Socio-cultural Processes and Livelihood Patterns at Tirurangadi - CDS

shows that predominant sections of those displaced are women. The figures given above
might give impression that women do get employment in other sectors, but we find the
proportion of women’s employment is 13.6% in agricultural sector and is lower for the
non-agricultural classes at 10.4% .The work participation rate of women for the entire
block stands at 4.82%.It should be pointed that even earlier census reports listed a large
number of unemployed or without specific vocations, particularly women, but the now
the number forms the majority of the population. There are two other tendencies that
visible. One is that one of the major areas where job opportunities are available is trade
and commerce, in which the percentage of women employment is negligible. The women
who are employed are doing unskilled labor, as shop assistants, working in STD booth.
Now they are also employed in computer centers. Women are not seen as doing any
technically skilled labor. The second tendency is that a substantially large section of
young males have taken their passport and are ready to go to the Gulf, if they have not
done so already. ‘Arranging’ visa and passport, and taking the necessary ‘lessons’ for
living in gulf, such as picking up a working knowledge in Arabic, are essential among the
young people in their preparations for a livelihood. Those who are ready with a passport,
but have not found a suitable opportunity in the Gulf , are prepared to go any own , along
with a relative and work in a ‘business’, a term with very extensive connotation. All these
would be included in the Census category of non-workers.
Social Divisions
The social divisions in the area have assumed extremely different dimensions from what
it used to be during the formation of Kerala State. A small group of traditional Muslim
elite still remains, including the Naha family in Parappanangadi, Poongadan, Neelangath,