,684 km² and has varied ecosystems - forests, wet lands, freshwater
resources and marine similar to Kerala. The district, once called "The Granary of
Travancore" is fertile, with hundreds of water bodies and a
canal irrigation system. Rubber and spice plantations are found on the hilly
terrain, while paddy fields, plantain and coconut plantations are found on the
plains. The district is generally hilly, with plains found near the coast. The land
from the sea-coast gradually rises from sea-level to the Western-Ghats hills in the
deep interior of the district. The District has 62 km of coast on the western side
(Arabian Sea coast) and 6 km of coast on the eastern side (Gulf of Mannar/Bay of
Bengal coast). Most of the lands in the district are slopy in nature like Kerala,
which helps the water from heavy rain to collect and take to a low range area.
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The land area is mainly covered with dense trees, the humidity varies from some
parts of Thovali and Agastheewaram taluk to other two taluks mainly
Vilavancode and Kalkulam which is dense green in nature covered fully with
trees. There are three important riverine ecosystems, which converge with
the Arabian Sea.
• Thengapattinam estuary, formed by the confluence of river Tampirabarani
in betweenet ngapattinam and Eraiummanthurai.
• Valliyar estuary formed by the river Valliyar near Kadiapattinam.
• Manakudy estuary formed by the confluence of river Pazhaiyar in
between East and West Manakudy villages.
3.3.1 Soil Types: Laterite soil is found at Thiruvattar, Killiyoor, Munchirai,
Rajakamanagalam, Thuckalay blocks and Red and alluvial soil is found
at Agastheeswaram and Thovalai blocks. The soil pH is between4.5 and 8.0. The
minerals in soil - nitrogen: low to medium, phosphorus: medium, potassium:
high. Almost 48.9 percent of land in the district is under cultivation and
30.5percent is covered by forests.
3.3.2 Climate
Based on a 50 year study, it is found that during the North-East
monsoon, between October and December, a precipitation of 549 mm is received
in 24 rainy days and during the South-West Monsoon 537 mm is received from
June to September in 27 rainy days. In summer, 332 mm of rainfall is received in
11 rainy days between March and May. The annual average rainfall in the district
is 1465 mm with a maximum of around 247 mm in October and a minimum of
21 mm in February. Relative humidity ranges between60 to 100 percent. The
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ecological and economic environment of this district is mainly agrarian in nature
and style. The climatic conditions of the district are highly conducive to agrarian
life. This district is graced with three rainy seasons, south west monsoon,
northeast monsoon and the mango showers similar to that of the coffee showers
of Mysore.
3.4 Social and Infrastructure Facilities
This gives the summary of the food habits, Festivals , Transport
and Highways, Railways and Colachel Port to show a picture on the Social and
Infrastructure Facilities available to the people in the district.
3.4.1 Food Habits
Rice is the staple food of the people, although for some people in
the hilly areas, tapioca is the main food. Though there are some vegetarians
among the populace, a majority of the people uses agro, meat and fish products.
Fish caught in the seas around the district during the night or early morning hours
reach the markets in the interior towns and villages in the early morning. The
food is spicy, and the people in the district tend to use more grated coconut in
their curries and food-preparations, like neighbouring Kerala.
3.4.2 Festivals
The Mandaikad festival is celebrated by the locals as well as
Keralites. Traditionally, participants would walk chanting "ammae saranam,
bhagavathiye saranam", and all the way people would provide butter milk,
water, jaggery, and coffee. The festival is celebrated for ten days and later
becomes a social function, especially on Sunday. In 1982 there were police
shootings to quell a disturbance by anti-social religious radicals. Today,
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Mandaikad is more of a departmental festival. Kanyakumari District has
important religious sites for all three major religions in the district, viz.,
Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The Ayyavazhi festival, Ayya Vaikunda
Avataram, is widely celebrated throughout the district. The Kodiyettru
Thirunal is celebrated in the religious headquarters of Swamithope pathi which
attracts large crowds from Tamil Nadu and across India. The Kodai festival in the
month of March at the Mandaikad temple also attracts large crowds, both from
Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Thirukalya Utsavam in Kumaracoil temple, near
Thuckalay, is celebrated in the month of March - April, and it attracts large
numbers from Kerala. In the St. Xavier's Church at Kottar, the annual festival on
3rd December is celebrated with grandeur, and it attracts Catholic people from all
over South India.
3.4.3 Transport and Highways
There are two major National Highways (NH) roads emanating
from Kanyakumari town. One is the NH 7 that starts from the town and runs
through Madurai and the other is the NH 47 that runs to Salem through Kerala,
touching some important cities in Kerala like Trivandrum and Kochi and also in
Tamil Nadu. The road stretching from Kanyakumari to Trivandrum is one of the
busiest Highway stretches in India. The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Transport
Corporation is the major operator of bus services in the district, though licences
are issued for specific routes to private operators. The most remarkable bus
service is the End to End service between Nagercoil and Tirunelveli, which
reduces the travel time and reaches within 1 hour and 10 minutes. At present,
there are 3495.80 km of surfaced roads in the district. The Airport Authority of
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India has proposed for an Airport in Nagercoil to tap the tourism potential of the
southern districts of Tamil Nadu. The nearest airports are Trivandrum
International Airport which is 70 km and Tuticorin Domestic Airport which is
110 km away from Nagercoil, the capital of Kanyakumari District.
3.4.4 Railways
Nagercoil is a major railway junction, connecting the eastern and
western rail lines and connecting all the major cities in India. The western line
runs through the west coast (through Kerala) and the eastern line runs through the
east into Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, towards Chennai. The rail link to
Kanyakumari was established only in 1978, mainly because of establishing a rail
line through the district posed some challenges for the railway department which
took a lot of efforts, especially the western line. The western line that runs to
Trivandrum today runs through some huge artificial ground elevations and
number of hill tunnels. Railway routes are under the jurisdiction of Southern
Railway’s Thiruvananthapuram Division. Most of the train services are through
Kerala. Nagercoil Junction Railway station is -A- category station with an annual
passenger revenue of over 20 crore. There are plans for setting up a suburb
railway station in Nagercoil-Parvathipuram. Kanyakumari District is connected
through direct train services with all metropolitan cities in India, like New Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata. These Express trains originate either
from Kanyakumari or Nagercoil. Passenger (local) train services and other
express trains run between Trivandrum Central and either Nagercoil or
Kanyakumari. The journey by train from Trivandrum Central to Nagercoil
usually takes two hours. India's longest-running train, both in time and distance,
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The Himsagar Express runs between Kanyakumari town and Jammu Tawi. The
train covers 3,751 km between Kanyakumari and Jammu Tawi, in 74 hours and
55 minutes.
3.4.5 Colachel Port
Colachel Port is a small natural harbour in the western side of the
district near the town of Colachel. The Indian government has plans to turn it into
a major port and container trans-shipment terminal and is now in the process of
making a feasibility study. Colachel Port would have certain advantages over
other neighbouring ports in India when developed, in that, it would be closer to
international shipping lanes - shipping traffic between Europe, West Asia and the
Far East passes not far from the port. Also, the port is naturally deep. Being
situated close to the tip of the Indian Peninsula and with major ports
like Colombo and Singapore in the vicinity, the port is becoming a big port and
the Singapore government has sent its team to study the port.
