Badaga Day celebrations in Udhagamandalam

Badaga leader R. Aiyyaru at the Badaga Day celebrations in Udhagamandalam on Tuesday.`United we stand divided we fall'. This was the refrain of many who spoke at the Badaga Day celebrations organised by the Young Badagas Association (YBA) here on Tuesday.Expressing serious concern over the direction in which the Badaga community (the largest indigenous social group in the Nilgiris) was now heading on account of bickering within various hatties (villages), the speakers underscored the need for collective reflection to put the community on the right course.The need to keep at bay those who encourage brinkmanship was also stressed. Pointing out that the celebrations were in commemoration of the Badaga rally organised on the same day about 18 years ago, the leader of the Nilgiri Nakkubetta Badaga Association R. Aiyyaru said that the rally had been organised to foster unity, protect culture and bring about all round development.

It was also to impress on the Centre the need to include the community in the list of Scheduled Tribes.Stating that over the years, the Badagas had made a mark for themselves in various fields, he said that the youth moving out of the hatties in search of employment has been the trend for sometime now.Lamentably in many of the villages there was no amity due to personality conflicts and groupism has become the order of the day. Neutral families prefer to stay away from the villages. Expressing the hope that steps would be taken to change the situation, he said that village arbitrators should be unbiased.

The President, YBA, T.Gundan who presided said that the need of the hour was a policy of give and take.While dealing with common issues like conducting temple festivals ego clashes should be eschewed. Overdependence on tea as a source of livelihood should be avoided.The President, Nakkubetta Nala Sangha Thatha Gowder said that at all costs family values should be upheld. All sections of the community should realise that progress can be brought about only through education. Ostentation should not be encouraged.

The President, Udhagamandalam Town Badaga Association, Subramani said that an ambulance service run by the association was on the cards. Leader of the Kundah region T.B.Raman said that cultural degradation should be checked. The Chairman,Udhagamandalam Municipal Council, R. Rajendran, also spoke.The Secretary, YBA, R. Ravikumar welcomed the gathering.Cultural programmes marked the occasion. Earlier, octogenarian member of the community Nandhi Gowder hoisted the Badaga flag.

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