Tiruvannamalai gets first modern laundry for dhobis to prevent pollution of local ponds
The Hindu
Tiruvannamalai's first free modern laundry has been opened to benefit dhobis and conserve local ponds. It was inaugurated by Minister E.V. Velu and Collector B. Murugesh. The 5,000 sq.ft. facility has a drier machine, generator, ironing room and cubicles with two slabs and mini tanks. It will provide a stable work and income for dhobis and their families, and prevent waterbodies from getting polluted. 68 families will benefit in the initial phase.
The temple town of Tiruvannamalai finally has its own first free modern laundry for dhobis to prevent pollution of waterbodies, especially local ponds, that have been used by them for over a century.
Officials of Tiruvannamalai municipality, which has constructed the new facility, said that the free laundry would provide a stable work and income for dhobis and their families in the town. It would also help conserve ponds and groundwater in the town. “The initiative was aimed not to affect the livelihood of dhobis in the town and also to prevent waterbodies from getting polluted. The new laundry will be maintained by the dhobis association,” N. Dakshnamurthy, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai municipality, told The Hindu.
Accompanied by Collector B. Murugesh, Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu inaugurated the new laundry. Spread over 5,000 sq.ft. near Thamarai Kulam, the laundry, built at a cost of ₹23 lakh, comprises a large drier machine, diesel generator, an ironing room and a few cubicles.
Each cubicle contains two slabs to wash clothes and two mini tanks to store water. These tanks are filled with water collected from the main tank. A 900-ft-deep borewell inside the facility remains the water source for dhobis. “Availability of clean water remained a big challenge for us. During monsoon, we were jobless as it was difficult for us to wash and dry clothes,” said K. Ramu, a dhobi.
At present, traditional dhobi khanas operate near the two local ponds such as Chetti Kulam and Thamarai Kulam on the northern and southern end of the town. Over the years, the ponds were polluted due to illegal discharge of sullage from residential areas in the town. As a result, many dhobis depend on public water taps in the town to wash the clothes and dry them near these two ponds. Such usage of public taps by dhobis has affected the regular water supply to consumers in the town by the municipality.
Traditionally, over 150 families find their means of livelihood in two dhobi khanas near these ponds, washing, drying and ironing clothes — mostly bedsheets, towels, dhotis, and curtains from hotels, hospitals, residents and pilgrims. In the initial phase of the initiative, 68 dhobi families will benefit from the new laundry. Subsequently, a similar facility will be set up near ChettiKulam for dhobis in the northern part of the town.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.