22Jan2025
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ABOUT US

History of the School

Over the last 65 years, founders Mr. K Raghupathi and Mrs. R Gnanasundari have worked selflessly to create a social revolution and reformed the Narikuravar people. Without any means of income generation the institution has been running for 55 years with the help of our donors and volunteers. We would not have been able to come to this level without the support of our donors and volunteers.

A Calling Heard: The Spark that Ignited Change

Quote of SISTWA

Help is Our Goal

What Make Us Different

Education is the only ladder for these rural children to climb out of poverty. SISTWA creates a bright future for more than 250 childrens in 5 different schools.

We Educate

Providing access to quality education is essential. This involves recruiting and retaining qualified teachers, providing professional development opportunities.

We Help

Promote the preservation of cultural heritage and identity among rural children by incorporating cultural education into the curriculum, celebrating traditional festivals, and providing opportunities.

We Build

Providing opportunities for children to develop practical skills and vocational training equips them with the tools they need to succeed in the future job market.
(SISTWA)

South India Scheduled Tribes Welfare Association

In villages and towns, the Narikuravar (Nomadic people) had built tents in streets and open spaces and lived as nomads. These people lived in isolation as they were looked down by the society. This tribe lived as per their societal norms and expectations and did not mingle with other communities. This led them to become backward socially, economically affecting their personality development and hygiene. 

This community was left unnoticed by the developed society. All the daily activities of Narikuravar community took place in open spaces including the birth and death. These people worked only to meet their basic food requirements. The only form of entertainment that is available to these people is cinema and their savings were used for this alone. 

Though they are cut-off from the society, they continue to live in their own world making movies a part of their life. The children born in this community are named after film stars. The members of this community forget their worries and enjoy only when they watch their favorite actors on screen. Since this tribe is nomadic in nature, it does not get any benefits or subsidies from the government. 

The superstitious beliefs of the community allow it to be easily cheated. These people are not trained in professions other than hunting and jewel making. Finding it hard to live in villages, they came to live in cities.

(SISTWA)

Formation of the institution

This institution was formed because of two incidents which took place in the life of founder Dr.K. Raghupathy. In 1961 as a ticket inspector in bus, when he was travelling in Oothukottai bus he witnessed the death of a woman belonging to Narikuravar community. After noticing that no one came forward to do the burial ceremony, he decided to conduct it himself. 

In another occasion, he found a Narikuravar woman having labor pain. Since no one came forward to help her, he assisted the woman to have a safe delivery. These two incidents made a lasting impression in the founder which later inspired him to start the “South India Scheduled Tribes Welfare Association”. Dr Ragupathy decided to be of service for the Narikuravar community and approached the then Honorable Chief Minister Thiru. Kamaraj who kindly setup 40 colonies for the community. Later in 1967, he formed an association for the welfare of nomads ( ) to enable them to get loans and subsidies from the government. But due to their ignorance, all his efforts failed.

He decided that only education can uplift the community without disturbing their arts and culture but improving their quality of life, societal status, personal hygiene, community hygiene and bring transformation in their life. He became a part of this community and started dedicating his life for their upliftment. At the same time Selvi. Gnanasundari belonging to Narikuravar community was living as adopted daughter of Tyagi Thiru. M. N. R Subburaman who was fondly called as Gandhi of Madurai