Case5-January-2014
There are many leaders, who work silently for upliftment of the life of poor and deprived. DHAN Foundation wish to recognize such leaders and their works to motivate them to reach more people. Shri.Arulanandham is one such leader recognized by DHAN Neithal Movement for his outstanding contribution and struggle to up lift the livelihood of coastal communities. He was felicitated with a award for the same during DHAN Foundation day celebration on 2nd Oct, 2013. His effort to support release of innocent fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka from jails, without country barrier is worth mentioning. Read and get inspired by the efforts of a common man who throughout his life is fighting for the well being of fishermen.
Fishermen venturing into sea, to source their income living live a life of uncertainty, they return back alive being a gamble. This game of life and death, worsened for fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka due to political conflicts, and Shri.Arulanandham now being looked upon by these fishermen as a savior due to his constant effort and struggle to fight for their wellbeing and rights.
The fish folks of India and Sri Lanka used to wander like a sea gull across Palk strait to Gulf of Mannar, Dhanushkodi to Kodiyakarai, Thalaimannar to Colombo, Pamban to Thoothukudi, presently is encompassed by a cloud of fear. The country barriers did not curtail their brotherly attitude towards each other, since all of them plunge into vast sea to catch fish and earn their livelihood. The Indian fishermen are now being welcomed by bullets by Sri Lankan coast guards, attacked, harassed and get locked behind the bars of Sri Lankan jails being accused of crossing International Maritime boundary line. The Sri Lankan fishermen too, suffer at the hands of Indian coast guards, get arrested and lodged in Indian jails. The problem of fishermen cannot be seen as a problem of Indian Fishermen or Sri Lankan Fishermen, but as a problem to the fish folk as such which depend on the Indian Ocean for their living.
Shri.Arulanadham strived to safeguard the interests of innocent fishermen getting shot, attacked and lodged in jails, initiated the Innocent Fishermen Association in 1997, and hence looked as a humanitarian and as a man who gives hope, not only by the fishermen of Tamil Nadu, but also of Sri Lanka.
Shri.Arulanandham was known for his selflessness and interest in protecting the welfare of fishermen even in his teens, when he started the ‘Thangachimadam Fishermen Association’. The seed that was sown then has now grown into a magnanimous tree, through the numerous initiatives and protests organized under his leadership.
Collective leadership is observed among the fishermen community traditionally which is even mentioned in the ancient Tamil literature ‘Tholkaapium’, which speaks of their long term vision, leadership qualities and hard work, despite many social hardships they faced. Five types of collective leadership was observed viz., Seethavi(சீதாவி), Niyayakaarar (நியாயக்காரர்), Adappa (அடப்பா), Moduthalam and Thandal (தண்டல்). Among these Moduthalam community is known for their service mind and Shri.Arulanandham hails from such discipline. His father, Shri. Yuvani Moduthalam sold dry fish for family earning and his mother Shri. Michael ammal used to support him. His dad also formed and headed a fishermen association during his time.
The modern motorized ferry were unknown a centenary ago and fishermen used locally made boats that sail along with the wind for fishing. Hence his father used to fish in Thangachimadam and Pamban during South West monsoon (April to Sept) and fish in Mookaiyur, his native village during North east Monsoon. Life was hectic has fishermen has to migrate with the flow of the wind. Later when Catamarans and motor boats came into use, people could able to traverse across even heavy winds which gave a sort of relief to them. Shri. Yuvani thus got settled in Thangachimadam, a fishing hamlet in Kanyakumari District. His family life led to birth of nine children, six male and three female and Shri.Arulanandham was born as a fifth child in the family on 11th November, 1947, in the year when India got Independence. Shri.Arulaandham’s father died of health ailment at the age of forty. Shri.Arulanamdham was hardly thirteen years then. Presently he is 67 years old and his wife Shri.Thargees is running sixty-two and they do not have any children.
Shri. Arulanandham though very active at tender age, remained as an introvert. He studied only up to fifth standard since his dad has to migrate from one place to another during different seasons for fishing. Also in those days there were no adequate facilities for education beyond fifth standard in many of the fishing villages. He had his primary education at St.James Primary School, Mookaiyur, Theresa convent at Thangachimadam and at a local fishermen school, which used to be held beneath a tree.