3.5 Tourism in the District
The district is a major tourist attraction in India and one of the hot
spots in Asia, with year-round tourist traffic at Kanyakumari town and several
important tourist spots like Padmanabhapuram Palace and 35 more hot spots,
while seasonal in 15 other tourist spots.
3.6 Forests
The forests in Kanyakumari District are about 75 million years
old. Of the total district area of 1671.3 km², government forests occupy an area of
504.86 km² which comes to about 30.2 percent of the total geographical area of
the district. The forests of the district are administered through the Kanyakumari
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Forest Division, with headquarters at Nagercoil, the capital of Kanyakumari
District. There are 14 types of forests from luxuriant tropical wet evergreen to
tropical thorn forests. This variety occurs in the district because of diverse
locality factors. Rainfall varies from 103 cm to 310 cm elevation from sea level
to 1829 m. The forest area is 30.2 percent of the total district geographical area
which is next to Nilgiris district with 59 percent and Dharmapuri District with 38
percent in Tamil Nadu State. 52 percent of the district's forests are classified as
dense forests, which is second only to Dharmapuri District with 58 percent. The
forests contain species such as Mesua ferrea, Bischofia Javanica, Vitex
altissima to smaller trees of Dillini a species festooning climber, shrubs, valuable
herbs, variety of orchids, two types of canes, many indigenous palms and cycas.
The important timbers are teak, rosewood, vengai and aini. Various types of
forest products like bamboos, reeds, canes, soft wood, tamarind, lemon grass,
rubber, coconut, arecanut, terminalia chebula, cinnamon bark nelli, cardamom,
mango and many medicinal plants are harvested in this district. The
Maruthuvalmalai, a hill located among green paddy fields and coconut palms, is
famous for valuable medicinal plants. This is the only district in Tamil Nadu
where rubber and clove plantations have been raised in reserve forests in an area
of 47.857 km² and 1.1 km² respectively. The district is rich in wildlife with at
least 25 types of mammals, about 60 species of birds including 14 species of
migratory birds and many species of fishes, reptiles and amphibians listed.
3.7 Human Resources
In 2011, Kanyakumari had population of 1,863,174 of which male
and female were 926,800 and 936,374 respectively. There was change of 11.17
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percent in the population compared to population as per 2001. In the previous
census of India 2001, Kanyakumari District recorded increase of 4.73 percent to
its population compared to 1991. The initial provisional data suggest a density of
1,106 in 2011 compared to 995 of 2001. Total area under Kanyakumari district is
of about 1,684 sq.km. In education sector, Kanyakumari District is having
average literacy rate of 92.14 percent. Male literacy and female literacy were
93.86 and 90.45 percent respectively. In all, there were total 1,567,580 literates
compared to 1,308,322 literates of 2001 census.
3.8 Highlights of 2011 Census for Kanyakumari District
Table 3.1
Description of Kanyakumari District as per 2011 Census
Description 2011 2001
Actual Population 1,863,174 1,676,034
Male 926,800 832,269
Female 936,374 843,765
Population Growth 11.17percent 4.73percent
Area Sq. Km 1,684 1,684
Density/km2 1,106 995
Proportion to Tamil Nadu Population 2.58percent 2.69percent
Sex Ratio (Per 1000) 1010 1014
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 961 968
Average Literacy 92.14 87.55
Male Literacy 93.86 90.37
Female Literacy 90.45 84.79
Total Child Population (0-6 Age) 161,956 181,719
Male Population (0-6 Age) 82,586 92,325
Female Population (0-6 Age) 79,370 89,394
Literates 1,567,580 1,308,322
Male Literates 792,385 668,667
Female Literates 775,195 639,655
Child Proportion (0-6 Age) 8.69percent 10.84percent
Boys Proportion (0-6 Age) 8.91percent 11.09percent
Girls Proportion (0-6 Age) 8.48percent 10.59percent
Source: Census Report 2011.
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The district’s total population is 1,863,174 compared to 1,676,034
of 2001, Male and female was 926,800 and 936,374 respectively; Population
Growth is recorded in 2011 for the decade has remained 11.17 percent. Same
figure for 1991-2001 decade was 4.73 percent. Total Area of the District was
1,684 with average density of 1,106 per sq. km.., and has constituted 2.58 percent
of total Tamil Nadu Population. Sex Ratio of the District is now 1010, while
child sex ratio (0-6) is 961 per 1000 boys. Children below 0-6 age were 161,956
which form 8.69 of total Kanyakumari District population. Average Literacy rate
for Kanyakumari District is 92.14 percent, a change of from past figure of 87.55
percent. In India, literacy rate is counted only for those above 7 years of age.
Child between0-6 ages are exempted from this. Total literates in the
Kanyakumari District increased to 1,567,580.
3.9 The Status of Women in Kanyakumari District
Evaluating, promoting and monitoring the status of women are the
need of the day for many cogent and pressing reasons. The prime reason is that
the well- being of a household is centered on the welfare and status enjoyed by
women. When the status of women is improved, it enhances the quality and
quantity of human resources available for development. If women are unable to
reach their full potential due to failure to improve their status it is a violation of
their basic human right. Further, the success of development efforts depends on
the fruits of development reaching not only men but also women in an
appropriate manner.
By status of women, we mean a set of expectations regarding the
attributes pertaining to the duties and responsibilities of women in their roles as a
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daughter, student, wife, mother, and so on and the actions, rewards or rights
which they expect from others in their positions as well as the perceptions of
others of the actual rewards accompanying these positions. The prevalence of a
predominantly patriarchal society in Kanyakumari district has made the mindset
of the people refuse to accept women as equal partners with men. After 59
momentous years of independence for the nation, women who constitute nearly
half of the population are yet to obtain freedom. Women remain at the periphery
when it comes to social issues. The tussle for gender equality in Kanyakumari
district, a highly literate district, still continues making it a distant dream.
Women are still considered as secondary citizens in the civil and domestic life.
According to census 2011, the sex ratio is 1010 in Kanyakumari District. This
favourable rate is not sufficient, to catapult women in the trajectory of progress,
their status must be enhanced. Improving the status of women becomes a sine qua
non, if growth is visualized for the district.
3.9.1 Historical Basis of Women in Kanyakumari District
The status of women is a barometer of the democratic base of any
state. There are sufficient evidences to prove that women were held in reverence
and high esteem in early times in Kanyakumari district. When the district was
part of the erstwhile state of Travancore, matriarchal system of family was
prevalent. Today, the root cause of women’s oppression in Kanyakumari district
is patriarchy, which has switched legitimate powers off, leaving women
defenseless and weak. The poor light in which history depicted women and
misinterpretation of women in epics and scriptures contributed much to the poor
self image, suffering nature, defeatist attitude and lack of assertiveness on the
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part of women. The atrocities levelled against women in the hierarchical caste
system was also numerous. One such atrocity in the Travancore state was the
restriction on the dress of women of the lower caste. Depriving women of the
opportunity to cover their breasts and laying down the condition that they can
wear only a coarse piece of cloth extending from the waist to the knees was a
clear instance that women had no status in society. Female degradation was a
feature in the erstwhile Travancore state. Widespread polygamy, practice of
seduction among upper class women, and the spread of the Devadasi system in
other areas slowly affected the status of women in Kanyakumari district. In such
a scenario, there were a few women like Vottaduku Packiam who put up a stiff
resistance to what they perceived was unjust practices against them.
