In the remote hamlet of Malliamman Durgham in Erode district’s Kadambur Hills, the Panchayat Union Middle School currently serves as a stark reminder of the area’s struggles. Nestled deep within the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, this school has only one student remaining, following a mass exodus of families seeking better opportunities in the plains.
The village has faced ongoing challenges, marked by a lack of motorable roads, reliable electricity, and stable income sources. Over time, these issues have driven families away, leaving less than 40 of the original 159 families behind. The remaining residents, who belong to the Malayali Gounder community, primarily depend on millet cultivation for their survival. “There is no income here, and the solar lighting systems installed in 2018 have long ceased to function. We rely solely on kerosene lanterns to light our homes,” lamented resident C. Kaliappan.
In the academic year 2024-25, eight students had enrolled in the school across classes 1 to 8. However, six students obtained transfer certificates shortly after their families moved to work in nearby sugarcane fields. Among them, two girls were admitted to the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and are now living in hostels. Recently, one of the last two remaining students also left the school to join his family, leaving the institution with a lone pupil.
The school saw the arrival of a temporary staff member at the start of the year, but a permanent teacher was only appointed two weeks ago. The only means to access the village is via a two-hour journey on a rugged nine-kilometer path from Kadambur, compounding the challenges faced by residents. The area’s isolation has persisted since India’s Independence, with only intermittent electricity access; brief power supply was available in 1972, followed by a short-lived solar initiative in 2018.
Former resident M.K. Subramani, the village’s first graduate, voiced the community’s concerns, noting that most families have migrated to Sathyamangalam in search of jobs and educational opportunities for their children. “Families return only during festivals. To prevent further migration and the complete abandonment of the hamlet, it is crucial to improve road connectivity and restore electricity,” he stressed.
In response to the declining school enrollment, a senior official from the District Educational Office in Gobichettipalayam stated that a team would visit the hamlet soon to assess whether any other children are missing school. “If we find any, they will be enrolled,” the official confirmed.
Historical context adds another layer to the village’s narrative; a hero stone inscription suggests that Malliamman Durgham was once part of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 14th century. However, its rich history is overshadowed by the pressing needs for basic infrastructure and amenities that could help revive this once-thriving community.
The plight of Malliamman Durgham highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to ensure that remaining families can stay connected to education and opportunities. The community’s survival hinges on immediate infrastructure intervention, making it essential for authorities to act promptly in reestablishing vital services.
As families migrate in search of better lives, the haunting question remains: can Malliamman Durgham’s ghost town find a way back to vibrancy, or is it destined to vanish into obscurity?
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/as-families-migrate-erode-hamlet-without-roads-or-power-left-with-only-one-student/article69841432.ece
Category : Tamil Nadu
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Publish Date: 2025-07-22 13:12:00
