'Vote' messages in tribal dialects

KOZHIKODE: Nearly one lakh tribal voters in remote hamlets of Wayanad are waking up to special radio broadcasts in their native tribal dialects, exhorting them to exercise their franchise.The special election messages in Paniya, Adiya and Kattunaikka dialects are being transmitted through Radio Mattoli, the first community radio service in the state, in association with the Wayanad district administration.The messages are delivered to ensure a greater participation of the tribal electorate in the polls. Many tribal colonies are not even in the campaign itinerary of political parties due to their remote locations and language barrier.“Even in inaccessible colonies, where candidates or political parties do not visit, the radio is doing the job. We have interspersed our programmes with messages and jingles in tribal dialects explaining the importance of casting vote,“ said Fr Manoj Kakkonal, assistant station director of Radio Mattoli.The station also broadcasts special poll-oriented programmes like Nattukaryam which deals with people's issues. Wayanad has the largest tribal population in the state (1.51 lakh) making up 18.5 percentage of its total population as per the 2011 census.Two of the three assembly constituencies in the district are reserved for scheduled tribe candidates.“Around 110 houses in our settlement still don't have electricity and radio is our only window to the world. Messages in tribal dialects have enthused people because of the novelty factor. But we also hope that those who get elected show the same enthusiasm in addressing our long pending demands for basic necessities,“ said Keshavan, a tribal voter in the re mote Pambankolli colony tucked inside the forests near Naikkatty in Wayanad.Wayanad district collector Keshvendra Kumar said radio messages in tribal dialects would help make a strong emotional connection with the voters.“Mother tongue always has a special emotional appeal. Also we want to convey the message that all languages and dialects have equal status. We are planning to use tribal dialects more in our communication with the tribal communities,“ Kumar said.The district collector said that 47 booths, which recorded low voter turnout in the previous elections, from both rural and urban areas, have been identified. Special programmes have been planned to increase voting percentage.“The voters would be provided saplings of fruit-bearing trees from the polling booths under the `Orma Maram' initiative. Agricultural crisis was one reason for low turnout in some of the booths. We hope that the distribution of saplings of fruit trees would work as an added attraction,“ he said.Radio Mattoli covers 85% of the hill district. The programmes are aired 17 hours daily , from 6 am to 11 pm.