Following Lourdammal Simon’s footsteps, Cuthbert enters poll fray in Colachel

Following Lourdammal Simon’s footsteps, Cuthbert enters poll fray in Colachel

After a gap of nearly 64 years, the INC party has fielded Tharahai Cuthbert as its second woman candidate to contest from Colachel Assembly constituency. She follows the footsteps of late Indian National Congress (INC) leader Lourdammal Simon, who had contested from this segment.

Lourdammal Simon during the swearing in ceremony of Bishnuram Medhi (Gandhi cap) as Governor of Madras at Rajaji Hall on January 24, 1958. | Photo Credit: PARTHASARATHY

Ms. Simon, who won in 1957 elections from the constituency, went on to become the State’s first woman minister to be inducted into the Cabinet of late Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. She served as the Minister of Local Administration and Fisheries. 

Born in Manakudy, a coastal village along the Arabian Sea of Kanniyakumari district, Ms. Simon was the one who brought Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), a freshwater fish species to Tamil Nadu, to promote fish farming, aimed at boosting the local economy. Even today in some parts of the State, the fish is colloquially referred to as ‘Lourdu Meen’.

Vareethiah Konstantine, retired Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, St. Jude’s College, Thoothoor said that two of Ms. Simon’s major interventions in the fishing sector were the introduction of tilapia farming in Tamil Nadu, and mechanisation of fishing boats, with a particular focus in Kanniyakumari district. 

Mr. Konstantine explained that, “Tilapia being a fast-growing fish and a rich source of protein, was introduced for the benefit of inland fishermen. At the same time, boats were mechanised for the benefit of coastal fishermen.”