Tharavadu to focus on upliftment of Nairs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘Tharavadu,’ a unity of the Nair community in Thiruvananthapuram, has come forward with a slew of projects for the uplift of the community. Historian M G Sasibhooshan, who inaugurated the meeting held in this regard on Saturday, recalled that the Nair community has always been in the forefront of protecting the country from the historic period onwards. The community members show their courage only when they are on the defensive."The community should now find a solution for its pathetic situation in society. Several changes have occurred in the society and the community should think of how to overcome the hurdles,’’ he said.Tharavadu should not be an alternative to any organisation. The organisers should come out with programmes beneficial for the betterment of the community, Sasibhooshan said.Thiruvananthapuram is the only place in Kerala where the Nair community is still continuing its traditions. In the changing scenario, a marriage counselling centre is the need of the hour, he added.Radhamani Venugopal, who welcomed the gathering, said that the community is facing severe problems from various quarters. Future programmes should be planned for the uplift in political, social, cultural and educational fronts."Tharavadu should frame polices for starting small-scale industries for women. Training should be given to women and youth for getting  better jobs,’’ she said.She called upon the community to stop the practice of spending huge amounts of money for marriages and said that it should be used to conduct the marriage of another girl from a poor Nair family.Col R G Nair, who presided over the function, said that the money of the community members should be used productively. A training  centre will be started to equip the youth to face the challenges of the job market.Committees will be set up at various levels to take the community forward in the right direction to lead a respectable life. Now it is the time for the community to get out of the threats they are facing, he said.Former principal of Karamana NSS College Santhakumari spoke on ‘The role of women in Tharavadu.’ Ayyappan Pillai, S N Nair, Gokul Das, Madhusoodanan Nair, Mannadi Hari and Krishnaprasad Sreedhar also spoke.