Not having the opportunity of getting educated, Shri. Arulanandham helped other family members in their day to day fishing activity and learned the art of making dry fish by the age of fourteen years. He was known for his helping tendency, moving closely with everyone without any discrimination and creating rapport.
Unlike other children of his age, he spent his time productively by reading books and engaging himself in the activities of the local church. He also had a deep passion burning in his heart to up lift the fishermen community, leading a very pathetic and uncertain life. He started speaking about his desire to other likeminded youths and initiated ‘ Thangachimadam Meenavar Sangam’. The sangam which was formed with 75 members, created a hope about their future in the minds of the fishermen. Rules and regulations were framed for the same and obliged. Each and every member made a weekly donation of one fish to the Sangam, which was pooled and sold. The amount was kept in savings of the Sangam. This money was used for emergency needs of the members and also to meet the expenses incurred by the Sangam. The members should not consume alcohol or indulge in gambling, which is very common among fishermen and drains most of the family income. The Sangam used to meet once in a week, during which the accounts are shared and important decisions were made. Opposition came from elders in the village for the Sangam who interfered in the ways money is spent by the Sangam. They asked a portion of the money to be donated to the local church, to which Shri. Arulanandham was against. When problems cropped up he discussed with the members and took the decision of sharing the money to the members themselves according to the contributions made by them. Shri.Arulanandham’s leadership qualities came to focus by this activity.
When Shri.Arulanandham was struggling to work for his community by forming a fishermen federation, his relatives started making arrangements for his marriage. He got wedded to Shri.Thargees on 30th March, 1970, in St.Joseph church, Thangachimadam. He lived as a joint family along with his mother, brothers and sisters. Arulanandham concentrated on Dry fish marketing for his earnings. He also owned six Catamarans and small boats, for which he engaged six fishermen on wage basis. If anyone did not turn up, he himself will go for fishing.
Shri. Arulanandham, shifted his family to Pamban by 22nd September, 1972. He looked after his family, occupation and also spent most of his time in organizing fishermen for a common cause with a long term vision. In this situation a riot broke up in 1978 in Muneeswara Cinema hall , between Kadaiyar Christians and Scheduled Christians, which started spreading in fishing villages. The Scheduled Christians were branded as migrants and were asked to move out of the village by the other caste. When the situation went out of control the police opened up fire on the fishermen on 4th July, 1978 during which four fishermen from Thangachimadam & Pamban succumbed to bullet wounds.
Shri.Arulanandham got much distressed by the death of fellow fishermen and also by the growing enmity between two sections of the fish folks. He understood the need for unity, without which fishermen could not lead a peaceful living. He spoke with leaders of both the fractions and stressed the importance of living together. His effort led to formation of Island Fishermen Sangam, which got registered in his name, as per the request of his fellow fishermen. A vacant land was rented for the Sangam, in which a hut was constructed after obtaining permission, which became the office of the Sangam. Shri. Irudhaiyam Baiva, Shri. Arulanandham and Shri. Alex Korara respectively remained as the President, Secretary and the Treasurer of the Sangam. Twenty one others remained in the executive committee. During this period the then Chief minister of Tamil Nadu announced the Protection of sea (prevention of pollution from the ship) act, 1983 which supported the use of traditional boats. Many members of the Sangam opposed the act, but Shri. Arulanandham voiced that ‘traditional boat users also have right to live and it is not good to oppose them’. Owing to this difference of opinion he quitted the Sangam.
Fishermen, who are poor, worked as laborers to boat
owners. The boat owners used to give a very meager
wage of र 300/year, the first voice against which was
raised in 1967, when they started demanding more
wages. Shri.Arulanandham, Shri.Kuzhandhaisami and
Shri.Jebamalai remained as a catalyst for this demand,
much to the aversion of the boat owners. Because
of continuous agitation and protests, the wage was
increased to र 300/month, which again got revised
to र 100-150/week and daily wage system came in
later. The success of this effort highly motivated Shri.
Arulanandham to fight constantly for the fishermen’s
right.
