Bellan A., President
An independent community social worker in the Nilgiris since 1983, Bellan now serves as the President of the Nilgiris Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups’ Federation.
More than 15 acres of wet and dry land have been reclaimed to meet farming and housing needs of 80 adivasi families under Bellan’s leadership in the last three decades.
He founded the Ippi Malai Paniyar Munnetra Sangam (Ippi Mountain Painyars’ Development Association) in 2018 and the government-funded Adi Dravida Nala Thurai (Adi Dravida Welfare Department) in 2019.
Bellan plays the thudi, a traditional Paniyar drum.
Languages: Paniya, Tamil, Malayalam
Mathan K., Secretary
Mathan is an independent community social worker in Gudalur taluka. He joined the Tribal Development Council in 2019.
He started a Bettakurumbar Narasimmon Dairy Unit for Vachikolli village in 2017 and has been closely involved in implementing the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (FRA) in his community.
Languages: Betta Kurumbar, Tamil, Malayalam
Sobha Madhan, District Coordinator
Sobha started working as District Coordinator and Area Secretary of the NPVTGF Gudalur in 2017.
She also heads the Adivasi Youth Forum (AYF), a collective she launched in 2016 to serve as a voice for Nilgiris’ adivasi young women and men.
Languages: Betta Kurumbar, Tamil, Malayalam, English
Sujatha R., Treasurer
Sujatha is a school teacher and a community social worker.
She initiated gram sabha proceedings under the FRA for Vilangoor Kattunaikkar, her native village.
Languages: Kattunaikkar, Tamil, Malayalam
Sobhana, P., President
Sobhana has completed her M.Com. She loves teaching and is committed to reaching more and more Adivasi children through the MMK Trust’s tuition center programme.
Languages: Paniya, Tamil, Malayalam
K. Lakshmi, Secretary
Lakshmi has completed high school and now serves as the MMK Trust’s Secretary. She is also a talented musician and enjoys singing.
Languages: Paniya, Tamil, Malayalam
Priya O., Treasurer
Priya has completed high school and is now a community worker. She serves as the MMK Trust’s Treasurer.
Languages: Kattuniakkar, Tamil, Malayalam