3.9.2 Role of Minorities in Enhancing the Status or Women
When women get a chance to nurture and groom their
potentialities to the fullest irrespective of all the social and economic barriers,
which are deeply embedded in our social system, then their status is improved.
This sort of nurturing and grooming was carried out by missionaries who came to
Kanyakumari district. The manner in which the missionaries chose up to uplift
the status of women in the district is worth mentioning. The first missionary
William Tobias Ringel Taube made unprecedented changes ensuring the
safeguarding of women from Poo tax and from Ooliyum Service on Sundays to
the Hindu temples and providing them the right to cover their bosoms. The
arrival of the wives of the missionaries in Kanyakumari district pioneered the
idea of young girls to wear loose blouses during their stay in the boarding schools
opened by them. The missionaries also encouraged elderly women to wear this
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loose blouse called ‘fringe ravikai’. This was disquieting to upper castes and riots
periodically erupted in South Travancore and lasted for nearly 40 years. Way
back to 1819, Rev. Mead opened a school for boys in Nagercoil. Mrs. Mead
opened a school for the girls in the same year at Nagercoil itself. Initial
difficulties to collect girls for the school were overcome when boarding, lodging
and clothing facilities were offered to the pupils, free of cost, later. The girls were
taught trades like knitting, spinning, needle work and the alike. It is the
contribution of these missionaries to the cause of education that contributed for
the elevation of the district to the highest esteem in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The Protestant Missionaries who arrived in the 19th century were
the first to introduce English Education in the District. The founder of the English
School in the erstwhile Travancore State was Rev. William Tobias Rangel Taube,
a native of Prussia and a man of great force and character. He came to the State in
1806 and then onwards, he devoted his whole energy to evangelistic work and
wherever he went, he carried with him the mission of English education. He was
incessantly preaching and teaching and he established many schools for poor
children, Christians as well as non-Christians. During the short period of ten
years (1806 to 1816), he laid the foundation not only for the growth of the
Christianity, but also for regular education in the area. Several European
missionaries, who came to the district (then South Travancore) after Rangel
Taube, also contributed immensely to the cause of regular education. Today, a
number of old educational institutions in the district carry the names of these
missionaries. Kanyakumari District, today, tops the state in literacy levels and
education. Colleges of higher education are found throughout the district -
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especially Arts and Sciences colleges and Engineering colleges. The Scott
Christian College in Nagercoil is more than 100 years old. The state runs
the Kanyakumari Medical College at Asaripallam, near Nagercoil besides a
number of Engineering Colleges.
When Kanyakumari district was formed and added to the then
Chennai (Madras) in 1956, the education department of the state was headed by
the director of public instructions who was assisted by subordinate officers and
necessary complementary staff in his office at the state level. The posts of the
divisional inspectors at divisional level, the district educational officers at the
education district level and the inspectresses of girls` school at the circle level
were created under the administrative and disciplinary control of the director of
public instruction. The state was divided into two divisions having head quarters
at Madurai and Coimbatore. Each division was under the control of a divisional
inspector. When the district of Kanyakumari was formed, it was included under
the control of the divisional inspector, Madurai, who was having jurisdiction over
the districts of Chennai, Madurai, Chengalpattu, Thanjavur, South Arcot,
Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli. The entire district was formed as one
education district and the post of district educational officer for the district was
also created.
School education at the district level is under the Chief
Educational Officer at Nagercoil who is assisted by three district educational
officers at Nagercoil, Thuckalay and Kuzhithurai and the inspectress of girls`
schools at Nagercoil. The district educational officers and inspectress of girls`
schools have direct control over the high and higher secondary schools, while for
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the inspection of middle and primary schools there are deputy inspectors of
schools at range level. In the Kanyakumari District, there are nine such ranges
and each of them is having one deputy inspector of schools. The range deputy
inspectors are having their headquarters at Thuckalay, Suchindrum, Kuzhithurai,
Nagercoil, Rajakkamangalam, Thiruvattar, Colachel, Munchirai and Karungal.
3.9.3 Female Literacy Rate
The National Literacy Mission defines literacy as acquiring the skills of
reading, writing and arithmetic and the ability to apply them to one’s day to day
life. Literacy rate is calculated by taking the total percentage of the population of
an area at a particular time aged seven years or above who can read and write
with understanding. In short, literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process
of gaining meaning from print. Table 3.2 depicts the female literacy rate and its
trend in India, Tamil Nadu and Kanniyakumari District from the year 1951 to
2011.
Table 3.2
Female Literacy Rate
Year Kanyakumari
District
Trend
percent
Tamil
Nadu
Trend
percent India
Trend
percent
1951 29.10 100 10.10 100 8.80 100
1961 40.70 140 18.20 180 15.34 174
1971 52.13 179 26.90 266 21.97 250
1981 59.08 203 40.40 400 29.85 339
1991 68.72 236 51.30 508 39.29 446
2001 85.32 293 64.55 639 53.67 615
2011 90.45 311 73.86 731 65.46 744
Source: Census Reports compiled.
The female literacy rates of India, Tamil Nadu and Kanyakumari
District are analyzed and it is noted that from 1951 onwards the female literacy
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rate of the district is higher than the female literacy rate of Tamil Nadu and India.
The same is much better during the latest census year of 2011 wherein the female
literacy rate of the district is 90.45 percent as against 73.86 percent in Tamil
Nadu and 65.46 percent in India. Hence, Kanyakumari District is placed as a
healthier place for educating and empowering women. As per the latest census,
the male literacy rate of the district is 93.86 percent and the same for the overall
literacy rate of the district is 92.14 percent. The district has to travel a few more
miles to reach the fullest target of 100 percent which is very closer.
3.9.4. Female Sex Ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population, the primary sex
ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at the
time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms. Female sex
ratio commonly known as sex ratio is the number of females per every 1000
males in a given place. The table 3.3 gives a brief description about the sex ratio
prevailed in India, Tamil Nadu and Kanniyakumari District from the year 1901 to
2011.
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Table 3.3
Sex Ratio (Female per 1000 males)
Year Kanyakumari
District
Trend
percent
Tamil
Nadu
Trend
percent India
Trend
percent
1901 996 100 1044 100 972 100
1911 990 99 1042 100 964 99
1921 981 98 1029 99 955 98
1931 993 100 1027 98 950 98
1941 992 100 1012 97 945 97
1951 980 98 1007 96 946 97
1961 979 98 992 95 941 97
1971 972 98 978 94 930 96
1981 985 99 977 94 934 96
1991 991 99 974 93 927 95
2001 1014 102 987 95 933 96
2011 1010 101 995 95 940 97
Source: Census Reports compiled.
As far as the sex ratio of India is concerned, it never exceeded
1000, but fluctuates between927 and 972 with an average trend percent of 97
which means that there is a decrease in the growth rate to the extent of 3 percent.