Shri. Arulanandham was also instrumental in establishing a school ‘ St.Yaagappa School’for fishermen’s children, which also provided education to children of other communities. He also served as the correspondent of the school from 1990-1998. He ensured strict timing for the teachers, quality education and discipline among students during his period. A welcome was given in his school to our Late Prime minister Honorable Shri.Rajiv Gandhi, Smt.Sonia Gandhi, the then Tamilnadu congress President Mr.Moopanar and other in his school when they came for inaugurating the ‘Indira Gandhi Pamban Bridge’, the memories of which gives him great pleasure even now.
Shri.Arulanandham formed the Singarvelar Fishermen
federation in 1990. In 1996, he engaged Ms. Mageshwari
Velayaudham of the Sri Lankan Human Rights
commission to fight for justice and enabled the release of fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan jails. He furnished
details of fishermen arrested through regular e-mail
contacts, the facts playing a key role in their release.
He was also instrumental in availing र 50/day as living
expenses for the family of arrested fishermen. This
idea was taken up by the Tamilnadu government which
presently gives र 250/day for the family of fishermen
held in Sri Lankan jails. He also organized the first
convention of fishermen federation at Thondi which
attracted many leaders and officials to the function.
In 13th July, 1984, the Sri Lankan army opened up gun fire against Indian fishermen for the first time during which one fisherman got killed. Shri. Arulanandham who was shocked by this incident organized a three days Hunger Strikes at Rameeswaram, along with ‘Vearkoodu Fishermen Sangam’. More than thousand fishermen participated in the hunger strike.
Before his wound healed, the Sri Lanka army opened fire again in 6th Jan, 1985 during which two fishermen got killed. Aruladhanam showed his protest along with 21 other fishermen, by blocked a train. Because of this protest the Indian navy, took action against a Sri Lankan Navy ship sailing and arrested twenty of its seamen.
The Personal secretary Mr.Sampath of the then Chief Minister honorable Mr.M.G.Ramachadiran, also paid a visit to Rameshwaram with discuss with representatives of Verkodu Fishermen association to resolve the issue, advised them to go for fishing without any fear and that the government would take all efforts to protect them. On 18th May, 1985, Secretary of the External affairs Mr. Shahabudheen and Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department Mr.Kandhasamy and Director of Fisheries Mr.Nagaraj came and spoke that the fishermen should respect the agreement between India and Sri Lanka and Indian fishing boats should not venture into Sri Lankan boundaries. The meeting did not provide solutions to the fishermen’s problem.
Mr.Arulanandham met Mr.Thomas Kocherri of National fishermen Federation, who came to Pamban in advent of the rally organized to close fresh water prawn breeding mushrooming along the sea coast, which threatened the life of fishermen as well as the coastal ecosystem. He mentioned to him about the innumerable problem the Sri Lankan Navy give to Indian fishermen like
As per his suggestion he met Mr.Vivekanandhan of South Indian Fishermen Federation, who offered him to take part in organized by the federation in 1996 at Nagarkovil. Mr.Arulanandam who took part in the meeting also handed over the list of fishermen killed, injured and went missing due to Sri Lankan army. Because of this a Truth finding committee was constituted to know the truth and the extent of problems fishermen face due. Mr.Vivekanadhan also offered support to address this issue jointly, the opportunity which Mr.Arulanandham gladly accepted and started functioning so from 27th March, 1996.
Mr.Arulanadham also sought the support of many trade unions viz., Y.M.C.A, A.I.C.T.U, C.T.U, T.R.R.M, H.R.F, C.B.T.U, H.M.S etc.,. He also roped in the support of SNEHA, Peoples watch and other fishermen associations. Due to this many positive actions took place. The truth finding committee also furnished a report to the Central government issue, after interacting with fishermen’s family affected by Sri Lankan army.
With the support of Mr.Vivekanadhan of SIFFS, Mr.Arulanadham was instrumental in forming a exclusive association for release of Indian Fishermen and Sri Lankan lodged in Sri Lankan and Indian Jails respectively. The organization formed with the head office in Thiruvanandhapuram, Kerala on 30th September, 1997. The organization functioned without caste, creed, religion or nation boundaries. Few organizations in Sri Lanka too supported the cause viz., Mr. Herman Kumaran, Mr.Yesudhasan of National Fishermen cooperative, Mr. Justin Fernando, Mr.Maxi of Fishermen association at Neekozumbu, Vadamarachi Fishermen federation etc., They supported Mr.Arulanandham by providing foods, clothes and other necessary items for the Indian fishermen suffering in Sri Lankan jails. The Sri Lankan fishermen who got arrested by Indian navy, also were provided with necessary facilities by the Indian counterparts.
