Narikuravar siblings break barriers, secure admission to premier petrochemicals institute

In a significant step towards social inclusion, a sister and brother from the marginalised Narikuravar tribal community have secured admission to the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), becoming the first from their community to do so. G. Parthima, 20, and her younger brother G. Santhosh, 17, hail from Chinnaiyanchatram village in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu.

The siblings belong to a family of five children. Their father is ill and undergoing treatment, while their mother works as a daily wage labourer under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) scheme. The family’s income was barely sufficient to meet daily needs, and their two elder brothers and elder sister had to discontinue education after school to support their families.

Parthima joined school late, which led her to study in the same class as her younger brother Santhosh. Their potential was recognised during an outreach drive by officials of the Social Justice Department, who admitted them to the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Kumili in Chengalpattu district. They completed their Class XII there.

While studying in Class XII, teachers encouraged them to join the JEE coaching programme organised by the Social Justice Department. They underwent JEE Main coaching at Mallur in Salem and JEE Advanced coaching in Cuddalore. After clearing the JEE Main examination, they secured admission to CIPET, Bhubaneswar. Parthima will pursue Manufacturing Engineering, while Santhosh is enrolled in Plastic Engineering.

“We are very happy to have cleared the entrance examination and secured admission to CIPET, Bhubaneswar. But our struggles did not end there. My father is ailing and my family is struggling to earn a livelihood. At that stage, we were subjected to enormous pressure from our relatives not to leave home and were asked to give up our aspirations and remain with the family,” Parthima said.

Officials, teachers and social workers persuaded the family to allow the siblings to pursue higher education. They recently met Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu and officials of the Social Justice Department in Chennai. Official sources confirmed that the State government will bear the siblings’ education, accommodation and travel expenses.