The sex ratio is high during the initial years from 1901 to 1931 and then
gradually declining. However, the situation is slightly improved during the latest
survey of 2011. In Tamil Nadu the sex ratio is highly deteriorated 1044 in the
year 1901 to 974 in the year 1991 and then gradually picking up but has not yet
crossed the border. Kanyakumari District has a very favourable position for
women where the sex ratio is ranging between972 and 1014, which has crossed
the target of 1000. When compared to 2001 in which the ratio is 1014, it is 1010
in 2011 which needs to be improved further.
3.10 Employment Status in Kanyakumari District
Employment in Agriculture: Kanyakumari district is economically based on
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agriculture. Agriculture and allied sector offer employment opportunities in the
rural areas. The rate of wages paid to the agricultural employer is not par on the
wages fixed by the Government. It is more than the minimum wages fixed by
Govt.
Employment in Animal Husbandry and Fisheries: Employment in Animal
Husbandry yields a lump sum short-term income to the people below poverty
line. Kanyakumari District has vast seashore area. Marine fishing and inland
fishing have also its own contribution to make towards the districts
economy. Thousands of peoples are engaged in fishing for their livelihood.
Employment in Mining and Forestry based Activities: It is ascertained that
nearly 4000 workers are being engaged in quarry activities and nearly
15,000 workers are being engaged in Rubber plantation in forest area.
Employment in Rural Industries and other Manufactures: Rural employment
in Kanyakumari District is based on small scale industries like rubber plantations,
construction and brick works. The economy in rural employment is low.
Village Industry manufacturers are doing coir products, hand loom and brick
products.
Employment in Services and other Activities: In Kanyakumari District,
there are many religions and private service organization running
Educational, Medical, Industrial Institutions. This service organization has
generated employment opportunities to thousands of people.
97
Table 3.4
Occupational Pattern in Kanyakumari District
Category Number Percent of workers
to total workers
Allied Agro activity 9871 2.14
SF/Marginal Workers 60195 13.07
Artisans 59854 13.00
Cultivators 61567 13.37
Agricultural labourers 177410 38.52
Household industry manufacturing,
processing, servicing and repairs
38514 8.36
Other workers 53133 11.54
Total workers 460544 100.00
Non workers 1215490
Total population 1676034
Source: Annual Credit Plan, 2010-2011.
Nearly 54 percent of the population have directly involved in
agriculture activities, 21.36 percent in industrial activities and others in other
common type of activities. Among the total population of 1676034 persons, only
460544 persons were able to find a work of any nature.
Table 3.5
Block Wise Occupational Pattern in the District
Blocks
Agricul-
ture
Labou-
rers
Pro-
portion
Cultiva-
tors
Propor-
tion
Non
Agriculture
Labourers
Propor-
tion
Agastheeswaram 13894 32.53 10210 23.90 18608 43.57
Killiyoor 20345 46.99 5561 12.85 17386 40.16
Kurunthancode 17550 39.05 6530 14.53 20867 46.43
Melpuram 28035 54.05 8685 16.74 15149 29.21
Munchirai 16363 37.34 5628 12.84 21830 49.82
Rajakkamangalam 15584 42.95 5451 15.02 15253 42.03
Thiruvattar 26059 58.48 6522 14.64 11980 26.88
Thuckalay 22592 43.76 7520 14.57 21512 41.67
Thovalai 16988 50.06 5460 16.09 11489 33.85
Total 177410 45.14 61567 15.66 154074 39.20
Percent to total 45 16 39
Source: Annual Credit Plan, 2010-2011.
98
The entire work force in the district is sub divided into Agriculture
Labourers, cultivators and Non Agriculture Labourers. In Agastheeswaram
Block there is 32.53 percent of the workforce is Agriculture Labourers, 23.90
percent as Cultivators and the remaining 43.57 percent as Non Agriculture
Labourers. People from Thiruvattar and Melpuram area are heavily involved in
agriculture, whereas people from Munchirai, Kurunthancode, Rajakkamangalam
and Thuckalay have concentrated in Non Agriculture.
Table 3.6
Population by Broad Industrial Categories of Workers
in Kanyakumari District
Industrial Category
Kanyakumari
District Tamil Nadu
Persons
Percent
to Total
Workers
Persons
Percent
to Total
Workers
(2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Total Main Workers 454378 82.90 23757783 85.21
Marginal Workers 93678 17.09 4120499 14.78
Total Workers
a) Cultivators 13434 2.45 5116039 18.35
b) Agricultural Labourers 56811 10.36 8637630 30.98
c) Household Industry
Manufacturing, Processing,
Servicing and Repairs 23922 4.36 1499761 5.37
d) Other workers 360211 65.72 12624852 45.28
Total Workers 548056 32.7 27878282 -
Non Workers 1127978 - 34527397 -
Total Population 1676034 - 62405679 -
Source: 2001 Population Census.
According to 2001 census, when a comparative study of the
working force of this District is made, it reveals that 32.7 per cent is working
force and the balance of 67.3 per cent is marginal and non workers. Among the
99
working force, cultivators and agricultural labourers account for about 50 per
cent. Almost 4.36 percent of the total workers have involved in Household
Industry, Manufacturing, Processing, Servicing and Repairs. The others are
mainly engaged in other occupations like construction, mining, transport,
communication, industries other than household, livestock, forestry plantations,
orchards, fishing and the like. The percentage of working population in this
district is less than the percentage of working population in Tamil Nadu.
Table 3.7
Category Wise Female Labour Force in Kanyakumari District
Category Male Female Percentage
Rural Urban Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban Total
Total
Workers 154978 285742 440720 40226 67110 107336 33.53 32.26 32.7
Main
Workers 129656 245206 374862 28688 50828 79516 27.2 27.06 27.11
Main Cultivators 6217 5295 11512 1490 432 1922 4.87 1.93 2.96
Marginal
Cultivators 825 529 1354 663 208 871 4.04 1.3 2.38
Main
Agricultural Labourers 20031 30109 50140 3126 3545 6671 14.62 11.37 12.5
Marginal Agricultural Labourers 8770 11962 20732 2397 2793 5190 30.3 25.97 27.67
Main Workers in Household
Industries 3291 6842 10133 4849 8940 13789 5.14 5.33 5.26
Marginal
Workers in Household
Industries 1181 2003 3184 3359 5600 8959 12.32 13.38 12.96
Main other Workers 100117 202960 303077 19223 37911 57134 75.37 81.37 79.28
Marginal
other Workers 14546 26042 40588 5119 7681 12800 53.35 59.35 56.99
Marginal
Workers 25322 40536 65858 11538 16282 27820 6.33 5.19 5.59
Source: Records of the District Collectorate, Nagercoil.
The iniquitous distribution of education among various social
groups has had its impact on occupational distribution of female workers. Female
100
workers are largely employed as agricultural labourers. It shows that due to lack
of human capital, these women are forced to take up such jobs. As they have no
human capital, they have no occupational mobility. A glance at the table reveals
that the work participation rates of literate women are lower than that of illiterate
women. This is because, in rural areas the lower strata job opportunities are fixed
and educational qualification becomes quite redundant. Moreover, the growing
inadequacy of the income of the main breadwinner and a woman’s desire for
economic independence has made women work in any economically productive
activity. Many of these women are marginal workers who work for only six
months. This clearly indicates that work opportunities for women whether
possessing human capital or not is limited in the various taluks of the district.
