KANCHEEPURAM: “There is nothing that can make up for our loss and grief over the death of Senkodi but we are happy that her sacrifice has yielded a positive reaction from the Tamil Nadu Government,” say Jessy and Magesh, the founding members of Kancheepuram Makkal Mandram.Jessy and Magesh, the women who founded the mandram in 1995, were found sitting near Senkodi’s body in Mangalampadi village, where the funeral would be held on Wednesday.“Two days before her death, Senkodi asked us whether the government would commute the death sentence of Perarivalan, Santhan and Murugan if she sacrificed her life like Muthukumar, who set himself on fire at the height of the last phase of the war in Sri Lanka,” Jessy recalled.“I had advised her on a peaceful protest to show her solidarity with the campaign against death penalty,” Jessy said and added that in recent times, Senkodi was deeply concerned about the Lankan Tamil issue after watching various CDs depicting the atrocities committed by the Lankan army on Tamil people and after reading Muthukumar’s suicide note. The people of Mangalampadi village and also the members of Makkal Mandram remember Senkodi as a righteous and straightforward person.“Ours is a commune and during the review of our activities, Senkodi would be candid with her opinions and would never hesitate to point out the mistakes of others, even if they were seniors,” said Magesh, who adopted Senkodi from her Orikkai village, eightyears ago.“She always spoke about gender disparity in our society and believed in strong action rather than relying on rhetoric,” said Magesh.Magesh came across Senkodi when members of Makkal Mandram were working among the Irular community in Kancheepuram Irulars are the most exploited community in the district, most of them were into forced bonded labour in brick kilns. Senkodi’s family members also worked as bonded labourers in a kiln. After her father Parasuraman married for the second time, the Mandram adopted Senkodi, who grew up learning folklore, classical dance and reading books of Lenin and Periyar.“She would have read Lenin’s biography more than 30 times and used to share her ideas with us,” said Magalakshmi (25), a member of the mandram.Senkodi also taught children of Mangalampadi village during the evening hours, while in the morning hours, she spent her time spreading awareness of rights of marginal communities through folklore musical performances.Magesh, a cancer patient, recalled: “Actually, she was more a mother to me,taking care of me and going to bed only after I slept. All members of the mandram describe her as a very caring person.” The mandram, working for the welfare of marginalised people, has now around 30 active members. Other members work in various government and private organisations and provide financial support.“Of late, we have been focusing on Irulars in Kancheepuram, Tiruvanamamali and Vellore districts. We have rescued Irulars from bondage in brick kilns and helped them start life afresh,” said Uma, a member.
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