Andhra Pradesh - Srikakulam   

A `model' to go by

Special Correspondent

From drinking water to family planning, this tribal village has a near perfect record

SRIKAKULAM: Kosangi, a tribal village in Sitampeta agency area in Srikakulam district has just 47 houses with a population of little over 200. But, there is at least one aspect which is worthy of emulation by more `elite' hamlets. All but two couples -- these were married recently -- had underdone family planning operations. This single-street village with cement road has pucca houses for all. It has a borewell supplying drinking water and a primary school with just 22 students and two teachers. A community health worker stays there to take care of the health and sanitation aspects.

On Thursday, the doors of nearly forty houses remained closed. Enquiries revealed that all men and women had gone to work. Children above the age of five were in the school. And yes, there weren't many tiny tots thanks to the family planning operation.

Sole problem

Of course the fever haunting other tribal habitations caught up with them too. But that didn't hamper work. The school teacher said that though all almost children had an attack of fever, they returned to classes as soon as they became normal. Incidentally the school building caved in. The substitute is a thatched hut. Representations for a new building evoked no response from officials.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

A `model' to go by

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu