Daijiworld Media Network - Wayanad (SR)

Wayanad, Apr 4: Tribals in Wayanad do not seem to be happy enough to welcome Rahul Gandhi amidst their perpetual problems and concerns regarding jumbos. For them it is a hazardous task to chase away jumbos than welcoming Rahul Gandhi.

Recently, Kerala’s Wayanad has become a topic of prime discussions due to Rahul Gandhi choosing this constituency. However, people of Wayanad, including tribals of ethnic groups such as Paniyas, Kurumas, Adiyars, Kurichyas and Kattunaikkans still remain in oblivion as food, shelter and fighting elephant attacks are priority issues for them.

Around 18 per cent of the total population of Wayanad district is tribals.

Two assembly segments in the Lok Sabha seat that include Sultan Bathery and Mananthavadi are reserved for them.

They grumble about the dreadful habitation, pitiable transportation and drinking water issues by concluding that they do not have hope in any politician. According to them the major problems are elephant attacks and scarcity of food and water. They even feel it is meaningless to participate in elections at these awful situations.

Doctors say issues like malnutrition are still prevalent among the tribals in the area. The government is trying to change their food habitat that includes staple food like meat and fruits through the distribution of milk powder and rice. They ask the party leaders prepping for the elections in Wayanad to first learn their dialects as it is the only way to understand and solve their basic problems.