Table 3.8
Female Workers – Category and Taluk wise
Parameter
Aga
sth
eesw
ara
m
Th
ova
lai
Ka
lku
lam
Vil
ava
nco
de
Workers 32.4 35.29 32.03 33.11
Main Workers 29.17 29.76 26.42 25.35
Main cultivators 2.68 5 3.44 2.24
Main Agricultural labourers 10.34 30.21 13.27 9.7
Main workers in household industries 4.46 4.11 4.87 6.82
Main other workers 82.53 60.68 78.43 81.24
Marginal workers 3.23 5.53 5.61 7.76
Marginal cultivators 2.84 2.45 3.01 1.72
Marginal Agricultural labourers 31.67 56.24 23.32 25.08
Marginal workers in household
industries 17.02 10.52 13.06 11.69
Marginal other workers 48.46 30.78 60.61 61.51
Source: Census 2001.
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A close perusal of the female labour force shows that the main
other workers are more and have been widely spread over throughout all the
taluks. Agriculture continues to hold sway over the women by providing them
with work opportunities in all the taluks, the maximum number of women
workers employed in Government sector, bank and in educational institutions are
from Agastheeswaram Taluk. This is because the headquarters of the district lies
within the taluk limits of Agastheeswaram where offices, banks, schools and
colleges are found more in number. The assured irrigation facilities from various
rivers and channels have enabled Thovalai and Agastheeswaram taluks to raise
three crops in a year. Hence, the chances of getting a job as agriculture and
marginal workers are high in these taluks for women, the commercial crops like
rubber, tapioca, banana, cloves, cashew cultivated in Kalkulam taluk provide jobs
to women at an early age, which reduces their pursuance of studies beyond
primary and middle school level.
3.11 Industrial Profile of Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari District, basically an agricultural/horticultural
district, is one of the lesser industrialized districts of the Tamil Nadu State.
Despite higher literacy rate, large number of educated youths, wide net work of
roads and railways, telecommunication facilities, an excellent infrastructure of
bank branches and abundant natural resources, the district lags behind in
industrial entrepreneurship. Historians claim that even in 3000 BC there was
trade between the erstwhile Travancore State and countries around the
Mediterranean Sea. Age old industries in the District are handloom weaving,
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wood carving, coconut shell carving, village smithy, stone carving, chalk
industry, coconut industry, oil extraction, and so on.
Kanyakumari District is industrially backward. It has only a few
large sized industries. However, there are a large number of small scale, tiny,
handicraft, village and cottage industries. The district offers good scope for
rubber and cashew based units as well as handicraft and cottage industries. A
number of factors have hampered the industrial development of the district. Most
of the areas are wet lands. The non-availability of lands for non-agricultural
purposes and the high cost of farmlands are other factors. In spite of all these,
number of small industries has come up in the district. The major industries are
Cashew nut industries, Rubber industry, Spinning Mills, Coir industries, Fish net
industries and the like. The large-scale industries located in the district are
Kanyakumari District Co-operative Spinning Mills Limited, Morarji Borex
Limited (Chemically treated rubber wood), Nagammal Spinning Mills Limited,
Indian Rare Earths Limited (mineral sand), Vasantham Mono Film Limited, and
Kanam Latex, Pallavilai.
During handloom industry crisis, the Government encouraged
handloom co-operatives and formed the Tamil Nadu Handloom and Textiles
Department as well as the Tamil Nadu Handloom Development Corporation.
When the district joined Tamil Nadu in 1956, Nagammal Textile Mills, a private
sector medium scale industry manufacturing cotton yarn commissioned in 1950
was the only medium scale industry in the district, even after independence and
after merging with Tamil Nadu. Unfortunately, there were no major efforts for
industrialization in the district. The Travancore – Cochin Government had set up
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a factory in Manavalakurichi where the beach sand was processed and ilmenite,
monazite and the like were mined and separated. This was taken over in 1965 by
the Government of India and the Indian Rare Earths Ltd., was formed. In 1963,
the Kanyakumari District Co-operative Spinning Mills Ltd., (KANYASPIN)
was set up at Aralvaimozhi and started production from 1965. This gave
employment to around 900 persons and almost all of them became share holders.
In 1959, an Industrial Estate was established at Kappukadu near Marthandam
which is at a distance of 3 km from Marthandam proper in an extent of 7.50
acres. In 1963 another Industrial Estate was set up at Konam, which is at a
distance of 2 km from Nagercoil in an area of 20.85 acres of land which now has
45 units, also there are eight regular sheds to cater to the needs under the Tiny
Sector programme, which are fully occupied. The industries here are mainly
engaged in the manufacture of steel furniture, pipes, drums, electrical goods,
rubber products, I.V. fluid and the like. The setting up of District Industries
Centre (DIC), Konam, Nagercoil on August 1, 1978 and opening of office of
Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation Ltd (TIIC) at Nagercoil are
government interventions which have helped the growth of industries. Due to low
wages compared to Kerala, many cashew factories have flourished in the border
areas in the district, mostly owned by Keralites.
3.11.1 Sector wise Industries
Village based Traditional Industries: The traditional industries such as Lime –
Kiln industry and other clay-based industries such as tile industry, brick industry
and potteries are out of the purview of most economists and statisticians.
However, the survey shows that there are 502 village pottery units and 24 tile
104
units in the district, on an average there are about 20 truckloads of bricks move
into the Thiruvananthapuram district alone. Considering the movements to other
parts of Tamil Nadu and the brisk local consumption, brick industry can be said
to be a major industry in Kanyakumari District but causes environmental
destruction. There is need for imparting knowledge on energy saving brick kilns.
Soap Making: There are about 20 units in this district engaged in the
manufacture of washing soaps. Important varieties of soaps produced are washing
soaps in bars, cakes and chips and soft soaps. Women SHGs are also involved in
bath soap manufacture.
Handicrafts Industry: Next to agriculture, handicrafts offer the highest
employment generation, sea – shell products, different fibre based products,
coconut shell based products are made and sold to consumers, of whom majority
are tourists.
Hand Embroidery Craft Industry: Christian missionaries introduced this
industry from Belgium in the first part of 19th
century as part time job at home for
women, there is very good export potential for these products, which include cut
work, embroidery, shadow embroidery, pillow cover, sofa set cover, table cloth,
bed covers, dining table sets, appliqué embroidery sarees, embroidery motifs, bed
spreads, curtain clothes and so on. According to an estimate of Handicrafts
Marketing and Extension Centre there are 46 units employing 5300 artisans and
the craft is concentrated in Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks. Marketing is done
through Government organized exhibitions and Kanyakumari District Artisans
Welfare Association. However, raw materials like cotton, silk threads, casement
clothes and the like are not available in required quantity. The price of handloom
105
cloth has increased manifold, and this has, in turn, affected the demand. Credit
availability is very poor except those units supported by the church. Quality
maintenance is also a matter of concern. For rural women, hand embroidery
offers good scope for increasing their income and adequate training should be
organized by the Handicrafts Marketing and Extension Centre. The Government
should also help in getting adequate raw materials and tie up arrangements can be
made with handloom units. Organizing women into self help groups can tackle
the problem of credit. Export potential can be fully utilized if the women can be
organized into small cooperative societies.
