Leaving no stone unturned to see through the educational uplift of the students belonging to narikurava community in Devarayaneri colony, the NEWS (Narikuravar Education and Welfare Society) has resolved to hand over 20 cents of land adjoining the aided primary school, Thiruvalluvar Gurukul it runs in the hamlet, for construction of a hostel for 100 students through the Most Backward Classes Welfare Department.
Founder Secretary of NEWS S.Mahendran conveyed the decision to the District Revenue Officer T. Thiagarajan, during the weekly grievance redressal session at the collectorate on Monday. In a petition to the DRO, the NEWS has requested the officials of the departments concerned to take to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s notice the eagerness of the narikurava community to utilise the opportunity for educational uplift of its present generation of children.
The NEWS had already represented to the district administration for the construction of a hostel, but the department could not allot funds as the land for the purpose close to the school could not be identified. Keeping in mind the welfare of the student community, the NEWS has decided to hand over 20 cents of land valued at about Rs.40 lakh to the department for construction of the hostel, S.Mahendiran said.
As in the case of BHEL, which provided jobs to those from whom it acquired land, and the National Highways Authority of India, which adequately compensates owners of the land it surveys and occupies for construction of Highways, the State government has to treat the case of narikuravas with special care and make an early announcement, he pleaded.
At a special meeting convened recently by NEWS to decide on the land allotment, the members of the society emphasised on appointing eligible youths, educated women, and destitute women belonging to the community to the vacancies that would arise in the hostel to be constructed.
Thanks to BHEL support, the school is now well equipped with quality classrooms.
By another resolution, the NEWS thanked the Chief Minister profusely for recommending to the Central government ST status for the narikurava community.