The activities of ARIF helped release of more than more than 1000 fishermen and 120 ferries held in capture by the either governments. Many suites got filed in courts which enabled the release of fishermen.
Mr.Arulanandham apart from contacting the Sri Lankan association via telephonic and electronic communication also went to Sri Lanka on 20th March, 2003 to enable release of 135 fishermen and their 27 ferries. He later become the President of ARIF and continued his efforts. In 29th Dec, 2003, 376 fishermen from Rameeswaram who went for fishing got once again arrested and got lodged in Central Prison, Columbo. Mr. Arulanandham, went and met them and also the official of Indian embassy at Sri Lanka and enabled their release. However the 66 ferries captured was not handed over back. Mr.Arulanandham filed a case in Columbo to retrieve the ferries on 5th April, 2005, with the support of the fishermen to which Sri Lanka Navy replied that those ferries got damaged in the Tsunami that occurred in Dec, 2005.
Mr. Arulanandham represented this to our state and
central government, and the extent to which fishermen’s
livelihood was affected. This resulted in fishermen
availing compensation of र25 lakhs for each ferry for the
66 ferries, under Rajiv Gandhi Tsunami Welfare Fund.
To sort the issues between the Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen, he facilitated a meeting them through ARIF in 29th April, 2004. The first round of negotiation was held at Mannar, Sri Lanka. The Bishop of Mannar and Members of Parliament from Sri Lanka Mr.Selvam, Mr. Adaikalanathan and Mr. Mageshsandhiran participated in the round of talks, apart from 21 representatives from different fishermen federations. Few resolutions were made, which however did not come into effect. The second round of talks was initiated again, in which prescribed days in a week was allotted for Indian fishermen, during which they are permitted to fish in Sri Lankan waters. The days are
Month & Days
January Four Wednesdays and Four Saturdays
February Four Saturday
March Four Wednesday’s and four Saturday’s
April Two Wednesday’s and Two Saturday’ s
May Four Wednesday’s and four Saturday’s
June Four Wednesday’s and four Saturday’s
July Four Wednesday’s and four Saturday’s
August Four Wednesday’s and four Saturday’s
October Four Wednesday’s and four Saturday’s
November Three Wednesday’s and Three Saturday’s
December Two Wednesday’s and Two Saturday’s
More than fifty representatives from both India and Sri Lanka, participated in the meeting held at St.Thomas mount, Chennai, India.
The third round of talks which was held at Fisheries department office, Sri Lanka with only selected representatives from both countries also did not yield desired results.
Untiring Mr.Arulanandham organized a conference and tribunal on Fishermen’s right to Livelihood at 11th Dec, 2009, at Thangachimadam in which families of fishermen affected by Sri Lankan army participated in large numbers. More than 30000 fishermen came from Ramnad, Tanjore, Pudhukottai, Nagaipattinam, Karaikal and Kanyakumari district which got the attraction of the government. The resolution passed in the meeting to protect the livelihood of fishermen were passed on to the State and Central government.
In 2001, the Central government passed a law banning fishing of 59 varieties of fish. Since this affected the livelihood of the fishermen he organized a Hunger strike which went on for eleven days at Chandermandir, New Delhi. Two organizations the South Indian Fishermen Federation Societies and Thoothur Deep Sea Fishing Society actively took part in the strike. The government which got shocked by the protest, allowed fishing of many varieties listed banning only a few fishes which are endangered
Mr. Arulanandham continue to live a life of sacrifice for the wellbeing of the fishermen. His selfless attitude has bestowed him with some prestigious award from Mumbai Paravar (a association for fishermen at Mumbai), Fishermen federations at Nagerkoil and Kanyakumari and a memento by the Sri Lankan Fishermen for enabling their release from the Indian jails. His struggle continues to bring a permanent solution to the problem caused to Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy, apart from ensuring fishermen right and ensuring their livelihood.