Lace and Embroidery Industry: Lace making was promoted by the Christian
Missionaries to help poor widows and destitute, women’s charity programme in
Nagercoil. Thus Church of South India Lace Industry, Socio Economic
Development Association and Young Men Christian Association in which about
3000 families are employed, are the major organizers for this cottage industry. If
there is a coordinated effort among the active units, the production can be
increased manifold as there is good demand for these items abroad.
Fibre Craft Industry: Next to Kerala, Kanyakumari District accounts for the
largest manufacture of natural fibre articles in the country and banana fibre, palm
leaf, sessile fibre and jute fibre are used. This offers good scope for women.
Increased wages, new designs, good marketing support and adequate training will
help. Khadi and Village Development Board provide training.
Reed Mats Industry: Traditionally, this craft was practised by the kani tribals.
As the Western Ghats is a good source of reed and bamboo, there is good future
for this industry. Marketing can be done at Kanyakumari itself. New products
106
like chopsticks for Japan, and mats for Arab countries should be creatively
considered.
Salt Industry: Salt manufacture is an old time industry mainly concentrated in
Kanyakumari and Colachel areas. These salt pans are known as ‘Uppalams’.
There are ten salt factories in the district.
Sea Shell Industry: Sea Shell is available along the sea coast from
Kadiapattanam to Nerodi. Chanku is mainly used for the manufacture of fancy
articles such as bangles, rings and the like. The Valampuri chanku has a religious
significance and those who could afford to possess this rare chanku treasure it
and hence fetches a very good price. Small scale industries and handicraft units
which use sea shell have also come up in the district. Sea shells are used for the
production of calcium carbide and hydrated lime. The good quality shell is a raw
material for the manufacture of calcium carbide, coated cement, colour washes
and bleaching powder. It is also used in chemical, paper and fertilizer industries.
This offers scope for further local industries. As Kanyakumari is a famous tourist
centre, attracting nearly 1.5 crore tourists per year, there is good demand for shell
craft. During the six months of off season, the producers have great difficulty.
Government should give some financial assistance and working capital to
produce and store the products for few months and innovative designs and new
products are required to improve quality and attractiveness and increase
marketability.
Temple Jewellery Industry: Temple Jewellery is now being revived with
Government support. Vadasery is famous for this industry. This industry is facing
extinction due to competition from the mechanized sector.
107
Granite Quarrying Industry (Blue metal Industry): Quarrying is a method of
taking large solid blocks or broken masses of stone from the earth and preparing
them for construction projects. According to the records of Department of
Geology and Mining, there are 39 Government quarries covering 83 hec Concrete
of land leased out to private parties, in Kanyakumari District. There are also 49
patta land quarries covering 44 hec Concrete of land. The government has given
licence to 14 industries for quarrying dimensional stones, there are 67 legal
quarries and 21 legal crushing units, and there are many illegal quarries and
crushing units also. There are about 1000 laborers directly involved in the granite
quarrying and stone crushing industries.
Stone Carving Industry: Besides temples, madams and roadside loadstones
in the district, excellent stone carving expertise is evident in Suchindrum temple.
Growing dense population near quarries had become a reality and gives rise to
issues like pollution including the noise pollution. Despite challenges, the stone
cutting and polishing industries have immense potential for growth. More
employment can be generated if the processing industry for dimensional blocks is
also located in the district. Processed dimensional stones can be exported through
Thoothukudi Port and Colachel harbour, thus becoming a foreign exchange
earning industry. Presently, countries importing granites from India are re-
exporting value added granite products so value adding jobs can be retained in
India with special entrepreneurial, marketing and value adding skills.
Brass and Metal industry: Though these products have been losing markets
in the past due to stainless steel invasion, the demand is once again picking up.
The demand for various sizes of Kuttuvilakku, lamps and brass vessels for
108
making medicine are in demand. With the resurgence of Ayurveda and Siddha,
the demand will pick up as huge vessels are needed for making medicines, new
products with artistic skills can be introduced. There is ample scope for value
addition in this industry.
Other Handicrafts Industries: Jewelleries, bamboo works, coconut shell
products, greeting cards, and the like have good scope. Now that Kanyakumari is
declared as an international tourist centre, the inflows of tourists will increase.
Keeping this in mind, handicrafts manufacturers have to be guided, old crafts like
making musical instruments and articles of wax would be encouraged. The
Government should set up a permanent exhibition of handicrafts at Kanyakumari
as well as Padmanabhapuram palace, which will enable prompt marketing of
labour intensive handicrafts to national and international tourists.
3.11.2 Cotton-based Industries
Textile Industry: Nagammal Mills and Kanyaspin are the two spinning mills in
the district, their capacity has remained constant. Kanyaspin is undergoing a
crisis due to lack of Government support.
Handloom Industry: Handlooms provide employment to around 10000 persons
though there are 16214 weavers who are members of weaver’s cooperative
societies, there are 64 primary cooperative societies, 16 industrial cooperatives
and one power loom cooperative in this sector. The Government is providing
marketing support through purchase of dhoties and sarees for free distribution
during festival seasons. However, due to low income when compared to masons,
carpenters and even agricultural labourers, workers are withdrawing from this
109
sector. If diversification of items, new designs and techniques are provided the
handloom activity can be sustained.
Khadi Industries: With a view to promote and develop the khadi and village
industries products in the State, the Tamilnadu Khadi and Village Industries
Board was set up in April 1960. The Board generates employment opportunities
in rural areas by utilizing the raw materials available in the areas concerned
which in turn help alleviate poverty. These eleven production centres in
Kanyakumari District are located at Nagercoil, Manavalakurichi,
Agastheeswaram, Monday Markets, Villukuri, Marthandam, Thengampudur,
Pottal, Chemparathivilai, Palapallam and Mylaudy. They supply cotton to the
spinners and purchase the yarn produced by them. The Board has been successful
in this endeavour in the district. The Rural Textile Centres provide regular
employment to rural folk which are managed by trained instructors, appointed by
the Khadi and Village Industries Board. The requirements of the centres such as
materials and accessories are met by the Board.
Readymade Garments Industry: Besides cotton other synettic fibres also
started dominating the textile industries. As women have a natural liking to
tailoring and embroidery works, there is good scope for ready-made garments.
Most of the garments currently available are coming from Mumbai, Bangalore
and Madurai. The problem faced by entrepreneurs is lack of adequate working
capital, poor modernization of designs and dumping by North Indian business
persons.
110
3.11.3 Coconut-based Industries:
With the production of 21 crore nuts per annum there is good
scope for coconut-based industries. There are 62 oil mills doing very small
production. There is one unit producing desiccated coconut. Coir industry is
carried on all along the coastal areas from Kanyakumari to Kollancode. About 95
per cent of the coir produced in the district is sent to places outside. There are 42
coir co-operatives functioning in the district. Coconut shells are used for making
eco-friendly ice-cream cups, shell charcoal, activated carbon and the like which
have good demand.
