By Robancy A Helen
Tuticorin, Feb 7, 2020: A fishery is an important sector in India. It employs millions of people and contributes to the food security of the country.
Fishing communities in India are not homogenous, as they belong to different castes. These communities have distinct social, cultural governance structures and traditional practices, depending on the coast, where they inhabit. At least two to three castes are exclusively involved in marine fishing in each maritime State and are not related to the mainstream agrarian system.
About two million people are engaged in fishing in and around Tamil Nadu. The fishermen community in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu, South India, is an ancient community, whose origins date back to nearly three millennia. They had successfully preserved their way of life, ancient traditions, customs and hospitality, despite their conversion to Christianity in the 16th-century.
Their mass conversion to Christianity by the Portuguese gave them the protection needed to pursue their traditional occupation – diving for pearls – unhindered and gave the Roman Catholic Church their most faithful converts, whose faith and steadfastness even surpasses that of the Western faithful.
Christians by faith and culture the fishermen of these districts depend on the Sea. Though there are highly educated people, many of them are daily laborers and illiterates.
We the fishermen have no hope to improve our life situation as the fish kind is reducing day by day. The diesel rate has increased and we have to change the fishing nets according to the season. If a person has an income of Rs. 10,000 has the assurance of leading a better life, but we do not have the guarantee either for filling our stomachs or for our lives.
When a fisherman dies in the Sea will not get compensation until the body reaches the shore. We have no surety of our lives till we reach home. The government does not provide safety for our living. If this situation continues we will be marginalized. The government offers Rs.5000 per year in case if we cannot go fishing, says Amal who has 40 years of experience at the Sea.
Their life is fully concentrated on fishing. They are not into the public sector. After finishing their schooling, the men of these places become mariners. They are not encouraged to pursue higher education. They try to marry within their folk. The women marry at an early age.
There are some boys and girls who become graduates. They have not yet entered into public life. They are some who are working in the government sectors. The fisherfolk faces a lot of challenges and difficulties. There is no guarantee for their lives in the Sea. There are so many lives in the lost in the sea and the government does not take necessary measures to avoid the loss.
The seacoasts and the Sri Lankan army attack and murder them. Cyclones and natural disasters do not spare their lives. When the affected fishermen approach the government authorities they neither understand the culture of the people nor understand their problems.
“When we approach the fisheries department, the officials heed no attention to the plight of the people. That is the reason why our people need to enter into the government jobs,” said Father Sagesh Santhiya, who runs the Pearl Academy.
Father Sagesh of Tuticorin Catholic diocese chose this ministry to educate the students of the fishermen community as they were alien to the government jobs.
At this outset, Father Sagesh realized that the need of educating the fisherfolk.
Education is a powerful tool to improve the socio-economic conditions of the fisherfolk.
His involvement in the Koodangulam Nuclear Power Plant protest and meeting the government officials made him see the sufferings and challenges of the people.
They protested to close the plant but the government ignored their cry. This incident pushed him to do something for the fishermen community.
From 2016, he visited 26 villages from Kootapuli to Vembar in and around Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts.
He spoke with thousands of school and college going girls and boys. He created awareness among the students to prepare for the civil service exams.
He started the academy in his parish in Jeeva Nagar, Tiruchendur, and Tamil Nadu. He had to work hard with the likeminded people to start this new venture. This academy accommodated hundreds of daughters and sons of the fishermen community free of cost.
Pearl Academy became a training center for civil service aspirants. They are prepared for Tamil Nadu State Civil Service examinations (TNPSC), Union Public Service examination, Teachers Eligibility Test and other civil exams.
The higher secondary students are divided into two groups and are motivated in personality and soft skill development. The college students are being prepared for civil examinations.
Ten students have cleared the Teachers Eligibility Test.
Ms. Rosmi from Uvari and Ms. Simonba from Punnaikayal are serving as constables. Ms. Asiba, Ms. Dixty, Ms. Nishya, and Ms. Shakila have cracked the group IV exams of TNPSC. Keston has become a forest officer.
Father Sagesh has also initiated a student movement called Thoondil Maanavar Iyakkam (Angler Students Movement) for 8th to 12th-grade students. There are 38 girls and 38 boys are actively involved in this movement.
A three-day camp was organized for the student movement from September 26-28, 2019. The students had an exposure visit to the District Collectorate, Fisheries College in Tuticorin. They interacted with the collector.
Ms. Divya Bharathi, an advocate and director of documentary film, called “Orutharum Varle” (No one came) interacted during the three days camp.
She motivated the students. She shared her experience of working with the fisherfolk.
During the Severe Cyclonic Storm Gaja in 2018, an old lady with the fish basket ran to the concerned officials when her husband and son did not return from the sea.
“Why did you come to me with the dirty as you know I do not like the fish smell?” This was the question of the officer to the old lady.
Most of the officers who serve the fisheries department are people who do not experience the sea. This is why the fishermen need to be in the government sectors.
One alone can understand the plights of one’s people as one knows the conditions of the fisher people.
There is also a monthly student magazine published in the name of “Thoondil” which means Angler.
The students are encouraged to read books and newspapers. There are also empowerment programs for children, women and youth.
Pearl Academy plans to form civil servants from the fishermen community and to create awareness through education.
“Our academy aims to empower the marginalized,” says Father Sagesh.