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The real purpose of Local Self-government is to make the country a better place to live in. By participating in local government bodies, people learn the art of self – government. The English system of local government is the result of a long   historical evolution for the most part unguided and unplanned1.In the  words of De Tocqueville, “ Local institutions constitute the strength  of free nations. A nation may establish a system of free governments but without municipal institutions it cannot have the spirit of liberty.” Leacock has said, “The distinction between local and Central Governments lies partly in their relative constitutional positions and partly the nature of public services…

ABSTRACT India is basically an agriculture country. As the oborigins of the Indian sub-continent, the Kanis, the people who are living in the mountains of Kanyakumari District, also practice agriculture for their livelihood. In this article an attempt has been taken to explore the agricultural patterns, crops grown, methods adopted and other related works. Kannikkars mainly produce tapioca, maize and malainel or Karanellu for their consumption. Generally, pepper is cultivated in an around their settlements. Since the hilly regions are famous for varities of fruits, the Kani people grow jack and mango trees. Those trees grow naturally in these regions. They use simple implements to cultivate the soil.  Chemical manure…

ABSTRACT Popularly known as the granary of former Travancore State, Kanyakumari District, is famous for its vast stretches of paddy fields and rich forests. Crops like tea, coffee rubber, coconut, cocoa, pineapple, cloves and pepper are cultivated in high level lands. Coconut, arecanut, paddy and banana are grown in low level lands and coconut, banana, tapioca, groundnut and vegetables are cultivated in the mid lands. In orchards, mango, cashew and jack are the important fruit bearing trees raised. Horticulture is one of the main branches of agriculture. Originally it meant specifically the cultivation of garden. Plants such as flowers, vegetables, fruits and ornamentals that were grown in gardens which acquired…

ABSTRACT Travancore had a tradition of its own in respect of Royal ceremonies, festivals and fairs.  The reign of Travancore rulers was not only one of conquests and administrative achievements but also of progress in the fields of many royal ceremonies and festivals.  Some of these festivals have become defunct and survive as mere memories.  The ancient ceremonies were full of meaning and interest to the people of the present generation, especially to those who are sympathetically inclined towards ancient institutions, who not only look upon them with approbation but even with veneration in the formation of different stages in the political history of the state. It is evident from…

ABSTRACT Basavesvara and his associate Sharanas had set out on the divine pilgrimage inspired by the loftiest ideal that man could ever conceive. Most of them had actually reached it and accomplished their life’s fulfilment. They had to encounter numerous odds and ordeals on their way. Every seeker had to   the stages of inner development like self-abnegating humility, intense yearning for the Divine, and insistent ardour for self-realisation. Along with it they had to face several social problems many a time strong opposition to their ideas which were revolutionary and thought-provoking. They faced them boldly; subjected them to a server test, drove out the humbug and upheld the essence. They…

In order to restore normalcy in the State of South Travancore in the days of Rani Gowri Lekskhmi Bai (1810-1815) after the suppression of Velu Thampi’s revolt, the new sovereign felt the imperative need to strengthen alliance with the British in order to improve the administration.1 On their advice the Rani appointed Colonel Munro, the British Resident as the Dewan of the State in 1811.2  He assumed the duties of the Dewan in addition to his responsibilities as British Resident.3 The Resident Dewan had to shoulder a heavy burden. The whole machinery of administration had to be overhauled. Munro’s stewardship marked the beginning of a new era of steady progress.…

Abstract Rehabilitation measures along with the healing ministry of the Salvation Army formed a better contribution to the cause of evangelization of South Travancore. The Army’s educational programmes in South Travancore had an impact on the culture of the people of the region. Its aim is to removing illiteracy of the people. The schools established in different parts of the country failed to give equal treatment to the poor and the untouchables. Some of the schools admitted people from different castes, but did not give fair treatment to the low castes. In order to eradicate these evils and to educate the down – trodden the Army started its boarding and…

Introduction Kamaraj was born to a lower middle class couple  Kumaraswamy and Sivagami Ammal in Virudunagar on July 15, 1903.  The couple christened the newborn baby as Kamatchi after the name of the family deity first and at later stage they changed it into Kamaraj.  During his later age he became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and he had commanded respect of all sections of the people in the state.  He was a confirmed bachelor and devoted whole of his life for the welfare of the people in general and of those of Tamilnadu in particular. Kamaraj assumed office as the Chief Minister while the first five year plan…

Introduction Herodotus was a Greek historian widely referred to as ‘The Father of History’. He lived in the fifth century BC and was a contemporary of Socrates. A major figure in Greek history, he was the first historian known to have broken from Homeric tradition to treat historical subjects as a method of investigation. He collected his materials systematically and critically, and then proceeded to arrange them into a historiographic narrative. Even though he is known to have produced only one work, ‘The Histories’, a record of his “inquiry” on the origins of the Grecco-Persian Wars, this single work is regarded as the first great narrative history produced in the…

Introduction The press, the guardian of democracy, the upholder of man’s freedom and voice of the people play a remarkable role against the social evils.  It has been proposed its main goal as to safeguard the women’s rights by protesting against violence in various forms.  There are number of incidents which took place in Tamilnadu, where the press played crucial roles with a view to ensure women’s rights in the state. The start of social reforms for women from the second quarter of 19th century had helped to make them come forward and participate in very many ways both directly and otherwise, formally and informally with support and backup activities,…

