The entire economy of the country is under stress today. Unprecedented unemployment, lack of support for micro enterprises, communal tensions, lack of markets for produce, intermediaries taking a major share of the profit, erosion of good culture, unscientific practices, lack of small credit from public banks due to a shortage of staff, and many more problems.
At Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, the southernmost tip of India where three seas—the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean—meet, where sunrise and sunset can be seen from the same place (one of three places in the world), and where it is believed, with some evidence, that a continent called Lemuria existed, is a place of natural beauty, the Western Ghats, plains full of green, and 78 km of coastline with 1,672 square km of area. An effort has been made for three consecutive years to meet the above challenges.
A network of organizations at the grassroots level came into existence in 2017 when Cyclone Ockhi affected the district, causing 218 deaths and massive destruction. In Kanyakumari, cyclones had not been known for more than a century.
They debated the damages done to nature and promoted a resource-based development model. The major natural resources in the district are sea fish, coconuts, bananas (36 varieties, some of which have vanished), spices, rubber, paddy, vegetables, pineapples, and palmyra.
Conversion of these resources into processed products was proposed. A Self-Help Group Federation named Mahalir Association for Literacy Awareness and Rights (MALAR), an organization of women’s groups called Rural Motivation Programme (RMP), an organization of coastal people called Coastal Peace and Development (CPD), a coconut-based network named Ethamozhy Coir Cluster, an organization of palmyra-based workers called PALMA-Peoples Network, an organization promoting organic products called Varaprasadam, Lemuria Self-Defence Centre, and a few more grassroots organizations came together under the “Rebuild Kanyakumari Movement.”
After successful relief measures for the cyclone-affected people, ideas were discussed, debated, and many efforts were initiated. Cape Comorin Resource Foundation was started to help entrepreneurs. The idea was that an entrepreneur cannot take all risks. A support organization should help in project preparation, technology upgradation, marketing, finance, etc., while the entrepreneur should take care of quality and quantity.
Considering the problems in the district, as stated earlier, an idea was proposed to organize a three-day festival during the harvest period, coinciding with Pongal, a Tamil festival celebrating farmers, which is celebrated by all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or language.
In January 2023, the network sought support from St. Xavier’s Catholic College of Engineering for free space and infrastructure support. The college, with social responsibility, provided all the necessary support. Each organization in the network, along with many individuals, provided finance.
The festival included a Traditional Food Festival, Self-Defence Arts Festival, Palmyra Festival, Pongal Festival, Poison-Free Agriculture Festival, and a Science Festival. Seminars were held on all days, and around 100 stalls sold traditional food, products, plants, seeds, palm juice, palmyra products, etc. The hit was the traditional food.
In 2024, the festival expanded to include a job fair, which attracted more than 50 companies and offered more than 500 jobs. A Science Exhibition was also added. Social harmony was the theme, and competitions were introduced.
In 2025, the festival was further expanded to include an Environment Festival, and competitions on essay writing, oratory skills, painting, Silambam (traditional martial art), self-defence, traditional food preparation, etc. The Science Exhibition became an inter-school competition, and science projects by college students were also exhibited.
Every day, more than 10,000 people visited the event. Traditional dances, bullock cart riding, and traditional games were big attractions. The festival was inaugurated by Shri M. Appavu, Speaker of the Assembly, and the valedictory address was given by Dr. Tharahai Cuthbert, MLA. The sales have increased year by year. No funds were provided by the government. In the second year, NABARD sponsored 50 stalls, and in the third year, SBI and Indian Bank provided some support. The major expenses were met by the college and participating organizations.
Many entrepreneurs have emerged. Women have gained confidence in running micro-enterprises. Technology was used, with 3D printing and drones on display. Social media influencer Ms. Remya Deen’s social media posts attracted families from neighboring districts as well.
This effort, if expanded to different venues every month, can promote the local economy, create opportunities for families to enjoy outings, promote traditional culture and arts (which generate employment), support micro and small entrepreneurs, and create jobs not only in the job fair but also in erecting stalls, providing sound and light, photography, videography, cleaning, nurseries, home gardens, and more.
The effort, started under the guidance of Mr. M.G. Devasahayam, IAS (retd), is moving forward with people’s involvement and the hard work of many who enjoy working for people, social harmony, and grassroots development.
Thomas Franco is the former General Secretary of the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation and a Steering Committee Member at the Global Labour University.
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