Coconut Oil: Extraction of oil from copra is an important cottage industry in the
district, the main centres being at Kottar, Vadasery, Eraniel, Puthukadai and
Mylaudy. The other oils produced are from laurel, maruvettyam, illipa, gingelly,
odai, pine, anjili, rubber seed, karinjotta, margosa and lemon grass which also
find a good market. There can be many more small units with mini dryers for
extraction of oil. There are many coconut oil based products which need to be
examined for future industrial exploitation.
Desiccated Coconut: This is the disintegrated and dehydrated coconut meat used
in biscuits, confectionery, bakery and other food items. The process is available
with the Coconut Board. There are other products like coco-sip, tender coconut
water in tetra pack, coconut based sweets and so on which can be successfully
introduced in the district.
Coir: Coir is manufactured by mechanical de-fibering process producing brown
fibre and micro biological retting process produces white fibre. Both methods are
used in the district. There is a great scope for the development of this industry in
111
the district. Coir industry is carried on all along the coastal areas from
Kanyakumari to Kollancode. About 95 percent of the coir produced in the district
is sent to places outside, coir Board had developed bacteria for retting but this has
not reached all. Nearly 20000 tonnes of fibre is produced. The nuts are claimed as
inadequate to cater to the coir industry in the district. There are coir production
units like TAC floor Ammandivialai, Cooperative Coir Society, Eathamozhy and
so on., which produces items like mats, mattings, brush mats and carpets. The
coir yarns produced are of different varieties mostly of white fibre which are
superior in quality. The types are Ashthamudy, Anjengo, Aratory Vaikom and
common beach yarn. Coir pith which is available as waste in large quantities can
be used for briquetting as well as for producing organic manure and a soil
ameliorant. This has to be popularized. There are nearly 500 people who have
been trained under IRDP scheme. A permanent training centre as well as research
centres for Coir and Coir products should be set up in the district and should
work closely with the proposed Horticulture University.
Coconut Shell: This can be used for making eco friendly ice cream cups, shell
charcoal, activated carbon and so on which have good demand. Technology input
and guidance are needed. Pollution from coir retting must be contained, proper
care must be taken in setting the retting fields as they are polluting the freshwater
bodies, and creating problems for the adjacent habitations due to the obnoxious
odour and release of pollutants.
3.11.4 Rubber-based Industries
The production of natural rubber in the district is steadily
increasing. The yield rate in the district is also good. There are nearly 5000
112
registered units in the district. Rubber is grown in about 21000 hectare and the
estimated annual production is about 22000 tonnes and 90 per cent of the rubber
produced goes out of the district. The Rubber Board has launched various
incentive programmes to bring additional areas under the cultivation of rubber.
Two companies are presently producing gloves and supplying latex to other
industries like MRF. There is still scope for rubber based industries and industries
manufacturing chemically treated wood. Already Borax Morarji Ltd is exporting
treated rubber wood. However, there can be low cost methods which should be
researched. Rubber board offers training and supplies Project Reports. But the
Nagercoil office does not have infrastructure and staff for intervening. If the 90
percent of the rubber produced goes out of the district is converted into value
added products employment potentials can be retained within the district. Since
the district produces a substantial quantity of natural rubber, both latex based and
dry rubber based industrial units could be promoted by establishing common
facilities like mixing mills, vulcanisers, steam boilers and dryers. Many small
units could operate to produce a variety of rubber goods with the help of these
common facilities, the setting up of which may prove to be too costly and risky to
eh small scale industrialists, there is a rubber retreating factory. There are a few
minor rubber factories producing rubber band, rubber chappals and so on. DIC
has acquired land for a Government rubber factory at Chenbagaramanputhoor,
and the State Government has announced that Rubber Park would be set up and
the process is going on.
3.11.5 Fishing Industry
The Kanyakumari coast which shares 6.5 per cent of the State’s
113
total coastal length has 10 per cent of its coastal hamlets. Compared to State data,
there is a 434 percent increase in population/km of coast or a 352 percent increase
in population/fishing village. The district has 16.25 per cent of the state’s
mechanized crafts, 21 per cent of the motorized boats and 35 per cent of the
traditional crafts. However, the distribution of fishing harbours in the state is not
in line with this trend, only one of the 12 fishing harbours is located in the
district. The state has to set right such anomaly and provide adequate service
facilities to the district’s coastal fishers.
Fishnet Industry: Fishnet making by hand was an enterprising industry in the
coastal areas of the district. Fishnet industry in the private sector with the active
cooperation of the commercial banks has made impressive headway and Nylon
Fishnet factories have flourished in the district. There are 81 units with 226
machines functioning in the district. Government should extend guidance for
diversification of products by this industry.
3.11.6 Wind-energy Generation Industry:
In Kanyakumari District, Aralvaimozhi and Muppandal are the
places where mountain ranges of the Western Ghats lay which enable the wind to
blow with high pressure. Due to this chain of mountain ranges the wind
concurrently blows almost for 9 months in a year. High velocity winds that gush
through a tunnel between the mountain passes in the Western Ghats and a
relatively arid tract have kept vegetation in Muppandal at a low level. Wind
farms at Muppandal are a cluster of windmills which is the distinctive feature of
Muppandal situated 15 km away from Nagercoil. Wind energy sector in this
region is attributed by the Tamilnadu Electricity Board to the favourable wind
114
condition that prevails especially at Muppandal, the second largest wind farm
cluster in the world after California and the largest in Asia during nineties.
Muppandal windmill was started in March 1990. This windmill was a joint
project of DANIDA, Denmark, New Delhi, Tamilnadu Energy Development
Agency (TEDA) and Tamilnadu Electricity Board (TNEB). Tamilnadu Energy
Development Agency had selected the area for erection of windmills. The wind
flow in the area is 13 to 15 metres per second.
3.11.7 Agro-based Industries
Kanyakumari District is one of the predominant districts where
there are number of agro – based small to medium scale industries exist. Many
cashew small scale factories sprung up in Vilavancode taluk utilizing the cheap
and plentiful labour and abundant supply of nuts. There are about 660 cashew
processing units, which provide employment to 1.5 to 2.0 lakh rural women, but
they have started saturating due to many reasons. The industries like cashew-
processing units, rubber-based industries, tapioca flour industries, oil mills, coir-
pith processing units, handicraft units, coconut processing units, banana-
processing Small Scale Industries units, and honey processing units are some of
the agro-based units in the district. Besides these agro industries, there is good
scope for further expansion of Coconut processing units, Banana processing units
and Honey based products.
3.11.8 Cashew Kernal Processing Industry
As a foreign exchange earner, this industry has a distinct place in
the industrial map of Kanyakumari district. There are 183 cashew industries
which provide employment for about 2800 women. The district industries centre,
115
Nagercoil is indentifying prospective industries and issuing certificate for
provisional small scale industries registration. They are given financial assistance
and technical guidance to start small scale industries. There are 9959 permanent
small scale industrial units and 20,136 provisional small scale industrial units.