In general, social life of any country is measured based on their geographical features, culture, religious practices, festivals which followed by the people  and also their social organizations. As we know that, documented social values of Cheras are very limited. Here I revealed some gleaned information which will give broad idea about Ancient Cheras. The land of Cheras was full of fertile field and hilly areas like Eelil and the Kolli.The country abounded in forest wealth like sandalwood, akil and also the spices.The hilly areas were abounded with bamboos. The incessant rainfall helped to produce more agriculture produces. There were some references about gold and diamond mines and pearl fishery…

INTRODUCTION Kanyakumari District is famous for its vast green stretches of variety of plants. The district has many beautiful spots. It is divided into four major parts and among the four, two is called as ‘Nanjing Nadu’. For the agricultural purpose so many dams canals ponds and tanks are built. This district is solely depends for its economy upon agricultural income.1 Soil The soil is mostly loamy and assumes sandy or clay character depending on the accumulation of waste on the surface. The prevailing soils in Kanyakumari District are predominantly red ones, poor in lime, potash and iron oxide and low in phosphorus.2 Alluvial soil is found in some parts.3…

The Church of South India is the second largest church in India based on the population of members, next to the Roman Catholic Church, and also the largest Protestant denomination in the country. The Church of South India (CSI) is the successor of a number of Protestant denominations in India, including the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the Church of Scotland after Indian Independence. It came into being by a union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India. It combined the South India United Church (union of the Congregationalists and the Presbyterians); the then 14 Anglican Dioceses of South India and one in Sri Lanka; and the…

Abstract The All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM) is a common platform for Dalit women committed to challenging the nexus of patriarchy, caste, age-old social customs and traditions, class oppression, exploitation and most of all marginalization of Dalit women in the family, community and nation they live in.  AIDMAM is part of NCDHR’S campaign for Dalit Women’s Rights and has the membership and solidarity of non-Dalit women, Dalit men, social activists and other human rights defenders committed to the cause of protecting and promoting the rights of Dalit women under the leadership of Dalit women.  AIDMAM’S objective is to hold the state accountable for its failure to prevent violence…

Introduction Economic Social and Cultural (ESC) Rights form an integral part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and are further detailed in the 1966 International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). However, since their inclusion in these treaties, they have received little attention from states and human rights organizations. In fact, many are not even aware of the existence of ESC Rights, believing human rights to be comprised only of civil and political rights. This limits the prospects for systemic changes, reduces knowledge of individual and group entitlements and reduces government accountability to international agreements. Fortunately, both human rights and development organizations are slowly beginning…

ABSTRACT Mrs. Joy Gnanadason was the founder Principal of the Women’s Christian College, Nagercoil of the Kanyakumari Diocese of the Church of South India and the wife of the late most Rev. I.R.H. Gnanadason who was the moderator of the Church of South India. The opening of the Women’s Christian College is a land mark in the history of the Kanyakumari Diocese.  The opening of the Women’s Christian College on 13th June 1973, marks the realization of the ideals and dreams of a community that has enjoyed the blessings of education for nearly two centuries. On 24th March 1973 Joy Gnanadason was appointed as the Principal of Women’s Christian College,…

Kanyakumari is the Southernmost district of Tamil Nadu. The district lies between 77o 15' and 77o 36' of the eastern longitudes and 8o 03' and 8o 35' of the northern latitudes. Kanyakumari District is known as the “land’s tip of India.” It is “a fairy land” and lies at the southern tip of the Indian sub-continent. It was formerly known by English as Cape Comorin. It belonged to the erstwhile princely state of Travancore-Cochin. The Kanyakumari district has an area of 1672 sq. km.1 To the south is the Indian Ocean that superbly mingled with the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. To the west and the northwest it…

Introduction Tamil land played important role in the field of education right from sangam age1.  The perfection of the growth of education resulted to the protection of literature in ancient Tamil Nadu which included the dominions of Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas.  During Sangam age Tamil literature reached the senith of its glory.  The king patronage the poets, poetesses, scholars and well readed persons.  But the education during this period was not systematic.  The interested people received education from the learned men under “teacher disciple” pattern.  Both genders from all Castes received education2. The teacher was known as Kanakkayar and alternatively in the past sangam period as Uvattiyar.  Asiriyar…

Kanyakumari District is known as the granary of Travancore lies at the Southwestern part of Indian peninsula. It was with the erstwhile Travancore State for a long time and then merged with Tamil Nadu in 1956 under the State Linguistic Reorganization Act. Kanyakumari District is famous for the vast green stretches of paddy fields, rich forests, coconut groves and mineral sands. Kanyakumari district with Nagercoil as district headquarters has two revenue divisions with four taluks. Padmanabhapuram revenue division has Vilavancode and Kalkulam Taluks and Nagercoil revenue division has Agasteeswaram and Thovalai Taluks.1 Origin The origin and growth of the cashew industry owes a great deal to the influence of the…

ABSTRACT The festival of  Sivararthri is one among the major festival of Kanyakuamri District.  Sivalaya Ottam or Shivalaya Ottam is a very special pilgrimage taken by the devotees of Lord Shiva on the Maha Shivaratri day. Shivalayaottam literally means running from one Shiva temple to another. During Mahashivaratri day and night, devotees perform a marathon run by visiting 12 Lord Shiva temples in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. These twelve temples of Shivalay Ottam are spread within an area of 85 km and are located in and around Kalkulam, the erstwhile capital of Venad. The  three-day Maha Sivarathri festival in 12 shrines of Siva in Kalkulam taluks began at Thirumalai Mahadevar temple at…