Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

Nannambra 2 20
* indicates only general reading rooms and libraries. Besides, there are a few ‘Islamic’
libraries in Panchayats.
Source: Field Diaries
However, almost every mini-market centre had a video cassette and CD library, and all
the CD libraries were having good business. These libraries give cassettes and CDs on
loan for one or two days on small fee of Rs.20 and stock nearly all the latest cassettes and
CDs, some of them pirated ones. All the major market centers, like Parappanangadi,
Tirurangadi and University have computer training centers, which attract probably more
students in their spare time than libraries. Some centers like TACT before PSMO
College, and C-NET in Parappanangadi attract a large number of students. With the
introduction of Akshaya computer scheme, all the mini-market centers have computer
training programmes. The spread of VCD libraries and computer centers generate new
cultural tastes other than those created by books, the nature of which requires careful
examination. It is however clear that young people are more visible in the area of
electronics and IT than in the area of reading rooms and libraries.
Walking took us to several hospitals and health centers. In fact the health practices
followed in the region were more diverse than education. There is one Government
Hospital at Tirurangadi and all the Panchayats had Community Health Centers and Public
Health Centers including the University Health center which has recently been thrown
open to the public. There is one major private Hospital, the M.K.Haji hospital at
Tirurangadi, and several small hospitals such as Chelari hospital. Apart from these
hospitals there are a large number of private practitioners. The interesting feature of the
area is that there are a number of practitioners of traditional medicine (nattuvaidyam) in
several parts of the field area, some of them owning their medical shops and pharmacies.
Almost all areas have agencies of various Aryavaidyasalas, apart from independent
practitioners of ayurveda, some trained in colleges and some untrained. Some Thangals