3.12 Scope for the Development of Women in Kanyakumari District
With a view to enlist women more actively in the development
process, special efforts and programmes aimed towards women enlistment and
development have been undertaken in the district. During the early period of
development planning, women as a group have not been given away any
importance and they were more or less neglected. Since the Sixth Five year plan
onwards, empowerment of women has been high on the development agenda of
both the state and central Governments and to empower is to allow participation
and give equal power in the decision making to all the women, especially to those
who have traditionally been kept out. Problems specific to women have to be
highlighted in considering issues like food, fuel and drinking water, since these
directly concern women, their involvement in the programmes related to such
issues must be given prominence. The inter linkages among fuel, food and
drinking water with other aspects of the development of women such as
education, employment, food and nutrition, health and sanitation must be
recognized and integrated programmes worked out on a holistic basis for
optimum utilization of personnel and financial inputs. With high literacy level
and awareness in the district, women micro enterprises and the allied activities
are gaining much importance in the society. The role of banks in this regard is
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highly commendable as their role in granting credit to the women through various
schemes gives light in the lives of many women folk in the district.
Table 3.9
Bank wise Credit Disbursement to Women
Banks 2008 2009 2010 Total Percent
Nationalized Banks 56848 68436 69483 194767 74.75
Private Banks 6820 3254 6810 16884 6.48
Other banks 9301 20324 19268 48893 18.77
Total 72969 92014 95561 260544 100.00
Trend Percent 100 126 131
Source: Annual Credit Plan, 2010-2011.
The growth percent over the three years in which amount has been
exclusively allotted for women under priority sector is 31 percent which is
appreciable and with regards to the banks which grant credit facilities, the lion’s
share goes to the Nationalized Banks to the tune of 74.75 percent, then other
banks to the extent of 18.77 percent and private banks with the lowest share of
6.48 percent. However, the overall performance is good.
3.12.1 Progress of Self Help Groups in Kanyakumari District
The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited
provides regular training to the SHGs covered under the ‘Mahalir Thittam’. The
corporation also provides vocational training to the SHG members. NABARD
provides need based training to the SHGs promoted by the NGOs who are not
covered under the ‘Mahalir Thittam’. NABARD also provides training and
support cost to the VVV – Farmers’ clubs to enable them to promote SHGs in the
club villages. Exposure/interaction meets are being arranged for the branch
managers. Raising norms to assess and select the matured SHGs have been
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devised and are applied before linkage with banks. This will ensure only properly
nurtured and well functioning groups will have access to bank linkage.
The test of significance of correlation is calculated through the following
formula.
21 2
−
−
= nr
rt
Table 3.10
Progress of Self Help Groups in Kanyakumari District
Yea
r
Gro
up
s
lin
ked
Tre
nd
Per
-cen
t
Mem
ber
s
Tre
nd
Per
cen
t
Sav
ing
s
Tre
nd
Per
cen
t
Loa
n
Tre
nd
Per
cen
t
2001 1228 100 22243 100 87.27 100 263.18 100
2002 1770 144 34080 153 177.49 203 494.97 188
2003 5131 418 80662 363 1085.13 1243 1921.01 732
2004 6978 568 105037 472 1731.97 1985 2586.87 983
2005 9955 811 9955 45 3566.98 4087 3942.24 1498
2006 14218 1158 213898 962 5828.74 6679 5866.62 2229
2007 6751 550 122129 549 7517.87 8615 6645.40 2525
2008 4939 402 88897 400 5049.40 5786 6173.45 2346
2009 10661 868 170121 765 2794.56 3202 11214 4261
2010 8195 667 147380 663 5530.15 6337 14203.40 5397
Average 6983 569 99440 447 3337 3824 5331 2026
r 0.58 0.66 0.76 0.95
Signific
ance
2.04 2.48 3.30 8.74
Source: Compiled from Annual Credit Plans, Kanyakumari District.
The growth of the groups linked with the banks and the
membership are increasing year by year, which attains its peak during the year
2006 and then fluctuating. The average trend percentage has shown an increase of
469 percent and 347 percent respectively when compared to the year 2001 as
base. The correlation analysis of the same is .58 and .66, which are positive and
fairly good. The structural change is significant for both groups formed and
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growth of members to the extent of 2.04 and 2.48 respectively as against the table
value of 1.86 at 5 percent level of significance. The savings through the Self Help
Group has grown tremendously with an average increase of 3724 percent and the
loan availed by them has an average increase of 1926 percent. The correlation is
high on both cases which are estimated at 0.76 and 0.95 respectively. The
structural change is significant for both savings and loan to the extent of 3.30 and
8.74 respectively as against the table value of 1.86 at 5 percent level of
significance. Hence, it can be concluded that the mobilization of savings and
loan availed are gaining more popularity among the self help group members.
3.13 Conclusion
The Kanyakumari District is blessed with good infrastructure,
natural resources and educated human resource where various possibilities are
available to start new units and to continue the existing industrial units
successfully. Unfortunately, the district is having a few medium and no large
scale industries. A large number of tiny and small scale industries exist without
bringing in newer methods and techniques. Exports are very few.
Entrepreneurship, innovative technologies, improved financing and governmental
supports are needed to strengthen the existing tiny and small scale industries.
Government should also take efforts to propagate the schemes, incentives, and
support services available for industries including certain subsidies. With regards
to the employment opportunities, the unorganized sectors are dominated over
organized sectors. Therefore stress is more among the unorganized sectors as
most of them are seasonal and depend upon agro products. The District is fully
resource oriented in agriculture, mineral, forest, marine and also in the
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availability of human skills. Regarding human resources, it has got a very high
rate of literate population having fascination towards white collared and secured
jobs. Though women in the district have good education, employment and other
facilities, the women with low literacy rate still suffer in getting better economic
opportunities, which force them to take up the job even in unorganized sectors.
Therefore more avenues can be created for the rural women to develop
economically with all social benefits.
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References
1. Annual Credit Plans, Kanyakumari District, 2001 to 2010.
2. Annual Reports of Palmyrah Workers Development Society, 2000-01 to
2005-06.
3. District Hand Book (2004): Assistant Director of Statistics, District
Statistical Office, Nagercoil.
4. District Profile (2003-2004): District Statistical Office, Nagercoil.
5. 'G' Returns (2003-2004): District Statistical Office, Nagercoil.
6. Live Register (2004): Assistant Director of Statistics, District Statistical
Office, Nagercoil.
7. Potential Linked Credit Plan, Kanyakumari District, Various Issues.
8. Soil Atlas of Kanyakumari District (2003-2004): Soil testing laboratory,
Nagercoil.
9. Season and Crop Report of Tamil Nadu.
10. Benelt, Arul John (1988): ‘An Economic Study of Sick Industries in Kanyakumari District’, Unpublished M.Phil, Dissertation submitted to
M.K. University.
11. Daniel, R.R., Sobana Raj, A.D., Jezer Jabanesan, M. and D. Thomas Franco
(2001): Citizen’s Report on the State of Development and Environment in Kanyakumari District, South Vision, Chennai.
12. Vision 2020 (2007): Kanyakumari District, Kanyakumari Resource and Research Centre, February.
13. www. Kanyakumarionline.com
14. www.tn.gov.in